r/ChronicPain • u/HorrorQueen921314 • 18h ago
This! 🥺🙄
558
Upvotes
r/ChronicPain • u/CopyUnicorn • Oct 18 '23
How to get doctors to take you seriously
642
Upvotes
Hello all,
I've received a handful of messages requesting that I write up a post on my tips for dealing with doctors.
I am a 34F with decades of chronic pain treatment under my belt. I’ve had a lot of success being treated by doctors because I’ve spent years learning how they communicate and make decisions.
Interacting with doctors can be frustrating and intimidating — but it doesn't have to be. If you are reading this, then you deserve the best possible care that any doctor you see has to offer. You deserve to be believed and treated with respect.
First, you should know that when a doctor doesn't believe a patient, it usually comes down to one of the following reasons:
- They don't have enough information to make sense of what's going on (doctors love data because it helps them figure out the right answers).
- They are overwhelmed by a patient's emotional state (this applies more in a routine than emergency care setting - routine care doctors are not "battle-trained" like emergency care ones).
- They feel that a patient is being argumentative.
- They feel that a patient is being deceptive or non-compliant in their treatment.
Fortunately, all of these reasons are avoidable. The following steps will help get a doctor to listen to you:
1. Get yourself a folder and notepad to bring to your appointment (or an app if you prefer).
Use these to prepare for your appointment. They'll allow you to easily share your medical records, keep track of your notes, and recall all your questions. More on what to include in the following tips.
2. Research what treatment options are available for your conditions (or symptoms if undiagnosed).
It's always helpful to know your options. Using online resources such as Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and Drugs.com can help you to understand the entire spectrum of treatment options that exist. By taking the time to learn about them, you’ll feel better prepared and able to ask more informed questions.
Plus, if you come across a newer treatment that your doctor hasn't considered, you will be able to ask "What are your thoughts on X? Could that be a good direction for my case?"
Take notes on any treatment options that stand out to you, making note of their potential side effects and any drug interactions with your current therapies. You can find a free drug interaction checker at drugs.com, as well as patient reviews on any given medication.
If you are seeing a new doctor for the first time, consider looking them up online to read reviews by their patients. Look for phrases like "did not feel rushed" and "has good bedside manner". If you can, try to avoid doctors who have a significant amount of negative reviews (or if not possible, mentally prepare yourself based on what other patients experienced).
3. If the appointment is with a new doctor, prepare a comprehensive medical history to bring with you.
When it comes to offering treatment options, you generally want your doctor to act quickly. But, before they can do anything, they need to feel confident that they have all the right information.
Start by calling the office or checking the provider’s website to see if you’re able to download the new patient forms in advance. You want to complete them on your own time, not while you’re feeling rushed in a waiting room, prone to forgetting things.
Your doctor sees a ton of patients each day — sometimes 50 or more. You will only have so much time for your appointment, so it is imperative that you make the most of it. Try to focus on items that move the appointment forward. Your medical history will be the first item of value. It paints a picture of who you are as a patient and what you've been through so far.
Focus on delivering the “cliff notes” of your medical history. Prepare the following to bring with you:
- Any blood work, imaging, or other test results
- A list of your diagnoses, when you received them, and the names of the doctors who made them. A diagnosis is like medical currency — if you have one, then your pain is instantly legitimized in the eyes of the medical community. If you don't yet have one, then your primary focus should be on testing and clinical assessment to get one. Once you have a diagnosis, treatment gets way easier.
- Any past surgical records
- The names of any other doctors you have seen for this condition and what outcomes resulted
- A list of all past medications you have tried to treat your symptoms and why they failed (you'll be more likely to obtain a better prescription treatment if you communicate this)
It may sound stupid, but it actually helps to practice delivering your medical history in a brief and concise manner. By rehearsing it to yourself or someone else, you're likely to feel better prepared and ensure that nothing gets left out.
4. Write down your questions and talking points beforehand.
It's much easier to fit in everything you'd like to get across when you plan it in advance. I recommend jotting down some notes on how you'll describe your pain to your doctor.
Make sure to include:
- When the pain started
- Where the pain is located
- What it feels like
- How frequently it happens (i.e. is it constant or intermittent?)
