Serotonin and pain

[phoenix]

I was reading that pain depletes serotonin.I kind of thought that might explain why I feel so out of sorts.I get tired, down and irritable really easily.I've done a pretty good job of staying positive but I feel overwhelmed by all the insurance and legal stuff.I get tired and frustrated with my kid.I count my blessings and I know I am fortunate...but I'm hurting bad.My collarbone is broken in three places and it hurts to do just about anything.

Anyway...I've always been afraid of pain killers like Vicodin.It's funny...I never take anything but OTC pain medication.And yet I'd never expect anyone else to suffer this kind of pain without help.I see my doctor today and I wonder if I should ask about safe pain medication.

I walked around Wal Mart yesterday for about an hour and it was really difficult.As much as I wanted to be out and doing my Christmas shopping,I couldn't wait to get back to my recliner and heating pad.It's the only comfortable place.It lets my shoulder be in the right position without straining the muscles.

So...if anyone has any feedback on managing pain,especially on what to avoid...I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

phoenix

[Juls]

Phoenix,

you are correct in that pain does effect serotonin levels, and can cause a depressed mood. Also, just the fact of being disabled can contribute to that also. Your not able to do the things you usually do, and/or want to do.

When we are injured and have to deal with pain and adjust our lifestyle until the injury is healed, one approach is to "embrace your pain." I know that that probably sounds goofy, but by embracing your pain, accepting it, working within it's boundaries, you can free yourself from thoughts such as "I should be doing this, I need to be doing this, I can't do this and I want to," etc.

When you are resting send healing thoughts to that area. Visualize a white light bathing the part of your body that is hurt. Use this time to explore some areas of yourself/life that you haven't explored before. Practice meditation.

Living with pain can be difficult. Fortunately, for you (I hope), it will be relatively short-lived. I don't have advice to offer on any particular medication, but definitely ask your Dr. about it. If you feel you would be at risk to take it though, then be sure your Dr. understands and you can be accountable for it.

I know there are some good non-addictive pain medications out there.

If you can, journal your pain level a little each day so you can see when the pain starts to lessen. Knowing that is easing up can help you see that it will go away.

I hope you are back in action soon.

Juls

[Lilya]

Phoenix,

It´s very hard to deal with pain, but no wonder if you´re depressed. On top of dealing with insurance and legal stuff you have a broken bone in three places. Jul´s advices are so good and effective I have little to add but my sympathies.

18 months ago I was in a car accident. An old man "forgot to brake" and rearended my car when I had stopped at red lights. He was on 80 km p/hour, and I got a nasty whiplash and displaces two discs in my vertibra. I was treated in a hospital and came out with a collar around my neck and couldn´t feel my hands and fingers for 10 days. I was depressed for weeks. I also started to do too much too soon.

This accident became a blessing in disguise. I sued the man´s insurance company and got a nice sum of money.

It takes time to build yourself up after an accident. I understand you had a motorcycle accident, not your fault. I advice you to sue.

I wish you the best of recovery, and try to rest as much as you can. Accept your present state of irritation, it goes with the accident, and it will pass.

Use adversity

[Anna]

Hi Phoenix. I believe you're right. Pain is very depressing. Chronic pain is such an interesting subject because doctors can do so little to help. In your case, hopefully the pain will be relatively short-lived. I would agree that seeing your doctor and trying to get something non-addictive is a great idea. I think you'll find that easing your pain will improve your mood considerably. I have a problem with neck pain that I allowed to worsen without seeing a doctor. I made myself physically tense in an attempt to deal with the pain - I would try not to move my shoulders and upper back. The tension caused the pain to increase significantly. Bottom line, I found relaxation was the key and I needed two weeks on muscle relaxants because I ended up with muscle spasms in my back. After the two weeks, I could get a grip on the situation and I rarely have a problem that bad anymore. Probably, if I had gone to the dr earlier, I could have stopped the problem from getting worse. I also have dealt with migraines since I was a teenager and for awhile many years ago used tylenol with codeine. I had tried every otc item there was and nothing helped at all. Then someone suggested Advil (I sound like a commercial), but I never would have believed an otc product could help at all with my migraines, but Advil does the trick, if I catch it early enough. By the way, my daughter is in medical school and she told me they spent all of one week studying pain and its treatment, that's it - I for one wish they spent a lot more time than that. Good luck!

Hugs and love,
Anna

[phoenix]

Sigh

I was feeling really good about my doc visit.He listened to all of my concerns and gave me samples of Ultracet for pain.it's supposed to be milder than Ultram,which i told him I didn't feel safe taking.I only planned to take it at night so I could sleep comfortably.So I always look up whatever medication I have before I take it.And this one says it can cause seizures in people on antidepressants,and increases the risk in people with a history of seizures.I used to have very mild seizures when i was young.And I had seizures when i was going through withdrawal.

Maybe i can get more info tomorrow.It might be one of those miniscule risks that they have to list.Maybe i'm just not supposed to take prescription pain stuff.I hate this...

I still feel blessed and grateful for so many other things.Sorry for the down mood....and thanks for listening.

phoenix

[Anna]

Too bad about that Phoenix. I hope you can find more information about Ultracet. You could be right that it is just a very minor possibility and in all likelihood would never happen. Sometimes the list of side-effects can be endless and often frightening! I'm sorry for your dilemma and I know that not sleeping well definitely adds to just plain not feeling well. Let us know how you make out.

Hugs and love,
Anna

[phoenix]

Thanks....(((((((((((((Anna)))))))))))))))


phoenix

[ksos]

Hey Phoenix...

Pain management really is a problem for some addicts, like myself. Ultracet is milder than Ultram, but please read the part about it matabolizing like an opiate in the bloodstream and that doctors ought to prescribe it very cautiously with those who have had past addiction to narcotics.

I know the dilemma about this. I have been undergoing dental work which is painful and the dentist handed me a prescription of Tylenol #3s after a root canal about three weeks back. I gave it back to him, saying that I really didn't need it. A few years back, I would have taken the script and taken 30 of them in two days.

Ultracet is not a controlled substance. If taken as prescribed, it should help you. Just be aware of it, though.

[Anna]

Phoenix, are you still grinning and bearing it? I hope you'll start to feel better soon.

Love, Anna