Lilllabettt Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 So I have an incurable disease which causes pain. They don't give out pain meds for this. Supposedly because its an internal thing, if it reaches a "crisis point" where it could be fatal, the only way to tell is the increased howling of the patient. Brilliant, right? I'm wondering if there are any all natural methods of handling it. A nurse taught me a type of breathing which is sort of helpful ... but I'm thinking more along spiritual lines. I'm thinking maybe the rosary ... because it doesn't require holding a book. On the other hand repetition is not very distracting ... ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I have lived with chronic pain for 18 years now. I have seen other people with similar injuries go through Vicodin, Oxycontin, and even Methadone. I have no intention of going down that path. I take a very low dose of a muscle relaxer so that I can get moving, otherwise, I would have difficulty bending enough to get out of bed. It doesn't make me high, and I haven't had to increase the dose in over a decade, and have stopped taking it for periods of time without withdrawal, so I feel that it is safe and I haven't become chemically addicted to it. It doesn't really help with actual pain. I take two tylenols a day for that. Somedays I burn through it quicker than others. I basically deal with pain by knowing my limitations, getting as much rest as I can, even when I can't actually sleep. I also listen to music almost constantly. It's kind of like biofeedback for me. I wear very comfortable over the ear headphones in the house and outside during the summer, and I have headphone speakers sewn into my balaclava for winter. I still have trouble walking a straight line at times. My feet kind of forgot how to walk right when I was in a wheelchair, and I find the rhythm also helps me keep in step better. I don't zig zag or stutter step as much when I listen to music as I walk. I also find water aerobics helps. Exercise releases all kinds of soothing chemicals, and the water lets my body move in ways it can't on dry land. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archaeology cat Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I was going to say the Rosary, actually. And, this may sound weird, but making a conscious effort to thank God for the pain as it teaches you to rely completely on Him. Not to mention uniting your suffering with Christ's. I say that because I was in chronic pain with my knee, and couldn't take the pain meds because of how I reacted to them, and that was how I got through it. Well, not with the Rosary, since I wasn't Catholic at the time, but with the other things. I will pray for you, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineM Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 [quote name='Archaeology cat' post='1813382' date='Mar 21 2009, 03:30 PM']I was going to say the Rosary, actually. And, this may sound weird, but making a conscious effort to thank God for the pain as it teaches you to rely completely on Him. Not to mention uniting your suffering with Christ's. I say that because I was in chronic pain with my knee, and couldn't take the pain meds because of how I reacted to them, and that was how I got through it. Well, not with the Rosary, since I wasn't Catholic at the time, but with the other things. I will pray for you, as well. [/quote] There are days that I specifically offer it up for a pray purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 Maybe I will try the music thing ... I like the Tallis Scholars singing Allegri. I guess I will have to experiment on which rosary mysteries work the best. In the past, I've just been saying the first part of the Hail Mary. My brother recommends chess, because it requires thinking. He is not religious though. Maybe the stations of the Cross ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1813432' date='Mar 21 2009, 06:48 PM']Maybe I will try the music thing ... I like the Tallis Scholars singing Allegri. I guess I will have to experiment on which rosary mysteries work the best. In the past, I've just been saying the first part of the Hail Mary. My brother recommends chess, because it requires thinking. He is not religious though. Maybe the stations of the Cross ...[/quote] I think it depends on what kind of pain it is, and where it is located. My son has a TENS machine attached to his back every night so he can sleep. I use hot showers and baths to keep my muscles warm so the ligaments don't pop, and take move quite carefully. I take either muscles relaxers, aspirin or naprosen. For me a mightmare can pop out my shoulder, or a mis-step takes out my ankle and I will be back to a cane or worse. Carrying my granddaughter around even briefly has done a number on my shoulder, so I probably end up back to the orthodude for PT or surgury soon, diabetics seem especially prone to frozen shoulders. I have classical music on all day, stopping and taking deep breathes and simple stretching and slow exercises help , and so does hot baths. I have to change position frequently so the muscles don't lock. I also try to point out to God that He could have given me things a zillion times worse than this. Sometimes I'm just in pain and there is no getting around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted March 21, 2009 Author Share Posted March 21, 2009 [quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1813460' date='Mar 21 2009, 07:43 PM']I think it depends on what kind of pain it is, and where it is located.