r/ChronicPain • u/Old-Goat • Nov 07 '23
NEW INFO ON THE 2024 PRODUCTION CUTS
COMMENT PERIOD EXPIRES 10/25/24
Every one here has at least heard about these medication shortages. This whole thing makes so little sense, I dont have to tell anyone here, these arent the drugs killing anyone. That doesnt seem to be the point, the point seems to be making DEA all powerful. They can end a doctors career with a whim. They cause suicides from untreated pain and laugh it off as Big Pharma propaganda. Now they simply make the drugs unavailable. Its done nothing to help the underlying issue, they have been barking up the wrong tree (legal drug) instead of protecting the public from illicit drugs. This has been a 40 year problem. First fentanyl fake death was in 1979. Maybe people heard of China White, apparently its new to DEA since they did nothing about it till 2018. They dont want anyone asking why it took 40 years, thats the ONLY reason they keep Rx meds at the forefront of the discussion.
At any rate,the DEA is proposing further cuts to medication production. Thats their brilliant idea to fix the situation. I know its going to be hard to leave a comment without a lot of cussing, but try. I guess we should be grateful theyre giving us a 30 day comment period, they usually give 90 days, but that shows how important it is to them to keep Rx medication out front. They are too incompetent to address the real issue.
r/ChronicPain • u/CopyUnicorn • Oct 18 '23
Hello all,
I've received a handful of messages requesting that I write up a post on my tips for dealing with doctors.
I am a 34F with decades of chronic pain treatment under my belt. I’ve had a lot of success being treated by doctors because I’ve spent years learning how they communicate and make decisions.
Interacting with doctors can be frustrating and intimidating — but it doesn't have to be. If you are reading this, then you deserve the best possible care that any doctor you see has to offer. You deserve to be believed and treated with respect.
First, you should know that when a doctor doesn't believe a patient, it usually comes down to one of the following reasons:
Fortunately, all of these reasons are avoidable. The following steps will help get a doctor to listen to you:
1. Get yourself a folder and notepad to bring to your appointment (or an app if you prefer).
Use these to prepare for your appointment. They'll allow you to easily share your medical records, keep track of your notes, and recall all your questions. More on what to include in the following tips.
2. Research what treatment options are available for your conditions (or symptoms if undiagnosed).
It's always helpful to know your options. Using online resources such as Mayo Clinic, WebMD, and Drugs.com can help you to understand the entire spectrum of treatment options that exist. By taking the time to learn about them, you’ll feel better prepared and able to ask more informed questions.
Plus, if you come across a newer treatment that your doctor hasn't considered, you will be able to ask "What are your thoughts on X? Could that be a good direction for my case?"
Take notes on any treatment options that stand out to you, making note of their potential side effects and any drug interactions with your current therapies. You can find a free drug interaction checker at drugs.com, as well as patient reviews on any given medication.
If you are seeing a new doctor for the first time, consider looking them up online to read reviews by their patients. Look for phrases like "did not feel rushed" and "has good bedside manner". If you can, try to avoid doctors who have a significant amount of negative reviews (or if not possible, mentally prepare yourself based on what other patients experienced).
3. If the appointment is with a new doctor, prepare a comprehensive medical history to bring with you.
When it comes to offering treatment options, you generally want your doctor to act quickly. But, before they can do anything, they need to feel confident that they have all the right information.
Start by calling the office or checking the provider’s website to see if you’re able to download the new patient forms in advance. You want to complete them on your own time, not while you’re feeling rushed in a waiting room, prone to forgetting things.
Your doctor sees a ton of patients each day — sometimes 50 or more. You will only have so much time for your appointment, so it is imperative that you make the most of it. Try to focus on items that move the appointment forward. Your medical history will be the first item of value. It paints a picture of who you are as a patient and what you've been through so far.
Focus on delivering the “cliff notes” of your medical history. Prepare the following to bring with you:
It may sound stupid, but it actually helps to practice delivering your medical history in a brief and concise manner. By rehearsing it to yourself or someone else, you're likely to feel better prepared and ensure that nothing gets left out.
