[laurie6781]

Freedom, like you I have been in recovery for many years.

Like you, I live with chronic pain from several sources. I have degenative disk disease caused by Osteoarthritis, my disks are slowly disappearing. I also have not only alcoholic neuropathy but now have peripheral neuropathy from diabetes.

I learned a long time ago that 'pain meds' are not designed to take the pain away entirely, just to put a blanket on it to make it 'tolerable.' Unfortunately 'tolerable' is different for everyone..

Quite a while ago now, I got myself a 5" x 7" spiral notebook and since that time have 'logged' in each dose of medication I take as to my 'pain.' Yes, muscle relaxers do help....................they keep the muscles in my back from spasming.

All my medications are relavent today to my living a 'semi normal' life. It's a routine and I work VERY CLOSELY with my Dr. I also have a TENS UNIT which has been wonderful. I can put it where my back is acting up the worse and shortly it calms down.

I personally could not handle the Topamax, it made me absolutely crazy, so take Imitrex when I get a migraine coming on or awake to a migraine.

It is hard Freedom, I know. But, it is doable, honest. Like I said I work very closely with my Dr and she knows me pretty well now.

I had to make up my mind a long time ago that my relief COULD NOT and WOULD NOT come from the bottom of a bottle, be that bottle booze or a prescription medication.

Please feel free to pm me anytime.

The nice thing about today is I and YOU don't have to do this alone anymore.

Love and hugs,