Can we discuss chronic pain and excercise and stuff?
I have to see a chiropractor regularly. I have to go get some low cost accupuncture, I must start excercising because, I, mamas am falling apart. I used to take prescription pain pills all the time. Not prescribed for me because I have no health insurance, but I needed them. Any would do. I had a good connection, and I wasn't taking them for fun, if anything they made me slightly nauseas, but its better than being bed ridden with three toddlers. Well, After being in school this whole past year thinking I was going to be a drug counselor I learned that all I am really doing is masking the pain and hurting my body, not to mention I'd be SOL if something *really* bad were to happen like a car accident and here I am eating vicoden or perocet-I break an arm and can't find real relief, but I have been indenial, picturing a future without pain, that whatever was happening to my body was temporary, and even though its been a couple of years-my body would bounce back and I'd be good as new- that never happened... So, I visited a doctor at a low cost clinic who started prescribing me Ibuporofen with big numbers attached. I started taking them and they worked just as well as the pain pills. Ran out and started eating store purchased ibuprofen like candy. Well, hmmm. Now, I have stomach issues. Goddamn it.
So now I am back to where I started. I physically can't clean like I used to. My house probably resembles yours, but thats not good enough for me, although its proabably for the best. I was a compulsive over- cleaner that made everybody including myself miserable. I clean the house army style=bedridden for two days, literally. So I must let that go. I avoid things like putting my kids in their carseats as much as possible, having my kids and SO pick things up off the ground, sitting in a chair and making my kids climb unto my lab when I tie shoes, but its still not good enough for the lower back. I am like a 65 year old man with a huge belly. To a certain extent, I am now handicapped.
Thats the bottom part
Now, lets get into what happens in the upper portion! Right after Baby Kimber was born, who will be four in January, all of a sudden- I pulled a neck muscle. Or so I thought. This happened often enough to where I purchased a neck brace from a medical supply company. I visited the chiropractor a couple years later, and he told me that this is a result from emotional distress. So, I have that going on. Its happened so much over the years, that I feel like my neck and shoulders are now more or less to a certain or less degree permently stiff or sore or have a range of motion that is less than what it should be.
Recently I have discovered I now suffer from middle back problems. Have you ever seen those poor old ladies with humped backs? I *feel* almost as if that is happening to me, but lower. If having lower and upper back pain wasn't enough, my midback is now starting to feel what I can only describe as weak. I cannot sit up straight to save my life. When I sit, I sit so ridiculously rounded that I feel stupid and slovenly. I try not slouching, and its more than I can take to sit up straight. My heart literally starts beating rapidly from the strain of doing so. And now that I have to take it easy for the sake of my lower back, I sit and slouch almost all day long.Sigh.
My feet: Hurt. Throb for no apparent reason. Knees, unbelievably achy. These two things do not happen often, maybe once a week, but when they do- its like something that will keep me awake at night.
Now onto the headaches! Every day, I say I won't take ibuprofen, and every day I do. Aleve doesn't seem to work. But, daily, come rain or shine, I get a headache. I right in my face, right where my sinuses are. I apply pressure to soothe the pain, and it makes it better, but I eventually break down and take it because I can't stand it, so I take the effin ibuprofen with Tums now. Isn't it lovely?
I have always been an insomniac, but ever since the chrnic pain I feel,its gotten worse. At night, I cannot get comfortable at all. I lay one way, and i feel stress and discomfort in another part of my body. I shift to release that tension, and it builds up in another. No matter where or how i lay, it bothers my neck and shoulders. I feel the least amount of tension when I lay on my back, but I can't fall asleep on my back to save my life.
My teachers have discussed in length that chronic pain must be met with constant excercise. That I need to build up my endorphins. My chiropractor told me i need to bring blood to these areas.
With three pre-school kids and classes, most days I put it off until I realize its been a month. But ladies, I fear becomming an invalid. I really do. Either something has to work with this excercise, or I am starting to fear that something is wrong with me. I don't know what fibromylagia? MS? Arthritis?
Any advice or experiences turning your weak body back into a strong risiliant one?
