Yes me too not that I take anything am lucky but know others suffer greatly from pain & I feel for them. I believe no one knows anything really or cares till they walk a mile in your shoes or suffered same. Hope you get the help you need to be pain free. Good luck.
Hi Doctor K I am a psychologist and I have lived with chronic pain for 32 years. I use to get NMDA wind-up once a year so. Which….is more than enough! I have talked with doctors or tried to talk with doctors over the years regarding the disease of pain. I have listened to many of your videos. This last one really really affected me. I am shocked, in a good way, about your knowledge of emotions, different kinds of pain and your understanding of the humanity in individuals. Your empathy is is priceless. Most doctors, in my experience have split themselves off from the things you have dove right ino. You are so incredibly valuable and unique. Thé world of medicine would be much further along if we could clone you. ❤
As a long time pain sufferer, the information here provides to me is more in one video than what my dress my whole life has shared with me. I’m glad he’s being recognized by his peers
I am a retired RN. I was hit by a patient 23 years ago an have bone grafts and plates C3-C7. I’ve been more verbal about my pain because I don’t have to be beyond reproach and feel I can allow myself to take something for pain when I need it. I can’t take it often because I need it to work when I need it. I feel if I keep my dosing down to a couple of times a week it should work. I do feel like my pain is in my brain, spreading out throughout my body. I’m glad you said it. Just that power of knowing what I thought was happening was. I wish I did know how to correct this. The opioid crisis has hurt me I get 20 Nucynta pills every 3 months. Big joke! Insurance won’t cover those either. When insurance stops covering the nerve blocks I really don’t know what to do. Those money grubbing bean counters and the idiots at the CDC should have to feel my pain!
Janet, I feel so bad for you. Thank you for all the years of serving in the nursing community. I have had 3 spinal surgeries, 2 neck surgeries, and 2 foot surgeries. I have a Dr who is working with me with my pain for several years now. Thank God for her.
RN and massage therapist here--are there any cranial sacral massage therapists in your area with a high degree of training? (I prefer the training from Upledger Institute)
The DEA has justified their jobs and bloated budget by intimidating pain management doctors and patients Witt chronic pain . What the DEA needs to do is prevent the street fentanyl , that is made in someone’s kitchen in Mexico, from getting into the states . I’m grateful that I have a pain management doctor .
@@honey-feeney9800 i know like whey dont we ever hear, you know, you dont need insulin... you just -think- youre in a coma... you need to meditate more and your diabetes would totally go away! (because you'll be dead) or youre obviously seriously addicted to chemo. you get it over and over again and arent stopping. you are just afraid of cancer because you -think- its bad. but cancer will only kill you if you believe it will! have you tried aromatherapy? or you dont really need that broken bone fixed. its all in your head. you just need to drink carrot juice. you wont even notice that broken bone in a few days. why dont we ever hear this? dr you seem suspiciously addicted to oxygen. you cant seem to stop breathing and you get =very= aggrivated if i am choking you and you cant breathe. you really need to give up oxygen for good, its obviosly ruining your life, once you stop using oxygen forever you'll feel sooooooo much better. stop trying to put lipstick on this pig drs. we arent buying it.
Since your injury occurred at work, workman's comp should be handling your meds and any treatments you receive Did you settle with them at some point? If not, then they should still be covering you.
The most profoundly liberating and refreshing thing a health provider EVER said to me was “YOU are the EXPERT on you” wow stunning it wasn’t a MD RN NP PA DDS OR DC. It was my trauma therapist. I have had chronic medical problems from age 4 to present, many times I’ve seen a provider through a near lifetime until a few years ago none ever told me anything like that. I feel it was very empowering and helped build a little self esteem. I needed that at the time.
So happy to hear that you found a doctor that understands what I repeatedly end up telling my doctors. Which is, "I've lived in this body for 55 years, I know it better than anyone.".
@@shelleythompson-brock6412 no doctor ever told me that. My trauma therapist is older than dirt but perhaps with that comes wisdom. I’ve seen a lot of doctors none ever reassured me in that way. It was validating at the very least.