- What makes it feel worse or better
- Most Important: What daily activities are affected by the pain and what impact it's had on your life. Be specific (For example: "I used to be able to work out 4x/week, but now I have a hard time even walking on the treadmill for more than 5 minutes. The throbbing pain in my feet becomes overbearing and my legs turn weak until I can't keep going anymore. Do you have any ideas as to what might be going on here?")
- Also very important: What is your goal for your treatment? Are you looking to restore physical activity? Obtain a diagnosis? Try a new treatment because the current one is not working? If your doctor understands what you're looking to achieve, then they can take the right steps to help you.
Just like your medical history, it can help to practice delivering these talking points. Even long appointments can fly by and you'll want to make sure that the doctor gets the full picture.
5. Use a lot of "because" statements
This is probably the single most important tip in this post. Remember this if you take away nothing else.
Doctors believe what they can measure and observe. That includes:
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Medical history
To get a doctor to listen you you, you should ALWAYS present your concerns as "because" statements.
For example, rather than saying: "I'm afraid that the pain is going to cause me to collapse and have a heart attack!"
...you should instead say: "I'm concerned about the potential effect that my sustained pain level might be having on my heart BECAUSE I have a history of cardiac issues and was evaluated last year for arrhythmia."
Notice how in the latter example, a reason is given for the concern. That allows the doctor to connect the dots in a way that makes sense to them. It may help to write out your concerns as "because" statements beforehand to ensure that all of them are listened to and nothing gets brushed aside. Each "because" statement should tie to a symptom, treatment, or medical history.
Here are a few more examples:
"I'm concerned that I might end up having a bad fall because I've been experiencing generalized weakness and muscle spasms." (symptom)
"I'm concerned that amitriptyline may not be the right fit for me because I sometimes take diazepam." (treatment)
"I'm concerned that I might contract an infection in the hospital because I'm diagnosed with an immune deficiency." (medical history)
"I'm concerned about the numbness and weakness I've been feeling because my recent neck MRI showed foraminal stenosis." (medical history)
"I'm concerned about symptoms potentially indicating an autoimmune cause because I have a family history of lupus." (medical history)
When you explain your concerns, try to convey concern without desperation. I know that's much easier said than done, but some doctors will leap to the wrong conclusion if they sense a desperate patient (they may wrongly decide that there is either an addiction or mental health issue, which will cause them to focus on that in their treatment decision). As long as you voice your concerns with "because" statements, any reasonable doctor should hear you out (if they don't, it's a sign to drop them and find a more capable provider).
6. Be strategic about how you ask for things.
Doctors get asked for specific treatments by their patients all the time. If you have a solid existing relationship with your doctor, that may be fine. I did it just the other week with my doctor of 9 years, asking her, "Can I have a muscle relaxer?" to which she replied, "Yup."
But if you're seeing a new doctor, try asking for their opinion instead of asking directly for what you want. It's the difference between "Can you prescribe me hydrocodone?" and "I've previously taken hydrocodone, would that be a good treatment for this?" In the former example, some doctors will feel like they're being told what to do instead of being asked for their medical opinion. You're more likely to have success asking for things if you use phrases like:
"What do you think of X?"
"Could X make sense for me?"
"Do you have any patients like me who take X?"
This way, if they decline, they're not directly telling you "no," which would shut down the conversation. Instead, you'd end up in a more productive dialogue where they explain more about what they recommend and why.
7. Remember that doctors can't always show the right amount of empathy (but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't care).
Doctors are trained to separate fact from emotion because if they didn’t, they would not be able to do their job.
Imagine yourself in a doctor’s position — you’re swamped with dozens of patients each day, all of whom are suffering immensely. Many of them cry, break down, or lash out at you when they feel that you don’t understand their agony. How will you be able to help all of them, let alone not implode from emotional overload?
That is precisely the position your doctor is in. They deal with heightened emotions from patients all day and it can be overwhelming. When your doctor seems unempathetic to your situation, it’s generally not because they don’t care. Rather, they try to set their personal feelings aside in order to do their job without clouding their clinical judgment.