I want to see another doctor, I really do, but I kind of feel like because of my personal appearance and lack of insurance, I get treated like I am looking for dope. I don't have the money to come out of pocket to keep getting farmed off to one of their associates. I know that nothing is more important than my health, except keeping a roof over my head- but I just don't have the resources to investigate what exactly is happening to me...
Oh and to add another really odd symptoms, I lay awake at night and my teeth throb, literally throb. The pain is very slight, I wouldn't even describe it as pain, more like a sensation really, like a rythmic drumbeat almost. How weird is that?
- Domesticated Houseslave's blog
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A lot of this sounds familiar to me. I've had a diagnoses of Fibromyalgia for 11 years and recently went gluten free after a celiac friend of mine mentioned she had similar symptoms, had gone GF (gluten free) and had healed her gut. She'd been diagnosed with arthritis (as well as a list of other symptoms) and those symptoms cleared up entirely after going GF. Months after I started doing a GF diet I went in for testing and still came up with the markers for Celiac (I was getting a lot of cross-contamination). I got the Celiac diagnoses (as well as some vit deficiencies and an unidentified auto-immune) and was told to look into Arthritis for the bone pain (which happens in my teeth and is not debilitating like my muscle pain but is but annoys me). Now i've noticed how my FMS symptoms are improving since I went GF. It's worth a try to look into a support group for GF diets (online or in person) and get someone to help you figure out how to make it work. It ended up being cheaper for us than our previous diet, but I had to give up being a veg*an because of the massive amounts of protein I need to function. My first suggestion, Trader Joes - their GF selection is moderate in scope and inexpensive compared to every other place I've shopped and they have food EVERYONE (in my very picky) family will eat. We actually save money from shopping there as opposed to the co-op or the large chain stores. They have an extensive list you can pick up at the customer service desk detailing everyone of their GF items and they like to help. Plus their stores are the most kid-friendly I've seen (and no, I don't work for them! lol).
Second suggestion. If you have no insurance don't spend the money to get tested. Just try it. I spent well over $5,000 on all this testing and shit that only ended up confirming what I already knew. I can't eat wheat. The Celiac community will tell you not to go GF until you are diagnosed but if it will improve your health, now and it costs almost nothing, why hold back? I could have used that $5,000 in much better ways than unnecessary ultrasounds and vit testing. Like massages weekly for the next 5 years. Like my food! Like, hell, a new car! If you suspect other probelems, don't ignore them. But a change in diet carries very little health risk if you have basic knowledge of how much and what kind of foods your body needs to survive (ie: protien, fats, carbs, etc... all of them are needed). Also, a decent GF diet is pretty high in protein and relatively unrefined, raw and mostly plant based which is shown to be a superior diet. But that's just my experience. If you want more info you can PM me!
Good luck mama. Chronic pain and illness SUCKS!
An osteopathic physician who practices osteopathic manipulative medicine? (OMM)
I am definitely biased, because I am going to an osteopathic medical school, but all of your ailments sound like they would be treatable by OMM, which is very similar to chiropractic manipulation. But, the person doing it is a medical doctor, and can also prescribe meds and have a higher level of training. You may be stressed out, but it is gotten to the point where it sound like your body is decompensating and you have real physical problems that need to be addressed.
Where do you live? In the PNW somewhere, right? I am not sure what kind of options you have without insurance, but there may be a D.O. out there at a clinic that will treat you for cheap.
Sunflower the unflower
sounds like sunflower might be on to something, an osteo physician.
all i can say is oh mama that really sucks! This is way beyond a simple de stress and a hot bath. but that even might feel nice.
maybe take someone along when you go to the doctor so you have a support person if you feel stigmatized against.
It's a lot to deal with, i hope you can find what you need... blessings to you and love too.
**Breathe**
I'm sorry...this sucks.
You have a sinus problem...the headache, face pain & teeth...it all points to sinus issues. I don't 'drain', but my sinus cavity is full. Get a neti pot or sinus rinse. It can't hurt & I bet that is some of your problem.
That isn't to say something else isn't going on or an underlying issue. I love osteopaths. We went to one in Germany & one of my best friends is a D.O.
I hope you get some relief!