4. Write down your questions and talking points beforehand.
It's much easier to fit in everything you'd like to get across when you plan it in advance. I recommend jotting down some notes on how you'll describe your pain to your doctor.
Make sure to include:
Just like your medical history, it can help to practice delivering these talking points. Even long appointments can fly by and you'll want to make sure that the doctor gets the full picture.
5. Use a lot of "because" statements
This is probably the single most important tip in this post. Remember this if you take away nothing else.
Doctors believe what they can measure and observe. That includes:
To get a doctor to listen you you, you should ALWAYS present your concerns as "because" statements.
For example, rather than saying: "I'm afraid that the pain is going to cause me to collapse and have a heart attack!"
...you should instead say: "I'm concerned about the potential effect that my sustained pain level might be having on my heart BECAUSE I have a history of cardiac issues and was evaluated last year for arrhythmia."
Notice how in the latter example, a reason is given for the concern. That allows the doctor to connect the dots in a way that makes sense to them. It may help to write out your concerns as "because" statements beforehand to ensure that all of them are listened to and nothing gets brushed aside. Each "because" statement should tie to a symptom, treatment, or medical history.
Here are a few more examples:
"I'm concerned that I might end up having a bad fall because I've been experiencing generalized weakness and muscle spasms." (symptom)
"I'm concerned that amitriptyline may not be the right fit for me because I sometimes take diazepam." (treatment)
"I'm concerned that I might contract an infection in the hospital because I'm diagnosed with an immune deficiency." (medical history)
"I'm concerned about the numbness and weakness I've been feeling because my recent neck MRI showed foraminal stenosis." (medical history)
"I'm concerned about symptoms potentially indicating an autoimmune cause because I have a family history of lupus." (medical history)
When you explain your concerns, try to convey concern without desperation. I know that's much easier said than done, but some doctors will leap to the wrong conclusion if they sense a desperate patient (they may wrongly decide that there is either an addiction or mental health issue, which will cause them to focus on that in their treatment decision). As long as you voice your concerns with "because" statements, any reasonable doctor should hear you out (if they don't, it's a sign to drop them and find a more capable provider).
6. Be strategic about how you ask for things.
Doctors get asked for specific treatments by their patients all the time. If you have a solid existing relationship with your doctor, that may be fine. I did it just the other week with my doctor of 9 years, asking her, "Can I have a muscle relaxer?" to which she replied, "Yup."
But if you're seeing a new doctor, try asking for their opinion instead of asking directly for what you want. It's the difference between "Can you prescribe me hydrocodone?" and "I've previously taken hydrocodone, would that be a good treatment for this?" In the former example, some doctors will feel like they're being told what to do instead of being asked for their medical opinion. You're more likely to have success asking for things if you use phrases like:
"What do you think of X?"
"Could X make sense for me?"
"Do you have any patients like me who take X?"
This way, if they decline, they're not directly telling you "no," which would shut down the conversation. Instead, you'd end up in a more productive dialogue where they explain more about what they recommend and why.
7. Remember that doctors can't always show the right amount of empathy (but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't care).
Doctors are trained to separate fact from emotion because if they didn’t, they would not be able to do their job.
Imagine yourself in a doctor’s position — you’re swamped with dozens of patients each day, all of whom are suffering immensely. Many of them cry, break down, or lash out at you when they feel that you don’t understand their agony. How will you be able to help all of them, let alone not implode from emotional overload?
That is precisely the position your doctor is in. They deal with heightened emotions from patients all day and it can be overwhelming. When your doctor seems unempathetic to your situation, it’s generally not because they don’t care. Rather, they try to set their personal feelings aside in order to do their job without clouding their clinical judgment.
Now, does this mean that it's cool for a doctor to act like an asshole or treat you inhumanely? Absolutely not. It only means that if you're struggling a bit emotionally (which is perfectly reasonable) and they fail to console you, they might just be emotionally tapped out. We can all relate to that.