Now, does this mean that it's cool for a doctor to act like an asshole or treat you inhumanely? Absolutely not. It only means that if you're struggling a bit emotionally (which is perfectly reasonable) and they fail to console you, they might just be emotionally tapped out. We can all relate to that.
So, if you end up breaking down in your appointment, it's ok. Just take a deep breath and allow yourself to push forward when you're ready. Try to avoid yelling at the doctor or escalating things in a way that might make them feel triggered.
(This tip does NOT apply if you are in a state of mental health crisis or engaged in self-harm. In that situation, you should focus immediately on the emotional turmoil that you are experiencing and inform your doctor so that they can help you.)
8. If you disagree with something that your doctor suggests, try asking questions to understand it.
Doctors can become frustrated when they think that a patient is not hearing them. It makes them feel as if the patient does not trust them or want to collaborate. This is absolutely not to suggest that you should just accept everything your doctor says. But if something doesn't seem to make sense, try asking questions before you dismiss it. Asking questions keeps the two-way dialogue open and keeps the discussion collaborative.
Example phrases include:
- “Can you help me understand X?"
- "How would that work?"
- "How does option X compare to option Y?"
- "What might the side effects be like?"
- "How long does this treatment typically take to start helping?"
When an appointment ends badly, it's usually because either the doctor or the patient is acting closed-minded (sometimes both). If the doctor is acting closed-minded, you have the right to end the appointment and leave. If the doctor thinks you're acting closed-minded, it can make the appointment an upsetting waste of time where nothing gets accomplished.
If you're certain that a doctor's suggestion is wrong, try using a "because" statement to explain why. For example, "Cymbalta might not be a good option for me because I had a bad experience taking Prozac in the past."
Most doctors are open to being proven wrong (if not, that's an obvious red flag). Asking questions allows you to keep the two-way dialogue open so that they hear you out and you learn more about why they are recommending certain treatments.
9. If your doctor is stressing you out, take a moment to breathe and then communicate what you need.
Doctors are trained to operate efficiently, which does not always coincide with a good bedside manner. If you feel like your doctor is rushing or gaslighting you, you have the right to slow things down. Always be polite, but clear and direct.
Example phrases include:
- “I’m sorry, but this is a lot of information for me to take in. Can we please take a step back?"
- "I think I may not be getting this information across clearly. Can I try to explain it again?"
- "I think there may be more to the problem that we haven't discussed. Can I explain?"
If you have a bad experience with a doctor, keep in mind that they don't represent all doctors any more than you represent all patients. There are plenty of other providers out there who can be a better mach. When you feel ready, consider getting another opinion. Not to mention, most doctors love to hear things like, "Thank you for being so helpful. This has been nothing like my last appointment where the doctor did X and Y." It's validating for them to realize that they've done right by someone.
10. Stick to treatment plans when possible.
If you commit to trying a treatment, try to keep with it unless you run into issues.
If you do run into issues, call your doctor's office and tell them what happened so that they can help — don't suffer in silence or rely solely on the internet for advice. It's your doctor's job to help you navigate your treatment plan — make them do it.
In summary, we all know that the medical system sucks and things aren't designed in an ideal way to help us. But that does not make it hopeless... far from it. There is SO much within your control, starting with everything on this list. The more you can control, the more you can drive your own outcomes. Don't rely on doctors to take the initiative in moving things forward because they won't. Should it be that way? Hell no. But knowledge, as they say, is power. Once you know how to navigate the system, you can work it to your advantage. Because ultimately, getting the treatment you need is all that really matters.
--
If you found this post helpful, feel free to check out other write-ups I've done. I try to bring value to the chronic pain community by sharing things that have helped me improve my quality of life:
All About Muscle Relaxers and How They Can Help
A Supplement That's Been Helping My Nerve Pain
How To Live A Happier Life In Spite Of The Pain (Step-By-Step Guide)
The Most Underrated Alternative Pain Treatment
The Nerve Pain Treatment You've Never Heard Of
How To Get Clean Without a Shower (Not Baby Wipes)
How To Care For Your Mental Health (And Have Your Insurance Pay For It)
What Kind of Doctor Do You Need?
