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How to deal with extreme physical pain

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Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#72

I’m dealing with chronic pain that’s bringing my current career to its end. I’m still unsure how active I’ll be able to be in the future due to it. In my case it’s autoimmune; my body has decided it’s going to destroy itself from the inside out. Arthritis, psoriasis, GI issues. It’s getting worse fast enough that I’m being transferred to a hospital for care (Military, stationed overseas) and preparation for retiremen…

I am also dealing with a at least one autoimmune condition (TBD what exactly is the full story) that causes chronic pain and is seriously damaging my career. I suspect I'm not in as bad a way as you, but know that you're not alone. Sending good thoughts. One day at a time; hoping for more good days than bad for you.

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And perhaps this is a thing everyone deals with to some extent for one thing or another: I have a very strictly controlled diet. It's the result of a lot of testing, and discussions with my doctors. Most people that are around me enough get a sense of this. Most don't know the depth of it. What gets old is when I deviate from the diet, by say having a glass of beer at a social function, it's a big deal. Everyone's co…

If your diet plan allows beer it’s probably not very effective. Doctors aren’t going to be very helpful here - 95% are incompetent. You should probably try to come up with a good and efficiently computable a priori dietary strategy (e.g. evolutionary ancestral diet, with the goal of minimizing the chance of running into defective metabolic pathways). I can’t think of any such strategies I’m aware of that would allow…

This entire comment thread seems like Exhibit A in why banana_giraffe doesn’t usually tell other people.

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#75
post #15

I have a legendarily bad back, as does my father. One time at the office it seized up and and floored me for 45 minutes as coworkers walked by. My right leg went completely numb, and didn’t get back to normal for months. Don’t need any suggestions, I have tried them all, lots of doctors, yes yes yes. I manage. But it is a pain in the back to deal with.

whats the actual diagnosis?

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#76
post #14

About ten years ago I had around 9 months (maybe a little more) of chronic testicular pain. It felt like someone had kicked me in the crotch about 10 minutes ago, all day every day. I've been in more pain from some injuries I've had (bike accident), but this lasted for much, much longer. It also made sleeping difficult, as for some reason lying down was extremely uncomfortable. I ended up sleeping in a chair for seve…

You're describing exactly what I went through! Two rounds of antibiotics, pain meds. Finally gabapentin was the only thing that worked and now I'm slowly weening myself off of it. It's been hell. I had to sleep on the couch elevated. I could barely walk. Everything looked fine down there physically, two ultrasounds, MRI, nothing looked odd. I'm really hoping it never comes back because it was like either someone was squeezing it off and on or someone replaced the boys with pine cones. The pain was just so bad I wanted to get rid of them. Thank god for the lock down because I was working from home during this. I probably would have lost my job or something had I had to go to the office.

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#77

I have a chronic condition that causes pain. One of the things I've learned, in as much as I can, is I don't tell anyone. I'd rather be rude than explain I'm in pain. Not because I don't appreciate sympathy. Not because I'm ashamed. It's because I don't want your advice on how to make the pain go away or to deal with it. I'm tired of advice. I've got too much advice. I try things, I research issues. I talk to doctors…

I am very, very familiar with this exact feeling. Hopefully at least those who are close to you understand this a little better and support in better ways.

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And perhaps this is a thing everyone deals with to some extent for one thing or another: I have a very strictly controlled diet. It's the result of a lot of testing, and discussions with my doctors. Most people that are around me enough get a sense of this. Most don't know the depth of it. What gets old is when I deviate from the diet, by say having a glass of beer at a social function, it's a big deal. Everyone's co…

If your diet plan allows beer it’s probably not very effective. Doctors aren’t going to be very helpful here - 95% are incompetent. You should probably try to come up with a good and efficiently computable a priori dietary strategy (e.g. evolutionary ancestral diet, with the goal of minimizing the chance of running into defective metabolic pathways). I can’t think of any such strategies I’m aware of that would allow…

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

One beer every 3 months is proof my diet is a problem? For a condition you know nothing about? Really. Fine, then it's useless, and I've surrounded myself with idiots, all of my careful testing and attempts to understand my condition have failed.

This kinda of nonsense, where I debate the very meaning of "me" to some extent is tiring. Even if I'm wrong in all of this, I'm not harming you, you're someone online, but I try really hard to not be a burden on anyone I come in contact with. I actually try to be a net positive to the world, in my small way. It's already hard enough for me to wake up every day and face the world without just ending my pain. Don't make me debate my sanity while I'm at it.

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much. If you want to talk to me about what my symptoms are, and what I do to treat it, fine, I'm happy to discuss things most of the time, with the understanding that it's me telling you about my life experience, nothing more. I know I'm coming off rude here, but the truth is, I don't want your advice on how to fix things, or worse, your advice that it's not as bad as I think it is, and that I can do whatever…

> I know I'm coming off rude here On the contrary, this is excellent advice! I know I feel a tendency to want to share my knowledge with friends and family because I think it may help. I should know better, because I do not like being given advice, and yet I have a lot of trouble avoiding giving it myself. When I try, I am accused of being aloof or uninterested. A hard line to walk, keeping my mouth shut is enough wo…

[deleted]

Re: How to deal with extreme physical pain

#80
I suffer from a chronic autoimmune condition that causes left-side chest pain (sometimes quite severe). Despite extensive medical workup, we have not been able to get it to go away.

One thing you don't hear about very much: more than a full third of people with atypical chest pain develop anxiety or panic disorders. I did.

I thought people could get used to anything, but years later, I am not used to it. Bodies suck.

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