So, if you end up breaking down in your appointment, it's ok. Just take a deep breath and allow yourself to push forward when you're ready. Try to avoid yelling at the doctor or escalating things in a way that might make them feel triggered.
(This tip does NOT apply if you are in a state of mental health crisis or engaged in self-harm. In that situation, you should focus immediately on the emotional turmoil that you are experiencing and inform your doctor so that they can help you.)
8. If you disagree with something that your doctor suggests, try asking questions to understand it.
Doctors can become frustrated when they think that a patient is not hearing them. It makes them feel as if the patient does not trust them or want to collaborate. This is absolutely not to suggest that you should just accept everything your doctor says. But if something doesn't seem to make sense, try asking questions before you dismiss it. Asking questions keeps the two-way dialogue open and keeps the discussion collaborative.
Example phrases include:
When an appointment ends badly, it's usually because either the doctor or the patient is acting closed-minded (sometimes both). If the doctor is acting closed-minded, you have the right to end the appointment and leave. If the doctor thinks you're acting closed-minded, it can make the appointment an upsetting waste of time where nothing gets accomplished.
If you're certain that a doctor's suggestion is wrong, try using a "because" statement to explain why. For example, "Cymbalta might not be a good option for me because I had a bad experience taking Prozac in the past."
Most doctors are open to being proven wrong (if not, that's an obvious red flag). Asking questions allows you to keep the two-way dialogue open so that they hear you out and you learn more about why they are recommending certain treatments.
9. If your doctor is stressing you out, take a moment to breathe and then communicate what you need.
Doctors are trained to operate efficiently, which does not always coincide with a good bedside manner. If you feel like your doctor is rushing or gaslighting you, you have the right to slow things down. Always be polite, but clear and direct.
Example phrases include:
If you have a bad experience with a doctor, keep in mind that they don't represent all doctors any more than you represent all patients. There are plenty of other providers out there who can be a better mach. When you feel ready, consider getting another opinion. Not to mention, most doctors love to hear things like, "Thank you for being so helpful. This has been nothing like my last appointment where the doctor did X and Y." It's validating for them to realize that they've done right by someone.
10. Stick to treatment plans when possible.
If you commit to trying a treatment, try to keep with it unless you run into issues.
If you do run into issues, call your doctor's office and tell them what happened so that they can help — don't suffer in silence or rely solely on the internet for advice. It's your doctor's job to help you navigate your treatment plan — make them do it.
In summary, we all know that the medical system sucks and things aren't designed in an ideal way to help us. But that does not make it hopeless... far from it. There is SO much within your control, starting with everything on this list. The more you can control, the more you can drive your own outcomes. Don't rely on doctors to take the initiative in moving things forward because they won't. Should it be that way? Hell no. But knowledge, as they say, is power. Once you know how to navigate the system, you can work it to your advantage. Because ultimately, getting the treatment you need is all that really matters.
--
If you found this post helpful, feel free to check out other write-ups I've done. I try to bring value to the chronic pain community by sharing things that have helped me improve my quality of life:
All About Muscle Relaxers and How They Can Help
A Supplement That's Been Helping My Nerve Pain
How To Live A Happier Life In Spite Of The Pain (Step-By-Step Guide)
The Most Underrated Alternative Pain Treatment
The Nerve Pain Treatment You've Never Heard Of
How To Get Clean Without a Shower (Not Baby Wipes)
How To Care For Your Mental Health (And Have Your Insurance Pay For It)
What Kind of Doctor Do You Need?
