Tips on dealing with Pain long-term?

[SunnyHours]

Hello Everyone!

It's been a while since I haven't posted...I'm actually dealing with some terrible pain (worst than usual) from my defective Vertebral column, in other words I'm pretty sure my spine has gone FUBAR...At least it feels that way for sure. My whole back AND my knees are killing me and giving me so much more pain than usual. It's the kind of constant pain that only let's you sleep 3-4h/night if that, and makes you lose 20 pounds because you don't eat.
I'm also very depressed, I feel empty inside and I feel helpless, I also have problems concentrating and just thinking... about to quit work (or get fired) and this is giving me a lot of anxiety...I've been like this for around 7 days.

I did go to the doctor, she did give me some Muscle Relaxers but they don't help at all, I think they actually make it worse. I've never been in such pain before, even with my Arthritis and my hidradenitis suppurativa, I also broke a finger, broke the big ball in my right ankle and broke my right clavicle. I'm guessing my arthritis is getting worse but it's such a sudden increase in pain that I'm completely overwhelmed by it.

I've been going with my special usual anti-inflammatory cocktail. I change daily, so it's usually Advil(ibuprofen)/Naproxen/Voltaren(diclofenac) with Tylenol(acetaminophen) and I also apply the voltaren cream.

Hell, even if nobody replies, I spent a good 50 minutes writing all of this, so the day will be shorter, and I've gotten some mental relief

All this to ask for tips on how to deal with spikes in pain.
Thanks guys

 

[Vicki]

I try to distract myself from the pain as much as possible. I also vaporize a lot, take some edibles too. After dealing with chronic pain for several years, I believe my body has learned how to live with it better than it used to.

 

[SunnyHours]

I was dealing well with my 4-5/10 but now with 7-8/10 it's hard not to feel overwhelmed.
Also nowadays when I vape I cough a lot, and my left ribs hurt so I vape about 1/3 of what I used to vape.
I mean, I'm quitting my job because of this, this isn't a little bit of pain...

 

[Vicki]

I was dealing well with my 4-5/10 but now with 7-8/10 it's hard not to feel overwhelmed.
Also nowadays when I vape I cough a lot, and my left ribs hurt so I vape about 1/3 of what I used to vape.
I mean, I'm quitting my job because of this, this isn't a little bit of pain...

I fully understand, and know exactly how you feel. I am no longer able to work, and am on disability. My doctor even gives me Oxycodone, and all the other pain pills I might need. I have been able to deal with my pain a lot better using Kratom daily. It is doing wonders for my pain, plus as I stated before, I vaporize and consume a lot of cannabis too.

I use distraction even when the pain is really bad, especially then. I have to get my mind off it or it could consume me.

 

[SunnyHours]

Well I'm pretty much not allowed to get any "Narcotics" because the doc says "I don't think it would help you" or another one she gave me "you are too young for pain meds".
Hell I'm 24 and I even brought my mother with me, just so she wouldn't think I was just drug seeking...sounds weird to say but I hope there's something wrong on my X-Rays.
This healthcare system is so stupid, when I broke some bones that would stop hurting in a week or 2 after being immobilized I got as much Painkillers I wanted (all narcotics) but this, I don't know how long it's going to keep hurting like this and I can't get anything? WTF?

I'm getting quite confused and frustrated with all this...

 

[Vicki]

I know, it is very frustrating. I live in a state where it's almost impossible to get RX pain pills, even if you are a legitimate patient. The people that abuse these drugs have screwed it up for the people that really need them.

Here's an example of the BS I had to go through most recently. I got my Oxycodone RX, like normal, but when I went to get it filled, my normal pharmacy said they didn't have any, and didn't know when they would get any. Something about the pain pills being "rationed." I don't know, but I do know I had to call 6 different pharmacies just to get my medicine filled.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Here's an example of the BS I had to go through most recently. I got my Oxycodone RX, like normal, but when I went to get it filled, my normal pharmacy said they didn't have any, and didn't know when they would get any. Something about the pain pills being "rationed." I don't know, but I do know I had to call 6 different pharmacies just to get my medicine filled.

Mhmm, the FDA came down hard on the cash-only pill mills. Lots of triple-checking everything at all times for anything narcotic. 10 years ago doctors weren't prescribing enough pain meds for patients to be comfortable, now they're over-prescribing. Your story isn't that uncommon from what I've heard/read.

