Physical pain?

[Placebo]

Happy Holidays!

I'm wondering what people do about the physical pain. In my 20's the ptsd physical pain didn't seem to affect me as much. Now that I'm 41 it's getting to me a bit.

My physical pain is from being tense, and not sleeping. I'm good with my thoughts on the ptsd nights when I can't sleep and my adrenaline is up on those nights, but the after affects of the body hurting muscle soreness and head ache are no fun. I'll pop a Tylenol today and hope for the best as it's our family Christmas dinner, and I want to be good company and bring good love to my family.

Does working out help anyone here? I will look up research, but personal advice is welcome. Probably need to get back into yoga.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Thank you for being here.

 

[EveHarrington]

Are your muscles tight and this is what’s causing the pain?

Maybe a muscle relaxer would help.

I use Norflex for my tight shoulder & neck muscles.

 

[Kubash16]

So, I didn’t really ever feel the pain until recently. Just lived with the tenseness so long it’s literally my normal. I’m starting to feel my body more and pain is definitely there now.

The two things that helped:

1. Yoga. Restorative yoga is flippin amazing. I love it and it has reduced tension tremendously!

2. Massage. Still kinda complicated/hesitant. It helps my neck and shoulders a lot. But I’m struggling with the touch aspect so it’s taking some time. I went straight to starting with 60 minutes before my T knew. When I told him, he didn’t realize right away that I had already started so he was giving suggestions like only start with 15 minutes, absolutely don’t start with more until you are more comfortable (oops) and talking to the therapist beforehand about trauma history. I did do that one. And letting yourself tell them to stop the moment you are uncomfortable. Ya. . . Not so good at this one because I have this shitty guilt complex of hurting their feelings if I say no.

I’m not on any medication yet, so it’s all been this stuff and I can actually move my neck and shoulders so much better!

 

[Joan]

So sorry that you are suffering...I get it.... When the physical and mental are both raging are my worst time. I struggle with my body and how I think of it. Yoga has helped..I have to focus on the anatomical though so not so much into the whole yoga /yogi part. I do find movement and strength training at least make me feel better about me.
THis is something i am still working on and trying to figure what is mental and body memories vs. what has physical reasons for pain. I am having an US on my hip in a couple of days.
I know that massage is great for some people...too triggering for me personally.
Best wishes in getting relief!

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Pain, pain go away...don't come back another day....ha!...don't we wish.....some things that help me manage mine are:

Stretching every morning before getting out of bed....or returning as soon as I empty my bladder....doing figure 4 leg stretches, hip flexor, lying pigeon pose, legs up the wall, arm bends, etc.

Walking each day as much as possible, even if only on the mini-trampoline indoors.

CBD coconut oil, topically...I use Lazarus Naturals brand...can be ingested, too.

Hot showers...espsom salt baths....and I dry brush my skin prior to each.

A portable infrared sauna...got at Lowe's for around $100.

Coconut/peppermint oil topical blend...I make my own....often adding magnesium gel to the mix.

Massage therapy once a month....keeping that fascia in the flow makes a huge difference.

Castor oil hot packs.

Resistance band and dumb bell arm strength exercises.

Sit on an exercise ball chair as much as possible.

Hula hooping for core strength and balance...and fun.

Qi gong when I make time to do it.

Ice packs and heating pads...but I learned the heat can make the inflammation worse rather than better.

 

[Friday]

I have chronic pain, from old injuries. Something I found out quite by accident? I had a new injury and the doc gave me benzos in addition to pain meds, and whoosh! 70% of the pain -and my symptoms- vanished with the benzos alone. Both new & old. I’d forgotten an old lesson of mind over matter... if I don’t mind? It doesn’t matter.

Easier said than done, of course. Years of sports and professional athleticism (not pro athlete, just a physical job) had taught me to not care about the pain I was in, and antianxiety meds did jack. Which I know, because i’ve Been given them, before. But this time? My anxiety was up, so I f*cking cared how much pain I was in, which made it hurt more, which made me care more, and the vicious cycle just kept repeating until I was a complete mess.

Zip zip, no more caring, and bye bye most of my pain. Sure, it still hurt, and sure I was gimpy as f*ck (couldn’t put weight on my leg for weeks, torn ligaments and bone damage and infection in the bone, it was a proper mess), but I only used the benzos two or three times... because after the chemical reset (oh, right, like this) I could manage my attitude -and my yank my skyrocketing anxiety back to earth, on my own.

I am very explicitly not recommending daily/long term benzo use for pain.

I am very strongly recommending anxiety management as a part of any pain management. Which can take a whole lot of different forms. Including exercise to blow off steam, burn off chemicals, churn out endorphins, and strengthen weak systems that are yelping.

But it’s a good reminder, about how much anxiety can f*ck things up

Does working out help anyone here? I will look up research, but personal advice is welcome.

