Pain flare-up and anxiety

Sheena...I'm so sorry that you are suffering from this. I think I can understand where you're coming from as dd suffers from pain and anxiety following surgery for a ruptured disk.

Have you ever been offered amitryptilline? Although it's an anti depressant it is one of the best drugs for killing nerve pain. It also has the added benefit of lifting your mood if prescribed in a high enough dose.

I will certainly have a look at the homeopathic route...but like so many of us here in a "chronic pain trap" or anxiety-ridden life.....I have tried just about every alternative route I can think of...councelling, CBT, Mindfulness, acupunture, refelxology etc etc...and all have been interesting..and I have gleaned tips .... but sadly nothing "cures", and never will....it's all about coping strategies and pacing oneself....hard to do sometimes.

I do so value all your comments thank you....and yes, Grannyknot I feel a bit calmer...it's trying to put it all into perspective and not to "panic" . Thank you all lovely people..good to no I'm not alone here

Meant to say sheena I hope you're feeling better today.

falcon I know many people don't believe in homeopathy and it is seen as being "unscientific" etc etc, but it does seem to help in many cases.

There is a large homeopathic training college in the city that I come from in South Africa which also has drop-in clinics including for mums and babies. As a young mother I used to find it very reassuring and helpful that the homeopaths had what felt like all the time in the world to listen and "treat" their patients.

I went to a very interesting lecture once on pain management, and I got the impression that chronic pain takes on a life of its own and becomes like a "constant companion" to the person who is suffering the pain.

I can't comprehend how difficult it must be for someone to live with it constantly - especially if it can't be managed.

There is Homeopathy which my son uses for a pain and depression condition. He finds it very helpful and was referred by his GP.

He has his "medication" delivered by post and he enjoys talking to the Homeopathist because they have more time than overworked GPs.

Bless you all for your caring replies .

Petra no, I don't have implants, but toothache top and bottom (which could just be the nerve pain)..but I am going to ring the dentist today to get checked out.
rubylady I am not on any medication...have been in the past but nothing works, that is why I wondered about trying some Kalms or the like...
phoenix sorry about your excema..it must be agony
Yes, Falconbird the grip of anxiety...no matter what the reason.. is agony, worse than the pain itself.
And Nelliemoser to be honest I have tried over the years just about everything including acupuncture and no good.

As we were told on the pain management course, chronic nerve pain is just the hardest pain of all t treat..........but the worry, fear and anguish it brings is worst of all.

Thank you all again...you are all so helpful, and I feel I'm not alone with this.

(((Hugs))) To any of you with this pain and anxiety.
It is quite easy for me to get into doom and gloom scenarios as well
I have a long term back problem which is not good at present.

I would be careful about taking any herbal meds that might interfere with any prescription stuff.
Talk to a pharmacist about such things they may be a better source of information than a GP. I have tried Kalms they seem to help and to be honest if it''s just a the placebo effect that works don't knock it.

Would any treatment such as acupuncture etc help? Anxiety about the pain you have will make you tense and that will create more pain.

Maybe this is where holistic therapies might be useful in helping you feel more relaxed.

Sheena - my heart goes out to you. I've been battling anxiety since my DH passed away in 2012.

I recently had to do an overnight babysit for my son and dil. My dil is very critical so I was extremely anxious. It all went well but two days later I went down with a horrible virus and my anxiety hit the roof.

All my fears rushed to the surface - no-one cares about me, I'm facing lonely old age - the works. I managed to resist the urge to take a valium and feel better today but it's not easy.

The grip of anxiety is a b------.

Phoenix - I have eczema around my neck and it always flares up when I'm anxious.

When I get stressed the eczema flares up something chronic! I have had to lie today after going out in a short sleeved top

When someone said "Oh dear, what has happened to your poor arms? I had to make up some nonsense about cutting back a climbing rose for a friend

Sheena If you check with your doctor or chemist that you can take Kalms or Bach's Rescue Remedy with the medication you are already on, then you can always try them one by one and see if they help. I take Kalms occasionally and they do help me but that maybe even placebo but as long as I feel better I don't care. I am in pain too, but in joints. I use heat, vibration, heat rub, wheat bag in the microwave, painkillers, hot bath, hot shower.

Have you tried clove oil on your mouth? I can't stand the taste but I have heard that it can help. I do hope you can get some relief, it is awful to have anxiety, being inside your own head sometimes is a nightmare. x

My husband went to a pain clinic. The two things he found helped most were hypnotherapy, and a capsaicin gel or cream for topical pain.

Sheena - bit of a long shot but are you on statins? The roof of my mouth and my tongue were burning when I was on statins. I was trying to sleep with my mouth open to cool it down. Shortly after I stopped taking the statins, I was back to normal. I hope you feel better soon.

sheena I'm sorry you're in pain and feeling miserable. I was wondering as anxiety is involved (and who wouldn't be anxious with chronic recurring pain) whether something that involved relaxation techniques like yoga or tai chi might be of greater long term benefit in helping with the pain and widening your activities and circle of friends all of which has been found to be beneficial in managing long term pain. I did wonder also if your GP might refer you to a specialist Pain Clinic - they are in most general hospitals but often have a lengthy waiting list. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Thanks sheen and my best wishes to you also

Hi Sheena. You mention some dental work. Do you have implants? I ask because a friend of mine suffered facial pain for years, but has now found relief with a salt nasal spray. He has implants.

Thank you all so much for your replies...I'm sort of going through "oh I feel sorry for myself" phase !

The facial/jaw burning mouth/tongue first started 15 years ago when I had a tooth removed. I've seen a max facs specialist who said the only thing really is antidepressants as the physical side of the problem can't be fixed, only the emotional side.

Over the years it subsided, but then I had to have lots of surgery (hysterectomy etc) which has left me with chronic nerve pain. Again no meds touch it, and I can only try to deal with the emotional side. I have been on the St. Thomas pain management course (4 week inpatient) which was very helpful, but we were told that the pain will never go, we just have to learn coping strategies. Right !

The mouth problem reared it's very ugly head once again a couple of years back (I did put a post on here asking if anyone else has experience of it...but I cant find the original thread, though I know several kind people replied)...my GP knows about it, but again no help...she has done blood tests, acid reflux tests, my dentist can't help....again just have to get on with it.

Hence, has anyone tried any of the herbal remedies for calming anxiety? I have read about St John's Wort, but also some controversial remarks.

whitewave i do hope you DH gets some good advice and relief from the pain management.

My DH has an on-gong back problem but he also gets terribly anxious about it. At long last though he has been referred to a pain management clinic and has just started treatment although the injections have not worked but we live in hope It is a miserable thing for him and the trouble is anything I say doesn't seem to help at all. I am sure he wishes me into the back of beyond at times!

Is it perhaps worth asking to be referred to a specialist pain clinic if it's about pain management? Big hug x

It's definitely not trivial. You need to talk to your doctor because the herbal stuff can cause problems with prescribed meds.

It's not trivial Sheena. Yes I have been in the grip of anxiety, it's no joke. None of those herbal things have worked for me, but they might for you. Mishap's suggestion is a good one, although I am guilty of not taking this advice myself!

Trip to the doc maybe?