Chronic Pain & Depression

[Vanessa]

I never ever understood the relevance between chronic pain and depression, until I became an unwilling participant to chronic pain. For the past 6 months I have had non-stop nerve pain in my leg. I have been through all sorts of medication ranging from Neurontin to Morphine. After having back surger in September, I felt relief for about 3 weeks. Those were the BEST weeks I have had in such a long time. Then at week 4, I started having calf and ankle pain again. Needless to say, I have been very depressed after having a partial failed back surgery. I have now been on a few different anti-depressants to help stabalize my mind. I used to have soo much motivation to get up and clean the house, play with my kids and doll myself up. Now, I dread doing any type of work in my house, I don't have the energy to play with my kids and getting dolled up is a joke. I feel like my life is falling apart and honestly, my husband really just does NOT understand what this is like. I feel like I am a prisioner to this pain and a prisoner in my own mind. Can someone please relate and tell me I am NOT crazy!!

[Justin]

Hi Vanessa,

You are not "crazy." Chronic pain / spine issues and depression go hand-in-hand. With decreased functionality and an increased list of things one "can no longer do," it's no wonder that the majority of Spine Patients are depressed.

If you or someone you know is depressed, please help "plug them in" to networks in which they can utilize resources that are proven to help. A few of these include:

• Medication
• Behavioral Cognitive Therapy
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation
• "Lifestyle" Changes

Here's a recent publication I posted: Do depression and pain intensity interfere with physical activity in daily life in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain?

This is a book that I personally found to be extremely helpful: Great Resource for Chronic Pain: Managing Pain Before It Manages You

As always, I would speak directly with your physician regarding medication changes and about other treatment options for depression.

[Hooch]

You're not crazy, I feel the same.

Amazon.com: Manage Your Pain (9780285636798): Dr. Michael Nicholas, Dr. Allan Molloy, Lois Tonkin, Lee Beeston: Books

That book is orright, just as an insight into the methods that people use to cope. Living with pain and disability pretty much sucks tho. You could cognitive-behavouralise that statement to the wazoo if you felt inclined, but the first step in pain management is ensuring all curative steps have been taken.

You can reasonably hope for reduced pain and disability from a fusion, if you accept the risk that you may get worse or stay the same post-op.

The main thing in managing chronic pain is pacing, and therefore reduced productivity, which you and your partner will both have to accept and manage.

[ajj1001]

you are not mad, just human. it is possible to use the methods to manage it rather than let it manage you. it won't just go away but things can be better.

if you can find someone to talk to about it who understands then that can be a good first step in finding help. do you have a friend to listen or a good gp or other therapist you can confide how you are feeling?

[Vanessa]

Justin, Hooch and Ajj:

Thank you so much for replying to me. Again, this is the most support I have had in a while. The most hurtful part of this ordeal is my lifestyle changes. I guess it would be one thing to deal with the pain if I could still do my daily activities, but the fact that I had to leave my career, can't run with my kids and am now dealing with my weight...life is not so peachy. I do have my family and one close friend that I talk to, but again, none of them has ever dealt with pain that has lasted more than a couple of days. They are an ear to lend, but the understanding part is a little complicated. Also, when I was going through Morphine withdrawls (a nightmare!), it was very hard for people to understand that it was not due to me abusing the medication, but due to me being on it for a long time and then having to be off of it abruptly for my surgery.

I am going to look at some of those books listed. Right now, I'll do anything to help me cope with what is going on.

[Hooch]

Sounds like you've been getting the rough end of the pineapple, I hope things improve or at least settle for you.

[Vanessa]

I have had it rough, but I'm still thankful that I'm alive One day at a time. Thank you!

[KBear]

Vanessa- Depression and pain are definitely normal and I've heard of very few who didn't have both. Before my injury, I was sickeningly happy, never depressed, glass half full go getter personality. After I went in a depression, I was convinced that my family would be better off without me and that I was a burden to them. It was hard knowing the mother and wife I had been, to being not able to do much of anything. I now know that is not true and that even though I was limited, there was a lot I could do. I was able to sit around and cuddle my babies, read to them, and spend quality time with them.... things that got neglected when I was so busy being mother of the year and incessantly cleaning, running errands and so on.

I did take Cymbalta for my depression and pain. It worked really well for both, reducing pain levels and depression symptoms. Not to say all was wonderful and jolly, but it helped me cope.

Best of Luck,
Kathy

[Vanessa]

Thank you Kathy! I have just started a new round of medications for depression, so I'm crossing my fingers on this one. I tried Cymbalta but ended up having multiple anxiety attacks each day I was on it. Apparently I am just very sensative to it, so they have now tried me on Citalopram. I am just really ready to get my life back on some sort of normalcy again. I love being a mom and a wife, this is what I feel like I was put here for. Getting back to that is what would make me so happy again. I know it will happen, I just don't know how much I will have to physically suffer before I can get to that happy place again.

[runagain]

Vanessa,

YOU ARE NOT CRAZY.

Just wanted to make sure you heard me. I frankly have been dealing with depression and pain and it is not fun. Cannot take antidepressants because of the side effects and so IMHO, I feel it helps to talk to someone. And by someone, I mean someone who understands chronic pain.
For a while, I thought that I did not have chronic pain and then with people telling me about it and it dragging on, I came to accept it. It is difficult but hopefully eventually you can enjoy some reduced pain, at the very least.
I am sorry the surgery did not work out. Sounds like you had a discectomy?
Just remember you are not alone and it helps to get things off our chests here. Welcome to the forum.

Runagain