@@islandbirdw Yep. Best doctor I've ever had and trusted was my childhood doctor (a D.O.), and even took my children to him until he retired. I have scoliosis and severe back/joint pain since birth, among a litany of other things. All the specialists wanted to put rods in my back. My doctor advised against it until the pain got so bad that I couldn't endure it any longer. I've always endured and don't have to deal with the myriad of issues that would've stemmed from having rods installed. I'll forever be grateful for Dr. P.J. Kirlin, D.O., and wish all doctors could be as wonderful as he.
My ear dr said that too. He said "chronically ill patients like you know your body really well and are usually correct about what you tell us. I have learned to listen." I almost cried!
@@islandbirdw I was in a bad car accident. I can not tell you how many times and for different problems that I got much better advice and protocols from my physical therapists than the doctors. They were much more of the "what works for you" mindset.
There are psychological aspects to pain, but the physical MUST be treated too. I was told "pain cant kill you" and "mind over matter" and i even became a Buddhist nun to practice meditation better. When i slipped and fell in the bathroom i seriously damaged my hip and spine. The ortho had my chart mixed with another and told me my injuries did not match my pain, and there was nothing he could do. He did not even refer me to physical therapy. Turned out i DID have serious injuries the next dr showed me on the mri and xrays. Because i was put off and made to wait i developed CRPS and have required a wheelchair since 2016. If i had been put into physical therapy right away i probably would have fully recovered. Instead i went through 3 or 4 12-week PT stints just to be able to sit up but the nerves are too damaged to be able to do much else. I cant even tolerate the air touching parts of my leg without feeling like i am being burned or shocked. Yes, meditation helps me cope... but it does not heal the physically damaged nerves, and they wouldnt even be that damaged if not for medical neglect. I would be walking if not for medical neglect. If i end up with a blood clot from being in a wheelchair... pain WILL have killed me! Maybe not directly, but pain DOES kill. Pain can cause heart attack too, so that "pain cant kill" stuff is bunk. Tolerating high pain is not healthy and can cause lasting damage. That is why i hate when doctors ONLY focus on the psychological aspect of pain. There are real physical aspects too. Healing the mind does not cure all pain and can be a distraction when the physical cause should be addressed promptly.
Ok doc, you have blown me away with this episode. This explains so much of my suffering for over 30+ years. I am in tears, I can't believe all the pain I've suffered without having an explanation that made sense at all and, here you come along...
Dr, I’d just like to thank you for being such a kind-hearted person. You obviously care very much for others and it’s wonderful to know. Anyone that’s fortunate enough to be a patient of your is blessed. You offer so much that is largely missing from the medical community. There seems to be an ever increasing lack of empathy and I feel like many people feel like a number. It’s a shame that doctors aren’t required to treat patients with the love and respect that you always do. 🌺
With degenerative disk dis-ease and cervical stenosis, I was referred to a neurosurgeon. He told me that my surgery was not a slam-dunk case and I wouldn't necessarily achieve what I was looking to (coming off of pain meds and living pain-free). I was upset and almost angry at first. Anyone living in pain, I believe, would understand my initial reaction. I've since come to greatly appreciate my neurosurgeon even more.
I am similarly afflicted. Initially went to neurosurgeon when my arms were painful and I'd not known how I'd survive...I was told to come back when it became unbearable. After researching surgical options I realized there were no good ones. Acupuncture by an amazing man seems to decrease the nervous system response to the pressure on nerves.
Well, better an up front in expectations and likiehood of success doctor than blowing sunshine and you joining the 1/3 of back surgeries that fail. Because, 1/3 of back surgeries for pain become failed back surgeries, which strongly suggests that those patients were poor candidates for surgery in the first place. I've got SI joint problems, massive muscle and connective tissue lumbar damage, cervical osteophytes causing mild to moderate problems, a AAA that isn't large enough yet for surgery, hyperthyroidism, separated shoulder that's not quite severe enough for surgery and osteoarthritis. The only thing listed that I'd consider surgery for eventually is the AAA, which likely will be a full surgery, as the renal arteries are involved in the aneurysm. Realistic expectations, honestly from one's physician and understanding what is possible vs unlikely or impossible is critical in forming a baseline of expectations for one's abilities and limitations and quality of life is problematic without that foundation.
