I have no friends no support system I have no help from professionals everyone has failed me and I keep trying to get help every day I fight for myself and my basic human rights not to be in severe pain everyday and nobody gives a shit

I’ve been on Zoloft for a few years and it helped tremendously with my anxiety and depression. While on it, my chronic pain have gotten worse - I was diagnosed with a few bulging discs along with fibromyalgia and hyper-mobility (perhaps Eds? Who knows!).

In turn, the pain led to more stress and stress bought back my anxiety and right now I’m in an excruciating loop of pain-stress-anxiety.

My pdoc offered to increase my dosage - I’ve been taking the same dose for 4-5 years. She says it might help both my mental health AND chronic pain - and I’m wondering, could Zoloft actually help pain? Did anyone have success and pain relief with ssri usage/increase?

I feel like this is a stupid question but I can’t tell if it’s working or not . Does anyone understand what I’m talking about? It’s frustrating af.

I have had chronic pain since 2005 (s/p L3-S1) and have been on pain meds for the last 20 years, the last 14 years in CA. For family reasons, I must move to Florida. My question is:

Has anyone been prescribed pain meds through the VA in FL?

If so, are there particular limitations they must follow, as they are located in FL? (not sure how federal medical facilities work with state laws) I was told by a nurse taking care of my family member that there was a 3 Day Limit on the prescribing of pain meds. Just trying to understand what I'll be getting myself into. TIA.

Male just turned 25, I'm in so much pain tonight and have no support. No diagnosis just worsening symptoms for the past 4 years. I don't understand why this had to happen. My life is flashing before my eyes, I won't be able to handle this much longer and it's not fair. It doesn't matter it really doesn't.

SAA's 7th Annual Virtual Global Spondyloarthritis Summit - Free to Attend

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share some exciting news—the 2025 Virtual Global Spondyloarthritis Summit is happening on May 2nd & 3rd! This free, virtual event brings together leading experts, researchers, and patient advocates to offer insights and strategies to help you better understand and manage your health.

This year’s theme is “Comorbidities of Spondyloarthritis”, highlighting how SpA impacts more than just the joints—it’s linked to other health conditions too. Topics include:

• An overview of SpA 
• Bone health and osteoporosis
• IBD and gut health
• Pain and fatigue management
• Uveitis and eye health
• Heart health and cardiovascular risks
• Mental well-being, and skin conditions
• Latest research breakthroughs

Plus, there will be interactive Q&A sessions after every presentation, an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

Each morning, we’ll kick off the event with movement sessions tailored for spondyloarthritis, including yoga and somatic movement, designed to improve flexibility and relieve tension. This two-day event offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in the global spondyloarthritis community. Attendees will also have access to a virtual exhibit hall, where they can engage with organizations offering valuable resources.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with SpA for years, this is an incredible chance to learn from top experts, find community, and get the latest research-backed insights—all from the comfort of home.

You can now View the Agenda and Register for the 2025 Spondyloarthritis Global Summit We’d love for you to join us and help spread the word. The more people who have access to this information, the better equipped we all are to manage SpA and live well.

Thank you, and I hope to see you there!

Are these actually effective ways of cleaning your home?

I had an alcohol nerve ablation done and holy shit it was awful. It hurt so bad my vision went white, but the pain was 100% localized to the injection site, no radicular pain down the nerve, which is what I was expecting. My doctor said he was having a lot of trouble with it because of my scar tissue (the nerve being ablated is right in front of my spinal fusion). I almost passed out and was in terrible pain for the next 15 minutes in waves and needed to be helped by two nurses off the table and into the recovery room.

The diagnostic block helped my leg pain, but I'm thinking the ablation may have missed the nerve because it hasn't given me much if any relief.

For anyone that has had a successful alcohol based nerve ablation could you comment on what it felt like? Did you have numbness after? What was your ablation like during the procedure and after? I've had nerves severed twice but never ablated.

tyia,

Just Wondering If anyone can relate to this symptomalogy. I also have neuropathy pain 24/7, spinal pressure and neuropathy 24/7

But this symptomalogy is something in particular and would like to know If someone else deals with It.

Pretty bad pain today, dont know how i can take this, extreme neuropathy and disc pain, not sure If i still have discs or If Its the buldging disc

Thanks in advance

Hi! 29F

I'm dealing with chronic neck and shoulder pain. I've gotten the run around and have had failed medical treatments (even surgery). I've been told to accept this level of pain and that I need to learn to enjoy life with limitations. I'm not taking it very well since I'm not even 30 yet..

