Penguin Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I have a skin condition on my hands that is very painful. Sometimes it is on my face, too. There is no relief in sight. Motrin seems to help, but I hate the idea of managing a chronic condition with medication. Every medication I have ever used on a long-term basis has caused me some degree of harm. How about meditation? I try to focus on the body parts that don't hurt, but beyond that I am not sure how to proceed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luanne Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I'd like to see answers to this as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 You might check into Reiki. You can also learn to give yourself Reiki. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Have you had it diagnosed by a doctor? Are there medications available that actually treat the problem instead of masking it? If so, I'd take the meds. What is the cause for the pain? Is it inflammation? Curcumin (the active anti-inflammatory in tumeric) can be helpful. I take 500 mg morning and night but the naturopathic doc told me that it takes a few weeks for it to build up in the body to optimal levels. It sounds like it is exacerbated by stress? I would take magnesium either in epsom salt baths or CALM by Natural Vitality (a powder that makes a citrusy magnesium drink) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Curcumin (the active anti-inflammatory in tumeric) can be helpful. I take 500 mg morning and night but the naturopathic doc told me that it takes a few weeks for it to build up in the body to optimal levels. Can you take that along with something like Ibuprofen, or is it one or the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I highly recommend pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices for pain and have used one myself to treat long-term, nocturnal, lower back pain that didn't respond to anything else. It took about 4 weeks of using it throughout the day to notice a change but eventually the pain went away entirely. I sleep the whole night now with no problems. The best devices are made in either Russia or Europe where they've been used for many decades. (Nikola Tesla was one of the first to use this type of therapy around 1900.) The US began to allow their use on race horses. From there, sports trainers heard about them and began using them secretly on players' injuries. Devices were finally approved for use on humans but most people or physicians don't know much about them. The NIH is conducting studies if you want to read about studies here in the US. I have the Almag-01, btw. They are not cheap. Mine was $600. I imagine for your condition, something like the Sota Magnetic Pulser could work. It's about $350. You'd want to check what would work best for your condition especially since you are dealing with your face. One of the most knowledgeable people in the US is Dr. Pawluk. You could contact him. http://drpawluk.com If you have implanted devices, like a pacemaker, then you'd want to ask someone who is knowledgeable how to use one. Also, you wouldn't want to use one when you're pregnant. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Does your insurance permit you to see a pain specialist? One of my kids had an awful deep pain in one thigh that ultimately only responded to an injection that lasted six weeks. This was after trying TENS, physical therapy, etc. Kid, now an adult, manages with Advil as needed now (once tests and scans ruled out blood clots, bone cancer, etc. the pain lessened, too. Doctor figured it was/is a nerve problem.). Point is, a pain specialist will have more ideas and be able to advise you better than a plain old doctor (or us). Odds are a pain specialist has dealt with what is causing your pain in other patients. Good luck! BTW, this is the pain doc. we used. http://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-eugene-lipov-y4nxk Before we were referred to Lipov, by the bone doc our pediatrician sent us too (thinking perhaps there was something wrong in her thigh bone), I didn't even know pain doctors existed!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Can you take that along with something like Ibuprofen, or is it one or the other? You can take both. i tend to stay away from the ibuprofen and the like because chronic pain means that I am taking too much of them too regularly. I have prescription pain relievers (non-narcotic) that are safer for long term use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Acupuncture can be helpful with some chronic pain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Ten cherries a day are said to be stronger than ibuprofen for anti-inflammatory power. Pineapple juice (4 oz/day) has a similar benefit. Turmeric and Salmon are both strong anti-inflammatory foods too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Expanding a bit on what I hinted at above. Long term NSAid use can be very bad for your health. It can lead to higher blood pressure, ulcers, and can lead to kidney damage and less commonly liver damage. There are prescription NSaids available that can lessen some of those effects, plus a doctor will monitor you making it safer overall. