Chronic Pain

Ways You Can Manage Chronic Pain Without Painkillers

It would be irresponsible to suggest that you should just get rid of your painkillers right now. Having chronic pain can be debilitating and life impacting. For people who have a constant pain in their back or niggle in their knee, painkillers may allow them a short time of respite every day. However, often painkillers do nothing other than mask the pain and don’t get to the root of the problem. When you visit your doctor, you may not even get a diagnosis for your pain. This doesn’t mean that it is all in your head. You simply have to find a way of managing this pain which can result in some trial and error. Read on to see how you can manage chronic pain without the need for so many painkillers.

Exercise Can Help Manage Chronic Pain

It may seem a little odd to suggest that you exercise when your body is in so much pain. However, sometimes limiting the movement of our muscles can result in an increase in pain. While you shouldn’t be heading to the gym to take part in a grueling spin session or a HIIT class, you can partake in some more gentle exercises. You might want to have a walk on the treadmill or do a few bicep curls. If the gym isn’t your thing, consider heading out if the weather is good and taking a stroll to your local park. While not too taxing, getting outside can take your mind off of your pain and can help relieve your niggle if only for a short while.

Treat Yourself

You don’t always have to be homebound if you suffer from chronic pain. This can lead to isolation and loneliness. Instead, you should consider treating yourself. Head out to a spa for a day and partake in a massage or two, have a dip in a swimming pool and enjoy some time in a sauna. If you wonder why you might be sore after your massage, this article can help you embark on some massage therapy to help manage chronic pain. By taking a pal, you can make your trip to the spa a more sociable affair, so you don’t have to go alone.

Do Something New

Sometimes when we suffer from chronic pain, we end up isolating ourselves. It’s all too easy to say no to every invitation that comes your way because you don’t want to be a burden on your friends. Consider being a little more proactive and making the effort to go out for dinner once in a while so you can keep up to date with your pal’s news.

You might prefer to head out to do something new. Making new friends could be just as exciting and take your mind off of your pain. Consider what it is that you want to do. This could be a new hobby or pastime. Maybe you want to learn a new language or you might want to master some new baking skills. Sign up for a class and give yourself something to look forward to every week. Doing something new really can give you a new lease on life and stop you from feeling like you are stuck in a rut.

While your pain may be chronic, you don’t always have to rely on painkillers. Follow this guide and try alternative ways to manage chronic pain.

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Quell For Pain Relief

Karen · Leave a Comment

If you have been reading my blog for a while, then you know that I have suffered from chronic pain since 2012. I have been taking medication since then, and seeing a pain management doctor for about two years. I am always looking for new ideas for pain relief. I saw an ad on Facebook for the Quell 2.0 for pain relief and was intrigued by this product. So, when they sent me one to try out and write about, I was very very happy to get it.

Quell is an electronic device that you wear on your leg, and has been approved by the FDA for 24/7 use. It is 100% drug free, and is the only OTC pain relief device FDA cleared for use while sleeping. In a published study, 81% of users reported improvement in their chronic pain* . The Quell 2.0 device blocks chronic pain, and is designed for people with a wide range of chronic pain conditions. It comes with a 60 day money back guarantee, and, it is made in the USA.

quell 2.0 pain relief

When it arrived, it was packaged in a very nice box that can be used to store it in when not in use. Inside the box, there is the device, a leg band, two electrodes, and a charger. There is also a brochure that explains exactly how to use the device. It is controlled by an APP for your smartphone. The APP was easy to download and set up.

My device was already charged when it arrived, so I didn’t have to wait to start using it. I took all the parts out of the box, and read the instructions. After putting the device inside the leg band, along with one of the electrodes, I downloaded the APP to my phone.

I registered my device, then did a calibration. The device was ready to put on. Once it was on my leg securely, I started it with the APP. The recommended use of the Quell 2.0 for optimal pain relief is for three one hour sessions per day, separated by one hour in between. So, you can wear the device on your leg for 5 hours minimum, then take it off. You can also use it 24 hours a day if you wish.

I am going to be trying the Quell 2.0 for pain relief for 30 days to see if it helps me with my chronic pain. At the end of 30 days, I will be writing my review to let you know how it worked for me. I can’t wait to see what it can do for me, and really hope that it works.

^{*Journal of Pain Research 2016;(9):469-479}

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5 Tips For Relieving Chronic Pain Without Painkillers

Karen · Leave a Comment

Living with chronic pain is never easy, but the good news is that there are several things that you can do to help yourself better manage it. Many people who suffer with chronic pain on a regular basis worry about the side effects of taking medication on a long-term basis, so you might be wondering if there is anything that you can do to relieve your symptoms without a prescription. In some cases, your doctor may be unable to prescribe you regular medication to help you manage your pain. Here are some of the main things you can do to stay in control.