Talk about "medical PTSD," I feel unsafe every time I go to a doctor for help. That is a well-learned defense after having 33 years of Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. It started when I was 24. Now I also have Long Covid and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hearing this compassionate explanation of chronic pain is so rare and so welcome that I feel at the edge of tears as I listen. By the way, I LOVED having Ketamine IV treatments. I wish I could afford them every two weeks. Very helpful.
Doctor, you are a pioneer and one of the very rare doctors who actually pursue true healing, not just symptom management, for your patients. I recently found you and absolutely adore all your content. I had an acquaintance whom I believe is now dead from OD on street drugs. I do wish I could have turned back the clock and sent her to you. Towards the end she became schizophrenic as a result of her drug use, which was a result of her family trauma. Please continue to educate us. I will like, share, subscribe (already am LOL)
Nutrition and diet require more time and study than is presently required in medical schools. It's so refreshing to find doctors who have delved further into that knowledge on their own. 🙏🥰🙏
@@marysharpe6181 I have it secondary to Hashimotos Thyroiditis, and it is NOT in your head. I'm fortunate enough to have my doctor treat for it the best she knows how to. I wonder if you have any of the same weird symptoms as me...
@Mary Sharpe I completely innerstand your feelings as I suffer from chronic low back pain, fibro, osteoarthritis, cervical stenosis, arthritis in both knees, bilateral carpal tunnel and much more. (I'm only 52) That being said, what he's explaining makes perfect sense to me. We are finding out, granted very slowly, that everything we've been taught, including drs and all career avenues, is absolutely wrong. With that in mind, try to innerstand that he's teaching the truth and start to research for yourself to see what he means. I was always under the belief, since finding out we've all been lied to about everything, that all doctors were simply indoctrinated (that's what all forms of current education are) and neglected to do any studies and research on their own outside of medical school. Then I came across this guy. We not only have a broken med system, all systems were created broken with no desire to ever fix them. Brainwashing has been what we've all been subject to. Drs, especially.
@Zephyr Hills goodness! I'm so sorry! I have a lot of stomach problems lately myself. I'm certain is from diet in my younger years and being on and off pain meds since a bad car accident in 1990. I've changed my diet but it's apparently too late. I, too, had pylops and h-roids recently removed and I'm waiting for a follow-up appt and it's over a month away from my procedure (broken med system). I hope you find some relief and help soon. Have you thought about Chinese medicine/herbs? It's expensive but it's tried and true and healthier than the American alternative of chemical concoctions. An herbalist would be who you'd want to see. I hope this helps. Much love and many blessings to you and to all! 🙏🥰🙏
This applies to Multiple Sclerosis as well. I had a crazy episode that nobody can explain in 2015 (not Cleveland Clinic or Mayo) that left me in hospital for 10 weeks and paralyzed from waist down (I did recover with lots of PT). Then I got diagnosed with MS in 2020 after another episode with a lesion at the C2-C3 and some other markers (that I had since 2015 like OG bands). Anyways that first episode gave me a LOT of nerve damage really fast. Working in mental health, I knew I didn't want to get on pain meds out of fear of addiction and I fought and fought to make it without it. Cannabis has been a lifesaver. However, this is how the pain doctor explained it to me which helped me understand but didn't help the pain LOL. He said, look at your foot. You are having really sharp shooting pains on and off that are intolerable at times and it's very real pain. However, your foot is not "hurt." There is nothing actually wrong with your foot per se. There is something very wrong with the messaging signals between your foot and brain. Again, it didn't take the physical pain away, but it helped me not feel so crazy, which a lot of people like to make people with "invisible illnesses" feel. I hope that explanation helps someone like it did me. People seem to accept that explanation like they have an "ah ha" moment. 😁😂
I live with MS and I do take norco for pain. The pain is in my legs. I did have nerve pain and Jesus took it. I felt it leave from my feet after my pastor prayed for me through text and as soon as I said amen, within a few minutes I felt it leave and I haven’t had it back since. I still have the muscle pain lol. I’m glad I have norco because I needed it for after my port replacement procedure. The first week is the worst. But, I am not afraid of being addicted. I take it when I need it. That’s mostly at night and sometimes half them. It helps. It is weird how MS works and causes pain where nothing is wrong. But the pain med does work and so does the tizanadine at night. It seems that during winter, pain wasn’t as bad but when spring and summer hits, it’s worse. So so weird.
