Dealing with Chronic Pain

dobielvr said:
Hi Paco, have you considered taking an injectable arthritis drug? Humira, Simponi, or others?
They're taken monthly.
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My Neuropathy has not been diagnosed yet. I have to wait 2 months now just to see a general neurologist who will refer me to a specialist that will take 2 more months. So I am looking at 4 months of dealing with constant pain. I can't try everything that is mentioned. :) I have to go very slow with anything I use for pain. I am going to get some Alpha Lapoic Acid today and try it....i made the decision because Misa is going to town soon.
 
dobielvr said:
Hi Paco, have you considered taking an injectable arthritis drug? Humira, Simponi, or others?
They're taken monthly.
Click to expand...
I am thinking about going on Humira. I have had RA for many years....I now take prednisone, methotrexate and sulfasalazine...I am a little worried about switching to a biologic...I have no pain at all now but am starting to develop some deformities in joints...therefore thinking of Humira...I was told a weekly injection I give to myself ..great:rolleyes:

Does anyone have experience with Humira..though I do realize we all will react differently
 

Neuropathy is nerve damage of nerve outside of the brain. It can be caused by head trauma, exposure to toxic chemicals (mine), sometimes genetic along with other guesses. There are no drugs that will make a difference and those that typically prescribed come with side effects worse than the neuropathy. Treatment of nerve damage is long and slow but slowing the process and in some cases reversing it can happen. Personally, I would stay away from drugs as more damage can occur, whereas alternatives have little impact and do give good results.
 
Paco Dennis said:
I too am now suffering from chronic pain. The headaches I was having 4 months ago have progressed to 24/7 pain in my sinuses, ears, abdomen and calves and feet. I have been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. I have to wait about 2 months to see a neurologist. At least 1 out of 5 Americans suffer from chronic pain. Probably many of us elderly folk are suffering. I am having to learn now how to deal with this. IThey prescribed 900mg of Gabapentin per day. ( it is not working to good yet--been on it for 10 days ) I am using THC instead of pharmaceuticals to ease the pain. It works good most of the time. But, waking up each morning and feeling depressed because this is another day of struggling with pain. There are techniques, like exercising, staying busy, resting, meditation/s....pets are good, the forum is good :)....I have called the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy https://www.foundationforpn.org/support/support-groups/, and asked about starting a support group in the Columbia area. I bet there are a thousand people that would be interested.
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I have a similar pain pattern. I've recently gone back to a Mediterranean diet and it's helping with overall inflammation.

What's helped most with the headaches over the last couple of months is soaking in magnesium chloride flakes...full bath and/or foot baths. Magnesium chloride is the form that is most easily absorbed through the skin.

I ate something several weeks ago that flared up my gut which made the body aches worse, but during the several days of tummy troubles, I did not get a headache and normally would have.
 
rgp said:
You contradict yourslf in the first sentence .

"I have had to deal with neck pain (several herniated discs) since my fall in 2008. I never took pain killers for it. I have occasionally taken ibuprofen or Tylenol, as needed. I used to take Vitylzyme for a while. It's an enzymatic mixture and it's mild,"

So you have taken pain killers .
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Tylenol and Ibuprofen are for inflammation, and that lessons the pain. When I say painkillers, I am referring to the heavy stuff - like opioids. Does that make sense? Edited- I spoke with my sister who works in a pharmacy and she agreed with you that they are called painkillers. I never thought of them as that. Thanks for the clarification.
 
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AnnieA said:
I have a similar pain pattern. I've recently gone back to a Mediterranean diet and it's helping with overall inflammation.

What's helped most with the headaches over the last couple of months is soaking in magnesium chloride flakes...full bath and/or foot baths. Magnesium chloride is the form that is most easily absorbed through the skin.

I ate something several weeks ago that flared up my gut which made the body aches worse, but during the several days of tummy troubles, I did not get a headache and normally would have.
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So many people don't associate health problems to their diets. As you know now, it is a total game changer. There are so many foods that can cause so many issues with the body. It's really simply a process of elimination. it takes time, but, the results can change a persons life. Stay focused, good luck.
 
Paco Dennis said:
My Neuropathy has not been diagnosed yet. I have to wait 2 months now just to see a general neurologist who will refer me to a specialist that will take 2 more months. So I am looking at 4 months of dealing with constant pain. I can't try everything that is mentioned. :) I have to go very slow with anything I use for pain. I am going to get some Alpha Lapoic Acid today and try it....i made the decision because Misa is going to town soon.
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Sorry Paco, I thought you were saying you had arthritis too.
I misspoke.
 
Serenity4321 said:
Thank you..sorry to hear that..it is a real hassle to get started plus I still do not know the cost...will see...
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Is it covered by your insurance ? Without it, it is pricey ...... see link

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/humira-cost-without-insurance-3537595/

Also

What is the cost of Humira per month?



Image result for cost of humira with insurance


Humira is covered by most insurance plans, but individual plans may vary in how much they cover. Insurance may be able to lower the out-of-pocket price of Humira from about $7,389 to approximately $5,000 per month.Jan 6, 2021
 
rgp said:
Is it covered by your insurance ? Without it, it is pricey ...... see link

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/humira-cost-without-insurance-3537595/

Also

What is the cost of Humira per month?



