Desperate for Relief: Living with Chronic Pain

I only ask because a general pain specialist usually only give the least effective meds. A spine specialist will do so much more for your pain. I barely could get out of bed, let alone walk before I found a spine specialist. Not because my condition was severe, but because my pain was not controlled. Ice and gentle stretching are your best friends. I wish you the best. 🫂 🙏💜

I live with persistent suicidal ideation and my spine causes me to spiral. You need to see an orthopedic doctor, badly. Someone who WILL take this seriously. Pain increases the effect of mental disorders. It can be just as dangerous as drinking alcohol on an antidepressant. You're a fighter. You're still here aren't you? Fight back and don't you dare let it get the best of you. I know you might feel weak and hopeless, but you are not alone. I sometimes want to die so so bad but I've been on the surviving side of suicide. I've seen the blood pool and aftermath of someone I love who shot himself. I tell myself that if I did the same, I'd just be transferring indescribable pain onto everyone I care about. I know in the mind, death is the "quickest" relief. But it's not the way. Some songs say, "Nobody will miss me when I'm gone," or "They'll get over it." That's a load of BS. What I want you to do is freeze wrung out damp hand towels inside ziploc bags or look up DIY soft ice packs. Ice that back. 20 minutes on, 10 off. Ice it, it'll help you. It won't cure obviously, but it will help. If you have a lot of inflammation, it'll help. Seek treatment. It takes time to get better. It really does. But you can do it.

I've been in your shoes and I know how much it sucks and debilitates your life. Have you seen an orthopedic spine specialist yet? Or recently? You may need to be reevaluated as DDD can likey cause new problems over even short periods of time. I know surgery is scary, I've had 3 discs worked on, but that and PT has given me my life back. You don't have to live with horrific pain, there are other options.