chronic pain

Hi there, me again! Though it's worth a shot to post on here and see if anyone can help me. Basically back in 2003 someone smashed into my car, I ended up with fractured sternum and other things. Then about 3 days later the whiplash set in. Since then I have chronic back and neck pain every day, some days to the point where I am in agony and curled up in a ball oin the lounge crying. I used to go to physio 4 times a week for a bout 2 years and it did nothing. The only trhing that helps is when I get my neck cracked and that only last for about an hour. I have had all these tests done and nothing shows up (which I have heard happens with whiplash) and I am on very strong painkillers pretty much 24/7 even they don't help too much. Does anyone have any other advice for me? I am thinking maybe accupuncture but I don't have much money. MY dr is now going to send me for a CT scan and I am going to get reffered to a pain management centre so I'm hoping his will work. Sorry it's long, I'm just so frustrated after years of being like this. I lost my job over it, it's really affecting my whole life :( I just want something that works!

Renee, sorry to hear you are in so much pain.

Sounds to me you are in a bad way which is a concern considering the car accident was 4 yrs ago...you shouldn't be in this much pain after 4 years. I think you need to go to the dr's a.s.a.p and get to the bottom of this there has to be something that is causing this pain, tell them you want them to do whatever tests they can...you need to know what 's causing the pain so you can try and live a normal life.
Goodluck sweetie i hope you get some answers soon.

Hi Renee,

Some other things that may be suggested to you include;
massage
guided imagery
meditation
gentle exercise


I was going to suggest getting yourself into a pain management clinic. They can be brilliant. Sometimes it is about the medication you're taking and the combinations as well. Hopefully they can find a combination that works for you. It must be awful for you. We see a lot of chronic pain clients through work and they really do suffer. Hope you can get some real help soon.

MG

1996 my back and neck were destroyed in a car accident. Medication kept me alive and sane. The pain was horrific. I have spent 11 years working on living with chronic pain. I could barely walk; in fact I used a cane and for a short spell used a wheel chair. I thought my life was over, or at least I prayed it was. I did it all from Dr shopping to multiple scans, 24/7 Tramal and even slow release morphine, Osteo, Physio, Chiro, Nuero, Naturist, Surgery, Steroid injections, facet injections, pain blockers blah blah blah. Nothing worked, and apart from genetic therapy or bone fusing there was nothing else they could do for me. I ended up getting Hashimotos (thyroid disorder) from having so many X-rays in such a short period of time. Eventually I was broke and feeling like no hope, so I gave up (in a good way). I stopped everything and importantly I stopped the drugs! I went through withdrawal for 2 years. But I also grew stronger during this time too. I re-learnt how to walk, talk, live. I had to turn my life around and upside down. Big Adjustments. I also got my hands on a book about "The Gate Theory". This is now how I survive. Sure I still have times where I cant walk properly and the pain is tougher than me but I’ve learnt to get tough right back at it and bounce back the next day. I am now 4 years drug free, able to have my children (Finally!!!) and living life. Depression and grief will also be challenges but eventually 11 years on I am a survivor, you can too. The clinic will do you wonders if you can accept what they are teaching you. Not recommended though if your still in the shopping for answers stage. Chronic means just that.
Hang in There
K

Books to read: The Chronic Pain Control Workbook by Ellen Mohr Catalano

Oh you poor bugger Renee.

There is nothing worse than having a bad back and neck.A few months ago I had accupuncture and it helped me so much with my back.

My DH also had accupuncture on his back in march as he has a sliped disc (he is a concretor so is bent over quite alot) and he had about 6 sessions and it did wonders.

I know money is an issue for you at the moment but once your back is back on track regular massage will help keep your muscles strong and rid your body of knots which would be making your body feel worse.

Good luck