@@jessicajarsak7812 here's the fun part. Some opioids can increase muscle tension, actually causing more pain. The body, ill understood, but we all have to live with the damnable things. :/ But, at least you can tolerate the hydrocodone, I can't tolerate them well, I dump tons of histamine and literally feel like I'm dying with any of them.
Your words were perfect!!!! You explained this in such a caring supportive way!!! I wish I had known or accepted this decades ago. This information only can help Your thoughtfulness is so beautiful and Your courage magnificent!!!
I can tell you one thing that makes any kind of pain an order of magnitude worse - not getting enough sleep. Getting enough sleep makes such a huge difference!
“Perceived Danger Pain”. I wish doctors would’ve explained my Fibromyalgia to me like this early on. Them saying to “reduce stress” resulted in me avoiding life and opportunities for growth because challenges used to mean feeling unsafe and flare ups. I know now stress itself doesn’t cause my pain - it’s perceiving the stressful situation as danger that does. The daily videos from the YT channel Pain Free You have been so helpful to me.
I’ve been dealing w fibromyalgia that was early Parkinson’s and then have MS caused by severe injury to spine and partially paralyzed but also have CPTSD and really love your compassion just having a doctor as nice as yourself would be a Godsend. There are such few good doctors left, I’ve watched many of your videos and love you sharing new knowledge, thank you for always coming from a good place, I def would never yell at you! Haha, thank you for everything you do, many blessings 🙏
😂 how many times I heard this … “Pain is in the brain “ you’re right Doc … I did want to scream that I’m not imagining this pain , it’s so crippling that you think you are closer to death anytime . The truth is it’s emotional trauma could be anything from childhood trauma to adulthood trauma and y oh don’t realise where it’s triggered from or how and when but your body gradually begins to become stiff joints her the muscles hurt the digestive system becomes weak gosh I could go on !! 😂🤦🏻♀️ Btw Doc you are amazing you make so much sense that other doctors out there just can’t be bothered to do ! ❤❤❤
Man, I wish I could find a Dr like you in Indiana. I live with chronic migraines that no preventative or rescue medications work for and the attitude of my neurologist is so rushed and uncaring. Thank you for sharing information with all of us!
I lived with “ migraines “ from age 11-43 until I met a godsend anesthesiologist who asked me questions like -“ Do the migraine medications relieve your beaches ? “ answer “ No. None of them helped and some made my headaches worse. Seemed like they jacked up my blood pressure .My aunt takes an Immitrex and migraine gone . I take one and it’s worse . The white dots in my brain MRI that all the other doctors said were the end result of migraines ? This doctor said we’re the cause of my headaches . He sent off blood for a test and confirmed an immune disease - can’t name it for you sorry , falls into white matter disease - my immune system is attacking the veins in my head -that causes swelling , pain , the blood can’t pass them thickens and eventually the vein dies off - pain, pain, pain and results in the white dots in the MRI . Untreated? My body will attack larger and larger veins likely resulting in a stroke . One baby aspirin a day and I haven’t suffered another “migraine” since . He told me if the headaches resume ? He’ll prescribe another medication. His attention and knowledge and care likely saved me from not only a poor quality of life but a deadly stroke . If I were you I’d bring this up and ask them to test you for this immune disease as an alternative diagnosis for your horrible headaches . Best wishes .
@@amyshew1151 wow that's interesting. Hmm I already have 2 autoimmune processes, rheumatoid arthritis and hashimotos thyroiditis. That's worth checking into. Thank you for the information and best wishes to you as well!