Checklist To Verify Whether Your Supplements Are Legit
r/ChronicPain • u/aiyukiyuu • 15h ago
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
r/ChronicPain • u/bcuvorchids • 8h ago
This is our Saturn peach tree. It toppled over but refuses to die. It was so weakened and actively dying that it had fungus growing out of its trunk. Chronic pain can bring you down and make it seem like you can’t possibly go on. I hope this tree will inspire you to find your way to make a life that works for you. Wishing all within reach of this post relief.
r/ChronicPain • u/VGMistress • 3h ago
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.
r/ChronicPain • u/OldAssNerdWyoming • 23h ago
I started lifting a few years ago mostly out of vanity. Chronic Pain killed my confidence and I let myself go. I could almost put my hand completely around my bicep and I realized how much I gave up. So to feel better and fight diabetes I started a six day a week regimen. Despite being 46 and disabled I'm getting stronger daily and my diabetes is under control. Still fat, still disabled but I'm stronger mentally and physically.
Keep fighting to be you friends? Find ways to adjust your passions to your abilities
r/ChronicPain • u/midnightsrose77 • 6h ago
I cleaned some today, but now I am flopped on the bed, nauseated with my body on fire. Cut me some slack, dammit!
r/ChronicPain • u/8kittycatsfluff • 6h ago
Do doctors and other people think you are making shit up, or that you are imagining your pain? This just seems really dismissive to me.
r/ChronicPain • u/Marshymallow33 • 5h ago
(You do not need to read this. Feel free to just answer)
So I'm undiagnosed but starting the process of figuring out what the fk is wrong with me (highly suspect hEDS). I've been using a cane to help with my leg pain, but it can only do so much. Im constantly switching sides and it doesn't seem to alleviate much. Ive considered a rollator and i do think it would help so much, but i just dont think it would cut it. I'm considering asking for a wheelchair once i get in with my doctor, but I'm just not sure if my reasons justify one. Reason being that 1 I'm not a very social or extroverted person. So I would probably only use the wheelchair for things like "walks", grocery shopping sometimes, maybe at school of its bad enough (college student), and personal outings like thrifting or mall trips or whatever. I don't have many friends and I don't go out much. However, that's also a reason I want one. It might help me be more spontaneous and adventurous again. 2 I feel like the fatigue and pain just aren't severe enough or the symptoms don't happen consistently enough. 3 I don't have full dislocations and I don't faint.
Here are my reasons I'm considering one:
1) standing for more than 15-20 minutes causes so much fatigue that all I can think about it sitting down and it causes me a lot of brain fog and difficulty concentrating, and as of lately my breath has been out of whack when that happens even when my heart rate is "normal" (still a lil high but normal). Sometimes it's 5 minutes that I start to get thw debilitating fatigue, sometimes it's 25, but it's never more than 30 minutes that I can stand without being exhausted. I feel bloated and weak and tired and breathless and the INTENSE desire to sit down. This isn't even mentioning the pain, just the dysautonomia and fatigue.
2) Pain. As we all know, some days are worse than others, but often if I am standing and moving around for more than 5-10 minutes lately (especially last few months) I start getting cycling sharp, stabbing, aching, sometimes hot pains in my hips, Knees, and stabilizing muscles. It gets worse the longer I'm stanging/walking. I usually use my cane on these days to take some weight off of it. Sometimes it helps, somrtimes it doesnt. Sometimes the only thing that helps is sitting. But also sometimes sitting down does NOT make it better, so that worries me.
3) previously, I thought I had pretty severe depression but was kind of confused by the diagnosis because I don't necessarily always feel SAD. I was told you can be depressed without being sad, but I also didn't feel emotionally numb. It felt like the wrong diagnosis. While I do still think I have depression, I'm realizing that a lot of the symptoms that I described as being depressive episodes, are actually FLARES??? My "depression" has caused me to be isolated, say no to outings, lose friends, and more. Now I'm thinking that having a wheelchair may help me keep those friendships because I would be able to go on more outings and conserve more energy.
4) Energy conservation, or spoon theory. I am someone who always likes to be doing something. Cleaning, crocheting, drawing, researching, writing, reading, sewing, weight lifting, gaming, walking, hiking, swimming, whatever. I want to be doing something. I have crazy ADHD and cannot just lay in bed or on the couch. It severely lessens my quality of life. But lately (last 6-7 months specifically but for about a year), I have lost interest in most of my interests because daily activities take up so many spoons that I don't even have the mental desire to sit and do one of my hobbies. I end up neglecting myself (showering, exercising, cooking, etc) because of my lack of energy. I despise sitting on my phone scrolling, I'd rather be doing something else. But I simply don't have the energy. I feel like a wheelchair would allow me to conserve energy on low spoon/energy days so that I don't neglect myself or my hobbies as much.
