Depression & Chronic Pain Support Group

So, will try to keep this on the shorter side...my 17 year old suffers with myofascial pain syndrome and depression. When the cold weather hits, pain flares up in her ankels (she's had ankle surgery on both a couple years ago, cuz her ankels rolled) and knees, along with her back, etc. We have done trigger point injections and two rounds of botox in her back and neck (the second one set her back big time). After the second round of botox, things seemed to have gone backward and I'm not sure how to get this child to move forward.

We had a recheck with the pain doctor last Thursday right after her therapy appointment and the doctor said she has done everything she can do. She suggests keeping up with physical therapy and psychotherapy; to try acupuncture (my daughter flips out on that and refuses), biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc. My daughter has also decided she's sick and tired of all the meds, so we're weaning her off one of the anti-depressants (wellbutrin) now and backing off one of the pain meds (tramadol) basically because we don't know what is helping and what is causing more harm than goood.

And...because of everything, she has only made it to school about 7 days since the first of the year. I don't know how much to push on this because of the headaches and pain. She is on a "disability" program for school studies, so that helps, but I'm worried about even getting her thru this year - she's supposed to graduate the end of May. She's a great student when she feels good, but that's rare these days.

So, for now I'll keep up the therapies, weaning her off the meds, but I am kind of at a loss on what else to do. I feel like I should be doing more, just not sure what. She seems to be giving up right now and is very upset about the pain doctor "giving up on her" (that's the way she feels anyway). I tell her we'll keep going and things will get better, but I've been saying that for so long now, to her it just doesn't seem possible. I remind her that her back pain got down to zero before the botox and last summer her headaches got down to a 2-3 (painscale of 1-10)...

I know I'll have to push her to get her to do anything, and she can be a very difficult person to deal with a lot of times...

So anyway...just had to vent a little.

I am so sorry for your Daughter's pain.

Pain is such a difficult thing to deal with and feeling so helpless.

Hang in there and just know that you are not alone.

I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

You're a dear - I love your pic and little sayings It is frustrating to have to watch and not know what to do. I keep thinking there has got to be an answer out there as this chronic pain thing is way too common these days. We're trying an alternative thing too, so will see if it works. I talked to one lady that has fibro and she said it took 10 months, but she's at least off her meds...has to keep taking this other stuff, but better than meds. so, we're going to give it a try. A little pricy but if it works, it'll be worth it. Just so hard to wait things out and harder yet for a teenager to wait it all out.

Thanks for the kind words and the thoughts and prayers - they are very much appreciated! (and if you have any words of wisdom, I'm open to those too )

Thank you for your kind words.

I have Fibromyalgia too. What is the alternative thing that your friend is doing or taking? I am in horrible pain and the fatigue is overwhelming too.

I really hope that your Daughter will find some relief.

If you ever need to talk you can always send me a PM.

You are a wonderful Mother to reach out for support.

You and your Daughter are so blessed to have each other.

thanks and I may just take you up on that offer The alternative stuff is called Orenda...I don't like mentioning it because I don't want to seem like I'm promoting it...we are in the wait and see mode with it and I've been told to give it 4 months, but have talked to a wife of a co-worker of my husbands and she's the one that got me going on it. She took meds for bi-polar and other medical issues...and is off most of the meds, so she's swearing by it. We will see. I will do about anything to get my girl back to "normal" or as close to it as possible anyways. If you want more info on the stuff, feel free to message me to

My daughter is currently on 5 meds and its crazy. I think the wellbutrin has hurt more than helped, I don't like what I read about Tramadol, although I will say it does help her with her pain, but we're lowering the dosage to see if it makes a difference. She is such a strong willed child in a lot of ways, but she's tired of this all too. We just need to get her back in the "fighting" mode and get beyond the idea of another doctor giving up on her and realizing we just need to keep moving forward. I keep telling her God must have big plans for her to put her thru all this at such an early age. She holds on to that most times.

Well, it's late and I should get to bed. Thanks again for the kind words they mean a lot.

Just curious if they have done all the x-rays, CT, MRI, and find nothing wrong? Did they find scaring buildup in surgical sites. Do they know what exactly is causing this. sincerely sassym

Hi sassy - love the name! The doctor's checked her ankles after surgery and p.t. and she was pronounced with good solid ankles that shouldn't have any more problems. She went thru a spell of being on major pain meds for about a year or so after the surgeries because the pain never really went away. It took a year and the ankle pain is pretty much gone, until weather hit and the myofascial pain flares up, like today (we're getting snow again).

She has had an MRI, CT but no, haven't done any x-rays on the ankles since the surgery and the MRI & CT were on other parts. Most of her pain is in her back, neck and head so that's where the doctor was concentrating on.

I feel so bad because she was determined to go to school today and with the weather flaring up her pain, she's frustrated and back in bed this morning. Hoping things will improve thru out the day and she can make it to school a little later.

mamajo,

Just checking in to see if you are okay and how your Daughter is feeling today?

Whenever you have time let me know. Praying for you both!

I hope your daughter will find her way back to a fighting spirit and will get pain relief from the alternative therapies she is trying.As a mom it is so hard to see your child in pain and not be able to take it away. She is very blessed to have you in her corner asking questions and seeking answers,you are doing all you can do. Keep on fighting for her until she can come back to fighting again for herself,the two of you working together will make it happen. I hope each day she will feel a little better.

Hugs to you both,

scorpioj

Take comfort! I know you are a Mom, and as a Mom whose "baby" is 44 years old, It is normal I think! You do not control the weather! I think that is done at a "higher level!

sincerely, sassym