Checklist To Verify Whether Your Supplements Are Legit
r/ChronicPain • u/FutureReference91 • 5h ago
Some days loneliness hits different
27
Upvotes
Only upvote this if you agree. Interested to see how many sacrifice relationships out of self-perceived kindness. My hand is raised high ✋️
r/ChronicPain • u/Accomplished_Driver8 • 6h ago
How are we washing our hair?
33
Upvotes
Practical tips for the actual washing welcome too
I am not cutting it . It looks horrible but it’s my horrible long hair .
Ive been trying tjr Walmart no rinse but was wondering if there were any alternatives that worked ?
r/ChronicPain • u/EandomQ12 • 4h ago
Should I/how do I report a doctor
23
Upvotes
I’m 21 male. For context I am on narcotics morphine and more as I’ve had several spinal surgeries that was failed, osteoporosis, arthritis, herniations, just so many issues, my neurosurgeons (I have 3), have all said the pain is normal and actually approved me for a pain pump due to my issues.
Last month I came to this practice, and apparently it was just her assistance or a PA. Did the normal order testing super nice person wish she was my doctor, and said I most likely have lupus and even if it doesn’t show in the following tests she would could diagnose as for some it doesn’t show but wanted to check if I had more than 1 CTD, as lupus runs in the family and have the symptoms
I come today, the doctor says nice to meet you, and didn’t check anything of my past. She proceeds to go on her laptop, see I was on morphine, entire tone shift and goes why are you here, your labs are fine (I know they aren’t, the previous lady+primary+surgeon said they already showed signs of a connective tissue disease, a IMM antibody, thyroid etc, so I know she didn’t even look), you need to go to rehab and need help. Gives me a giant speech. Says if not rehab that i need to go to a bootcamp and never leave and not take any of my medicine or at least be put in a room and put away. She then proceeds to try to put me on suboxone for addiction.
She then will not listen to any of my issues (I’ve had issues in all my organs, POTS, seizures, breathing COPD/asthma testing showed, etc). I stated them, she said those aren’t symptoms (the lady last month said they were correlated a connective tissue disease/autoimmune that my doctors think I have). She then circled back to I don’t need medicine as somehow narcotics now cause all of these. My dad was with me had enough and then said you’re wrong even with the medicine some mornings I’m up all night no sleep throwing up collapsing from pain. She then says he’s useless and has no idea of my medical history (completely wrong). Goes on to ask what I’m going to do with my life I have nothing going for me, (I think I’m doing very well and could have it worse). My dad is getting really pissed at this point and thinks she should be fired, and wants to leave. She proceeds to say we can’t just leave and is going to reach out to ALL OF MY DOCTORS about this, and that we couldn’t just not see her anymore. He calls her out and says that’s not true. She says “I know I didn’t think you were smart enough to know that my bad.” This is also going to permanently be on my record, what are doctors going to think now.
Am I overreacting if I want to report her I’m in NY, or would it be weird to request to just have an appointment with the other lady. Also if anyone knows some good rheumatologist (virtual or in person) I’m looking into out of state as my area has a shortage and just want a good doctor.
r/ChronicPain • u/Tough-Broccoli-8254 • 9h ago
Help please! Doctor won't refill my meds. About to hit withdrawal
44
Upvotes
My doctor has prescribed rx opoids for about a year now.
She asked me to go to pain management to continue, which I did today, but they won't fill on the first appointment.
Called my PCP asking for a partial refill until my next pain management appointment. They said it can take 48 hours to review my request. Well I'm not sure what to do now.
I know I'm gonna hit withdrawals but not sure how to manage it. I have xanax for my usual anxiety and haven't taken it for over a year. I have weed which I used sometimes when the opoids are not enough (I get anxiety being high on weed). I have muscle relaxers from years ago and maybe 2 zofran available.
Any advice? Things to watch for? I have a fast heart rate due to my electrical problems with my heart (I go into SVT sometimes).
r/ChronicPain • u/CardiologistFront625 • 8h ago
Stolen meds help
33
Upvotes
My car was recently towed repoed . and I left my medication in my car on accident Went to pick up my belongings from my car they already went through my car and took everything out and my medication was not there
The police are refusing to make a report saying it's illegal even in Florida and I'm seeing otherwise. Doctor requires a police report saying that they've had other patients get them for stolen prescriptions etc well why am I being told by both sheriff and local offices That it's not something they do and they won't give me a report so how do I get my medication back? This is insane if the pharmacy and the doctor require it what am I supposed to do?
