When physical pain is a major factor
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 63
When physical pain is a major factor
I am wondering if any of you have been through what my ah is going through. He drinks because of physical pain. He takes a lot of pain medications and they do help take the edge off but not enough for him to sleep. He drinks until he can sleep.
He finally had enough of it and went to a local hospital for alcohol and drug addition, a behavioral health hospital. He had an interview with the intake counselor, who was very understanding, sympathetic, and she really listened to what he said. At the end her recommendation was to deal with the PAIN. The pain is the core of his problem not the drinking. If he stops drinking he will still have pain. She suggested a treatment facility that deals with pain and drug and alcohol addiction since they are often related.
I researched it and this place costs $40,000 up front in cash, they do not take insurance. I don't know who can afford to go to a place like that, but not us.
We did more research and found a pain management for chronic pain at a local hospital. We asked my ah doctor to give him a referral there. Later the dr. asked my ah to try other methods of pain relief before going there, and to go back to a specialist for his specific pain. Those are good ideas and that's his course for now.
Do any of you deal with pain too? What have you done? What has/has not worked?
I was made more aware of my ah's pain and how pain affects people. He does not like to drink, he does not want to drink. I know that. He did not used to drink at all until he was injured.
Thanks for your input.
He finally had enough of it and went to a local hospital for alcohol and drug addition, a behavioral health hospital. He had an interview with the intake counselor, who was very understanding, sympathetic, and she really listened to what he said. At the end her recommendation was to deal with the PAIN. The pain is the core of his problem not the drinking. If he stops drinking he will still have pain. She suggested a treatment facility that deals with pain and drug and alcohol addiction since they are often related.
I researched it and this place costs $40,000 up front in cash, they do not take insurance. I don't know who can afford to go to a place like that, but not us.
We did more research and found a pain management for chronic pain at a local hospital. We asked my ah doctor to give him a referral there. Later the dr. asked my ah to try other methods of pain relief before going there, and to go back to a specialist for his specific pain. Those are good ideas and that's his course for now.
Do any of you deal with pain too? What have you done? What has/has not worked?
I was made more aware of my ah's pain and how pain affects people. He does not like to drink, he does not want to drink. I know that. He did not used to drink at all until he was injured.
Thanks for your input.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol TN/VA
Posts: 12,431
My hubs has chronic pain and it sure is a real problem.
We are getting treatment thro the VA with the chronic pain clinic.
They are very helpful.
I don't know what kind of pain you are referring to.
But hubs is spinal and the tens unit (electrical device that chiropractor's use) has been a big help.
He is not supposed to drink with his meds.
(Yours isn't either, I am sure)
My hubs may have about 3 beers occassionally, but I nag him about it. That's not recommended!
But I just want him to stay on the program and work thro' it with the specialists.
It is unethical to be told to live with unmanagable pain.
We know hubs will never be pain free, but it can be helped.
Your hubs does need sleep.
Glad yours is seeing a specialist and hoping he finds some relief, he deserves it.
We are getting treatment thro the VA with the chronic pain clinic.
They are very helpful.
I don't know what kind of pain you are referring to.
But hubs is spinal and the tens unit (electrical device that chiropractor's use) has been a big help.
He is not supposed to drink with his meds.
(Yours isn't either, I am sure)
My hubs may have about 3 beers occassionally, but I nag him about it. That's not recommended!
But I just want him to stay on the program and work thro' it with the specialists.It is unethical to be told to live with unmanagable pain.
We know hubs will never be pain free, but it can be helped.
Your hubs does need sleep.
Glad yours is seeing a specialist and hoping he finds some relief, he deserves it.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol TN/VA
Posts: 12,431
You might check into a tens unit. The one hubs has is two settings...one for pain relief and relaxation and the other is set to excercise and strenthen the muscles.
It gives him relief. Has he ever seen a chiropractor?
It gives him relief. Has he ever seen a chiropractor?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 63
You guys are great. Thanks. My husband used to have a tens unit years ago and it did provide a little pain relief. They have probably improved them since then! He has never seen a chiropractor. I think the shoulder joints have developed arthritis. So the pain will always be there to some degree.
I also thought maybe he was using the pain as an excuse to drink but now I honestly don't think so. He really hates to drink.
I hope once he gets the pain under control he can kick the alcohol.
I also thought maybe he was using the pain as an excuse to drink but now I honestly don't think so. He really hates to drink.
I hope once he gets the pain under control he can kick the alcohol.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol TN/VA
Posts: 12,431
Severe chronic pain is something no one can live with untreated. And if isn't treated, people are going to self-medicate, because it is unbearable. Mine has some arthritis too. We are going for injections (pain blockers) but I think those are for spinal conditions? Maybe look for a chiropractor, I am a great believer in them for myself!, with a massuese. Or acupressure/acupuncture. Try everything, it is better than drinking. Altho' he is going to be required to stop drinking anyway in order to receive proper pain medication treatment. There are so many pain meds that will not be given to someone who is abusing alcohol or other substances. They both, the drinking and the pain need to be addressed right away. It is possible. There is hope.
You know with stronger pain meds...mixing with alcohol can be deadly. So, there is a reason they really want him to address the alcohol problem and show some solid abstinence.
You know with stronger pain meds...mixing with alcohol can be deadly. So, there is a reason they really want him to address the alcohol problem and show some solid abstinence.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 596
Do they ever use traction on shoulders? I had back surgery and had physical therapy afterwards. The traction gaves me relief. Pulls bones apart and gives the muscles a good stretch.
I used to take Cymbalta. It's for depression, but also for chronic pain.
I'm not in pain anymore, but for 9 months I was out of my mind. My sympathies for all those suffering from chronic pain. It's horrible.
I used to take Cymbalta. It's for depression, but also for chronic pain.
I'm not in pain anymore, but for 9 months I was out of my mind. My sympathies for all those suffering from chronic pain. It's horrible.
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