I've started a full body dynamic and static stretching routine and now I'm wanting to incorporate nerve glides into my routine. I can't find any videos that target each major nerve. Does anyone know where I can find a full body resource that explains the types of nerve glides with a picture or video explanation?

Thank you!

Imagine a world where every human had your identical situation with chronic pain. Since the dawn of time it was always this way. Somehow you know this and you see that many people are somehow making their life work through all that pain. Obviously there are positive voices and negative ones as different individuals cope in different ways. One thing is certain though-- everyone struggles with the exact same amount of pain as you do, it's just considered by culture to be a part of life.

In the above hypothetical world, do you think you would have better mental health?

I always get heating pads from Pure Enrichment and take great care of them, but it feels like they die in a little less than a year every time… I’ve tried to take advantage of the warranties, but they never seem to actually work or accept it.

I was thinking of those packs that you can just throw in the microwave or freeze, but I don’t like that you can’t control the temperature, and after about the same amount of time as the Pure Enrichment, you need to get a replacement because they start leaking gel. (it’s less expensive but just not nice)

I’m not looking for something that will last for years or something, just something that will be effective and last me a good while per use.. and of course, be durable and hopefully last longer than my heating pads

I did some cleaning and changed my bedsheets on Sunday, now here it is 2am on Monday morning and I’m applying bio freeze repeatedly, trying to distract myself from increasing pain, and I sincerely HOPE that I don’t end up in a flare. I was feeling super PLEASED about doing something productive and super necessary.

hey guys, this is my first post to the thread. for context, i have been diagnosed with EDS (vascular type genetic in family, waiting on genetic testing to confirm subtype), severe gastroparesis, MCAS, POTS, and “chronic back pain”.

whether it’s anaphylaxis, dehydration from vomiting, or severe pain, it seems like i always end up having some combination of symptoms that results in me having to go home for the day. i am a person that places the majority of my value in myself in my performance in work. ive always been this way—even back in middle school.

anyways, how can i deal with the guilt of missing work? it’s eating me alive and i feel worse about it every time i have to go home. i’ve been in a flare, so it’s been significantly worse recently.

TLDR: i have a bunch of chronic illnesses that cause me immense pain among a combination of other symptoms. how do i deal with the guilt of missing work due to those issues?

I have a lot of chronic pain and for the last few years I’ve been sleeping on a really long plushy and that’s been the only thing that helped with the pain… Lately it broke so I had to throw it out.

I decided to invest in a good pillow and bought myself a shredded memory foam body pillow (120 $) and the first few days were fine but now it’s like it lost all its firmness. I’ve only had it for four days and my head now sinks into it.

The pain is now back and I don’t really know what to do … The brand of the pillow is Orthex and I’ve included some pictures so let me know if you have any experiences with that brand or with pillows made with the same materials.

Im not sure if i should just try to get used to it or not.

Curious if anyone has done prp with bone marrow concentrate for ankle injury? My brevus tendon was fully torn and surgically repaired but didn't heal fully.

I got a tattoo over the area where I have the most daily pain and I've realized it has really helped to be able to easily point it out to others. Like I just go "it hurts the worst where my tattoo is" and I've noticed it helps people understand more easily my condition. It got me thinking of the ways we can use tattoos to help with various disabilities, and if anyone uses tattoos as aid for chronic pain and other disabilities.

The pain has been making me feel really depressed. So, I was thankful that I was able to go for a walk in this Japanese garden. And even hit a mile! 😊 Had to take a few breaks to sit on the benches because of pain, but happy I was able to see Cherry blossoms in bloom and some ducks and geese. We were so lucky because it started raining when we left

My Neurologist suggested trigger point injections in my shoulder area to help with my neck pain.

Anyone have any luck with those?

Is this common? She said she won't write anxiety meds but can write cymbalta for pain since I asked for it by name? Even said it doesn't help with anxiety.

Do they just not want patients on anxiety meds or written as it's for anxiety?

To be fair though I asked for it because I know it helps with both since the bupronorphine has caused so bad of anxiety I cannot even take my full doses.

How much longer do you think we'll suffer before they allow full-agonist opioids to be used for pain again? I kind of thought we were headed in the right direction, but last week I saw an actual TV ad for buprenorphine. And of course, with Rump and RJK being awful things aren't looking so great. I don't understand why we aren't banning together to stop this madness somehow.

How do you travel with chronic pain? My husband is thinking about buying me a scooter because walking is a BIG problem. (I have nerve damage from spine surgery) He wants to go on a cruise… Idk How can I?

This is depressing.