Feeling so down and at the end of my rope

[Katrina]

I've been in pain with my shoulder for months now - since August. It turns out that while I do have a small tear in my labrum, some tendonitis, and arthritis, it has become obvious from xrays and an MRI that the majority or my issues stem from my neck. Everything in my neck is a disaster. All of the discs are in bad shape with one missing a huge chunk and another missing a large chunk. My spine in my neck is also curved the wrong direction. I have been in physical therapy for months, been on pain medication around the clock, on Mobic, steriods, steroid shots, steroid patches, heating pad, you name it, I've been doing it. The pain is only becoming more and more unbearable. I go for a cervical block on April 4th and another on the 25th.

I'm throwing up frequently again. My weight has dropped again into the underweight category - just barely at 106, but still there.

I feel at my wits end. I've done everything my doctor tells me to do. The pain medication isn't even touching the pain anymore, and I don't know what else to do. I can't live like this. I am not a wuss. I didn't take pain medication after having VSG or my hysterectomy or ever for that matter. This pain is killing me.

Just thought I'd whine here because my family surely is tired of my pitifulness and not being able to help.

[Donald G]

I know what being in constant pain is like I've been living with it for 9 years now since a auto accident. My heart goes out to you just wondering If Surgery is an option?

[Pattimelt]

I'm so sorry Katrina that you're having to endure such horrific pain. I have messed up bulging discs in my lower back and have taken pain meds for many years, but recently weaned myself off of them. I also get epidurals in my lower back every four months to help control the pain. I sure hope your cervical block helps you with the constant pain. Is surgical repair an option? No one wants to have neck or back surgery, but if there's a chance it could help I'd look in to it.

Saying a prayer for you that you improve after the block. Stay in touch and let us know how it goes, Patti

[DesertGal]

I feel for you. Pain can be the absolute worse enemy on one's body. It sounds like you have done -and are doing -everything humanly possible. Neck issues are no picnic either and I hope something happens for you soon.

[Tamera2]

I'm sorry Katrina your going through a tough time. Have you tried taking phenergan suppositories for the vomiting and nausea there are other ones you can try but the first one worked the best for me. If you get this stopped you can aventually try adding ensure or boost and boost can come in 4oz bottles and the calories and protein will help put weight on or stop further weightloss. You may need to see a GI doctor and find out why your having nausea/vomiting with weightloss. I don't know if your Bariatric surgeon is local if he is I'd contact and see him asap.
Have you tried seeing a pain doctor at a pain clinic? A pain doctor as really helped me with my severe debilitating pain in my neck,back and shoulders. Hope you feel better and hope you can get help with pain relief too. You may want to also find a good Neurosurgeon and see if you qualify for a surgical repair they are making huge strides in this area. I'll be praying for you, Tamera

[Shirl]

This is coming from a place of love and a previous someone who lived with chronic LBP and sciatica spasms. I took up yoga not only for its physical benefits, but also for it's meditation practice, and that helped me tremendously in the past. Since I have not experienced either problem since losing 74lbs, this is only from what worked for me previously to losing the weight.

Sending you immense love and healing vibes!

[Katrina]

Ah, Phenergan suppositories were a life saver after my vsg. While I didn't take pain medication, I certainly had no shame spreading my cheeks for my mom to put one of those in on that first night. Man, I was so sick! I wonder if I still have any of those lying around anywhere. They definitely work the best for me for nausea.

So, it sounds like several of you also deal with chronic debilitating pain. I get scared sometimes thinking this can't just be from my neck even though my doctor says my neck is the messiest worst thing he's seen on someone my age without there being some defining reason behind it. I guess it is somewhat comforting to know that yes, you can just have horrific pain and not actually be dying. I know I'm dramatic, but I keep thinking are they sure they haven't missed cancer or something...it's THAT painful. I'm so tired of crying with it. I'm so tired of not being able to function. And I'm really sad that as my daughter's caregiver that I can't lift her wheelchair anymore to be able to take her places.

I'm placing a lot of hope in these blocks I have coming up and I'm going to be starting traction in therapy, too.

I'm guessing that most of the nausea is caused by the pain. The pain leads to migraines too and those also lead to a lot of nausea. It's all a vicious cycle.

I didn't mention before, he's also put me on gabapentin 300 mg 3x a day for nerve pain. I'm only on my second week and don't feel any benefit yet. Anyone else been on that?

[sraebaer]

So sorry, whine all you want to us! I'm reading this in a cervical collar, so I will whine with you. We could talk necks.

[lil_lisa]

have you tried acupuncture? I never have but I hear they can do alot about pain??

[Christie13]

Sorry you're having to deal with so much pain. Hopefully you can find relief.