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganCupcake Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction has been used for chronic pain and other chronic conditions with clinically proven success. Jon Kabat-Zinn has at least one smart phone app that leads you through various types of meditation used in MSBR. There are also books. Here is a link to some of the studies about MSBR: http://www.mindfullivingprograms.com/whatMBSR.php I just got my DH this book: Mindfulness for Beginners It comes with a CD. My DH has been meditating and it has been very helpful to him in a variety of ways. He's a skeptic, but he was impressed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 You can take both. i tend to stay away from the ibuprofen and the like because chronic pain means that I am taking too much of them too regularly. I have prescription pain relievers (non-narcotic) that are safer for long term use. Thanks, Jean. Do you mind sharing what kind of prescription pain reliever you take? I've been taking too much Ibuprofen because I haven't been to the Rheumatologist lately (I have RA), but nothing works for me like Relafen did. I took it for nearly 18 years, but since I haven't been to the doctor, my supply has finally run out, and Ibuprofen is just not cutting it. I'm contemplating trying one of those internet doctors to see if maybe I can get some prednisone and Relafen, but often those kind of places don't want to deal with people who have chronic conditions. I went for nearly a year and a half with no flares and hardly any meds and was feeling pretty good, but I think the great life change is messin' with me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Ten cherries a day are said to be stronger than ibuprofen for anti-inflammatory power. Pineapple juice (4 oz/day) has a similar benefit. Turmeric and Salmon are both strong anti-inflammatory foods too. I forgot about cherries. My rheumatologist at a major hospital even recommended cherries. My DH has gout, and they work wonders for him -- they always help him get over a flare. I never thought they were as helpful to me, but I think I'm going to try, given that I am kind of desperate. I didn't know that about pineapple juice. I wonder if it works if you take it in the form of a pina colada. :-) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Thanks, Jean. Do you mind sharing what kind of prescription pain reliever you take? I've been taking too much Ibuprofen because I haven't been to the Rheumatologist lately (I have RA), but nothing works for me like Relafen did. I took it for nearly 18 years, but since I haven't been to the doctor, my supply has finally run out, and Ibuprofen is just not cutting it. I'm contemplating trying one of those internet doctors to see if maybe I can get some prednisone and Relafen, but often those kind of places don't want to deal with people who have chronic conditions. I went for nearly a year and a half with no flares and hardly any meds and was feeling pretty good, but I think the great life change is messin' with me. Mobic (Meloxicam) and Diclofenac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 Lots of good ideas - thank you! I have a diagnosis. The treatment is a drug that has already caused me harm, and I will no longer take it. There is another medical therapy that I am hoping to have access to, but right now I don't. Seeing a pain specialist is an idea. I am open to alternative therapies like Reiki, acupuncture, and meditation. Anything that can't do harm is worth trying, IMO. Yesterday, a friend suggested reflexology. And soak my hands in epsom salt baths. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Shakti Mat It's basically an acupressure mat and releases endorphins to stop pain. You do have to take some time to get used to it. You can start with shorter times and wear a thin t-short and work up to it. Here are some tips. You don't have to use it directly on your hands. If you lie down with it under your back it will release enough endorphins to stop quite a bit of pain. It's very relaxing and we usually fall asleep when we use it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I have a leg injury. I do pt and walk. If I don't, it can make walking difficult. To the point a cane would be helpful. If I do, it doesn't bother me as much. Yoga is also helpful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 Shakti Mat It's basically an acupressure mat and releases endorphins to stop pain. You do have to take some time to get used to it. You can start with shorter times and wear a thin t-short and work up to it. Here are some tips. You don't have to use it directly on your hands. If you lie down with it under your back it will release enough endorphins to stop quite a bit of pain. It's very relaxing and we usually fall asleep when we use it. The other recent thread reminded me that I thought this sounded like a good idea. Thanks! I am getting one :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yoga I had acute pain vanish after one relaxation-focused yoga session. I wasn't expecting it either. I had the pain for several days and just went to the yoga session to accompany a friend. I would choose a yoga class that was focused more on relaxation and less on complicated moves like standing on your head. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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