I am in pain....Just need to talk

[Heavenly_Sent2u]

Hi all,
I am really not doing very well today. I am hurting really bad. I am about ready to cry. I have no idea what to do. I just started taking the elmoron and some kind of pain pills. They don't work. I am really not doing very good. Please can you tell me what to do. Missa :bonk:

[Stella1609]

{{{{HUGS********

I'm new to this, but have you tried drinking lots of water? My doctor also recommended about a tbsp. of baking soda dissolved in some water. And then there's always a hot bath (if you can soak for a while without having to go to the bathroom) or a heating pad.

I hope you feel better!

Laura

[Babs RN]

Just one huge cyberhug. I am having a rough time too right now but it does improve. Really.

Hugs and healing thoughts,
Barb

[Iris]

Hi, sorry to read both you gals are going through a painful time right now, I know heating pads help me a lot at times like that, and a cyberhug for each of you, hope that the pain eases a little for you two, keep us posted as to how you both are doing, really soft hugs, Iris. :grouphug: :grouphug:

[mags]

i am having a really rough day too. wish there was a miracle cure.
hang in there

[andcohen]

I Hope You Start To Feel Better Soon. I Have Also Just Come Out Of A Bad Flare But With Time, Relaxiation & All The Great People Here It Did Pass.
Try A Nice Long Bath Folllowed By A Heat Pad & A Good Book. Oh Don't Forget Your Pain Meds & Plenty Of Water To Help Flush Your System Out. If This Isn't Working Mabey Try Ringing Your Dr. For Some Help.
Goood Luck & Take Care
Andrea

[kelly McC]

The elmiron can take up to 6 months to start working. I would call your doctor and see what they suggest for pain . Try a heating pad or heating patch . I sometimes use a ice pack. Have you tried the diet? I hope your able to get some relief sending you a ton of huggs,
Kelly

[kadi]

Dear Missa,
I'm sorry you're not feeling good. Just a tip on water drinking - small sips over a longer period of time seems to work better for me than glugging down a whole glass at once. Somehow if I sip it my bladder "takes it" better & it doesn't trigger off spasms. Have you tried the diet yet? That really reduced my pain! Here's the link.

www.ic-network.com/handbook/diet.html

Wishing you better days soon-

[Katrina]

Missa,:welcome: to the ICN!

http://www.ic-network.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7562 this link is a pain managment post. The second page has 4 attachments...the last one is a list of ideas for IC pain.....take a look if pain is problem for you.

IC Pain Relief Methods (This list put together by Katrina) Remember I am not a doctor and you should always check with your doc before trying theese. Note that it may take cobining a few of theese to get the help you need.