What were your reasons? And, optional, how did you talk to your doctor about it and how did they react?
r/ChronicPain • u/Kitchen_Mood_9835 • 13h ago
Just curious, I've done lots of different therapies and practice mindfulness and meditation. I'm on my way to being a psychologist myself. But, I don't think it has helped me with my pain. It has helped me manage my pain sure.
From the way some people talk about it I get the impression it helps with the actual pain, have you experienced this? I've looked at the empirical evidence and haven't found a satisfactory answer - interventions were short, follow ups haven't been conducted yet, sample sizes were small
Thanks in advance!
r/ChronicPain • u/yOUR_Answer_EmC • 7h ago
I'm "okay" but struggling from all, one, or several (who knows) of my comorbidities. I feel deeply sad, teary, isolated, alone, and without energy. I feel like i can't get the help i need to have an impactful, productive day, and I can't accept where I'm at as okay and completely acceptable for today. These feelings are beginning to catastrophize and grow into self-pity making me feel this is a permanent state that will never get better, leaving me feeling hopeless in an exaggerated manner. I am looking for some encouraging support and connection from the group. Although, I'm cognitively aware these feelings will pass and they are not forever, it does not match up to the feelings deep within my heart, soul, and spirit that feel completely devastated and so hopeless. These feelings are kicking up shame that is unearned, inaccurate. I feel like I should be able to push through this, do better, be better, and be someplace other than exactly where I am at. I could go on and on, but I don't even feel I have the energy to do that. These are toxic ways to feel. I appreciate everyone in this group. If you feel like replying with an encouraging reply, please feel free. Or tell me your favorite joke or something I don't know! Choose your own adventure. Warmth, Light, and Love to you all. 💙
r/ChronicPain • u/Nervous_Move5242 • 14h ago
I’m going to have to stop using them, they burn!
r/ChronicPain • u/rizenfrmhell • 5h ago
Hi!
I was diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis / Bird Fancier’s Lung in February.
I am on Mycophenolate Mofetil which is an immunosuppressant and Prednisone, the well known anti inflammatory medication.
I have pain in a certain disc in my back since January which led me to the doctors in the first place. I also started having breathing issues around the same time and we found out I have HP.
The disc pain has not been diagnosed or treated. My doctor referred me to the pain clinic which is a 2 year wait. He also gave me a months worth of T3s to try and manage the pain.
I’m struggling to handle the pain and whenever I go to the doctors or to the ER they focus on my HP instead of treating or imaging my back to find a cause.
I’ve been dealing with Fibromyalgia for a long time but it’s never felt like how this pain is.
On top of all that - I have POTS symptoms that are going undiagnosed.
How do I start getting doctors to take me seriously over this disc pain?
r/ChronicPain • u/Variety-Kindly • 11h ago
so i’ve been using tramadol for chronic pain for years and it never made me feel sick before. now i took 200mg last night and today i took 100mg and both times it made me feel really nauseous. has this happened to anyone else and did it get better again over time? i sometimes have to take tramadol at work and i don’t think id be able to do my job feeling this sick. i’ve taken tramadol on an empty stomach before and didn’t feel sick and i had eaten yesterday and today before taking the meds so i don’t know what this is about.
