Teresa Shaffer

Opps I totally forgot to ask you if you have tried water therapy? I have utilized that several different times over the years and it is and was so helpful. In fact, it got me back up and walking after I gave up fighting the pain for nearly two years and was in a wheelchair.
You do simple movements in a warm pool and the water prevents the…[Read more]

Hi GiGi,

It is nice to meet you. I was 24 when I got the diagnosis that I had a progressive form of degenerative disc/joint disease. That was 27 years ago. (oops I just told my age) 🙂 It can be extremely hard when one is so young, as there are many who will say you are too young to hurt so bad. Crazy I know but I heard that for 3 years before I…[Read more]

Gigi,

I am so happy you wrote on the forum and shared snip-its of the struggles you are experiencing with your pain journey. There are others like you who will help both here and in the chat room. We meet every M, W, F from 11am-12noon ET. Please join us and we can share real-time—help answer any questions you may have AND listen to your…[Read more]

Looks cozy, BD. I love that Ms. Kitty is venturing out of the cabin too! Thanks for the share.

The beautiful Ms. Kitty

Here is the photo of the v-berth for Petmom from BD.

Bd,

That is a great tip. I had not thought about writing down what each number means to me on the pain scale. I am going to do that and then add it to my emergency medical information.

I would like our healthcare providers to;

1) When talking about pain don’t act like we have been visited by alien’s and the idea of having pain is unheard of.…[Read more]

Bd,

That is a great tip. I had not thought about writing down what each number means to me on the pain scale. I am going to do that and then add it to my emergency medical information.

Take care,
Noki4

I would like them to know that when someone reports having pain, not to automatically jump to:

1. That person is drug seeking (when they are most likely relief seeking)
2. That opioids should be automatically prescribed (they may or may not be one of the treatment options to consider)

Most of all: Listen, listen, listen–clues on what might be…[Read more]

Please avoid using the term “narcotic” as that is a law enforcement term that includes both licit and illicit substances. Opioids, opiates or opioid pain relievers are the more appropriate medical terms. We, in the pain field, have been working for over 2 decades to correct this terminology. I know as a future pain educator, you want to get this…[Read more]

Megan,

You forgot to add a space for non-drug treatments, such as ice, heat, exercise, etc. Most of us, use meds along with other techniques.

What is your doctor’s reason? Is there concern about the acetaminophen exposure or the hydrocodone? Last summer 2014, combination hydrocodone + acetaminophen was up-scheduled by the DEA to class 2 (from class 3) which means it can no longer be refilled or called in to the pharmacy as was done before; it has to follow the same rules as the other…[Read more]