Well, I'm tired of being in pain and I dont want to go back on manufactured medicines as 95% of the time, I have adverse side effects to them, they never work long anyway --plus I just dont like the idea of taking "man-made" cures and meds so often, but I have been suffering chronic pain for years now and lately its been getting worse and I need some ideas, suggestions, etc as its getting to be a little more than I'd like to bear, but I dont want to spend my dazes in an unfunctional phase. I haven't been on meds in a good long while now, mostly since I've been old enough to take my pills with minimal supervision. I know that sounds dumb, but I stopped taking pills because I'd rather be conscious of pain than unconscious of my life rapidly passing me by. At least I can still think and read when in pain, I cant hold 2 minutes of consecutive thought on most of the meds I've been given over the past, but today I nearly fell in the store--which would alert my parents to my little secret and thats the last thing I need with so much summer vacation left. I'm going to try and get a new bed soon, as the one I have is practically a death trap and I cant stand it, but theres no where else for me to sleep, not even room on the floor most nights. I Googled it a few times, I didn't find anything particularly helpful but maybe I missed something--or maybe one of you guys knows someone who knows something or maybe I'm not looking hard enough. I'll be getting to the library ASAP to do more research...but in the meantime if anyone has some ideas, suggestions that are legal and available in the US then I'm all ears. The only idea I have come up with (which isn't really an option for my own personal reasons) is Chiropractic Massage, but besides my personal reasons, I dont think insurance covers it... Oh, acupuncture and illegal drugs are, so far the only things that I WONT consider. I'm terribly afraid of needles, and so far the pain hasn't driven me to consider that desperate route...But, if you know of a book, person, brochure, site, place or program that has anything, even just a term for me to scour resources for more info on that one term, then please post it as right now as I'm typing the pain is coming back and I need to go take a shower or something to clear my head...Be back in 15 minutes or so tempers. Thanks in adv. to all who reply.
What is the cause of your pain? Have you ever investigated this rather than masking the pain with drugs? I'd be visiting doctors/specialists in order to try and resolve the cause of the pain rather than just covering it up. Pain is the bodies way of telling you something is wrong. Apologies if you have already done all you can in this area but I see so many people complaining but not doing anything about it apart from doping up.
There go my suggestions I'm not too keen on man made drugs either, infact, I pretty much avoid them unless it's for some stupid illness (thankfully I don't really get ill). If I was in your situation it would be the one time I would even slightly consider weed for its medicinal purpose, although you've already said no to that. I guess you could try wondering into a chinatown somewhere and find a herbal medicinal shops and ask for advise in there. I'm not too clued up on it, but I've heard it mentioned that meditation can help to reduce pain, although I really have no idea whether it works or not.
Meditation, acupressure (like acupuncture but no needles) and any excercises you can do to focus your "chi" are your friends. edit: I'd recommend Tai Chi and Chi Kung.
I'm 18 and Alcohol isn't an option...even if I was of drinking age. I didn't even know that it was medicinal in the realm of Pain Management... Accupressure sounds interesting... maybe even promising... I am trying to get my hands on those old Tai Chi tapes we have...my dads really into Tai Chi...I should've thought of that sooner =D also. I couldn't think straight earlier this evening. He just got a new set of Tai Chi dvds but I cant get to them w/o him noticing--anyone know a Ninja for Hire service?
I threw my back out at work, and the only thing that saved me was weed, lot's and lot's of weed. But that's not one of your options, although in some states it is *legal* for this type of usage. Stretching helps of course, and heat every few hours for 20-30 mins
If you're in that much pain, move to amsterdam where cannabis is tolerated (it's actually illegal, but you're allowed to smoke it in cafes etc heh) Cannabis is actually prescribed to people in chronic pain over here, I think it's still in that "testing" phase and some elderly people have used it without prescription to soothe their pain and they get prosecuted but yeah. Or, you could try the mind over matter type thing, tai chi for example.