[Katrina]

I have not tried acupuncture nor have I been to a chiropractor. My doctor, of course, frowns on those. My husband swears by them. I think if the blocks don't help in a big big way that I will be for sure looking into that. My neurologist mentioned dry needling, but no one (PT or orthopedist) knows what that is, so I don't know where to get it done. Neurologist assured me they would know. That sounds like acupuncture to me, but I could be way off base.

[Tamera2]

Yes, I've been on Gabapentin since 1997. I have Ms and Trigeminal Neuralgia which cause severe debilitating nerve pain. I take 900mg THree x's a day. It's been a life savor but at first the side effects were nausea, dizziness. Took a few weeks for that to go away. What ever you do don't stop all at once or skipp doses, must slowly stop or you will have unpleasant side effects. I had debilitating Migraines and now get Botox injections q3mos. No more migraines. I also have disc issues in neck and back, arthritis from MVA. Lesions on spine from MS. I get epidural injections a 3mos in neck and back. Have a Baclofen, pain pump built in. Have oral pain meds and oral muscle relaxants I take pen. Take Phenergan oral and suppositories frequently.

Got a thought. You mentioned being a caretaker for your daughter and lifting her wheelchair. If you've been doing that repetitively that could have contributed to your neck and back damage.Nothing wrong with Second opinion. Don't think you have Cancer. I've spent many many times living in severe severe pain. Undergone many procedures to try and help. Even been on pain patch Fetynal. Had hours of P.T. Loved traction. But here to tell you I'm 1000x's better. Think about other suggestions. Hang in there

[Luann]

I feel for you. I went through a horrific time back 25 years ago, when I started to have nerve pain in one arm. I have no idea what started it, but turns out I dropped my entire shoulder girdle on the left side from carrying around my young son too long. I had a pinched nerve in my neck - but the pain was horrific. Every time I laid down, my arm would be both numb and horrifically painful. Most people didn't understand it could be both numb & painful at the same time.

I had cortisone shots that didn't help, & then finally neck traction pulled the space around the nerve open enough to stop the pain. They just had to pull my neck in the opposite direction from the painful shoulder. It took 6 weeks of that therapy to make a difference, one time didn't do it. Anyway I hope you find something that helps. I thought it had ruined my life, it was that bad. Don't laugh, sometimes the smallest things can give you reprieve from the pain. I had a facial, the soothing environment, laying back on a comfy bed, light massage / music & something to distract from the pain gave me a 10 hour break. Yeah the pain came back, but it felt life saving at the time to even have that long of a break from the incessant nature of it. Try to be good to yourself, pamper yourself as best you can - it can give you strength to keep on trying. I know it's hard.

[americangrrl]

sorry to hear about so much discomfort.... I cannot even imagine....I too agree with yoga being able to relieve many debilitating issues that people have..there is restorative yoga that can work wonders for people with skeletal problems.... unfortunately, it sounds like u may be at the point to consider surgery to get any real relief.... I know it is usually avoided at all costs, but sometimes, its actually the one thing that will help u... u also cannot keep taking all those meds that don't seem to b helping... ur quality of life is too important to ignore the reality...best wishes...

[Kindle]

I only spent 4 months in severe pain with my neck. Steroids, narcotics, tens, cervical collar, acupuncture. They couldn't do a block because of extensive stenosis....couldn't even get a needle in there. The greatest relief was actually from my chiropractor who used a traction table to decompress my spine. But going there three times a week just for a little relief was not a plan conducive to my life and job. Once It was obvious that the pain was not going to be controlled I went to see a neurosurgeon. Had spinal fusion at C5-C6 and all the symptoms instantly disappeared. My neck was also straight, not curved, from a whiplash car accident 15 yeas earlier. He put the natural curve back in my neck, taking the pressure off all the other disks. Turned out I had actually been in pain for all those years but didn't even realize it until I wasn't anymore. Greatest surgery I ever had (yes, even better than VSG).

So I guess my advice is to discuss surgical options. Don't leave it up to your pain Doctor, go see a specialist. And remember not all surgeons are created equal. Even though they both do the surgery, I'd choose a neurosurgeon over an orthopedic surgeon. I've just seen better surgical recoveries and outcomes with neuros. Mine was a cervical neurosurgeon at the University of Utah who did nothing but necks. Even invented his own instruments and pioneered new techniques. Like my bariatric surgeon, I found my neurosurgeon by researching medical journals and online and asking lots of questions. My PCP wanted to send me to a different guy, but after discussing my case with him, turns out the one I picked was a "God" of neck surgeries and who this guy sends his hard cases to! So of course my PCP gave me a referral.

Good luck! Chronic pain is horrible and I hope you find sone relief.