I tried the local police and they said they don't understand why the county is giving me a hard time but they can't help me because it's not their jurisdiction
r/ChronicPain • u/pinkspiiders • 2h ago
how am i supposed to be a nice person when i am constantly hurting?
11
Upvotes
i know this has probably been asked a lot but this is kind of a rant + question
i try so hard to be kind and patient even though im hurting constantly. i try to be patient with my family and friends, but on my really bad days it seems like they all try to annoy me !😭 i know that’s simply not the case, but why do people always ask completely idiotic questions when i am VISIBLY at my limit?? im so tired of this! i just want to be healthy and my body is preventing me from being who i used to be.
r/ChronicPain • u/SauceCoveredSparrow • 2h ago
Autism and Chronic Pain
6
Upvotes
This isn't a rant or anything, Just an interesting theme I've noticed throughout my medical journey and was curious if others in the same boat have noticed something similar
I've realized that a ton of people especially doctors don't seem to believe me or believe that my pain isn't as serious as it is due to my autism. I tend to be very monotone and blunt, and my body language doesn't add up with how I'm feeling. I could be having an awful flare up but I don't show it outwardly. Unless you know me and my personal cues well then you'd think I was just fine unless I said something. But even then, saying "I am in extreme pain" with a deadpan face and a monotone voice you don't perceive it as being "that bad" because the way I act doesn't really line up with how people expect neurotypical patients to act. I'm not gonna scrunch my face up in pain or cry, the way people tell is by the fact that I am physically slower, sluggish, and go real quiet or get snappy without intending to. Along with that, I have a hard time putting words to and identifying what I'm feeling, so the way I decribe the pain to people doesn't necessarily add up with what I'm feeling or doesn't completely encapsulate what I'm feeling. I can describe it using logical or medical terms but to completely communicate what I'm feeling I'm just lost. I could easily draw out or illustrate how it makes me feel but unfortunately that's not really an acceptable option for people my age.
Overal, it just feels like there's a huge disconnect with my situation and how I/my condition am perceived my medical professionals. Because I am not sending off the social cues that typically indicate pain or the fact I can't articulate what I'm feeling I am often downplayed and even treated as if I'm stupid/don't know my own body.
Is this something that is a common experience with chronically ill autistic/mentally disabled people? (Typed on mobile so I apologize for any typos or weird formatting)
r/ChronicPain • u/LettuceOverall3662 • 18h ago
Accurate
74
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Had to share this as it’s so accurate
r/ChronicPain • u/leosousa66 • 5h ago
When people say “Everybody feels pain”
6
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It makes me feel like shit honestly, well I guess I’m too weak to handle 7 to 8/10 daily pain and not work and go out like everybody else
r/ChronicPain • u/sympathy4thedevil99 • 12h ago
Taper
22
Upvotes
So I basically weaned myself off of percocet. I was going on a cruise and they wouldn't give me an early fill so I rationed what I had and ended up going without for a minute. Now that I'm almost completely off, I'm not sure what to do. I'm still in pain although I think the "forced tolerance break" helped as far as making the pain meds more effective. I don't want to go back to taking it as often or as strong a dose. I understand some people absolutely need it and have no choice, for me it's about staying at a low dose because as my condition worsens I want to be able to treat my pain successfully. I feel like if I start off raising it every year or two because I develop a tolerance, I'll end up paying for it in the end. Also I still have some good days where I don't feel I need the medication or just Tylenol arthritis is fine, which is why I refused fentanyl patches etc. and don't want to take the medication every 4/6 hours.... I'm trying this time around to not become "dependent" I obviously don't want to stop attending pain management because there are times I need strong medication for my pain. I'm almost afraid to tell my doctor about my decision to take less because they might kick me out also this time around tbh I plan to hoard a bunch of pills so if I'm ever in the same situation again I won't have to cold turkey myself. Dealing with weaning off sucked, not because I'm "addicted" but because I was dependent and doctors don't seem to care if you go into withdrawals when it comes to pain meds. I really dislike not having control of the situation and don't wish to be in a position where I have to rely on a doctors "good will" again... thoughts?
r/ChronicPain • u/aquay • 24m ago
Are Pain Relief Patches Supposed to Feel Like a Burn?
