I suffer from cronic pain, does anyone know of any treatments, traditional of medical that could help?

Question

3 years ago I had an accident with a firearm resulting in parcial paralysis of my right arm. I have delt with numerous infections because of the steel hardware that is still in my upper arm. I am in constant pain and as a result my life has been turned upside down. I have even asked my doctor ( as much as it makes my upset) if amputation would relieve my pain. My doctors exact words were " because of the amount of damage causedto the nerves and surrounding area by the gunshot, amputation will not resolve any pain you are currently having." Ijust in case anyone was wondering I was shot in the area just before and including my shoulder. I am 32 years old and am tring to get on with my life, but because of the amount of pain
I am in, I find it difficult to things on a regular basis. I have tried all sorts of nerve, and general pain killers but nothing seems to work. Does anyone know of any alternative methods for treating pain I may find helpfull(i have tried acupuncture with no relief)

I really appreciate all the responces I have recieved. Here's a little more info on my condition. The shot gun blast completely oblerated my shoulder joint and brachel plexys nerve center, they had to put together my shoulder joint piece by piece. that includes the "ball" part of my shoulder it too was destroyed. The upper section of my humerus was also smashed into a million pieces. I have 2 steel plates along with some wires they used to hold my bone together still in place in my arm. Also the actual BB's from the shotgun are still all through my upper righ hand chest area. they cannot remove the plates or bb's for fear of infection. I have tried the following treatment options, physotherapy, tens, heat, cold, massage,celexbrex, anaprox, vaiox, I have tried all brands of OTC meds, acupuncture, morphine, neuronton, lyrica, codine, demerol.If I get a nerve block it will paralize my arm I have very limited movement in my right arm but I can move it enough so it helps my other arm.

Answer 1

I would look into a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) It feels like TENS unit, but it's actually implanted inside the body and and blocks the pain signal from reaching the brain which makes you fee like you don't have as much or no pain at all. I have a SCS and it helps my pain so much. I have nerve pain in my right leg, and my SCS has helped my pain so much that I almost have my entire life back. You can look more into SCS's at www.ans-medical.com A pain management counselor might help too. They can help you learn ways to deal with the pain so it isn't quite so bad. It's hard and I hope you feel better!

Answer 2

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RE:
I suffer from cronic pain, does anyone know of any treatments, traditional of medical that could help?
3 years ago I had an accident with a firearm resulting in parcial paralysis of my right arm. I have delt with numerous infections because of the steel hardware that is still in my upper arm. I am in constant pain and as a result my life has been turned upside down. I have even asked my doctor ( as...

Answer 3

I use a chiropractor and massage therapist with the principles below and rarely have to take meds any more

Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 4

My daughter has a injury to her shoulder blade area and was in pain all the time. They did some kind of shots that killed the nerves in that area. If the pain sensations can't get get up thru those nerves they can't get to your brain and tell it you hurt. I'll have to ask her exactly what they call it. It really helped her and she was able to go back to her job as a nurse which is really pretty physical. She went through sheer hell for over three years. I have Fibromyalgia and eat a lot of M&Ms w/peanuts. Peanuts and chocolate both release endorphines and they really do help with my daily pain although I take a lot of pain meds too. They just help me get over a hump now and then. I do know chronic pain so you will be in my prayers. Blessings

Answer 5

Maybe you can try hypno-training. That's learning to bring yourself in a state of hypnoses and it's a great way to relief pain. I know women who went to giving birth with no pain at all with it. So try to find yourself a real good hypnotherapist, preferably someone with a degree in psychology, 'cause the learning process can bring out a lot of 'forgotten' psychological pain. First learn some relaxation methods and then progress. After a while you'll be able to take on a state where you can block out the pain. And hypnosis will let you be conscious of what you're doing all the time, don't believe the talks about it!!

Answer 6

You could look into an intrathecal pump. It is put under your skin and delivers medication directly to your spinal cord so you get greater relief from a smaller amount of medicine. They will put you in the hospital for a trial run to titrate your dose and make sure you can tolerate everything okay. They use Morphine or Dilaudid in the pump. Don't feel ashamed to take the narcotics. Clearly you need them. It doesn't make you an addict to need them.

Answer 7

I currently take Methadone for pain management. It has truly turned my life around, I have much better "good" days, and am getting back to "living" life, as opposed to "existing" in life. A good physical therapy program will help also. You should probably take something to keep the joints lubricated, like Gloucosomine or Condroiton, both are for arthritis that you likely have developed from the injury. Good luck in your journey.

Answer 8

Ask your physician about TMS--it's kind of like a TENS unit and has these electrodes that you apply to your earlobes. It emits magnetic waves or something that affects the brain's perception of pain. My doctor is a big advocate, uses it himself and has even taught classes on its use at the local community college. It looks kind of like an IPOD. He claims it really works and it doesn't dope you up like medication does, so that you can enjoy your life. I think I would give it a try if I had chronic pain.

Answer 9

If it's nerve damage that is causing you so much pain you could ask your doctor about Neurontin...it's a non-narcotic way of treating pain caused by nerve damage. Methadone is effective, however it is an addictive substance. If you were to want to stop it you would have to taper yourself down to *try* to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Answer 10

I was shot in the left shoulder also...meditation and aspirin were what I used and over the years, the nerves did regenerate (even though I was told that they don't)...the body will adapt and compensate, but it will take time.

Wish I could give you something more, I was shot in 1983 and now I have no difficulties...hang in there bro...