1. Use Deep Breathing and Meditation to Encourage Relaxation:

Meditation and deep breathing are techniques that can help your body to relax. It gives your muscles a quiet message to relax, helping them release any built-up tension and pressure. Focusing on deep breathing, ignoring intrusive thoughts, and even repeating a mantra can help your body to relax. It’s possible to learn meditation on your own with several online tutorials that you can follow, and if you find it’s more helpful, you can also take a class.

2. Reduce Stress in Your Life:

Stress and other negative feelings such as depression, anxiety, and anger can intensify chronic pain and increase your body’s sensitivity to pain. Learning to take control of your stress can be one of the best ways to help you manage your chronic pain. There are several techniques that you can use to promote relaxation and reduce stress in every aspect of your life. Listening to soothing, calming music is a great way to lift your mood, help you relax and make living with chronic pain easier for you. You can even find specially designed relaxation playlists and CDs for this purpose.

3. Exercise Regularly:

Although exercising may be the last thing on your mind when you are suffering with chronic pain, some regular, gentle exercise can make a huge difference to how you feel. When you exercise, endorphins are released, which are brain chemicals that improve your mood whilst also blocking pain signals. In addition, getting more exercise will also help to strengthen your muscles, which will prevent re-injury and further pain. Exercise has a wide range of benefits including keeping your weight under control, reducing your risk of heart disease, and controlling your blood sugar levels. Speak to your doctor about the right kind of exercise for you.

4. Improve Your Sleep Habits:

Getting enough sleep at night can make a massive difference to how you feel and make it much easier for you to manage chronic pain. There are several things that you can do to enjoy better sleep, from something as simple as using an eye mask for sleeping to encourage your body’s melatonin production, to cutting back on alcohol to get a better night’s sleep. Practice good sleep hygiene, which involves having a set sleeping and waking routine, and only using your bed for its designated purpose.

5. Get Support:

Last but not least, getting support can make it much easier for you to manage chronic pain without the help of medication. Consider joining a support group where you can meet with and get ideas and advice from people in a similar situation to yourself. Chronic pain can also lead to mental health worries such as depression and anxiety, therefore it’s worth considering meeting with a mental health professional who can offer therapy and support to help you regain control over your body and mind.

Living with chronic pain doesn’t mean that you need to commit to regular prescription drugs. With these techniques, you can manage your pain more naturally.

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Health Update

Karen · 2 Comments

Fabgrandpa and I went to our endocrinologist on January 2. My visit was less than stellar. I have gained 14 pounds since my last visit in October and gone up one whole point on my A1C to 8.4. I can no longer ignore the fact that I need to lose weight. Just figuring out how I’m going to do it is what is holding me back. (Yeah, I know, excuses.) Tomorrow I am going for a session with a nutritionist at the endocronologist’s office. I went to one about 17 years ago when I was first diagnosed with diabetes, but over the years I have forgotten, or just failed to think about, what she told me. A refresher is always a good thing, right?

A couple of days after I went to the endo, I had an appointment with my pain management doctor. I have been having good results with the treatment she has been giving me. I am off of the percocet that I was on for over five years, and now take 600 mg of gabapenten three times a day. She also gives me a prescription for hydrocodone to take twice a day if needed, and baclofen, which is a muscle relaxer. I take the baclofen at night. I don’t take the hydrocodone every day. If I have an especially busy day, like going grocery shopping, I get worn out and then things start to hurt, so that is when I take that. This time she gave me a shot in my left hip because it was hurting so badly. I also went to the chiropractor the next day. My hip has been giving me so much trouble I can barely walk. I guess the next step is to see an orthopedic doctor.

This week we had an ice and snow storm here in Georgia (well, all over the southeast). There was ice on the roads, covered by about two inches of snow. During that snow storm, I went to the bathroom to empty my colostomy bag. It was full of bright red blood. I freaked out! That has never happened before, and it scared me to death. I called the gastroenterologist on call at the hospital, and he said for me to go to the emergency room. I don’t know about you, but I have never driven on ice and snow, and I was certainly not going to start when I was freaked out due to a health problem. I live 30 miles from the hospital. So, I called 911 and asked for an ambulance.

In just a few minutes, there were three firemen in my living room. Of course, Rosie The Boy Cat and Morti ran and hid under the bed, but little Frank was right there in the middle of them, so curious. He was stretching his neck, trying to see every little thing these new humans were doing to his lady. It made me laugh! Soon after the firemen got there, the ambulance arrived. They parked on the road, because of the snow in the driveway I suppose. The firemen helped me get out the door and off the porch. The EMT’s started an IV, took my vital signs, and strapped me onto the gurney before they took off.

