How does pain itself affect you?

[tots]

I was wondering how pain by itself affects you?
I have been in pain daily for 3 weeks now and still no
approval from my insurance company for my
Remicade. I just feel really like the pain itself is
wearing me down. Not to mention every other symptom
I have with CD.

I am thinking just experiencing pain so frequently is bound to wear your down


Lauren'

 

[Axelfl3333]

I was in pain for months,not severe but pain anyway and I,m not a fan of pain medication long term.i imagined putting it in a box and ignoring it I was having treatment so it was gonna go away eventually so I probably did a kind of meditation to help myself sorry if I,m not explaining this to well I do have a high pain threshold but everyone is different and definitely left your Drs know what's happening don,t ignore pain but you will adapt and get better.
P.s I have found that pain melds don,t work to well with me they wear off quickly

 

[24601]

I think pain does wear you down and affect you psychologically. I experienced severe pain constantly for a couple of years and enduring the pain alone was a traumatic experience. Of course, I very much hope that you don't need to wait that long to get relief! Definitely talk to your doctor about the level of pain you are experiencing.

We're all different and for some meditation and visualization techniques really help as do heating pads and massage.

I think for most it is important to get some respite from pain even if it's only temporary - rather than taking pain meds at a level to get rid of all the pain all the time. Prescription pain meds are basically always opioids so they come with their own risks and side effects but they can be useful when used carefully. I've used several opioids now and then over the years for pain relief but only to provide short periods of respite or reduction of pain severity rather than for complete pain coverage. While I'm hesitant to recommend that, as I imagine most doctors are as there are good reasons to avoid them, I never had any issue with withdrawal or dependency. I consider myself fortunate that my physiology is such that my body never became dependent on any of the opioids I've taken. I would try all the alternative methods for pain relief first though as sometimes getting some relief, or even distraction, from the pain is incredibly helpful.

You are definitely not alone in finding that pain takes its toll.

I hope you feel better soon

 

[2010mustang]

I handle most pain well. But this pain is to me has been different. when I broke bones playing sports the pain lasted a week or two then went away. when I was in my car accident I got 4 disc ruptured and eventually became use it. since december ive had problems with flaring. my stomach pain I can tolerate well enough its my constant joint, fevers, and fatigue im not getting use to. its wearing me down physically and emotionally. ive become somewhat depressed from it not ending. I keep telling myself the pain will go when I start my new medication. only advice I have is stay busy and talk to people about how your doing.

 

[UnXmas]

Crohn's pain is also different from a lot of pains because it's always associated with eating or having a bowel movement, neither of which can be avoided (with a few exceptional circumstances). And you can't exactly ask for sympathy from other people while you're going to the bathroom, which makes it very isolating. A lot of other pains are associated with movement, and you can just lie in bed hoping it will go away. With Crohn's you're ill and you still have to get up and go to the bathroom. I am so grateful now I have a stoma and don't have all those hours in pain in the bathroom.

 

[InstantCoffee]

At my worst I remember laying in the fetal position on my bed with the lights on and the light appeared to be getting brighter and darker, I'm not sure why, my eyes were dialating or something on their own?

The bloating in my gut would prevent me from standing upright and I had to walk around with a significant hunch, or at my worst, literally facing the floor bent over. I usually lay in a chair with my feet elevated.

Now it's less severe, and an indicator I've eaten something I shouldn't have and will probably be having a / several fun bathroom trips soon.

It's different, the other worst pain I've had is several I&D of abscesses, several on my butt cheeks, one on my personal bits.

Finding out that my pain was food triggered and I could eliminate it by puking was sort of life saving.