This list is for when you are already in pain


• Ice/Cold (I believe alternating between hot and cold is best)
o Ice packs
o Ice
o Cold spray water
o In a water bottle
• Drinking almond milk
• Drinking baking soda and water mix or alka selser (about 1 teaspoon baking soda per glass)
Taking alkaselser Gold
• Herbs
o Marshmallow root (althaea officinalis) helps sooth irritation and inflammation due
o Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra and g. uralensis) good for inflammation and anti allergic but should only be used short term
o Uva Ursi (arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an antiseptic of the urinary track also used as a diuretic, also for inflammation…also only for short term use
o Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) not good for me since has similar effects to the hormone estrogen. Is used as a sedative and to relieve menstrual cramps. May have anti inflammatory effects. Avoid large doses.
o Catnip (nepeta cataria) eases menstrual pain, soothes the nerves, and as a sleep aid.
o Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) mild sedative, creduces inflammation, relieve menstrual cramps, http://www.ic-network.com/cgi-bin/ustorekeeper.pl?command=goto&file=Foods-Tea.html
• cornsilk tablets are unreal!!!!!
• Drinking a burger king milkshake
• Resting/relaxing (some goes as far as to say laying down….at times I could only lay on my side)
• Acupuncture
• aroma therapy (either in a warm wash cloth across face, in a bath, inhaled from a bowl of steamy water, vaporized on an oil burner, sometimes candles, applied to the skin, or taken orally)
o almond oil
o lavender
o lemons oranges
o all essential oils
o honey
• reflexology
• physical therapy
using a donut pillow
• Yoga mine see , ICN: (http://www.ic-network.com/shop/)
• Prilosec OTC or something...not so much for pain but because it is newly non prescription acid reducer
• Water (drinking plenty of water helps with burning pain and helps dilute urine so that it is less harmful to the bladder wall
• TENS unit Ask your doctor for a TENS unit. A TENS unit is believed to work by providing another source of stimulation to "divert" the brain from paying attention to your bladder. It's based on the spinal gate theory. Some patients find TENS very helpful while driving, or in situations when a pain medication isn't appropriate.
• Migraine Ice Patches
• Tylenol with 4 Prelief (many non prescription meds can hurt the bladder….be careful and watch out for what bothers you) http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/nerve.html
• Topical analgesic…Menthol example ICE Blue Gel
• Heat
o Thermal Care Heat wraps
o Heating pad (http://www.ic-network.com/shop/)
o Thermal care adhesive body warmer (http://www.ic-network.com/shop/)
o Spraying heated water
o a microwaveable pad (http://www.ic-network.com/shop/)
one of hubby's tube socks filled with uncooked rice. I just microwave it for about a minute and it's pretty hot. It's pretty flexible if you're trying to heat in between your legs.
• Extra Prelief (http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/prelieffactsheet.html)
• Taking a shower or Tums if your desperate
• Warm Baths (NOT HOT!!!!) No bubble bath or strong soaps, please! Soft soaps, perfumed soaps, bath salts & bubble baths can be very irritating to an IC patient. However, you can put baking soda in the tub for extra comfort. SITZ Baths Definition: A sitz bath (also called a hip bath) is a type of bath in which only the hips and buttocks are soaked in water or saline solution. Its name comes from the German verb "sitzen," meaning "to sit." I recommend: (a tub divided into two …one half is filled with hot water and the other cold. With part of the body on one side and than switching and back again in quick succession) Recommended 3 times a day for 20 min each
• Foot baths
• Visualization [relax your mind. Make sure you are warm and comfortable, and practice deep long breathing, concentrate on the rhythm of your breathing, as you breath imagine the air going in and out of the painful area (such as the bladder), As you inhale, imagine a warm glow healing the pain, and as you exhale, imagine the pain being expelled. Next imagine your pain as a red ball, now take that wipe it with your washcloth, as you wipe the ball gets lighter and lighter in color, keep whipping until the ball is white.] That was 2 examples do what suits you best.
• Trying things to distract you
o Listening to music
o Watching a movie or TV (some choose to have tapes ready for late night flares)
o Reading
o work on a craft or project
o spending time online
o writing letters
o Working around the house (Do what feels comfortable to you. Don't push it.)
o Being constructive and helping others
• Venting here or to friends
• Hugs
•
• Praying
• Staying positive….believe the pain will end
• Meditating (http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/meditation.html)
• Ask for help if you need it (family, friends, doctors)
• Instillations (http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/instill.html)
o DMSO
o Heparin
o Marcaine
• AZO for Urinary Pain Relief or URISTAT
• Ask for a foot message from your spouse or partner (actually I think it is the receiving one that helps with the pain :)
• Pain meds patch (such as fentanyl)
• Pain meds oral (Remember, the earlier you catch a flare and pain, the easier it is to stop and the less medication it can take to stop it. So, don't wait until you are crying and desperate... because that allows that pain cycle to get firmly started. Try to catch in early!) (http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/painmed.html)
o Oxycontin (Pain med’s are recommendations from other ICers)
o Pyrradium
o Perocets
o Klonopins
o Neurontin
o Codein
• Cold water in a balloon in vagina
• Taking slow deep breaths/other breathing therapies (http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/breathing.html)
• Practice relaxing the muscles near the bladder
• Put some work into lessoning your stress
o Use art to help visualize and express your stress…you can even use it to visualize and than erase your pain
o Spend time with your pet!!
o Play with your children or with children (if you have none of your own)
o Sing (you don’t have to let anyone hear you)
o Listen to a guided relaxation audio tape to relax your body. Commonly available at book stores, we recommend the tapes by Potential's Unlimited (Barry Konicov). If you can't find those, try the Health Journey's series of tapes. [http://www.ic-network.com/shop/]


NOTE: AS WITH ANYTHING BECAREFUL….AND IN RISKY THINGS ASK YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING NEW PAIN METHODS!!!!!













:kiss: HOpe you feel better soon!!

[work it]

hope you start feeling better soon. I know that feeling of just wanting to cry.There will be times when i do not leave the bathroom I just sit there with my water bottle in hand sometimes for an hour until I have a little releif and am able to get up.

Katrina, Thanks for all the infomation you just posted you have such inspirtual things and I am going to be refering to the list above until I have tried them all when I need to.

take care,

Teisha

[donutgirl]

I'm so sorry you are hurting. Please call your dr. and let him/her know that the pain meds are not working. Hope you are feeling better real soon!!

Hugs,

DIANE

[lanay40]

hi sorry to hear your in so much pain i can very much relate to that! i have fibro and ic and much more! if you would like to email me we could talk and support each other if you would like. my name is lanay my email is lanay40@yahoo.com hope to talk soon. hope your having a better day today bye, lanay hugs and prayers sent your way!:angel:

[graceimnot2096]

Sorry you are feeling so bad. I've had those days too. Have you tried a condom filled with ky jelly, put it in the freezer or microwave whichever you prefer (careful with the heat), insert it in your vagina. That really helps me when I have the extreme flares. Call your doc.

[ICLori]

(((HUGS))) Hope you feel better soon. Hang in there, it will get better!

Blessings,
Lori