Fibrofolks, I need your help. Desperately. But first I ask, that like any good friend, you allow me to vent… a necessary step in identifying just what sort of help I need.
I hate feeling like a fool each time I go to the doctor. I hate invisible pain from an invisible cause. I hate being unable to drive without nearly vomiting from pain. I hate hurting so badly I can’t maintain my composure. I hate when pain demands attention. I hate that I can’t go more than an hour without mentioning my pain. I hate that I’m a wuss with new pain, yet am nearly unfazed by fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. I hate that walking, standing, sitting, reclining, and sleeping all hurt. I hate pain that radiates and disturbs my equilibrium.
I hate that I hate things. But I love that the things I most despise teach me the most-needed lessons.
Apparently I am a slow learner.
Anyway… after struggling with mild to immobilizing spine pain for nearly a month, I am reaching a point we all know too well. When your body and your mind battle to determine just how much you can endure. When your mind fears for your sanity while your body punishes your nerves. When you turn inside and wonder how much longer you can live like this. When you just need relief.
I leave for vacation on Friday, but the thought of a plane ride has me full of dread. No doctor has been able to help me, and I just keep living life like normal (mostly). My chiropractor provided two likely causes after examining my x-rays… but I am still in extreme pain. Please help me!
Have you suffered from extreme spinal pain?
Mine is centered in the middle of my back (top to bottom) on my spine (and a bit to the right). It is constant but is made worse with movement. If I lean forward and rest my elbows on my knees while sitting I feel a bit of relief. Standing just right feels bearable, as well. Sitting is a nightmare, but it seems the best way to deal with the extreme dizziness I feel as the pain radiates throughout my body.
I apologize for the mediocre writing and the negative tone. And I look forward to any advice you may have. I just cannot go on feeling this dreadful.
My action plan for the rest of the week consists of:
- Family Doctor follow-up. Leave with prior chest and spine x-rays.
- Appointment with some sort of orthopedic doctor.
- A massage. (It hurts beyond belief to lay on my stomach, but somehow I end up relaxed.)
- Continue to be grateful for a job that allows me to get lost in details and forget myself.
- Offer my appreciation to the many examples of discipline and strength that motivate and humble me.
- ?
What do you recommend I add to this action plan? I am open to all suggestions.
Thank you!
To those of you who have already shared your advice and experiences, I thank you for your time and support. I will follow-up with you when I get feeling a bit better.
Then saw your wedding photo and that clinched it. The Mesa Temple is special to me too. Hope that you are feeling well.
First of all, a very delicate and heartfelt {{hug}}. =)
I’ve never experienced that pain *there*. I did used to get that type of pain in my neck a few months ago. It used to come on occasionally – and always brought on a migraine with it. In March the pain came and just would NOT go away.
My chiropractor referred me to an AMAZING physical therapist. She wasn’t the kind that helps you rehab after an injury. She was the kind that looked at your structure and put your structure back into alignment. She did adjustments, like a chiropractor adjusts, but using the technique that an osteopath uses – using gravity and your body’s muscles to gradually pull your spine back into alignment, rather than the quick pop.
WOW. Night and day for me. Nothing against my chiropractor. He’s awesome. It’s just that I was at the point where my muscles were so tight that they were pulling back out all the adjustments that he’d just made. By working WITH my muscles to actually make the change, the adjustments held and we were finally able to make progress.
The pain isn’t totally gone, but at least I don’t want to throw up so often or just go have a good cry all the time. I feel like things are getting better & that someday it WILL be gone.
Happy to answer any questions – and will definitely be praying for you!