Wellness

[Gooday]

I'm well aware of the law suit. I trust my cardiologist. I have an appointment with her this morning and I will discuss this. The risk of a stroke from atrial fibrillation is not pleasant either.

[KailaS]

Count me in. I suffered for about ten years with the pain and finally told my doctor in early November. I finally could not sleep without pain from moving, etc. X-Rays show some disc issues, but nothing that accounts for my inability to raise my arm or lift anything, and certainly nothing that explains pain whenever I try to lie down. Part of my problem is my neck. I am in week four of physical therapy. I do have more mobility and flexibility since I started PT, but the pain in my arm still makes many movements very painful. But I am drifting here...my daily life has not changed much at all so far with PT, but I am sleeping with a little less pain. I sleep on one pillow and then roll up something soft--a shirt, towel, or something similar--to put under my neck. I am getting what I think is just a little more rest these days but I wish I did not have to work so hard to sleep pain-free.

[June Lands]

On 12/16/2014 KailaS said:

Count me in. I suffered for about ten years with the pain and finally told my doctor in early November. I finally could not sleep without pain from moving, etc. X-Rays show some disc issues, but nothing that accounts for my inability to raise my arm or lift anything, and certainly nothing that explains pain whenever I try to lie down. Part of my problem is my neck. I am in week four of physical therapy. I do have more mobility and flexibility since I started PT, but the pain in my arm still makes many movements very painful. But I am drifting here...my daily life has not changed much at all so far with PT, but I am sleeping with a little less pain. I sleep on one pillow and then roll up something soft--a shirt, towel, or something similar--to put under my neck. I am getting what I think is just a little more rest these days but I wish I did not have to work so hard to sleep pain-free.

I totally understand everything you said. Propping up my arms with pillows does help the shoulder pain a bit.... but, I had a terrible night last night... woke up all night long. Finally got up and took tylenol and rubbed aspirin gel on my shoulders and arms...(prescription which costs $80 a tube... lucky with insurance I only pay $8.... and it does nothing yet for the pain that I can see).... went back to bed to only sleep until 2:30 AM. Been up ever since.

Every night is like this. The crazy thing is that strong pain meds (prescription) do not even touch the pain and discomfort at all.... I do not take them for that reason. Nerve pain is so bad that way, nothing addresses nerve pain. Wishing you some restful sleep KailaS...

[chickenbutt]

I have for some time now, but I'm pretty much used to it.

What I find to be about a million times worse is when I get restless legs at night. It's positively torturous and I'd rather be in a 10-out-of-10 pain situation. I just get it in my right leg and right arm, for whatever bizarre reason (only me!). Had it last night and I'm trashed today. I'm too exhausted to even relax.

Pain's no less seriously, though, so I totally understand. Since I stopped having medical care or insurance, however, my options are pretty much limited to whenever somebody offers me some pain meds so I try to keep a little bit of whatever I can get on hand for the worst days.

At some point, I did start taking Magnesium Citrate in the evening instead of the morning, when I (try to) take the rest of the vitamins. I hate taking vitamins, so I'm not too good at it, but I've been really good about taking the Magnesium in the evening. I think it might help but I'm not sure, otherwise I would not expect to have nights like last night.

[Madisson]

On 12/14/2014 happygal said:

I'm so sorry for you all. Physical therapists do not do manipulation. Maybe you are thinking of a chiropractor, Juval. Anna, I hope the PT helps. If they want you to do the exercises at home, please do. Have you tried heat, or has your doctor suggested pain medication? Is it possible you need a new or different pillow? Not being able to sleep is totally miserable. Please don't give up trying to get help.

HappyGal, you are correct in that usually physical therapists do not do manipulation, but something actually do now. Both physical therapists and medical doctors are able to take continuing education courses in how to do manipulation.

AnnaBella, are you opposed to taking medications? Seroquel will help you sleep and help your pain also. That is an off-label use of the drug, but it works great.

