This week, we speak with Beth Harriman, an Administrative Assistant in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Can you tell me about when you first started experiencing the pain and what kind of pain it was?

About a 1-1/2 yrs ago I started waking up with back pain if I stayed in bed too long. It’s pain in my lower back and feels like a muscular ache. Some nights I will wake up and 2 or 3 in the morning unable to get comfortable. Other nights I sleep through the night but wake with pain and stiffness.

Did you seek help right away?

I didn’t seek help right away because I’m not one to go to the doctor every time something hurts. I did finally go to my family physician after about 8 or 9 months with no relief. We tried buying a new bed, thinking our bed was getting old and was not supporting my back well enough. The new bed has helped to ease it a bit, but not relieve it completely.

What did the doctors tell you when you did seek help?

My doctor sent me for diagnostic tests, including x-rays and ultrasound to rule out organ problems. Nothing of concern was seen. My physician and I agreed that it is likely muscle pain.

What have you tried to help you with your pain?

Stretching, exercises, new bed, pillow between knees, hot water bottle, sleeping on my back, propping knees up with pillow, moving around more during the day (I work at a desk and sit a lot).

Can you tell me a bit about what worked and what didn’t?

Stretching and back exercises seem to help a little.

How does having this pain affect you in terms of how you live your life?

Sleeping is difficult and obviously I’m not getting a restful sleep. I find I’m tired throughout the day.

If you were to look back over what you have tried/haven’t tried, would you change anything?

I would have visited my physician sooner.

Would you like to add anything?

Got a cure?

Thanks for talking to us Beth. If I hear of a cure, you’re on my list. J

Image: iStock.com

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Company’s calling – back pain

Added April 21, 2008: Tricia passed away today. I’m still in shock and disbelief.

Read here for more on Tricia’s very untimely passing.

This week, Tricia Olson-Giles, a photographer in West Tennessee, discusses her journey with fibromyalgia.

Can you tell me about when you first started experiencing the pain and what kind of pain it was?

The chronic pain/activation of the fibromyalgia came after a serious head-on car collision, with both vehicles at about 45-50 mph. I was in a compact car, hit by a full-size truck that crossed a grass median. This is approximately 5-6 years ago. My life hasn’t been the same since and the worst of the pain still continues to be in my back, though the thoracic spine, which is usually the most stable area of the back because of the ribs. At its worst as even the skin burns, I can’t stand the touch of fabric brushing on my skin. There are days a bra strap is too painful

Did you seek help right away?

Other than the emergency room stay after being transported via ambulance, I didn’t seek treatment for a while. I assumed things were just healing. I’m not exactly sure how long it took before I worked with internists on the pain, then I eventually received a referral to a pain management clinic, where I remained a patient for several years. I’ve had a combination of medication, exercise, physical therapy, nerve blocks, denervations even, trigger point injections, etc.

What did the doctors tell you when you did seek help?

It depended on the doctor. Some believed me and genuinely wanted to help, while others gave me the typical, med-seeking attitude. It’s frustrating, and humiliating to be accused of that, when you hurt so bad it keeps you awake at night, and keeps you from being able to sit still (literally) at a desk job.

What have you tried to help you with your pain?

All of the above, plus accupuncture, Thai Chi, Yoga, hydrotherapy, homepathics, heat/cold therapy.

Can you tell me a bit about what worked and what didn’t?

The only thing that honestly works are opiates, right now that is Opana ER at 30-40mg. It’s a 12-hour extended relief hydro-morphone. Heat and cold CAN help at times, as have some of the injections at times. Nothing works consistently.

How does having this pain affect you in terms of how you live your life?

I had to completely rethink my life, and it was a huge factor in my decision to go to work for myself and contract with another photographer. I know I am unable to hold down a regular 9-5 job without missing too much work. It limits the physical recreational activities I can do. I don’t even know if I’m still able to ride a horse anymore, and dressage was my passion before college.

If you were to look back over what you have tried/haven’t tried, would you change anything?

I don’t think there’s anything I personally could control/change. Doctors and other health practitioners either believe you and want to help or they don’t.

What would you say to someone in a similar situation who is just starting to try to find treatment and relief?

Don’t give up, and find a pain specialist who prefers to start with a conservative approach, i.e. injections, blocks, etc. before stronger medications. Also don’t be afraid to try Eastern medicine.

Thanks Tricia – many people have fibromylagia and I think it helps for them to realize that they are not alone.

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Company’s calling – a journey with fibromyalgia

Have you ever looked up the definition of pain? According to one source, the word pain comes from Latin, from the word poena, which means a fine or a penalty. Ouch. No wonder people often think of pain as a punishment.

The Merriam-Webster Online dictionary says its roots also come from Greek poinē , meaning payment.

The dictionary defines pain as: usu. localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also : a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leading to evasive action b: acute mental or emotional distress or suffering.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines pain as: 1. An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder. 2. Suffering or distress. 3. pains The pangs of childbirth. 4. pains Great care or effort: take pains with one’s work. 5. Informal A source of annoyance; a nuisance.

 And finally, the Merriam-Webster Medical dictionary defines pain as: 1 a : a state of physical, emotional, or mental lack of well-being or physical, emotional, or mental uneasiness that ranges from mild discomfort or dull distress to acute often unbearable agony, may be generalized or localized, and is the consequence of being injured or hurt physically or mentally or of some derangement of or lack of equilibrium in the physical or mental functions (as through disease), and that usually produces a reaction of wanting to avoid, escape, or destroy the causative factor and its effects <was in constant pain> b : a basic bodily sensation that is induced by a noxious stimulus, is received by naked nerve endings, is characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leads to evasive action.

I though the definitions were interesting.

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Definition of pain

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Company’s calling – 6 weeks of pain so far

Most people who are being treated for chronic pain are treated by their family doctor or their specialist for their specific disorder, but sometimes, that isn’t enough. There often comes a time when you need to go a step further and be seen by a doctor who specializes in pain management. That’s not to say that your doctor can’t do the job, but the pain management specialists can help find and organize a pain control regimen that your own doctor may not have considered.

Who is this pain specialist? The anesthesiologists.

Most people only think of anesthesiologists as the doctors who put you to sleep for surgery, but their specialty goes well beyond that. Anesthesiologists have spent many years studying pain and its causes, and they have developed techniques that help reduce that pain, if not eliminate it altogether.

If you do visit an anesthesiologist, usually at a pain clinic, you still keep your own family doctor or specialist. The anesthesiologist’s role is to help find you a good program to follow and then the continued care goes back to your doctor, with follow-ups with the anesthesiologist if necessary. Your own doctor can also use the pain clinic as a resource when needed.

Why can’t your own doctor do this? Doctors who don’t deal with high levels of chronic pain don’t usually have the experience and education to treat it. When someone specializes in a specific area, like pain management, they go to conferences, take courses, read journals, exchange information, do research, and so on, in the field. They become the experts. So, they become the go-to people for unrelenting pain.

When you first go to a pain control clinic or an anesthesiologist’s office, you will have to give a very detailed medical history. All medications that you take and have taken are very important. Even medications that are herbal or natural must be mentioned because drugs that your doctor prescribes may interact  with them.

While it may seem extreme to bring in a pain expert, he or she becomes another member of your healthcare team, with the goal of helping you live your life to its fullest.

Before you leave, please take our poll, What type of chronic pain do you have?  And don’t forget to leave a comment or email me if there is a particular topic or angle you would like to see covered in this blog.

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Doctors who specialize in pain management