Has she looked into essential oils? That may be something to consider.

I do what you do. I keep busy to keep my mind off the aches and pains. There are lots of articles on coping with chronic pain. Maybe you can review some and find one that would have helpful information that would work for her.

I live with chronic pain from various conditions I have. Some days the intensity and degree of pain leave me not able to do much of anything. Other days I can do more and try to catch up on those days. I try to focus on other things, bring those into the foreground and push the pain into the back. Doing things like this coloring, and working puzzles, and mind games online really help to keep me distracted. I can sit in my most comfortable chair with my legs up and do those things that I enjoy. I also help with tech support on various forums, that definitely takes my mind to a totally different place and almost allows me to forget for a little bit.

So my suggestion would be to possibly get her some of the things I mentioned which may help take her mind off of it for a little bit on those bad days. She has all the medical care she needs it sounds like. A gift of a coloring book and gel pens, a word search, crosswords, and puzzles package. If she has a tablet that enables her to do things online comfortably gather up some safe fun links to those types of activities and suggest that they may help distract her when she needs it.

There's times it doesn't matter what I do it won't leave the forefront and I know that is a time to utilize the meds I have been given. I don't like to rely on the meds and try to make that a very last resort. We learn as we go and I am sure she will too and we adjust our lives to get through it. It's very nice of you to want to help her with the burden of her pain.

August 15, 2005 about 11:00 a.m. That is when it started. Four pain docs, one US registered MD from China using acupuncture. Nothing worked. Lots of meds, nothing worked. I am tired of complaining; the missus is tired of it. I am resigned to taking it to the grave.

There are pain support groups online. They won't solve the problem, but she will know that others are experiencing the same situation. Sometimes it is mental (beyond the physical).

Tough situation. No easy solution.

Great advice. I'll just add that after DH had surgery to remove bone spurs on one great toe, he developed plantar fascitis (sp?). A friend who is a PT came over a few days a week to massage that foot. She said that surgeons (in general) fail to take into account what therapy a patient might need *after* a mechanical repair. DH was fine in a month. Might your DS benefit from some massage therapy? At least it would *feel good*!

I second massage. It might help and probably can't hurt - check with the doc to be sure, and she may even be able to get a prescription for it so insurance will cover all or part of it.

My sister has had chronic pain for many, many years. She goes to a doctor who specializes in pain treatment. Makes a big difference with this doctor's specialized knowledge.

I have lived with chronic pain for many years, most based on my spine, an Xray of which is not a pretty sight. I've had treatments off and on, and find that there is not a "cure." Years of water therapy, many trips to different physical therapists, spinal injections, all of which provide temporary relief, pain pills, none of which help for very long. Finally, you have to learn to live with it. Some days are better, different times of the day, and weather, are factors. I use a cane, or a two wheel walker, and now the four wheel type that I refer to as a "Cadillac," depending on what I'm doing. I will be having injections in my shoulder(s) next month, which usually provide relief for maybe a year. Pain is tough to deal with; we have to be tougher.

I had an emergency back surgery two years ago and have been left with chronic back pain to go along with a "blotched" hip replacement from 8 years ago when nerves were cut. Some days I get along better than others, but try not to dwell on the pain. I have Tramadol that I can take, but try to get along with Tylenol.

A friend of mine is suffering from neuropathy from shingles and has been prescribed Lyrica which seems to help. I understand from some reading that Neurontin is another drug sometimes prescribed for such pain.

Watch this video Dr. Robert Sarno

lucille, I think empathy shown to your sister is probably the best help you can give her. Surgery where there is extensive cutting of nerves, such as in foot surgery, takes time to heal completely. (Not the surgical site but the cut nerves - they are very slow to heal and that process if probably causing her neuropathy.)

phoggie, I take Tramadol for a back injury I incurred in 1995, and my pain is controlled the majority of the time. If I have break-through pain, which isn"t very often, I take 2 Ibuprofen. Please be very careful if you take Tylenol for an extended time as it is very hard on your liver and can actually ruin it. I've taken care of someone who destroyed their liver that way and it is not a pretty sight to see.

Fun2BHere - Yes Neurontin is prescribed for off-label treatment of neuropathy, I take it in addition to the Tramadol and the combination works good for me.

For all those who have chronic pain, regardless of what part of the body it affects, we just have to all be tough old birds and fight it down every day!!!! < :-)

Being 'tough old birds' is really all that is left for many of us. I "relate" to so many posts.....((((HUGS)))) everyone. I have damaged my kidneys by over using OTC Aleve; it did give me relief and I never took more than regular doses..and I believe I am paying the price. I am grateful that over the years and among the many, many therapies I have sort of learned, the ability for 'self hypnosis' or 'guided imagery'. I used it with a teacher to help me quit smoking years ago....not for pain. Today, I find myself using it , or the same sort of focusing on something so I can 'leave' my body and help it to relax. Maybe coloring also does this for some, or meditation. Focus is the hardest part....just turning off all those 'voices and noise' of our brains. If one can learn how, it is far better than a pill.

I wanted to respond because I happen to know someone whose doctor gives her periodic Botox injections, to treat her post shingles nerve pain. She says the injection greatly helps dull the pain, without giving her any side effects. I know they started using it at Johns Hopkins at least 5 or 6 years ago to treat specific areas of nerve pain.

Perhaps you could ask your doctor if this might be an appropriate treatment, if your pain ever flares up to more than what Tylenol can relieve. As well, perhaps your sister could inquire if her foot neuropathy could possibly be numbed by a Botox injection when the pain becomes too unmanageable. Her doctor will know if this might work for her, without compromising the mobility of the muscles and tendons in that area of her foot.

My husband had atrial fib, he had a heart ablation in December..now his heartbeat is regular but he's on blood thinners..because of that he can't take his normal anti inflammatories for his back, hip and knee pain..opioids do little so he sits around most of the time. His cardiologist says he should see another doctor about possible back surgery later. Meanwhile he has at least 6 weeks of blood thinners, maybe more..and nothing seems to help with his pain. He seems worse off than before the ablation. He's already had a knee injection and a back injection since the ablation.

A number of years ago one of my parishioners was suffering major pain related to cancer, don't remember the variety. A local doctor's son (I think) was married to her (daughter?) and the doctor suggested to some of the younger doctors in his practice that they learn acupuncture, but there was little interest, so he took training himself and when he treated this woman's pain, it offered great alleviation, but did not cause it to pretty well disappear, as I recall. I am not sure, but I think that there were a number of treatments.

It seems to be helpful in some situations, not much if any in others.

ole joyful

Gabapentin is a commonly used medication for nerve pain. Has your sister tried that? I'm really sorry, chronic pain is awful.