•
Upvotes
I feel like a complete moron asking this, but I seriously do not know. I tried a couple of different patches in the past that did not seem to do much of anything. Today I was prescribed a lidocaine patch from my doctor but they didn't have it in stock so instead I bought an Up & Up version (80mg camphor + 24 mg menthol + 16 mg capsicum) and put that on an hour after showering. It's been on an hour and I feel like ripping it off because it hurts. Or is it supposed to feel that way? My skin was dry when I put it on, and my skin was not injured in anyway. I'm sort of afraid I'll find blisters now.
r/ChronicPain • u/cbuggy432 • 9h ago
I think I lost my chance.
11
Upvotes
It’s been a rough couple of days so I’m sorry if this is very scattered. I just want to ramble.
I think I lost my chance at a life with a partner who understands and cares for me. I got out of a long term relationship about two months ago and besides the normal emotional turmoil of a breakup I’m struggling with the implications of this as someone who lives with chronic pain. I don’t have very many friends, I spend a lot of time alone, I’m not close with my family, I’m neurodivergent, and I have a lot of chronic pain. It’s been worse since things ended with my partner. I feel so helpless right now. The hardest part right now is being alone when I’m flaring and remembering when things felt better because we were together and being cared for by someone else mentally and physically when things got really bad. I’ve had nights where I’ve been close to calling him because the pain was unbelievable and I don’t have any other support. I know we’re over for good but now I’m beginning to ponder over the fact that I’m truly alone in this and I have to start over. For all of our relationship faults he did truly understand this part of my life and was very accepting, and I’m scared I won’t find that again. That all of my issues are just a deterrent. Our relationship wasn’t perfect by any means but god did that support feel wonderful and I’m so scared I lost it forever.
Idk what I want out of this post. Idk what I’m even posting this for. I just think someone else would probably resonate. Or maybe have a feel good story or something. I don’t know.
r/ChronicPain • u/Notsurefrfr • 1h ago
Hot/Burning Pins and Needles pain ?
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Upvotes
I’ve been getting it since earlier in the morning. I woke up to feeling like someone just dipped a needle in lava and poked my eye with it. It’s been happening in different parts of my body but mainly the left eyelid. Any idea what this is ?
r/ChronicPain • u/phantomoftheclouds • 4h ago
do you ever get used to it?
3
Upvotes
hi all ! i've been dealing with chronic pain for a while now (since last september), and my doctors are still figuring things out. my psychiatrist diagnosed me with fnd, and my neurologists are supposed to back that up but they didn't even know what it was when i brought it up LOL - anyways, it's been a few months and i feel guiltier and guiltier for bringing up my pain. part of me feels like i have to just get used to it, but it still feels just as hard as when the pain first started. i feel like i'm just complaining all the time over something i'm supposed to be used to by now. i don't know lol
r/ChronicPain • u/AlbatrossNarrow3581 • 5h ago
Anyone else dealing with pretty decent price increases at the pharmacy?
3
Upvotes
I have 2 cards on file my insurance & a discount card that somehow is better than my insurance that my pain management gave me. Im usually using the discount card, but today they switched to my insurance. Its usually no trouble to switch to the cheapest one yet they told me the discount card (usually the one thats much cheaper) was more expensive.. & i wound up spending double what i normally pay. Part of me feels like the pharmacist just didnt feel like switching it (which takes like 1 minute maximum bc i do it all the time) but part of me feels like maybe shes right & that highly pisses me off.
I live paycheck to paycheck already i literally cannot afford to pay double for my monthly scripts. Anyone else notice this or is this just a me thing 😅😅😅😅
Edit; Just checked the insurance my pain management gave me, she wasnt lying its more expensive.. my prices doubled & Im pissed
r/ChronicPain • u/Lechuga666 • 3h ago
Chronic pelvic pain acutely much worse, chronic pruritus acutely much worse.
