Hi everyone!

[Gigi]

Hello there! I’m Gigi. I’m 29 years old and I suffer from severe back pain.

I’ve been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis. I also have degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, and disc tears. I also have fibromyalgia.

I’m currently taking Norco and Gabapentin. We’ve exhausted all other conservative treatment like physical therapy and 3 epidural shots. It’s surgery time but I’m delaying it for many reasons.

I joined because I’m in so much pain that I just may lose my mind. I need people to talk to. I want to find people to relate to. I’m hoping to make some new friends here.

See you around the boards! 🙂

[Micke Brown, BSN, RN]

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 frustrations.

Some questions I immediately thought of are: Have you ventured out from just conservative treatment? Are you working with a pain specialist who embraces integrative care such as massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga, mindfulness meditation and much, much more?

Another suggestion is: Have you reviewed the wellness section of our website (see Education tab)? There may be some tips you have not considered yet. Just know, all is not lost. We are here to support you the best way we can.

[Noki4]

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 finally found a doctor who listened to me and ordered the right tests.

I have never had back surgery. The specialists that I saw at the University of Birmingham (UAB) in Alabama told me that I was not a candidate for surgery due to how progressive the disease was. Over the years there have been numerous other diagnoses like, sciatica, neuropathy, Rheumatoid arthritis just to name a couple but we can talk about that later if you want. Right now we are talking about you and I do understand exactly how you feel re:losing the mind.

I went many years not having anyone to talk to that truly understood what I was going through. My spouse was very supportive and helped me when he was not working. We had 3 small children all under the age of 7 years old when I first got the diagnosis. In all honestly I think having the kids helped me learn to deal with a high pain tolerance. I had to take care of them there was no one else. We had no family in Alabama.

I am here for you all the way. I am always happy to meet new people and make new friends. You are not alone! There are really great folks here at TPC who care and support. I have found that the hosted chat they have here on Monday-Wednesday-Friday is so wonderful. You get to talk to people who truly understand a journey of pain. It is an hour of talking and supporting each other. We have our serious moments but we also share much laughter. The chats are at 11am eastern time.

I look forward to getting to know you.

Take care,
Noki4

[Noki4]

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 movements from causing additional pain like straight physical therapy can do.

Hope to hear from you soon 🙂

Noki4

[TPC_YaYa]

Hello GiGi,

Welcome to The Pain Community (TPC) We are happy to meet you but sure wish it was under different circumstances.
I see that Micke and Noik4 have all ready mentioned our live hosted chats. There is so much support given in our chats and we have a lot of fun also. It can be a great way to start the day.

You are going to meet some great folks here at TPC. Many of them live with pain. We also have caregivers and those who advocate for all who live with pain.
If we can answer any questions just let us know.

Take care,

TPC YaYa
TPC Community Moderator
“The views or opinion(s) contained herein do not necessarily represent those of The Pain Community.”

[SirenDestiny]

Hi GiGi

Sorry to hear about all the problems and pain you are in. If you ever need to talk to anyone I am always here to lend an ear. Stay strong!

[FredFriend]

Hi GiGi,
Sorry that you have so many issues with pain. I have stenosis in a few spots in mys spine and have never been a surgical candidate. Things are manageable for me with meditation, exercise, massage, heat and acupuncture.
I’m glad you have found TPC’s discussion forums and chat for support.

[Janice-R]

Welcome GiGi to our circle of friends. You sound as if your road has been especially strenuous. Please know you will find friends, support, and information here at TPC. I spent 20+ years as a pain management nurse and the last six years living with persistent pain after brain surgery. I am sorry to say so many providers don’t live up to my expectations ; it is disappointing but there are some gems out there.. Knowing as much as we can about our pain and treatment options is so helpful and makes us stronger and feel less a victim. I know that you will find support, friendship, and information he to help you with your journey.

[Author]

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