@SunnyHours how do you feel about tinctures? They work a little faster than edibles and it's easier to titrate doses.

 

[SunnyHours]

that actually sounds pretty nice. Is it easier to do than Cannabutter?
LOL just made a batch of cannacoconut oil. I think I left it on the stove for a bit too long on too high, it smells burnt a little. I used over 30g of ABV. Kinda sad since I was gonna use it, but noticed some kind of weird white residue on top of the oil. Not sure if it's fungus or something so I'm not too sure on if I'm going to use it after all...

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Yup, pretty easy. Decarb your bud, mix with a solvent like glycerine or a high proof alcohol (Bacardi 151 at minimum, Everclear if you can get it cheap [probably not, because CANADA]), let it sit so that the solvent leeches the cannabinoids out, strain, and then you can dose with the liquid.

The burned smell you mentioned might be from the ABV? I've always noticed a popcorn-esque smell from ABV, as well as in the taste. Not sure what went wrong with your cannacoco oil, I didn't notice any sort of white residue last time I made some, but then again I used fresh bud and not ABV.

ninja-edit: have you tried lidocaine patches? I'm not sure how well they would work for your pain, but I have chronic pain as well (not nerve pain, just regular constant pain) and lidocaine patches work well for me, though they're only really specific to where you put them on, as well as being non-narcotic and usable in a 12-hours-on-12-hours-off schedule.

 

[Vicki]

I've used Lidocaine patches too, but they are god awful expensive.

I make a pretty wicked tincture. Ask mvapes, he's tried it.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

I've used Lidocaine patches too, but they are god awful expensive.

I make a pretty wicked tincture. Ask mvapes, he's tried it.

Not anymore! Watson recently released their generic version of Lidoderm (brand name made by Endo Pharmaceuticals). I used to pay $8-9 a patch, now it's $15 for a 60-count

 

[Vicki]

Not anymore! Watson recently released their generic version of Lidoderm (brand name made by Endo Pharmaceuticals). I used to pay $8-9 a patch, now it's $15 for a 60-count

Damn! When did that happen???

All I've ever had is the brand name by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

 

[SunnyHours]

I like the sound of Lidocaine Patches, however I don't like the "god awful expensive" part but hey, if does work it would be a god send. I'm gonna ask my doctor as soon as I see her...
and you are right the Everclear in Canada(well in Quebec at least, the gov regulates the alcohol) is extremely expensive...like 250ml of 94% alcohol is at least 15$...
I'll try the tincture, with real nice sticky buds...Harvest in a few weeks!!! At least I have something to look forward too

Great news on the Generic Quetzalcoatl...damn that was really expensive!

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Damn! When did that happen???

All I've ever had is the brand name by Endo Pharmaceuticals.

Recently, like within the last month or so? My last refill some weeks ago was a nice surprise The patent expired some time this year (yes, I looked it up). The downside is they're a little more... Flimsy isn't the right word, but Endo's are a little more rigid when you peel the liner from the back. They both seem to stick just as well, and I'll be damned if I go back to rationing and arm or a leg for my next refill

 

[Vicki]

Recently, like within the last month or so? My last refill some weeks ago was a nice surprise The patent expired some time this year (yes, I looked it up). The downside is they're a little more... Flimsy isn't the right word, but Endo's are a little more rigid when you peel the liner from the back. They both seem to stick just as well, and I'll be damned if I go back to rationing and arm or a leg for my next refill

Damn man, that is awesome news!! I haven't had my script refilled in almost 3 months because they were so expensive.

You have no idea how much money that will save us, and I won't have to ration them anymore!!! Thank you!!!

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

It was of course with my insurance (copay $15) but for me it's literally less than a tenth of the price now for three times more patches.

quick edit: here's a link from last year:

"The agreement allows Watson to launch its lidocaine topical patch 5% product on September 15, 2013, if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA)."

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=65778&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1700178

The long and short of it as I understand is that they're allowed to have it on market for 7 1/2 months or until another generic brand comes out, whichever first. If nothing happens by Jan 1 next year, they get an extra year (till Jan 1 2015), and afterwards I guess they have to pull their product since there will be generics. Fuckin' bureaucracy crap of course, always after the dollar, but at least for now we're good

Sorry to kinda derail @SunnyHours but definitely look into them. They also make a cream/gel but I don't get that one.

 

[SunnyHours]

mehh I'm really not a fan of creams and gels...they usually make me feel greasy or just as if I've been pouring sweat and are a pain to reapply all the time, over and over again. But I'm curious, during the 12-18hrs do you get complete relief?
Probably not since I guess I would a lot more about those patches...