I looked a fright. wearing a blue print LuLaRoe Carly dress, pastel green leggings, my red plaid house slippers with the fake fur collar around my ankle, and my olive green parka with fake fur around the hood. I had hap-hazardly thrown some things in my tote bag to take with me in case they admitted me to the hospital–underwear, a robe, a clean dress, socks, my phone charger, and some extra colostomy supplies in case they wanted me to take my bag off. There is no telling what all else was in that bag.

It took us over an hour to get to the hospital, but when I got there they took me right into an exam room. They had me empty my bag into a bedpan, and did a test to see if there was blood in the stool. They also drew blood, and gave me something for nausea. Then, I went down the hall for a CT scan. All of this showed no reason for the bleeding. They finally sent me home with a referral to a gastroenterologist, to see them next week. My appointment with Dr. Sharma is on Wednesday. I saw him before, back in 2014, when I was trying to get my colostomy reversed. He is the one who referred me to Dr. Galloway at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. I guess it was about time to see a gastroenterologist again anyway.

One of my friends, someone I used to work with at BellSouth, has had a colostomy for about twelve years. She said she has had this happen before, and her doctor said it was caused by arterial vein malformation in intestines. She had a colonoscopy through the stoma, and they found three polyps or AVM’s. So, that is probably what will happen with me, which is not so bad. The worst part of it is the prep for the colonoscopy. Yuck!

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More Doctors. When Will It End?

Karen · 1 Comment

The last time I updated y’all about my health issues was back in January, when I talked about starting to go to the pain management doctor, and starting to use the BiPap machine for sleep apnea. The BiPap machine has really helped me. I sleep better, if not a bit longer, since I don’t stop breathing 36 times an hour every night. As far as the pain management doctor goes, I think it was one of my best decisions in a long time. She has me off of percocet, which I was afraid I would be taking for the rest of my life. Now, I take Gabapentin three times a day, and hydrocodeon two times a day. That is instead of taking percocet five or six times a day. So that is a good thing.

The pain I was having in my abdomen has almost completely disappeared, but because I am no longer experiencing that, it allowed a pain in my side and back to be brought to the forefront. It is a continuous aching, sometimes throbbing pain in my right side, where my kidney is on that side. I mentioned it to my pain management doctor back in February, and she seemed to just brush it off, and sort of made me feel like she thought I was trying to get more pain meds. But believe me, that is not the case. I don’t want to be on so many pain meds that all I do is sleep all day.

So, when I went to my endocrinologist last month, they found a urinary tract infection. They called in an antibiotic for me, and referred me to a urologist. Yes, another doctor added to the roll. Before I get into the urologist stuff, I have to tell y’all that I have been having episodes of LOW blood sugar. I have been diabetic since 2001, and have never experienced low blood sugar until now. If you’ve followed me for some time, you will know that I went through some rough times of not being able to get my blood sugar down low enough, so this is a new thing for me.

The low blood sugar usually happens in the early morning. The cats wake me up around 5:30 every morning wanting to be fed. My routine is that I feed the cats, check my blood sugar, then wait for the cats to finish eating so I can let them outside. I can tell when my blood sugar is below 70 or so because I feel like I am going to fall down. My hands shake, and my heart beats at a very fast rate. I have a container of glucose tablets, so I take four, wait 15 minutes, and check my blood sugar again. There have been times when my BS is in the 50’s, and when that happens, I have to take 12 of the glucose tablets to get my sugar up high enough. That is pretty scary to me.

I went to the urologist three weeks ago. They took a urine sample and sent it to the lab. Then we talked a bit about my symptoms and why I was there. They scheduled a CT scan for a week later. Then yesterday I had my follow up appointment to discuss the results of the tests. They found no infection, and a large kidney stone that I have had for about twenty or so years was not anything that they would worry about. They did find a large cyst on my right kidney, but they also said that the cyst would not be something that would cause the pain I have been having. They want to take a closer look at it though, so they have scheduled me for an ultrasound next week.

I asked the doctor what they would do if there is a cyst, and she said they would only watch it to make sure it doesn’t get bigger. She also suggested that the pain I am experiencing is probably caused by muscle strain due to side and back muscles having to compensate for my lack of abdominal muscles. So, that is where I stand with my health right now. One more doctor added to the pile, with no answers to the questions I have about why I am still in pain five years after my surgery. I’ll try to catch you up after my ultrasound follow up appointment in two weeks.

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