Chronic Pain And Ptsd

[MichelleMillen]

My GP is baffled, in his own words. I have been seeing him nearly weekly for months, trying to find a pain medication that would alleviate my 24 hour 8-10 pain. It's all over my body, and the worst spots are the centre of my back and my knees. I've tried so many different medications, from NSAIDS to antidepressants to narcotics, and each one failed to take even the edge off my pain. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis many years ago, but both diagnoses were sketchy and based only on my description of the pain. I had no formal testing done, no blood tests or diagnostic imaging. Now I don't know if I actually have either condition. My first clue was when I joined online support groups for both conditions. I noticed again and again that the forum members on both sites were experiencing symptoms I did not have, on a regular basis. My pain is high no matter what the weather, I do not have "flare ups" and I have never had times of remission.

So I began to research chronic pain and PTSD. I have had severe, unrelenting pain since a bad knee injury in 1986; from there, over the years, the pain has spread to my entire body, and gotten consistently worse the older I get.

I went to reliable medical websites and all of them agreed that chronic physical pain is one of the main symptoms of PTSD. One article even said that even despite pain medication, the pain will not go away until the underlying psychological issues have been addressed.

I finally got a rheumatologist appointment, but not until April. The pain is unbearable and has completely disabled me. Perhaps I ought to seek out a trauma therapist instead.

 

[Friday]

Perhaps I ought to seek out a trauma therapist instead.

Never "instead"... Always "in addition".

Ruling out physiological causes is part of a psychological diagnosis, anyway.

chronic physical pain is one of the main symptoms of PTSD

This would very much surprise me // I don't remember ever reading that. But I don't have my DSM handy at the moment.

 

[Deleted member 541]

@MichelleMillen I'm a bit baffled at a Dr treating you for rheumatoid arthritis, without doing a simple blood test to see if you have the antibodies for it. Why they wouldn't do that, in addition to doing an ANA, Sed Rate, all simple blood test is beyond me....

Treating you with medication without testing you is extremely dangerous. There is the possibility that it could be Lupus, it could be Sjogrens, CRPS, or it could be a host of different things. Personally, I think you need to find a different GP.

I believe with PTSD, that the stress that we hold within our bodies can cause pain, but not unrelenting pain that does not go away.

 

[Abstract]

Agreed with Shecat about the lack of testing. It sounds extraordinary. Have you seen a rhumetologist before?

What made you think of PTSD? I'm assuming you have other symptoms such as flashbacks and have a history of clinical level trauma from your past? It would be worthwhile giving a bit of general background for others to respond better here for you, There are many criteria for PTSD but certain types of trauma are always required and re living the event is too.

Pain is dreadful. I truly hope you get some answers. Are you active and do you have any other related physical issues? For example severe obesity.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I have chronic pain. It is due to falling 3 stories and a failed back surgury in which damaged nerves and now fibrosis (scar tissue) is pressing hard on some key nerves. I also have neuropathy in my thighs.

So, I have chronic pain because of something physical.

PTSD, for me, does make pain worse at times. It is not 24/7 making it worse and it doesn't cause it. I do have body memories with flashbacks but again, not 24/7.

MANY on here exercise. I can't but many do. That tells me that PTSD isn't causing them chronic pain 24/7.

There is zero symptoms in the DSM, that I can remember, that says PTSD causes pain. Body memories? Many experience that though not in the DSM, I don't believe. So, I wouldn't google search and would, instead, read the DSM when it comes to any mental illness.

I also would get a new GP as though there is not test for Fibromyalgia, there is a blood test for RA to look for rheumatoid antibodies. My GP said my negitive for them doesn't mean I don't have RA but it was a lot less likely. And he certianly wouldn't treat me for anything without testing positive for it (meaning not just antibodies). So to be treated for anything based on it's description alone is very unprofessional and dangerous.