Chronic Pain Group

First off, I think it is a wonderful thing you are doing through your church. I personally know of two people in my area who have committed suicide because of chronic pain. I guess I would have to say that what helps me most for pain are drugs: Neurontin (Gapapentin) for the nerve damage I have. I also take 3-4 Advil when my lower back gets too bad, at night I will take half a Lortab to sleep, if sleep doesn’t come within an hour.

But there other things that do help me with the pain I suffer throughout my body. Water aerobics helps me greatly to keep my shoulders & arms more mobile, but it does tend to weaken my legs afterwards. Rest, such as taking an afternoon nap and/or getting 11 hours of sleep at night. Time, or just getting used to it after all of these years. Prayer is comforting, although I am almost always praying for someone other than myself. Elevating my legs on a recliner at night helps, especially now with a sprained ankle. I am sure I will think of others later on.

BTW, sex definitely does not help us relieve pain, something disastrous usually happens to one or the other, LOL!

I like this concerning chronic pain. My first one is prayer and then I use the following water as hot as I can stand it in the shower, soft music.:)

Hello Dick,
If you need advice in getting a group going you should get in touch with my friend Pat. She’s not a member of this forum because she does not have GBS or CIDP, but she does have a neuropathy that causes chronic pain. She started a support group in her church but can no longer run it because she will be moving to a new home soon. Now, you are doing a good thing to deal with pain by starting your group. I admire Pat because she deals with pain by “working for Christ”, busy hands, busy mind and busy spirit.

PM me and I will give you her email, address and phone number.

Hi Dick
I have found that focusing on something I really enjoy doing, helps take my mind off my pain.
Also, as you already know if we overdo things with CIDP we usually feel worse, so, I have found that resting helps me as well.
Hope this has helped.
Kind regards
Kazza

Dick,
When the pain goes beyond what I can handle I submerge myself in the hottest water I can stand in my old claw foot tub and soak. By the time the waters cooled I usually can climb into bed and sleep it off.
I think what you’re doing is great. Support systems are really important.

Hi Dick ~ this summer I read “Pain Free for Life” by Dr. Scott Brady. I highly recommend this read as I found many useful “tools” for dealing with chronic pain.

Dr. Brady, himself, was disabled by severe chronic pain and could no longer practice medicine; was basically housebound/bed ridden. With much study and trial & error, he developed this progam for himself. He is happily practicing again and helping others with the program.

No, it is [I][U]not[/U] a[/I] [I]cure-all[/I] but for some it will definitely make a difference. Perhaps you could read it and then decide if it is a resource you would like to offer in your program.

I applaude you for offering something back to your community. Best wishes!

I agree that pain starts as soon as I move in the morning. Getting up to feed the cat sets it off so I go lay back down. My time frame for doing outside errands in 4 hours max. Then my body quickly winds down as the fatigue kicks in.I can go to the nearby grocery store and start falling asleep from lack of energy.It is unsetting to plan on doing simple things others just do without wondering the consequences.
My new found love is gardening. I find it easy as I can come back in the house or sit a spell and hope to be able to do a little more. My flowers were beautiful and enjoyed tending them all. Last fall I put out over 100 pansies.
Since I’m so tired I can’t read like I used too. I still go to the library and browse-this is another thing I find peace doing.
Rediscovered cooking and am known for sharing my chocolate delights with friends and nieghbors.
I have found no one can see the pain I have daily. I’ve learned to not mention it and do what I can when I can.

Laughing, smiling, watching a funny movie – it releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. 😀 Like any exercise you have to do it more than once for it to be effective but it does work and because I can’t take painkillers this is my main defense against what little pain I get.

Comedy does the trick for me. Going to the local comedy club or renting some funny movies. I’ve also been spending time with my nephew (16) recently and it has been good for me, distracts my mind.