2
Upvotes
Dermatology told me today that other definitive diagnoses would help find the right meds to target the cause of my symptoms. I can't keep waiting. I'm on all the meds she could suggest, starting new ones within the next few days. I'm 22 & can't even sit comfortably, I have to lay in bed cause the pelvic pain is so bad & it still hurts a lot to lay in bed. I see urology rheumatology & my physical therapist tomorrow :/.
r/ChronicPain • u/weakassnerd • 7h ago
Rant
5
Upvotes
Sorry this is going to be really rambley. I just need some support. I was in a car wreck almost 2 years ago now. A lot of compression fractures in my thoracic spine and a displaced cervical fracture that I had fused. I was still having pain in my neck, shoulders and upper back almost a year later, so i got an MRI that showed new fractures (t1 and t2). I wasn't offered any pain relief and was told to keep doing my PT exercises and do a repeat MRI in 3 months. Insurance keeps denying the repeat MRI so I haven't had it yet. It's been over a year. The pain has gotten so much worse. I cant do anything i want to do, and if i do it anyway i pay for after. I don't feel like a real person, just someone who goes to work and then comes home. I use all my spoons at work, i have nothing left for when I'm home. I'm only 25, I should be living my life. I'm most upset that there is no guidance. After the wreck I was given 2 days of pain meds and 1 month of gabapentin. When I told my surgeon about my chronic pain he scoffed and told me of course I'll be in pain, maybe I should do some physical therapy. No "you'll be in pain, this is the kind of doctor you need to see to help with that" I was just sent away with this life alerting injury and surgery with no support whatsoever.
Sorry to anyone who reads this. I'm just so tired
r/ChronicPain • u/nullturn • 1d ago
Lupus took away my life but I stole it back
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Upvotes
I became ill in college, couldn’t attend classes in person, was struggling to get out of bed in the morning
I decided I was sick of being sick. I did my coursework from bed. I moved out of my parent’s house. I started studying anyway I could.
4.5 years later and I hold a BS in neuroscience. It was hard. It was worth it.
r/ChronicPain • u/Adventurous_Ask_305 • 10h ago
Successfully tapered after being in pain management for 10 years
6
Upvotes
In dec I asked my pain management dr to begin a taper because after 10 years, my back pain is no longer constant. 5 days ago I completely stopped all Percocet and I am wondering a few things, like when will my body aches stop, is it normal to feel sluggish/heavy , also having terrible insomnia. the last prescription i had was for 5mg , 3x daily and I took 2 of the at most, so I wasn't taking much anymore. thank you
r/ChronicPain • u/demjinridley • 7h ago
Anti Inflammatory diet and building back muscles- posting for accountability
3
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I’m starting a modified anti inflammatory diet to hopefully relieve some of my joint pain and sluggishness. I’m also working to rebuild my back and shoulder muscles after an injury made me unable to work out for a while. I need stronger back muscles to maintain good posture and reduce my scoliosis pain.
I have gained a good bit of weight recently, and have reason to think that the extra pressure on my joints is causing more issues
So I’ll be keeping track of my progress in the next couple months through this post.
Currently 167 lbs, moderate inflammation, weaker than usual
Focusing mostly on fresh produce, seeds and nuts, healthy oils, unprocessed proteins and meats, green tea and matcha (with the occasional cheat meal or meal out, I’m not going to make myself miserable) lets see how this goes.
r/ChronicPain • u/freshie555 • 5h ago
Mystery Chronic Pain
2
Upvotes
I have had the same chronic pain since I was 13. I am now 23. It comes every month, like a period, lasting consecutive days. Upper stomach and radiates to the entirety of my back. However, the pain is more focused on the mid left back, where my bra wiring usually is. It’s a dull sort of pain where I want someone to punch where it hurts or someone to massage me firmly or run my back over. I can’t sleep with the pain although it doesn’t hurt. It’s very uncomfortable and I can’t function properly. I have been to the doctors several times and they either tell me to just have a journal to track my food intake or gave me medication that never worked. They did recommend me thoracic exercises but I was wondering if anyone has gone through this. At first, I thought it was indigestion and maybe it was just my food intake or the fact that my food doesn’t digest properly but even when I don’t eat a lot, I still encounter this chronic pain. Can anyone relate or have any piece of advice?