Dude, why do you have to keep your pain secret, WTF happened? Also, even if you keep the reason secret from your parents, surely you could make up some BS excuse and just say "My back hurts, can I borrow your Tai Chi DVDs?".
Would be good to know where it hurts you and what kind of pain it is .... I am often in tabletennis forum because i play it myself and there are often threads with ppl that have problems with their arms or backs and such. Like if your musles hurt you you could try some heat salve (hope this is correct translation) to warm your musles, and some treaining is allways good (if your body is trained you won't be in pain as easy as if you are some fat smoking and drinking computer kid) Or if you say your bed is pretty bad you really should get new bed and maybe new cushion. I for one use 5 !!!! at once which sometimes kills me, but i just can't sleep with my head to close to the ground especialy cuz my nose is completey closed if i am to close to the ground V You should never use to much cushion and if possible not to less and the bed should be made for you, here in germany some big stores offer service to make a mattress just for your personel needs ....
Glad I could be of some help. Remember to meditate too, that'll help a lot in conjunction with Tai Chi. If you wanna add me on MSN or Yahoo to discuss some pain relief stuff further, PM me.
I took Tai Chi for a while (lost my job at the time and couldn't go anymore, and now my sifu is no longer teaching), and we also took Qigong (chi-gong). [wiki link] You might want to just try that in itself for the time being. You should be able to find some books on it in most book stores. It was pretty damn helpful for me (I have chronic migraines), and I only wish I would have kept at it, and not been so damn lazy. That was the best shape I've been in my whole life.
Fibromyalgia? Maybe? EDIT: I'm suggesting what you may be suffering. If you look online there are all sorts of organic treatments.
Like I said in my other post if you don't understand the source of your pain you shouldn't be trying to simply rid yourself of the pain itself, you need to get it diagnosed and deal with the real issues here. Go and see a physio, they should be able to ask you some questions about your injuries and pain and determine possible reasons for them. If you don't deal with the real problems now you will regret it later when it could become worse.
@MC DUI, too true. I will have to face it eventually, at least to try and get some clarity of whats wrong, as this is only getting worse as time goes on. @Underpressure116, I looked it up and have bookmarked a few things that I will read through over the next couple of days. @PuyoDead I hope you can get back into it =D. Pains not fun and you've been helpful so heres to hoping Karma comes back to you in a nice way
Medical advice is something I am not entirely sure the internet should provide beyond the basics and chronic long term undiagnosed pain is not in that area (I am guessing for near enough all people) however. MC DUI also said pretty much what I would too. The organic/natural vs chemisty is something I find quite amusing as well if only because of the person that once said (albeit with a few more harsh words) I do not take aspirin as willow leaves also cure my headache (for those that skipped it they have the same active ingredient). Of course there is a fair amount of scientific merit to that example, there is little to no merit in some of the other stuff like reflexology and some areas of chiropractic medicine (back injuries and stuff directly related can be agreed upon but a back tweak to cure a chest infection takes a leap of faith for me) and more pertinent to this case some of the "herbal" remedies can mess you up nicely (mild hallucinogens and poisons are not uncommon in the area) I am not denying the ability of painkillers to mess with your head either (I have been on both sides of that one) but done correctly pills can do most things properly. Trying to get it sorted properly is a long term thing requiring a great deal of effort though (and it can/does change so you need to keep on top of it). You mention illegal drugs: a lot of states merely have lists of controlled substances and simple alterations can do things. Alas we are getting into serious pharmacology so let us not dwell on that unless you want to put the time in (pihkal and tihkal are the basics here). Others have also mentioned that some states do have relaxed opinions on certain things as well. If nothing else make sure you have a balance diet and try to get some excercise.
My mum is a reflexologist and scientifically proven or not, it works a treat. Obviously there is the placebo effect, but it has never failed to provide some level of improvement to how I feel, ill or not.