@@lindsayschilling8707 thank you, Indiana is ran by one neurology group with my insurance anyway. So I'm limited. Not fair insurance determines success or failure for patients
Thank you!! This is a very much appreciated video from a suffer of chronic pain. I’ve had a seven level upper neck fusion six back surgeries and 13 hip replacements the last one being due to metal poisoning I wish I had a doctor like you when I was dealing with this stuff. I’m using humor right now to get me through because you’re right it is in your head but just because it’s in your head does not make it any less powerful, or hurtful to a physical body but I appreciate how well you explained chronic pain and the connection with the brain because that’s where the pain is registered so you are correct it’s in your head!😊 but I can understand how patients would be resistant to that but I’ve been doing this for long enough that I really wish I would’ve met you in the beginning of this journey of mine it would’ve made things so much easier as I just finished my last surgery and as far as I’m concerned my last😊 as now I’m having to relearn how to walk and now I’m suffering from severe neuropathy to boot but I’m learning 🥳but I am very appreciative and grateful for my hardheaded and stubbornness that used to get me in severe trouble as a child because it’s the only thing keeping me going I wish more doctors had the ability to think about pain like you do because believe it or not they don’t or at least the ones I’ve seen and you are right you have to be your own advocate because if you can’t, who will but I want to just say thank you for a very well presented and thought out video and greatly appreciated by a person who suffers from chronic pain so thank you.😊👍
I’m so tired of the non verbal, and verbal treatment of chronic pain as if I’m a junkie or that I will be punished if I don’t agree with the dr’s next step, which was, ok, we are going to find the nerve endings and burn them. Of course it will come back so within a year and 1/2 I would have the same issue all over again. Oh, not to mention, All of my patients just love not being in pain anymore. (like he had invented a cure for seizures) I’m not willing to be a “thing to practice on, until I can figure this out, maybe”
My most awful surgery was when I ended up at at retinal specialist at a hospital after noticing weirdness in my eye. He gave me three options for surgery. I chose one... then he said "Come on back." What? Surgery? Now? ...without having a day or two to get used to the idea. I got on the table and soon said "You're not going to put me out?". Then came the needles in my eye and then a freezing probe. After that, he pounded my eye with a laser to "weld" my retina together. Afterward, I felt as if I had been beaten to a pulp.
Had the same thing happened and I was terrified and traumatized for months remembering it. I’m so sorry that happened to you because I know what it’s like.
Gosh I'm so sorry you experienced that. That sounds like a surgeon who is more concerned with raking in the money rather than their patient's wellbeing. Unfortunately, the system is full of ego-driven, arrogant and greedy drs just like that. It's sadly encouraged in society to behave this way. Not enough of us go *against* the grain of society. Much love and many blessings to you and to all! 🙏🥰🙏
This is very reminiscent of the challenge entailed in explaining the CBT model to patients/clients. The construct of catastrophizing is relevant. Some patients hate the idea that their thinking contributes to their distress. It takes a skilled clinician to effectively explain that no matter how objectively distressing an experience might be, it usually only becomes unbearable if we tell ourselves it is. If we have the ability to dampen our stress response by even 2%, by definition it is not the worst possible thing to go through which tends to reinforce itself- the belief that is.
I have a major case of medical PTSD from every doctor being pompous asses, chauvinistic, arrogant, etc. I specifically asked fir a female ob/gyn. I got the call from gyno oncology for my appointment and I was grateful it was a female doctor, but it was at a teaching school. PTSD fears were present that I'd have a doctor who would trigger me. As I said, our cancer hospital is a teaching facility, so when a very handsome young male doctor came in and introduced himself as the one who'll be assisting in my case. I may have been 50, but the inner cougar kicked in and when I saw his blue blue eyes, I had to compliment him. It was part cougar, part anxiety, and a lot of PTSD memories flooding in. He blushed and within a minute I sensed I could relax and not be in fight or flight mode. He was so nice, caring, compassionate, patient, and most of all (the huge trigger issue) non-judgmental. By the time the history was done, he left to get the attending and she was equally as nice as the hot senior resident. Yes, surgery was needed and done 12 days later. My anxieties were high, but I felt I was in good hands and everyone I met along the way was very nice and caring. I'm pretty sure the anesthesiologist was thinking I might need a psychiatric evaluation. My hot doc was there and I was in full cougar mode flirting away. I know, funny how anxiety is different in everyone. I tried to make my surgeon laugh but she did try. I have multiple things wrong, chronic pain being one from fibromyalgia, stenosis, and some wicked/nasty neuropathy all over. I have a great GP that I found. Fresh off of residency and up for challenges. Your patients are lucky to have a "sleepy time " doctor as sweet and caring as you are.
