[Closed] Coping with continual long term pain

Have you tried any alternative stuff?
Acupuncture and the like?
Did wonders for my dads back after years of chronic pain and traditional medicine.

Shouldn't you be having this conversation with your GP ?

I have no personal experience but is there not such a thing as a pain clinic ?

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Longtermpain.aspx

I know you will have already asked, but has the consultant you were under not offered any further advice/treatment? That sounds like some serious level of pain.

Pain level is considered moderate, not serious.

Alternative therapies - no, I haven't. Tried them yet but am getting seriously bored of hurting so may do.

Pain clinics Indy experience like drugs and exercise. I like both of those but not the versions they use. I am trying to avoid long term drug based pain therapy.

Coversations with GP, consultant and medically trained fried basically all agree. The ankle is ****ed and the pain is the result. Not much to do other than try and strengthen the area through controlled exercises ( Dave the bastard has a series of these he has shared with me) and then mtfu or do drugs.

+1 for accupuncture. Expensive and not a permanent cure, but for whatever reasons it does work in my experience. Saves pumping your kidneys full of toxins. Hypnosis also a viable option.

I fully expect the cynical crew to jump on me, but even if it's a placebo effect, it's palpable.

I quite fancy acupuncture as it gives me something positive to see. The pins going I must do something surely. I worry that my tired cynical mind might negate the effect though. I think I will give it a go though.

Anyone recommend an acupuncturist near. Southampton ?

Hypnosis is another thing I have looked into but apparently I am not susceptible. A hypnotist at an office party got three people to do silly stuff while I just sat there watching him wave his hands around in front of me. I guess medical ones might be better but I am nit sure.

I've had lots of acupuncture for all manner of things. IME acupuncture can work well with pain related issues, special sports type injuries. Although I've never had permanent long term pain issues.

I would very strongly recommend that you use a Chinese acupuncturist, they know their stuff. In the same way that you would expect a decent curry from an Asian restaurant not a pizza shop.

Agreed. Some GPs offer acupuncture but their training tends to be brief and shallow.

[url= http://www.chinamedic.co.uk/ ]This[/url] is my dad's ex-wife's clinic (in Edinburgh, so no good to you). She got her training in the days of the red army and has practiced acupuncture ever since. She goes home to China every few years to top up her training with the best in the business. In my mind, it's probably a bit like the remake of The Karate Kid when he hangs out with the snake lady.

Point being, if you can find a genuine practitioner, they'll be conscientious and experienced. Oh, and Ming ^^^ refuses to train GPs as she believes it takes more than a week's training to get it right.

She brought my radial-palsied right arm back to life six months after the specialists had declared it dead and gone.

Not much to do other than try and strengthen the area through controlled exercises ( Dave the bastard has a series of these he has shared with me) and then mtfu or do drugs.

This is probably one route, I have a mate who is now doing a heap of stuff with mechanics, exercise, motion and some more wacky massage/CST stuff and has a lot of success with some of this stuff - his background was a fairly gruesome shoulder injury. Based out of the midlands/warwick way.

I am and was sceptical of alternative treatments. Yet when I had a serious and persistent case of tennis elbow - only acupuncture provided any relief. Quite happy to admit placebo easily could be the reason it works but my scepticism didn't stop it having a positive effect!

You may not like the answer but I would suggest taking the drugs. I dont take mine all the time but when it all gets a bit much I do. Kind of like having a weekend off.

wca - I've heard of a good acupuncturist in Winchester if that's any good?

fwiw I had physio treatment that included acupuncture and believe it had a huge effect on healing and recovery.

similar with my back after i broke it and landed up fused and caged!

Constant dull pain, like you, take ibuprofen and paracetamol when it gets bad, its a balancing act as i find the more i exercise, swimming & riding, the easier it gets. I am nearly 3 years in now and sometimes it almost goes away, then i comes back again..