Chickenbutt, I have restless leg syndrome also. What helps me 100% of the time is just a little discovery I made. You can smear Mentholatum (or Vick's Vapo Rub) all over the soles of your feet and then apply socks. The essential oils in these products will stop the restless legs...for me, in about 15 minutes. Vasoline will not work. I have found a less messy product at the Dollar Tree by their medicated rubs and creams. It is just called Menthol Stick (Assured Brand). It looks like a stick of antiperspirant. I smear that all over the bottom of my feet, and it stops my restless legs almost immediately. They do not always have it in stock, so I stock up when I see it. Supposedly, this works absolutely great to stop coughs at night also.

[chickenbutt]

Madisson - Thank You for that information. I'm willing to try just about anything. Fortunately, I don't get it that often but when I do it's brutal. It seems to be around the knee joint for me. Would putting it on the bottom of the foot still apply? I don't know if I couljd sleep with a sock on but I'm willing to try! I do have some Vicks Vapo Rub on hand.

That stick sounds like an even better idea. I don't know about this Dollar Tree store - they probably have it around here somewhere. I'll check. Is it something I could just get from Amazon?

[Nightowlz]

Sorry you are dealing with so much pain. If I'm in a lot of pain yes it does affect my sleep. I'm sitting her right now with my Perfect T.e.n.s. on my shoulder. Glad I bought it because it really does help me. Maybe it could help with your pain. When I'm in a lot of pain I'm also very nauseated. My shoulder was hurting yesterday & I was so nauseated I could not eat. All I ate was a few pieces of shrimp with potatoes yesterday & all I have had today is a cup of hot chocolate.

[ThinkOutsidetheBox]

AnnaBella, as long as you are not allergic to phenylketuronics, have the inherited condition phenylketonuria, or have high blood pressure, the amino acid DL-Phenylalanine is a miracle worker for pain. It works wonders for my severe back pain. It has to be the DL form, not just the D or L forms alone. Since my blood pressure is slightly elevated, I take it with another amino acid called Taurine. I am not a medical expert, nor do I know everyone's conditions, so do your due diligence internet research on this before you try it, if you decide to do so. And no, it is not likely that your doctor will know what the heck it is. I had to educate my pain doctors on it. I also take it with an anti-inflammatory/anti-pain blend by Planetary Formulas called Inflama-Care. The bonus with that blend is that the herbs in it are excellent for heart health, inflammation and so many other things. If I take these two daily, my severe back pain is reduced by about 80%. It takes a few days to build up properly, but I feel relief immediately when I take it if I have forgotten for a while. I am lazy about pills sometimes, but the pain always returns to remind me.

[65and fabulous]

Always so sorry to read about anyone in pain, since I always am and understand totally. I have found that taking a hot bath before bed relaxes my muscles. I take Advil PM, sometimes one with my Oxycodone, sometimes two if its a really bad day. It works wonders for me!

If this isn't an option for you, your Dr. can definitely give you a different sleeping medicine.

I also use a heating pad every night, on my lower back. A flaxseed-filled neck pillow, warmed in the microwave, is also a wonderful remedy. I find the heat really relieves the sharpness of the pain.

[Madisson]

On 12/17/2014 chickenbutt said:

Madisson - Thank You for that information. I'm willing to try just about anything. Fortunately, I don't get it that often but when I do it's brutal. It seems to be around the knee joint for me. Would putting it on the bottom of the foot still apply? I don't know if I couljd sleep with a sock on but I'm willing to try! I do have some Vicks Vapo Rub on hand.

That stick sounds like an even better idea. I don't know about this Dollar Tree store - they probably have it around here somewhere. I'll check. Is it something I could just get from Amazon?

Chickenbutt, I think it will help your restless legs no matter what portion of the leg. The reason I even tried it was out of desperation. I read that doctors discovered that applying Mentholatum to the soles of children's feet help stop coughs. I can't sleep with socks on either. When I use Mentholatum, I just wear a pair of what we used to call "peds"...those really low stretchy liners for shoes. Hope you get some relief from the RLS.