Image result for cost of humira with insurance


Humira is covered by most insurance plans, but individual plans may vary in how much they cover. Insurance may be able to lower the out-of-pocket price of Humira from about $7,389 to approximately $5,000 per month.Jan 6, 2021
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Thank you..I am in the process of researching the cost..my insurance does pay part of it but not yet sure how much. I also go back and forth if I really need it..I am in no pain but having some physical deformities and I do not know how much worse they could get. I am ok with the amount I have now but wondering if Humera could stop further erosion...and lol I have been thinking about this for over a year...I get better then worse..so it is hard to decide...
 
Serenity4321 said:
Thank you..I am in the process of researching the cost..my insurance does pay part of it but not yet sure how much. I also go back and forth if I really need it..I am in no pain but having some physical deformities and I do not know how much worse they could get. I am ok with the amount I have now but wondering if Humera could stop further erosion...and lol I have been thinking about this for over a year...I get better then worse..so it is hard to decide...
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Luckily, I get 'extra help' from medicare. For being low income. That one drug alone will exceed my donut hole limit, which then allows me to get my meds free.
The company that makes Humira may provide vouchers to help cover the cost.

If you have any questions...ask me.
 
dobielvr said:
Luckily, I get 'extra help' from medicare. For being low income. That one drug alone will exceed my donut hole limit, which then allows me to get my meds free.
The company that makes Humira may provide vouchers to help cover the cost.

If you have any questions...ask me.
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Thank you. I actually have applied to Humira ..have yet to submit the paperwork...but I will remember I can ask you ..thanks:)
 
Change your diet. It can work wonders on pain! Much of your pain will be inflammation. Going to a diet rich in raw fruits, vegetables, and whole foods such as lentils, rice, beans, and other unprocessed whole foods will reduce inflammation. Minimize meat, especially red meat. Avoid vegetable oil and use olive oil instead. Avoid fried foods. Before my diet change, I was taking ibuprofen on nearly a daily basis but after the diet change I reduced to once a week on average. I changed my diet because I got prostate cancer. My treatment last fall seems to be working, but I will stay on my diet just to battle all the other aches and pains. I still have a treat like a small donut once in a while, but it is only once in a while. I will have some dark lower sugar 70% chocolate and some almond or peanut butter as a treat on a regular basis.
 
Mitch86 said:
According to this site 48% of older Americans suffer chronic pain due to arthritis:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.painconsortium.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/aging_and_chronic_pain_infographic_508.pdf#:~:text=An%20estimated%2065%25%20of%20US%20adults%20over%20the,chronic%20low%20back%20pain%20and%20osteoarthritis.%20No%20pain

That is what I have. Do any of you folks have the same problem with chronic pain from Arthritis? How do you deal with it?

I find my only solutions are to keep busy playing computer games, other computer activities and walking. I also take Tylenol and Gabapentin for it.
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I take 3 (300 mg) Gabapentin once a day. I know folks have more.
 
Chet said:
I am leery of continuous use of pain medications. My mother started bleeding out of both ends and had to have an operation to remove part of her stomach and spleen. No fun any time especially in your 80's.
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Some pain medications need to be taken with food. Ibuprofen I took a lot of as pain would break through. After surgery to save my life I checked the bottle, no warning I did finally find a warning on the inside of the box the bottle came in!
 
dko1951 said:
Many of you have heard of the cannabis extract CBD. I have only tried it once and discovered after that this particular one contained the active in ingredient (THC) that makes you high. In spite of growing up in the sixties with a lot of exposure to pot, today ate my age it wasn't pleasant for me. I now know that CBD's are available without THC and have many friends that use it orally and cream based so it can be applied locally. Across the board they all say it helps a lot.
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Legal in Canada, we buy a combination of THC and CBD, DH in an oil, me in a pill form. It helps us get to sleep. Straight CBD helps some people with pain, but it hasn't helped either of us.My back gives me much pain when I am on my feet for more than a minute or two, and now recently I am finding it is painful even when I am sitting. Unfortunately nothing helps it. Gabapentin has helped my neck pain , thankfully. Fact is when it becomes unbearable even when I am sitting, I will put an end to it.
 
I have tried CBD and it really doesn't help much for me. I remember the saying "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger." Sometimes that helps me get through the intense pain. Sometimes not.
 
Michael Z said:
Change your diet. It can work wonders on pain! Much of your pain will be inflammation. Going to a diet rich in raw fruits, vegetables, and whole foods such as lentils, rice, beans, and other unprocessed whole foods will reduce inflammation. Minimize meat, especially red meat. Avoid vegetable oil and use olive oil instead. Avoid fried foods. Before my diet change, I was taking ibuprofen on nearly a daily basis but after the diet change I reduced to once a week on average. I changed my diet because I got prostate cancer. My treatment last fall seems to be working, but I will stay on my diet just to battle all the other aches and pains. I still have a treat like a small donut once in a while, but it is only once in a while. I will have some dark lower sugar 70% chocolate and some almond or peanut butter as a treat on a regular basis.
Click to expand...
That's great news!
I'm glad it's working for you.
 
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