Interested in what alternatives are there, and as i'm in Eastleigh (i run the roller racing mob in Hampshire) local things could be of interest as well...

not much help but think you just have to be positive and grateful like you say that they saved your foot

I've had a few bouts of long term (for me) pain, 2-3 months at a time, and it's horrid. I've also had short term / injury related pain, broken bones, etc., which i found easier to deal with, even though more acute, because there's a cause, and a likely improvement and timeframe.

Drugs - will work, but there are side issues to a life on painkillers. For short term pain they're great, but I try not to use too many because the purpose of pain is to tell you it's injured and therefore not to overwork it. But it's a bit catch 22, low doses more frequently can get you to a manageable state rather than treating it like an on-off switch.

Acupuncture - I'm prepared to accept that it could work, there's no theory that I really understand but enough history and anecdote, give it a try and see. Sounds like not much to lose.

Hypno - again anecdotally, but I was very sceptical, until my wife told me she wanted natural childbirth and to go on a prenatal hypnotherapy course. It was surprisingly 'normal', no chanting or crystals, and rather than being what I'd consider hypnotherapary previously, ie; stage trick type, it was all about deep relaxation techniques and using your subconscious to work for you. Even as I write it sounds far fetched but we both learned techniques to turn your mind away from pain, and with work after there are shortcuts to access these places, so you don't need to spend 15 mins in a darkened room with sea noises playing to go there. Both my kids were born with no pain relief whatsoever. I use it on rides sometimes, going up big hills you just turn your mind away from hurting and focus on something else. Like acupuncture - what do you have to lose?

What about a tens machine? Using electrical stimulation to block the pain signals. Worked for me with a sciatic problem, to at least take the edge off, and might get you functional.

Last and if all else fails - faced with the debilitating effect of pain that won't go away, would you consider losing the foot? While draconian, might not be the worst scenario? I'm sure the docs saved it because they thought it was the best thing to do at the time, but is it now? Plenty of lower limb amputees have fantastic quality of life, do you? Really?

All stuff to consider and discuss with 'the experts'. Good luck!

Can't offer any advice but hope you find a solution.

Drink more.?

We have an awful lot of clients in similar positions to yourself. A decent pain clinic will help with you perception of the pain and find ways to help you deal with it. One of the mst inspiring guys ive met is this [url= http://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/greenslade-gareth ]this chap[/url]. He is based in Bristol - not sure where you are.

He really does seem to tackle it in the right way, very much based on the person, their percetions and health beliefs and can deliver all kids of treatments from therapies such acupuncture all the way to nerve blocks. I am sure there are many other good consultants too if you look around

Can't offer any advice but hope you find a solution.

Aye me too.

Apart from suggesting more beer obviously.

i read on the internet, and it were a proper medical thing not some dodgy site

Sex is one of the more powerful painkillers

im not sure what you need to do with that information

There are many things that alter brain chemistry that help with pain - a pain consultant may come up with something easier to pull off in everyday life than beer or frequent sex, im sure the sex would be fun but stumbbling around drunk on a sore ankle may defeat the object of pain relief 😆

something easier to pull off in everyday life than beer or frequent sex

Pull off, snarf snarf

I shall get my coat

become addicted to vicodin and get your own tv show.

A lot of osteopaths will have had acupuncture training. The really good ones will have covered traditional and modern variants. It's going to cost though (silly me you run a petrol slurping Merc 😀 )

Hypnosis would also be a solution. Also a good dose of Rule 5.

Hope the endorphins kick in soon.

I've had near continual pain in left arm/hand pretty much since 16 (trapped nerves).

I can't draw any parallels as to your level of discomfort, but I actually found ways of living with it - I don't know hoe much is brain and how much physical. It's to the point in last few years it's just like a background noise in everyday life if you know what I mean - it doesn't really bother me.

I do have a completely numb left hand when I wake up each morning for about 10 mins; just for comedy effect.

Good luck and personally I'd say try to avoid drugs.

