Chronic Pain

i have been in pain for the past 14yrs. and lots of testing and more tesing. been going to OHSU and they have done alot of testing. and went back to them a month ogo and they told me that that was all the testing they could do for. but they could send me to the pain clinic their. and i just think i do not need to do that i'am just sick and tired of testing. what would you do, if it was you?

Hello.
Usually it takes about 10 years for one to get a diagnostic. At least it did for me. I had a good Gp. His philosophy was to treat the pain and then look for what it was . I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after 10 years. It did not help with the pain but at least there was a name on the beast.
Try to get an consultation with a neurologist they are quite good to pinpoint the cause of pain if it has to do with migraines, fibro, or others neurological pain issues or a rheumatologist if your pain is in soft tissues and articulations.
Good luck.

I understand how you feel. I was nineteen when I became disabled with pain. I was outgoing, positive, had friends, a boyfriend, great grades and a terrific future. All the testing that no one let alone someone that age should go through. So many x rays, cat scans, and more colonoscopies than a person needs in a lifetime. Every doctor saying I was crazy and me starting to wonder myself. They think I'm a pain pill addict even when I say I don't want pain pills. My only hope was going out of state to one of the best medical facilities. Plead your case after doing your own research on what you think might be wrong. After six years I started getting diagnosed correctly. I travel there once to twice a year now for treatment. It's too expensive and hard on my health to travel but in the end it's worth it for good treatment and less tests.-aimes

Hi, Aimes!
Have you been to the Off Topic area? I think you would get responses a lot sooner. Scroll down, if you haven't already, and check out the conversation. I'm so sorry for your difficult experiences. Hang in there!

Becky, what are your priorities?
Marie is right; it can take a long time to get a diagnosis at all (hopefully not as long as hers) but... a diagnosis is an educated guess - a place to start. They can change or even be wrong. So, is it important to put a name to your pain or to find some treatment relief for it?

It took almost six years for me to get diagnosed, and then the neurologist actually said, "but that doesn't mean we know how to treat it. We may have to try a lot of things..." and they're still trying. So the diagnosis (in my case) isn't really the issue - doing something about the pain is.

Pain clinics: Like anything, there are good ones and useless ones. There are several where I live - some ok - some not so great. At least I got to rule out more things that don't work for me so I'm not carrying around that wondering/regret/guilt thing. Rhetorical question for yourself: What, if anything, have you got to lose by trying?

Good luck.

hello, sorry i have not been here, in the summer i spend most of my time out doors OHSU lost my file, and that reminds me i need to call agian and find out what is going on! we do have my pain under controll, oh what a relief! i had a good summer! how about you pepole? and i will be on here alot more the days are getting shorter here. see you soon. love beckyC

Hello Becky
I'm really glad you had a nice summer. Good to also hear that you've got your pain under better control. Great for you!
Do you see the pain clinic at OHSU? I'm just across the brindge in WA state and a few miles east up the columbia river. I see a pain clinic in porland too. Not OHSU, but another one.
We have a support group in off topic called the daily grind if your interested, your welcome to join us or stop in when ever you'd like. Some times the winters here in the PNW can be very long and painful, so if you would like to visit, besure to stop by. We would love to meet you and share your pain story with us.

Take Care and hope to visit with you more
Betty

hi i'm 24 years old been liveing with pain for about 8 years .. last month i had my first surgury on my neck. i had a hernated disk and bone spurs but after all that i am still in pain.. i get burning and pinn needls in my spine and straight like lighting pain in my right shoulder done my spine now. into my hips.. the weird thing is i'm only 24.. its not like i'm old like 82 years old.. soo i shouldn't be this way.. i think what it is . its in the genes plus i think i have fibro but it hasn't been dogno. i have been to more then 20 plus doctors.. severl spec. and no one believed me until this doctor came along and did a mri.. it showed everything. now ihave more pain.. i think i have another one in my hips but i dont really know cause my legs are starting to go numb like they wanna go out. and pain down them and pain in one spot on my hips.. sorry this is soo long. but this is my first time being here. and i hope there are more people out there like me..thanks for listening...

hello!

I read your post on the forum here. I my self have bin in pain for the last seven years and im 24. It would be really nice to talk to you about the crap you've bin throug.

I havent met anybody or even herd of thats in a simular situation without having fibromyalgia. I suspected that i had that diceas for a while thouge but my doctors rouled it out.

Im stuck with hip pains that the doctors find no real reason for me having. Im going to a physical therapist to work on that though and eventually hopfully get it going properly.

The other part im suffering from is constant period-like pains. Had them everyday day for two years now. Here to, the doctors find nothing wrong with me.

Im trying to live my life the best i can dispite all this. Had a full time job as a chef on a boat till just reacently when i just couldent go on any longer with dealing whith it all. And the doctors stoped to prescribe my any strong painkillers. They are not good for me... Without them its impossible for me to do any sort of full time employment though.

The pain im going through usally knocks me of my feet a couple of times a day. My legs stop working now and then and the period-like pains cramps me up for hours now and then.

Exept from all that i consider my self a happy person who trys to live life to the fullest, dispite.

I would love to her from you.

/Soffi
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we cannot have any curse words in this forum, as the rules are as such. The forums are viewed by many and children too. I hope you continue posting Soffi and I look forward to visiting with you. Thank you for understanding.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BettyBoopToo,