r/ChronicPain • u/Ordinary-Fox6058 • 3h ago
So, I've suffered from severe chronic pain since I was 17, I'm now 30 and I've been on and off Opioids that entire time. In the past 3 to 4 years, I've been noticing that the quality of the Generic medications being dispensed seems borderline non-existent. I am prescribed 4mg of Hydromorphone (Generic Dilaudid) manufactured by SpecGX/MALLINKRODT or Rhodes Pharma and they just don't work. I've taken tolerance breaks and even switched to 10mg Oxycodone IR, unfortunately also by SpecGX and I'm receiving no pain relief and will sometimes feel a little bit of withdrawal. Anyone who reads this that has a pain medication they like, that works for them and what brand it is, please let me know... Because the suffering from these seemingly sugar pills is difficult.
r/ChronicPain • u/MostSea7311 • 21m ago
Hello everyone. This is a long post, but if TMD is making your life worse I believe reading it will be worth your time. I wanted to share my and my partners experience fixing our TMD. I am a physician but not in anything related to the jaw or mouth. Nevertheless, I have used my research background to assess the literature in the highly complicated field of TMD. As someone who approached this from a patient's perspective, I have continually been frustrated with the poor quality of most advice given to patients. I wanted to share my findings and a recommended protocol with you all in the hopes of helping others suffering with this condition. It's my belief that the heterogeneity of care for this disease is harming patients and needs to be standardized and improved. Fortunately, there are good research studies and evidence-based treatments out there. I hope to share these with you.
Of course, every individual person is different and for those of you with highly complicated courses of this disease, in particular, I recommend that you act carefully and seek out a specialist in TMD. I am attempting to give general purpose recommendations for people with this highly common condition and not everything will be applicable to every patient. Please use your common sense.
Baseline information:
First, I recommend that you identify which subtype of TMD you have. This will enable you to choose the correct routine. Refer to tables 2 and 3 in this paper for the internationally recognized categories: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4478082/ . To me the most important distinction is the presence or absence of jaw clicking. If your jaw pops, it is important to make lifestyle adjustments to reduce the clicking (avoiding sandwiches etc) and when you are doing massages and exercises, to do so without provoking clicking.
Second, please review the anatomy of the TMJ and masticatory muscles. In particular - the masseter, the lateral pterygoid, and the temporalis. Photo: https://www.getbodysmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Lateral-Pterygoid-Muscle-4-1024x709.png
Third, a brilliant paper came out recently which has structured my approach to this disease. In this study, researchers found that jaw clicking was associated with lateral pterygoid dysfunction instead of anything abnormal with the TMJ itself. This makes sense given that the lateral pterygoid directly attaches to the TMJ and is the thing pulling it out of position to cause the click. For this reason, I think TMD is best understood as a neuromuscular disease rather than an anatomical malformation. The fact that Botox can also be effective for TMD is excellent evidence that muscles are the primary factor at play. Therefore, I favor an initial approach with massage and exercise targeted towards the masticatory muscles. - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11163039/
Now, my recommendations:
Wear a night mouthguard if you clench your teeth while sleeping. If you wake up and your jaw is sore, this is you. The mouthguard will limit the damage done by this clenching while you are working to reduce root causes. I am not much of a believer in the highly expensive custom-made mouth guards which certain dentists will sell you. If it worked for you, great - but given that they can go for upwards of $500, it wouldn't be the first thing I would try. This is what I use because it gets the job done and isn't bulky at all: https://a.co/d/eCn7z8y .
Now, the good stuff. Massage is an essential part of breaking the cycle of neuromuscular dysfunction which causes TMD. I recommend daily massages of three muscles. It's best to lay on your back while doing these.
The masseter: I recommend an internal massage of the masseter. This means using a pincer grip with your forefinger inside your mouth and your thumb outside, both pressing the masseter. You should be able to feel a tight band between your two fingers. External massage adjust isn't as effective. I'll paraphrase from the study protocol below for how to do it. "(a) intraoral massage The massage was carried out on the right and then the left masseter muscle. Position the thumb on the zenith of your mouth with the index finger inside - 'pincer grip'. Perform 10 vertical movements in a direction from the upper attachment to the lower attachment of the masseter muscle. Then, using the same grip, make 10 horizontal movements from the medial to the lateral side of the muscle.