Amputate it and get a Fox shox prosthetic.. however slightly more serious my sis does acupuncture as part of her phyiso work and seems to get good results combining both..

I do have a completely numb left hand when I wake up each morning for about 10 mins; just for comedy effect.

At least you get some benefits.

I really must get my coat.

[i]IME acupuncture can work well with pain related issues, special sports type injuries.[/i]

Agreed. Though I've not had anything quite as severe as a snapped off foot, the pain relief provided by acupuncture was quite a surprise to me. Fun seeing the needles go in too 🙂
Hope you get it sorted WCA.

but apparently I am not susceptible

Anyone can be hypnotised, it might just take a bit more effort in your case.

Acupuncture - CinnonmanGirl, can you email the details of the one in Winchester please

Copious amounts of sex - I am married so ...

Drink more beer - I tried this once but caused a world shortage

Hypnosis - Might give it a try if I can get a good recommendation

Drugs - Fall back option but the Naproxen isn't really doing much at the moment

I have long term pain via arthritis. Happy to do the drugs but even they have limits. Tried acupuncture for pain in the chest wall and much to my surprise, it was very effective. Done on NHS via hospital physio dept.

a bit of a leftfield suggestion, but have you considered any of the marijuana therapies..?

my personal experience of this is negative, in that it can focus your mind on the pain while you hide under the bed worrying that 'they' are all out to get you..

but some people swear by it for pain relief and are willing to risk the legal pitfalls..

Sadly they have banned a lot of effective pain killers such as selective Type 2 cox inhibitors, over the (very small) increased risk of heart failure. Note that pretty much all NSAIs also increase the risk of heart failure. So there are less effective drugs available to treat long term pains conditions such as arthritis.

I was taking Amitryptiline for the nerve pain that I have, but it had me like a zombie. I still have a constant but dull pain, sometimes it feels like toothache, from my hips down over, as well as in my hands and face, but I've found regular excercise (jogging three times a week in my case) has helped a lot.

There's no doubt that the cold and damp makes it worse.

Anyone recommend an acupuncturist near. Southampton ?

Unfortunately not, but I do know an excellent one in Rusper, West Sussex. I know it's a few more miles to cover, but if you're up for a jaunt o the day(s) then may well be worth it.

My email is in my profile if you want to send me Acupunture recommendations. I am based in Southampton but do travel around the country a lot so I might be in your area some time soon!

WCA, not an expert, but don't dismiss hypnosis just because some clowns got up on stage and made arses of themselves and you didn't. I was hypnotised thirty years ago for nail biting and haven't done it since. Hypnotist told me most people cannot be made to go under against their will, but can be helped if they want to be.

Just might be worth checking out

Happy to give it a go with a recommended hypotist, just need their details so I don't end up with a shyster

No experience personally, but the Mother in Law broke her foot two years ago and got the bones fused and plated. She is still in pain now, and after numerous visits to specialists they have, finally, found one of the screws has come loose and is rubbing against another bone. Also they finally discovered another hairline crack that has been missed by several xrays and a couple of MRI's.

Just saying, although it does sound like you have had multiple opinions, one more from a fresh set of eyes can sometimes help.

VanMan - Agree about getting multiple views. I was seeing both NHS and private consultants in parallel during the early stages of treatment - basically they were considering amputation and I wanted to be really sure if that was what they recommended. As it turned out, both agreed that the healing was remarkable and I could keep the foot. Same during physion when I had a friend who is a practicing physio (Dave the Bastard) and also the assigned physio reviewing progress. Again, they basically agreed.

WorldClassAccident...

I had 5 or 6 years constant (increasing) pain from a hip injury, one that will now hopefully be gone following my final op last week. It badly affected my sleeping too, so it was a living nightmare.

For me, I was taking ibuprofen like smarties (4000mg per day) and tramadol. Tramadol worked really well. Also tried Naproxen and Arcoxib (I think that's what it was called) but was allergic to both. I'm lucky in that I had an excellent GP who listened and was prepared to work hard to control my pain.