I have CPTSD, RA and fibromyalgia. Growing up being called sensitive as if I was over reacting is now perceived as an insult to me. I am trying to work through my trauma and no one wants to be in pain. It’s awful.
Do you know that acupuncture could help you ? Dr. Strittmatter is an expert in earacupuncture and can certainly tell you some experts in the USA, cause she is teaching there ! You can find her on RUclips… 🙂
I’ve worked really hard to manage ptsd, trauma, anxiety, depression. I’ve been diagnosed with RA, fibromyalgia, raynauds, osteoarthritis, DDD, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, Mortans neuroma, neuropathy, and temporal lobe seizures. I finally have reached acceptance that my brain is not perceiving pain correctly. There is definitely a mind-body connection. But, I’m struggling to find any doctors who actually help. I truly want to feel better and be more functional. Thankfully, I have an amazing therapist who specializes in treating people with chronic pain and childhood trauma. Also, I finally found a good podiatrist, physical therapist, and a really good neurologist/epileptologist. As far as pain management goes, I’ve decided to move on from my pain management doctor. He was gaslighting me,trying to convince me that his spine injections worked, accused me of lying, told me to “calm down” even though I was remaining perfectly calm. He said I was causing myself to have fibromyalgia because I was so worried about my pain. The only thing he ever did was prescribe gabapentin which I can’t tolerate, and he constantly pushed more and more injections/ablations on me, even though they didn’t decrease my pain. I suspect his clinic is just all about making money off patients, not actually healing or helping people. So now I’m on a quest to manage my pain through natural ways. I’ve been researching brain-retraining,acupuncture, diet,and physical therapy techniques. I’ve come to realize there are a lot of doctors out there that do more harm than good when it comes to treating chronic pain and chronic illnesses. Thank you so much for being such a knowledgeable doctor with empathy and compassion. You are so respectful of your patients. Your advice is helping more than you know.
Thank you. I have been following the research on chronic pain, neuralgia, since 2000. There is so much I could say about what I have learned and my personal experience. I would appreciate it if the FDA would back off of their extreme policies, not supported by the research. That would be step one. Step 2 is that we need more research on the role of the brain in keeping pain messaging going for years and decades. Until chronic intractable pain is more fully understood, with all of the channeling in the nervous system, the FDA is hindering patients from getting relief by threatening their health care providers.
Thank you for this video. I stumbled onto your channel and I'm very happy I did. I am an old woman with knee pain since I started walking as a child. My knee pops out, I pop it back in. My life. Two yrs ago I tore the meniscus in that knee trying to pop it back in. The Dr said while fixing the tear he would fix original problem. it didn't go well. I was on pain meds for a year. Two months ago my knee was really hurting but I was suspicious. Out of nowhere, I told my brain "This doesn't make sense I think you got the pain reading wrong go back and take another reading because it doesn't hurt as bad as you're saying." Now if anyone walked in my house they would have me committed because I sit a few times a day and have that convo, out loud, with my brain. It works! Usually, it will take the pain level down to my normal daily level (2-3) if that day it doesn't lower the pain I just except that I will occ have a rough day. I really didn't know this was a thing. I haven't told a soul how I've been controlling the pain. Not even my dr, you're the first I've told. Now that I heard you I'm going to go look for books or something that will help me develop this better. If Drs know about this there must be books, right?! I'm excited to learn more.
Thank you for sharing this important information. You did a fantastic job explaining pain. More health care professionals and patients need to learn about this. I have Complex PTSD due to many traumas experienced beginning in childhood. Not being safe and supported led to a life of hypervigilance, fear and bracing. Later in my 30's I was in a bad auto accident. Tissues healed quickly but significant neck & back pain continued for 20 years. I was finally fortunate to have a physical therapist who explained pain to me as you did in this video, and he introduced me to the education and tools provided by the Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (Noigroup). With these tools and help from my somatic therapist, my pain is significantly improved and the space between trigger and reaction is slowly, very gradually expanding.