Yep. Absolutely.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Some things I forgot to mention above:

Acupuncture and chiropractic care help a great deal. My chiro practices the Gonstead technique rather than the typical pop and crack variety. I usually see each of them once a month, or as needed based on the state of things. Luckily, they partake in the bartering scene so it doesn't cost a whole lot....just time and effort (pet care/child care/laundry/meal prep/errands/etc.)...or else I'd likely not be able to see them.

Changing my consumption habits to a whole food plant-based lifestyle 5ish years ago, thanks to a medical emergency prompting it, as I rarely enter into helpful/healthful things gracefully, helped more than I ever imagined it could, too.

Giving up gluten, processed sugars, typical table salt, meat (I eat salmon or tuna on occasion now, but no other meats), dairy, (will eat a few eggs now and then), caffeine, and alcohol helped me healthily shed over 110 lbs. (I used to weigh around 324 lbs.) and significantly decreased many issues that kept me nearly bed ridden for quite some time.

My ankles, feet, and legs used to swell badly if I was on my feet very long, my back used to hurt to where I couldn't stand up straight and would have me in tears, I'd have brain fog and headaches, more stomach and gastric issues than I could keep up with, suffered from insomnia, mood swings off the charts, etc., etc.

I still have ribs that go out of place, my sacrum goes out of place, have bone spurs, just recently discovered an electrical issue with my heart (a-fib/atrial flutter), and some days are more bearable than others, as usual, but compared to where I was, I remain amazed at how much what I choose to consume can make or break my day.

However, I haven't learned how to navigate the crushed heart feelings that still arrive on a frequent basis as life happens at speeds I feel can no longer keep up with. Still striving for the healing combination(s) to ease those particular pains. Grateful for the beauty and loving kindness that distracts, or I'd likely lose my shit.

 

[Changing4Best]

Lately I have developed cramps and pains in my thighs, as if I am about to take off in flight away from something/ someone dangerous. So I bought a massager and have been using that with some success and relief. I also bought a bike, figuring exercise might help (and I have a gym membership starting on the 1st of the year). I hope with all these things that I can get some relief, because this is very annoying! (I also see a Chiropractor once a month.)

 

[Empty Shell]

I was always called clumsy it seems like mostly by my dad, (but I now know it was due to constant fear, uncertainty, scared all the time) an attention seeker, and why was this little girl so damned nervous all the time. (Everyone knew.) Over my life time from around 17 years old doctors and all the medical PRACTITIONERS out there became my social life. I am not a frequent flyer, I'm like a bad house guest who never leaves. drs., shrinks, self help groups, Urgent Care, ER visits galore, literally countless tmt centers, AA for so many years. I started seeing doctors to try and FIX ME.

I've always had pain of some kind. Now it seems to be getting worse. I'm no longer a drunk so I have no way to pass out and waste my life away, black out and ignore it. I've broken a lot of bones, I've totaled several cars most of them resulting in serious med problems, I've sprained everything I could possibly sprain. I broke 3 fingers 2 years ago, and actually survived not only e.Coli/sepsis 10 day ICU visit, but broke my neck in 3 places last year. C1 and C2 x2.

I found out later it's called a "hang man's break", and usually results in death. Otherwise quadriplegia. I don't know why I lived, and the thought of surviving day by day, my mind racing and not being able to physically function at all, not speak, not eat, not do anything.

My neck break was bad, yes. I'm still here for my son though, and I need to count that blessing more often.

I'm always in pain and it's exhausting.

 

[Placebo]

Oh my gosh as I read this all I could think was "I love this person so much." I am so sorry for your pain, and yes it did put my own into perspective. I am in AA, but for a long time did smoke marijuana for pain, and it helped so much, but now I am sober, so that's a no go. I will keep you in my prayers, and in my heart. Your strength is amazing, and I am in awe.

 

[Druidcat]

Believe it or not, I am a certified personal trainer. lol yes I know. I was in my sixth car accident last year (note, I was not the driver in any of them) and suffered a hip labral tear and a torn back ligament. So I don't teach as actively as I used to. I still do have ptsd. It's hard telling people that I have daily pain, yet I am a cpt. But I am in the process of moving my biz to a more pain-centric type. I have learned that exercise and staying active is so important to staying out of pain, especially ptsd pain. Sometimes yoga helps..sometimes I need to just kickbox it out. Sometimes relaxation is not what we need to release pain. :)

 

[Changing4Best]

I just joined a gym with a pool. I bought a swim suit today and bathing cap. I am so excited. For me, when I was younger, swimming was so helpful. I want to get back into it. My swimming techniques are very elementary though. I know how to do the doggie paddle, the back stroke and the front stroke only. I am out of practice too, so I am planning on staying in the shallow end until I know I am still up to it, since I am in my mid 60s now! You inspire me. @Druidcat