I also tried hypnosis and acupuncture.

Acupuncture was initially very good, but I got the feeling that the effects wore off after several sessions (but that may simply be down to me expecting more and more from it). Hypnotherapy I got for a different pain related issue - It was a revelation for short term relief, but didn't try for longer term.

I canned hypnotherapy and acupuncture basically because of the costs - extra physio rehab was running me +£400 a month and I just couldn't afford it.

Long term pain grinds you down, but coping becomes easier after a while, and if you can get something like Tramadol, it really takes the edge off. Its not a great regime to be on, but it beats constant pain.

Hope your condition improves.

wca - e-mail sent and hope it makes sense! 🙂

Blimey, I thought this was going to be another problem-page marriage thread... 8)

YGM bud - not that far from you and 20+yrs of 24hr pain.
Finally drug free now for the last 13 months or so - trigger point therapy is one that worked for me along with facet joint injections to purposefully kill some of the damaged nerves off.
Amatryp, naproxen, feldene, tramadol, co-cod, cyclazine and many others made me rattle on a daily basis, but in the maintenance phase now.
Still have the odd relapse but manageable and know when one is brewing so can make a choice to avoid them.
Teach me to break C/T/L spine and all bar two major joints and a hell of a lot more :-/

(I'm being allowed to use FD's profile to post)

I have seen a bit of your journey following the ankle injury. Just to clarify - did you have a pilon fracture? This is a very different animal to a simple ankle fracture.

I think the question you are trying to answer at the moment is 'how do I cope with chronic pain'. I assume therefore you have accepted you are going to have chronic pain and cope with it, rather than try and deal with the cause.

Of course you may well have discussed dealing with the cause with your surgeon. The reason you have this pain is highly likely to be post traumatic arthritis. The trajectory of this is variable in both severity and length. The long term is that your ankle joint is painful and stiff, then becomes more stiff and finally can fuse itself to some degree. Alternatively it just continues to get more painful.

When did you last have a conversation with a foot and ankle surgeon about your ankle and have any investigations? I know you have discussed fusion early on, is this an option you cannot consider? This is only something that should be done when you are ready for it as a pain relieving op.

Try and use what ever works for you to help you cope with the pain. If you want to deal with the pain then the long term option is to talk to your surgeon and get re-referred if you have been discharged.

Mrs FD
DOI orthopaedic registrar with interest in lower limb trauma and reconstruction

double post

wca, feel for you mate. I smashed my right ankle playing rugby 15 or so years ago. spent a couple of months in plaster and a couple on a stick.
it is now pretty much fused solid with arthritis with not much movement at all.
I don't get a lot of sharp pain or anything I cant manage, but it aches constantly. I use a lot of tiger balm/deep heat/ibuleieve type creams.
cold damp weather is worst, keep it warm if you can.
hope you get it sorted fella.

[URL= http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/20ston/canckles001_zps0e3c47f4.jp g" target="_blank">http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/20ston/canckles001_zps0e3c47f4.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

my club foot. 😀

[url= http://singularityhub.com/2012/04/24/regenokine-the-unproven-treatment-that-professional-athletes-are-flying-to-germany-for/?utm_source=buffer&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer89843&utm_medium=twitter ]Regenokine[/url]?

Couple of links to some research by Arthritis UK

Covers most alternative therapies and drugs and rates them for effectiveness, risk etc.

Have had some dogs referred for acupuncture and owners believe it makes a difference too.

[url= http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/~/media/Files/Arthritis-information/Additional-items/CAT-report-2013.ashx ]Alternative therapies[/url]

[url= http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/complementary-and-alternative-medicines/cam-report/complementary-medicines-for-osteoarthritis.aspx ]Alternative medicines[/url]

Looks like capsaicin was rated for pain relief from osteoarthritis.

Hope it helps