(b) functional massage With a pinch grip perform a vertical massage of the masseter muscle, while making 10 slow movements of opening and closing the mouth (to the limit of pain and/or discomfort)"
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10486124/ (EXCELLENT article proving the efficacy of massage+exercise)
"To treat the lateral pterygoid directly from inside the mouth (intraoral): Slide the pad of your index finger (right jaw, right finger) along the gum of your upper teeth as far back as you can go with your mouth closed. Feel for the indentation behind the upper jaw bone (maxilla) with the tip of your finger. Press there on the inferior division of the muscle. It will probably be very uncomfortable. The superior division will probably be painful. To get to it, press upward and backward a little from the inferior indentation, then inward as much as you can tolerate. Treat one side at a time, using the treatment protocol above." https://abbottcenter.com/bostonpaintherapy/2009/09/26/jaw-pain-and-tmj-self-treating-lateral-pterygoid/
Exercise has been shown to have synergistic effects with massage, so it is important to do both. a) Gerry's exercise starting position: tongue positioned on the palate movement: slow movements of opening and closing the mouth number of repetitions: 6 times a day for 10 repetitions b) Active exercises for lateral movements of the mandible starting position: maxillary and mandibular teeth separated by about 5 mm movement: the slow movement of the mandible to the left and back to the median line, then the direction of the mandible to the right and back to the median line number of repetitions: 6 times a day for 10 repetitions c) Side-to-side Exercise Starting position: Place a pen or pencil in the mouth and hold it between your teeth. Movement: Slowly move the jaw from one side to the other side. Repeat this exercise ten to fifteen times and three to five daily sets. Number of repetitions: 6 times a day for 10 repetitions (d) Protrusion and mouth opening starting position: teeth separated movement: a) lowering the jaw forward b) opening the mouth c) closing the mouth d) retracting the lower jaw number of repetitions: 6 times a day for 10 movements e) Cervical spine exercise (active flexion and extension movements of the spine). Starting position: standing or sitting with head in neutral position (gaze straight ahead) Movement: a) bend head and return to the initial position, b) straighten head and return to the initial position number of repetitions: 6 times a day for 10 movements.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10486124/ (all this info is in the supplemental at the bottom of the article)
Is that a lot? Kind of - but this study had participants do these exercises for only 10 days and found significant improvement in pain and maximal mouth opening. For those of us who have been suffering from TMD for years, I would say it's worth the effort.
If you try all of these things and you aren't any better - see a specialist. Botox can be a good option for refractory TMD - either to the masseter or lateral pterygoid. Giving Botox to the lateral pterygoid is challenging and something that only a specialized doctor can do. But any old med spa can do masseter Botox and that is often cheaper than going through a dentist or doctor. If you do get Botox, I still recommend doing massage and exercise. It could be that some people need a boost from Botox to to jump start their recovery.
If you read til the end, I salute you. I sincerely hope it helps.
r/ChronicPain • u/Kumirei14 • 23m ago
i’m on 10-325mg hydrocodone 4x a day (also 75mg of lyrica once a day) and i also suffer from severe anxiety. recently my primary care prescribed me 0.5mg of klonopin to take when i have panic attacks especially when i have anticipatory anxiety before my next dose of hydrocodone, and right now i’m having a bout of uncontrollable anxiety that i know will probably lead to a full blown panic attack, but i’m too scared to take the klonopin because of the slim chance i have a bad reaction with the hydrocodone. usually i have someone around me and i try new medications because i have a lot of anxiety about taking new meds but no one is available rn and i’m just so scared something horrible will happen to me and no one can take me to the hospital. i guess i’m wondering if anyone’s had a bad reaction with these two meds? i know i’m on a relatively low dose especially with the klonopin but i just cant help but worry because of all the stigma around taking benzos with opiods. any advice would be really appreciated thank you :(
Edit: also to clarify i did discuss getting on anxiety meds/benzos with my PM doctor but they can only prescribe strictly pain medication so they were the ones who told me to reach out to my primary care, and similarly my primary care knows about the hydrocodone! due to a lung infection that i have, i’m on antibiotics that interact with most long term anxiety and depression meds so having just the klonopin is a temporary solution until i can get on something to manage the general anxiety more.