 

[Vicki]

With the patches being more affordable, Sunny should definitely check them out too.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

With the patches being more affordable, Sunny should definitely check them out too.

He lives in our hat, Canada!

 

[SunnyHours]

Yes in Canada, you have to wear a hat when it gets cold
Hell we pay a lot of taxes (15%) and alcohol is a lot more expensive here, but at least we have free healthcare and 70% off the meds, which is pretty good, considering I would never have gotten any help if I had to pay to see a doctor...
Thanks a bunch for your help guys!

Just wish me luck I'm going to see my supervisor to see what I can do to still keep my job...hopefully it's positive

 

[SunnyHours]

Massive vaping sessions kinda help though
So my supervisor approved me for another week off...the downside is I have to convince my doctor to give me the week off...and for some reason, I guess since I feel at their mercy, I tend to undersell my pain and forget whatever else health problems I might have...
This is my problem, I think I actually bruised a rib by coughing...I guess that's the downside to massive sessions

On the flip side for your health care...you don't waste HOURS waiting for a doctor...3-5hours to see a doctor in an office and around 8 Hours to go to an ER with a Migraine (I almost tried to kill myself lol).
Since it's free here...people go to the doctor because they have a simple cold and stuff like that..

 

[Snake Plissken]

I am not sure about your state, but here you have to see a pain specialist if you need long term narcotics. While some do, most drs will not prescribe narcs long term.

I have cluster headaches, ankylosing spondylitis, a trashed L4 and chronic pancreatitis - so I know pain. Can't you get 222's over the counter in Canada?

I can't stand icy hot/ben gay/etc type stuff. It just tries to burn you enough to mask the other pain. I make an mj salve w/ comfrey, calendula and other herbs which works great - if the problem is muscular. Enough beeswax takes away the greasiness of the coconut oil.

I probably get the most relief from my tens unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). While you are supposed to have a rx, I ordered one off of the net no prob. It was around $70 and was comparable to what a small PT office would have. Some days, I'll wake up hunched over and barely able to walk. After an hour on the tens unit, I am fine and heading to work at a very physically demanding job. While tens units have many uses/methods, I use it to interrupt the pain signals being sent to my brain - kinda like jamming electronics. If you go this route, make sure and get a 2 channel unit (2 cords, 4pads) as they are way more efficient. I got mine here:

http://www.otcwholesale.com/

If you have the means, they have many cool items which help w/ long term pain. I have also had good effects w/ electosound as well - just like what pregnant women use, but w/ the juice cranked up.

 

[SunnyHours]

Thanks...I was actually thinking about getting a TENS unit...but I mostly would like to get back to work...
The doctor said it might be Ankylosing Spondylitis...on top of just plain old Arthritis...

I'm now investigating the TENS machine, the Lidoderm patches and Piracetam (that is unavailable in Canada, but I know an RC company that sells 50g bags for 20$ lol

Which TENS model did you get from them? They are pretty affordable

I hate any type of greasy creams or creams you have to apply really thickly. The Hot or Cold creams are not exception...hopefully the Lidoderm is different.

On a better note, today is my 7th day without any real sleep. That wasn't very positive was it?
Let's try again, I stopped smoking cigarettes about 2 weeks ago...only been using a little bit of Snuff and Swedish Snus. Doing pretty good! No cravings at all!

 

[Vicki]

I hate any type of greasy creams or creams you have to apply really thickly. The Hot or Cold creams are not exception...hopefully the Lidoderm is different.

That's one reason I love the Lidocaine patches, they aren't messy like the creams.

 

[Snake Plissken]

I got the dual channel/5 mode/digital 'tens 7000' - even cheaper than I thought at $40, and more power than I could ever tolerate. I've seen small pt offices who use smaller machines (purchased at 3x the cost). At full volume it would drop me to my knees - you need to make gradual adjustments. I would recommend upgrading to the silver electrodes as they conduct electricity way better.

Here are a couple of cool placement charts:
http://www.ib3health.com/products/TensandEMS/Literature/ApplicationChart.shtml
http://www.medi-stim.com/overview/epc.html

The dual channel units give you 4 pads to work with instead of just two - allowing you to treat a larger area. I typically place the electrodes just outside of the pain area (creating an 'arc' across the affected areas). This thing is a lifesaver for me.