Chronic Pain

[livingwith]

I have had chronic knee pain starting back as 4 years ago. I played a lot of sports when i was younger and just figured i was developing some pain from the wear and tear from those. Well, I went to a new pcp and this was around 4 yrs ago and thought i would let him know about this pain that i had been feeling mostly only in one knee then as the days, weeks and years went on i found that my other knee started into having painful episodes, I told my pcp and he blew it off and told me i was too you...Read the full article

[bodman]

Melissa,

I'm sorry about your pain. I'm angered by your doctors response to it. Unfortunately, I have experienced a similar response. It must be depressing for doctors to not have better treatments available for pain. As a massage therapist, I am not a fan of injections, nor pain meds in general, but there is one medication that I refer clients to their physicians to ask for occasionally. It isn't as big a risk for addiction and abuse as many, but some doctors still treat it so. It is tramadol.

This isn't medical advice but information about a drug that your doctor may be more willling to prescibe than many others. I have personally found it to be effective to give me temporary relief when my chronic pain gets above my tolerance level. I don't take it regularly due to my concerns about tolerance. But sometimes it really gets me through the day and knowing that I have it available reduces my anxiety and makes it easier to cope with the chronicity of my condition.

On a more self help level, seemingly excessive amounts of rest, hot baths and a compression support for the knee have helped me a great deal and have the advantage of actually treating the underlying cause of the pain...overly tight muscles.


Best of luck to you, Melissa

Bodman

[mshepherdrn]

I am the writer who posted the original story about the pain. I have also, started to have periods of my feet turning PURPLE, when i have these episodes my feet get ice cold, and hurt, the same md i had been seeing and was not treating my pain for my knees and just figured i was a drug seeker......told me that i was too young to be having any problems r/t my symptoms, and again shrugged it off like i was lying or something but my husband, colleges and another doctor has seen my feet when i have these episodes and agrees that it is not normal for them to be this way......how is it that dr's like this can practice? Not one test or procedure has been performed to figure out the cause of this problem and i am afraid it could lead to more serious problems such as loss of blood flow etc. I find it sad that Dr's like this are practicing.....They take an oath when they become md's but most are so worried about the old mighty dollar and being sued that they forget what they went to school for and what they are getting paid to do. When I go to the doctor I expect that they have the knowledge and the expertise to tx me and if they do not then they do testing or refer you to those who may. In my case this has been the ultimate battle for tx......and the doctor being one of the main factors in the problem.

[bodman]

Melissa,

When I read your post I felt anger. You are justified in being frustrated by your doctor's respnse to your situation. I have several suggestions:

1) find a new doctor
2) ask for tramadol to treat the pain, take it only when needed
3) ask for an oxygen prescription (I can suggest a treatment protocol if he/she is interested)
4) get massage therapy, myofascial release and neuromuscular techniques, in particular
5) do "movement only" exercises to encourage circulation to the legs without loading them (pool aerobics and hydrotherapy could really help)

If you can't afford massage therapy, I can provide some instructions that will help you treat yourself.

bodman