[/quote] My problem is in my intestines; it makes ulcers running up and down. I'm actually in remission, its just playing up a bit now ... I guess it feels mostly, like cramps. Ha! Maybe I'll look up strategies for PMS cramps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1813468' date='Mar 21 2009, 08:05 PM']My problem is in my intestines; it makes ulcers running up and down. I'm actually in remission, its just playing up a bit now ... I guess it feels mostly, like cramps. Ha! Maybe I'll look up strategies for PMS cramps.[/quote] Hot water bottle? Back rub? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1813468' date='Mar 21 2009, 07:05 PM']My problem is in my intestines; it makes ulcers running up and down. I'm actually in remission, its just playing up a bit now ... I guess it feels mostly, like cramps. Ha! Maybe I'll look up strategies for PMS cramps.[/quote] What is it called? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissyP89 Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 Hmmm. The repetition in the rosary never really did anything for me, either. But a while back I heard of a way to mix it up. "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus..." Stop here. Depending on what mystery you're doing, add in a word, phrase, or title about Him. For example, for the Carrying of the Cross (Sorrowful #4) ~ ...who suffered for our sake ~ ...who bore the weight of our sins ~ ...who alone can save us And then continue on with the rest of the Hail Mary. You could also add in a phrase after "Holy Mary, Mother of God..." It gives you chance to use your imagination, gets you really thinking about the mysteries, and might get your mind off the pain better than plain repetition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 [quote name='picchick' post='1813473' date='Mar 21 2009, 08:11 PM']What is it called?[/quote] Sorry I guess I should have said that before. It's ulcerative colitis ... the dreaded pooping disease .. mine is "refractory," which I guess means it doesn't respond to therapy so well (always have to be special.) It does not kill most people and even if it does, you can live with it for a long time. Tony Snow, that fox news guy who was President Bush's press secretary, died of complications from it, but he was diagnosed in his twenties and had it for like 25 years ... he said in an interview that it "increased my pain threshold" ... but nothing about what he did for it ... I've been thinking about exercise. CatherineM mentioned swimming. I don't feel like doing anything when things hurt. But they say with arthritis the best thing is to keep moving. Maybe its the same. Also, exercising improves blood circulation, right ... because the heart is beating harder. Which means more oxygen gets delivered to the part that is hurting. More oxygen = healing, I think. Plus all those yummy endorphins that get released. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 [quote name='MissyP89' post='1813484' date='Mar 21 2009, 08:36 PM']Hmmm. The repetition in the rosary never really did anything for me, either. But a while back I heard of a way to mix it up. "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus..." Stop here. Depending on what mystery you're doing, add in a word, phrase, or title about Him.[/quote] VERY cool idea. I am stealing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hassan Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1813608' date='Mar 21 2009, 11:43 PM']Sorry I guess I should have said that before. It's ulcerative colitis ... the dreaded pooping disease .. mine is "refractory," which I guess means it doesn't respond to therapy so well (always have to be special.) It does not kill most people and even if it does, you can live with it for a long time. Tony Snow, that fox news guy who was President Bush's press secretary, died of complications from it, but he was diagnosed in his twenties and had it for like 25 years ... he said in an interview that it "increased my pain threshold" ... but nothing about what he did for it ... I've been thinking about exercise. CatherineM mentioned swimming. I don't feel like doing anything when things hurt. But they say with arthritis the best thing is to keep moving. Maybe its the same. Also, exercising improves blood circulation, right ... because the heart is beating harder. Which means more oxygen gets delivered to the part that is hurting. More oxygen = healing, I think. Plus all those yummy endorphins that get released.[/quote] Catherine is wise (swimming) I have no advise, but good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 [quote name='Lilllabettt' post='1813608' date='Mar 22 2009, 12:43 AM']Sorry I guess I should have said that before. It's ulcerative colitis ... the dreaded pooping disease .. mine is "refractory," which I guess means it doesn't respond to therapy so well (always have to be special.) It does not kill most people and even if it does, you can live with it for a long time. Tony Snow, that fox news guy who was President Bush's press secretary, died of complications from it, but he was diagnosed in his twenties and had it for like 25 years ... he said in an interview that it "increased my pain threshold" ... but nothing about what he did for it ... I've been thinking about exercise. CatherineM mentioned swimming. I don't feel like doing anything when things hurt. But they say with arthritis the best thing is to keep moving. Maybe its the same. Also, exercising improves blood circulation, right ... because the heart is beating harder. Which means more oxygen gets delivered to the part that is hurting. More oxygen = healing, I think. Plus all those yummy endorphins that get released.[/quote] Hot tub! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 [quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1813615' date='Mar 22 2009, 12:47 AM']Hot tub![/quote] If I had insurance, I would make them pay for one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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