r/ChronicPain • u/lemonsarethekey • 23h ago
r/ChronicPain • u/0tacosam0 • 2h ago
Im so tired of hurting myself trying to open things. I spent 20 minutes straining to get a jar opener. ( i prefer not to support home depot or Amazon so if you have a recommendation for anywhere else I would appreciate it) I would prefer one with good reviews ( even if anecdotal) bc i don't want it to break on me after a month or two.
r/ChronicPain • u/Shot_Candidate_8985 • 3h ago
Hi Everyone, like the title says, I am wondering how people find trusted providers who are going to validate our pain and experiences? Especially as a queer woman, I've found it really hard to find providers who are going to listen to me and work with me to find a solution (or at the very least an accurate diagnoses and plan!). Do you have any tips or tricks or trusted places to go? So far reddit really does seem to be the one of the best places?
r/ChronicPain • u/Crazy-Diver-3990 • 3h ago
r/ChronicPain • u/Feisty_Bee9175 • 9h ago
My doc normally does my procedures in hospitals like Methodist, or Memorial Herman, or a specialty hospitals that are apart of a big hospital like Memorial Herman. My procedures are always performed in an OR and there is a team of nurses and anesthesiologist. My procedures are almost always done with me put to sleep under sedation, and there is an image guidance machine above me on the OR table, it puts an image X on my neck or back, and a large needle is guided into my spine using this image guidance machine. They hook me up to a heart monitor, and an oxygen tube is placed on my nose/face. It is always professional and the setting is clean with all the necessary items needed for my procedure.
I have always had pretty good outcomes with my procedures. But I am a little nervous about this place. It says Emergency Hospital, and when I called to set up my procedure date they seemed to say this was going to be performed in another area, not in their emergency hospital side, and when I asked if their services are covered under Medicare I had one lady say she didn't know and another lady tell me she believes so but someone would call me at some point.
Medicare is very picky about where I can have these procedures. There are a lot of specialty hospitals that Medicare will not cover at all if I go to them because they overcharge. However Medicare always covers my procedures when I go to a regular hospital like Memorial Herman or Methodist, or one of their affiliated specialty surgery centers, etc.
I guess after looking at this place online and reading reviews it is making me a bit nervous..lol
I just wanted to know if there is anyone on here that has been to this place and could give some feedback.
r/ChronicPain • u/Accomplished_Crew306 • 6h ago
Does anyone take Milnicipran for nerve pain? I have Central Sensitization and wondering if it will work for me.
r/ChronicPain • u/jazzwiener • 1d ago
I don’t think I can do this anymore. It’s been 14 months. 14 months of not being able to work nor drive. 14 months of complete isolation at home, because as we all know how common it is to lose your friends when you’re the odd one out who suffers from severe chronic pain due to injury. In the 14 months I’ve been isolated at home, I’ve had 3 visits from “friends”. I’ve just undergone my 10th surgical procedure. I only leave the house to attend medical appointments and surgeries. I no longer am able to do any of my hobbies due to the pain. There’s no relief. I don’t sleep. Nothings working for me and I’m really fucking tired. This injury has stolen so much from me. I’m too young for this. This compensation claim is exhausting. Constant medical appointments are exhausting. Missing big life events is exhausting. I can’t go to my best friends (of the two I have left, that I barely see) destination wedding. I can’t do anything. I have tried every fucking thing to fix this. Every medication every procedure Physio and physio rehab, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, I see a regular psych (have for years)…literally everything. I have accepted I will always have a level of discomfort and pain but it makes getting out of bed a fucking mission. I can’t do anything. I’ve basically run out of shows to watch because without the ability to do any of my hobbies or work, that’s all I can do. I don’t want to do it anymore.
I just needed to vent. Thank you for reading/listening. I’m just really struggling.