Swimming for body aches and pains is a great way to move around without making the pain worse....buoyancy is a wonderful thing. I don't know how it is where you live, but I know that our YMCA has a sliding scale for membership- I think it's $20 a month if you are poor like me. As far as the headaches go- dehydration, stress and teeth grinding are all possible causes. Your teeth could hurt if you are grinding them in your sleep- your headaches and jaw could be from teeth grinding too. People who are stressed-out or in pain often grind. I do. Try not to drink caffeine in the afternoon/evening (I've never been able to stop but I hear it makes grinding worse).... try to really relax before bedtime- do you have dental insurance?
Start listening to your body more, if you can. Try to be more aware of it- in other words, if you are hungry, have a snack- thirsty, get yourself a drink- feel stiff- stretch gently..... if you have bad insomnia from pain (which can lead to more pain because your body doesn't have time to rest& recuperate) and you need a cheap way to knock yourself out that's non addictive take a Benedryl or a Tylenol PM (which is Tylenol w/Benedryl) or if you have a co-op nearby, go buy some Valerian in the bulk section and make tea from it- put in lots of honey, because it's kinda nasty- but it works like a charm! I've never been able to drink it without drooling within 5 minutes. You need some sleep, some gentle healing....I wouldn't jump to conclusions about it being something chronic or serious yet. Stress can make you feel like shit- it really takes a toll on your body....as far as your knees and feet aching- you have 3 kids and you are likely on your feet quite a bit- whenever you get a chance, lie down with your feet elevated ABOVE your heart and give them a break!!! THEN you will have the energy to move and increase your circulation.
Those are my suggestions for things to try first because you don't have insurance.
I understand how you feel- I have a rib that is insanely inflamed where it meets up with my spine and I vacillate between being petrified that it's arthritis (I already have some osteoarthritis in my spine, yay) or lupus (I thought I had a butterfly rash a couple of days ago and I figured out that it was just windburn, I also tend to have autoimmune issues) or something that is a repetitive motion thing. I try to remind myself of the year that I had tendinitis AND carpal tunnel in the same arm from repetitive motion and I envisioned not being able to use my right arm for the rest of my life.....Sometimes our bodies force us to change our habits. I have been lifting up my son too much, I don't EVER get enough sleep, and I have been under insane amounts of stress. So even though I'm lucky and have insurance so I can get it checked out, I really should follow the advice that I just gave you as well!
After 3 kids your core muscles that hold your spine straight could be hurting..... I know you're having pain, but rather than slouching (which will just make it worse) or sit-ups (which actually usually only strengthen outer muscles, not core ones- and can make your stomach bulge out MORE post baby) find a cheap exercise ball and start using it for a chair. You'll get tired at first, but it's a great way to slowly get a work out while correcting your posture. In fact, lol....I should ditch my executive computer chair for one! Goddamn my back hurts from design work lately!
And back rubs are REALLY good for circulation. Maybe you can bribe someone with cookies or some special food you like to make. That's what I am planning on doing- I have a beginner massage therapist who live down the street and loves my cooking!
I hope you feel better mama.
Oh and make sure you take an easily absorb-able prenatal-like vitamin. Your body put a lot of it's reserves into making those kids. Make sure you are giving it the stuff it needs in order to regain strength.
I wish I had some better ideas- it sounds like it's really painful. You can't munch advil forever. Rather than just exercise though, REST! Rest then move! And if you get a little exercise without overdoing it and being in pain, hopefully you will sleep better too!
Yoga is also a healing thing to do. A gentle kind. Don't push yourself if you are in pain, just stop whatever you are doing and breathe. Sometimes if you take the time to take care of yourself you can save yourself a LOT of time in the long run and a lot of agony. I learned this from watching my mother. She was also a power cleaner. Really ask your kids to help you out. Don't pick them up.
I can't even begin to explain the difference that gentle yoga & gyrokinesis has made in my life in the last four months or so. Gyrokinesis in particular. I didn't realize how poorly I was sitting and how it was affecting my breathing, my hips, my back... and it's gentle, there's lots of breathing, and stretching and some core strengthening. I love love love it!
"Do not forget. Remember and warn."
-- Plaque fixed to the hollow shell of Sarajevo's National Library
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