So, something I've been battling for quite awhile now is chronic pain. A long time problem, really. Nerve and tendon issues and even some arthritis in my neck (and I'm waaaaayyyyyyy too young for that).
Much of the time, it takes the form of arm or neck pain. Shooting or travelling pain (due to the nerve thing). It can also form a sort of non-headache. Where it feels like one, but it's not REALLY a headache, because the actual source of the pain is right at the back of my neck. My therapist explained to me how it works. Must say, I didnt entirely understand.
The worst though is what I call a "lockup". It can happen in my lower back, or in my neck. Something just goes wrong, and suddenly, I cant really twist/turn. The level of pain from trying to do so is just too ridiculous. I remember the very first time it happened, I ended up on the floor. Musta laid there for like 20 minutes... couldnt get up. Fortunately a fall like that hasnt happened again since, but usually if my back locks up like that it does become hard to walk. Or sit... or lie down...
To deal with this, there were pain meds.
I used to take Advil (and other pain meds of that level). What was the max dosage of those things? Somewhere between 4-6 pills at once. It did nothing. NOTHING. It simply doesnt work on that type of pain.
Was soon put on Valium for a time. Way stronger. But not enough.
Then I was told about Prednesone. I just call those "nightmare pills". And I should have realized it was a bad idea... the description I was given was "Well you know Vicodin? One of those is like multiple Valium. And one of THESE is like multiple Vicodin". That should have been a red flag, but it's hard to spot red flags when everything freaking hurts.
I think that was honestly the worst thing I've ever been through. I had never known what "paradoxical insomnia" meant. If only I could have stayed ignorant. Among other things it did. That lasted for about a month. I could barely function until the event finally ended.
Now, I am on cyclobenzaprine and Tramadol. Cyclothingie is something I take daily. Tramadol is much stronger and only used when I feel I really need it. Risk of addiction, you see, so you gotta be careful. Fortunately, I use it less and less over time, so that's good at least. Pretty rare that I take one now, but I'm glad it's there for when I do need it. But still, I hate taking pills. And sometimes even that isnt quite enough. One way or another though they are very strong meds. Max dose, according to my doctor, is 2 of each at once. Gotta say, I dont recommend that. You could knock over an elephant with that. After nearly falling asleep on my feet once (apparently that's possible) well... yeah, didnt do THAT again.
Strong as those are though, sometimes they still just dont work.
Today is one of those days. Well, not a "lockup" day, just an "aaarrrrgggghhh this is driving me up the wall" sort of thing. Took the blasted pills but they dont feel like doing anything today (bah).
When it gets like this, I tend to have some trouble functioning. It's not a matter of "OMG IT HURTS SO MUCH" it's a matter of it being super distracting. It's hard to focus on anything, and it then tends to set off my usual sensory issues. So that doesnt help. And the sensory stuff then sets off the anxiety, and that helps even less!
I'm dealing with it a little better right now... I think it's because I've been forcing myself to engage with my various hobbies despite it being there. That does seem to help.
But how about you guys? How do you you deal with pain? Can you handle it, or does it become overwhelming? Have you found anything you can do to lessen it? What does it do as far as sensory stuff for you? I tend to think that alot of people on the spectrum likely have trouble with it, but... that's merely an assumption. Could be wrong.
Much of the time, it takes the form of arm or neck pain. Shooting or travelling pain (due to the nerve thing). It can also form a sort of non-headache. Where it feels like one, but it's not REALLY a headache, because the actual source of the pain is right at the back of my neck. My therapist explained to me how it works. Must say, I didnt entirely understand.
The worst though is what I call a "lockup". It can happen in my lower back, or in my neck. Something just goes wrong, and suddenly, I cant really twist/turn. The level of pain from trying to do so is just too ridiculous. I remember the very first time it happened, I ended up on the floor. Musta laid there for like 20 minutes... couldnt get up. Fortunately a fall like that hasnt happened again since, but usually if my back locks up like that it does become hard to walk. Or sit... or lie down...
To deal with this, there were pain meds.
I used to take Advil (and other pain meds of that level). What was the max dosage of those things? Somewhere between 4-6 pills at once. It did nothing. NOTHING. It simply doesnt work on that type of pain.
Was soon put on Valium for a time. Way stronger. But not enough.
Then I was told about Prednesone. I just call those "nightmare pills". And I should have realized it was a bad idea... the description I was given was "Well you know Vicodin? One of those is like multiple Valium. And one of THESE is like multiple Vicodin". That should have been a red flag, but it's hard to spot red flags when everything freaking hurts.
I think that was honestly the worst thing I've ever been through. I had never known what "paradoxical insomnia" meant. If only I could have stayed ignorant. Among other things it did. That lasted for about a month. I could barely function until the event finally ended.
Now, I am on cyclobenzaprine and Tramadol. Cyclothingie is something I take daily. Tramadol is much stronger and only used when I feel I really need it. Risk of addiction, you see, so you gotta be careful. Fortunately, I use it less and less over time, so that's good at least. Pretty rare that I take one now, but I'm glad it's there for when I do need it. But still, I hate taking pills. And sometimes even that isnt quite enough. One way or another though they are very strong meds. Max dose, according to my doctor, is 2 of each at once. Gotta say, I dont recommend that. You could knock over an elephant with that. After nearly falling asleep on my feet once (apparently that's possible) well... yeah, didnt do THAT again.
Strong as those are though, sometimes they still just dont work.
Today is one of those days. Well, not a "lockup" day, just an "aaarrrrgggghhh this is driving me up the wall" sort of thing. Took the blasted pills but they dont feel like doing anything today (bah).
When it gets like this, I tend to have some trouble functioning. It's not a matter of "OMG IT HURTS SO MUCH" it's a matter of it being super distracting. It's hard to focus on anything, and it then tends to set off my usual sensory issues. So that doesnt help. And the sensory stuff then sets off the anxiety, and that helps even less!
I'm dealing with it a little better right now... I think it's because I've been forcing myself to engage with my various hobbies despite it being there. That does seem to help.
But how about you guys? How do you you deal with pain? Can you handle it, or does it become overwhelming? Have you found anything you can do to lessen it? What does it do as far as sensory stuff for you? I tend to think that alot of people on the spectrum likely have trouble with it, but... that's merely an assumption. Could be wrong.
