I'm being treated for meningitis with rocephin and flagyl and it seems like all the pain that was in my head, neck, and spine has migrated to my face, arms and legs.
I feel like all my joints have knives stuck in them. I took my kids miniature golfing today and thought I would die from the pain. I was hiding my tears from them.
I normally take 3 Advil, oxycodone, and Valium to ease my severe pain, but right now this barely makes a dent. I don't want to live like this, but I want to live and have fun with my family so badly.
Money is really tight now. Do any of you have ideas to help me with this level of pain? The only pain management clinic in my town is not Lyme-friendly. I'm a bit nervous to ask my NP for help, but she is open to suggestions about Lyme symptom management.
I've thought of acupuncture, but is it very expensive?
I'm sorry I haven't been on the forum much these past few months. Forgive me for my absence. I've been dealing with a lot of stuff, including my dad's cancer and my son's continued temporary housing issue which seems to have no end.
Thank you and I send out my love to you all!
- Lymelady Julie
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
I accidentally sent this topic twice.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Hi Julie,
Acupuncture is effective for pain! Many Drs. also take insurance so all you have to do is pay the co-pay. If not, they are usually very good at working out an affordable payment plan with you. I would give that a try! I get the best results going 2-3x week for 12wks at a time. I have done 2 12 weeks sessions already and found it to be very helpful w/ my nausea, insomnia and pain management. I plan to go back again once my kids are back in school and I have more time.
PM if you have any questions.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
If you can find anyone with a PEMF machine, it can take down pain - stands for pulsed electromagnetic machine - it clicks electromagnetic impulses through a coil that we hold, which boosts the body's electromagnetic energy. This allows all kinds of good things to happen, including pain reduction. Chiropractors and physical therapists might have one.
Let's see - what else? The red light therapy with 660nm red lights - comes in 3s, also multi-array of lights. We hold it over the hurting area and the pain goes down. Light Shaker is one company that sells the units.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
neurontin helps me with face pain
oxycodone never did anything for me
ibuprofen does---at one time i was on 3200 a day
now i take 6000 fish oil and can cut the ibu down to 1200 a day
with out ibu in 3 days i cant walk
i have been told Bb makes inflammation so ibu and fish oil deal with that but oxycodone doesnt
also ice...i used to be an ice freak...i would pack myself b4 going to bed
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
An antidepressant will reduce the sensation of pain. Magnesium will help to reduce inflammation and pain. Vitamin D3 will reduce pain...that is, if you are low in it. A deficiency will cause pain.
Two things that have helped me so much are systemic enzymes and fish oil, which reduce inflammation and pain.
I'm taking Wobenzym. I couldn't believe how much pain I was in when I stopped taking it. Systemic enzymes like Wobenzym can reduce hypercoagulation, which cause headache, pain, and fatigue.
I was taking a fish oil with very high EPA, and feeling pretty good. Then they changed the formula, and it's not working as well. Fish oil reduces inflammation, reduces hypercoagulation, and provides the liver with things it needs to detox.
A deficiency of Vitamin B12 can also cause pain, including neuropathic pain. The aching in my legs is neuropathic pain.
When you reduce the pain with all of these, the pain that's left is more easily treated with pain meds.
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
Thank you all SO MUCH for the great suggestions. I will look into them all. I just can't live this way. With school starting soon I have to be able to get the kids out the door and help them with homework, etc. That's hard to do when you're in severe pain!
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
I'm so very sorry you'r suffering...I suffered for years like that as well...High doses of Vitamin D to calm my immune system helped along with sublingual B12 for the nerve pain...Just fyi, I didn't understand this but nerve pain can also cause a deep, all-over aching/throbbing (like a toothache) not just the typical pins n needles/tingling that we often associate with neuropathy...
Hang in there!!!
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
Thank you for the insight - I didn't know that the deep, throbbing toothache-like pain was nervous system pain. I've not had the numbness/tingling that others have experienced.
I have sublingual B12 that I haven't taken in awhile. I'd better incorporate it into my regimen again!
Posted by Bugg (Member # 8095) on :
Please know that it can take awhile, months for some, to feel the improvements of B12 and/or Vitamin D....So, don't give up on it too quickly!!
Also, you will need to up your intake of potassium if you take more B12....
Hope you're free of pain soon!!!
Posted by DolphinLady (Member # 6275) on :
The Biomat (infrared mat) is a medical device that lowers pain and reduces inflammation.