Doctor K: As a hand therapist I applaud your information. Empowering patients with understanding the "PTSD" and/or their reported pain" whether it is an injury, loss of of a finger/thumb, loss of function, surgery recovery or outcome is the greatest gift we can give them. The first time I spoke to a patient regarding "pain and PTSD" I got a look that was priceless and they said, "that makes sense". This assisted to redirect the pain, work on how we could address it and they had more control than they thought. I am aware pain has many variables as well that require other interventions such as homeopathic, GMI and related health provider patient support. Unfortunately, this valuable input you are sharing is not a common thread throughout the US or the world. Healthcare has been controlled by pharmaceutical trends and a change in healthcare culture to make money by pressuring us to achieve productivity markers. That is, how many patients can be seen?, how many cortisone injections can be done, the referring provider not listening to the patient or having minimal to no dialogue on this topic. It is refreshing to see you are part of the future current in healthcare. Those of us about to exit it are saddened at times knowing the "care" in health providers is distorted. This sad thought is an ongoing talk among the retiring health providers. Thank you for leading us back to a human caring way of providing sincere care to all that cross your path. I hope you continue to give us more! All the best!
It is important to acknowledge the role of doctors, especially surgeons--who gain financially from doing surgery after surgery--in the abuse of patients and their subsequent trauma.
Phenomenal presentation explaining central sensitization. Spot on. Thank you. CRPS for 20 years. After years of learning, counseling, researching & being treated for "pain", its finally coming together & making sense. Its an awakening & resilient place to be.
Thank you so much, for the validation and empathy. Here's a bit of my story and how it relates to all this. My psychiatrist and I started ketamine treatment last year, except we're doing daily troches instead of infusions, to get those dendrites a' growin' back after decades of glutamate toxicity. I've been at this low dose for long enough where it's helping. A few months ago, I finally had the will to start PT for the chronic pain in my lower back (out-of-whack SI joint + herniated discs). Problem is, regular ole PT made the pain so much worse. Not the soreness that's supposed to happen - *pain.* We'd already done a thorough history, and given all that, he recommended pelvic floor PT. We're going back to the beginning, where multiple traumas started this whole chronic pain thing (three surgeries for endometriosis, one unnecessary oophorectomy, years of misdiagnosis of my back, plus other personal traumas). My new PT is amazing. She explained the same things you did - about the upregulation of our pain systems with chronic pain versus how things work with acute pain, and how trauma drives that upregulation. We're not doing any of the intimate stuff yet, because nope, not ready for that. For now, we're working on my fascia and CBT skills. When my pain switches sides or it ramps up, I say "I'm safe. I'm not in danger. Sleeping/showering/standing/riding in the car, etc did not damage my body." I've always been so resistant to CBT, because it felt like therapists were sometimes telling me to lie to myself. But here, I'm telling the truth. I _am_ safe, I'm _not_ in danger, I'm _not_ damaging my body by doing everyday things. And when I say these things to myself, sometimes, the pain subsides. A couple times, the pain was gone, for hours. Now, I'm also on long-acting opiates, so when I say gone, I mean "the long-acting opiates did their job a little too well". But these moments caught me by complete surprise, and if this becomes consistent, it'll finally be time to lower my dose. The other thing was, I didn't need to distract, because there wasn't anything to distract from. Distraction is the constant background noise of my life, so I don't focus on and amplify the pain, but it takes a lot of mental energy. So the breather wasn't just from the pain - it was a breather for my brain. Anyways, now I get the trauma/nervous system/pain connection a bit more, as far as how it works on me. I appreciate you validating our pain, explaining there _is_ a physical cause (besides the injuries or diseases we have) and explaining how treating the trauma can rewire the nervous system and give us relief.
Similar circumstances, I have a pain pump and it has given me my life back. I am an assistant director of nursing and raising my 2 boys on my own. My si switches sides too and I have endometriosis too. My mantra is sit down breathe the pain away as I rub my legs and si area outward, away from my body to literally get it away from me. I don't wish you pain but it is amazing to see someone with similar as I do at times feel alone in my pain especially since I was very young when it started 13 from being hit by a car.
@@plumsmom8043 I'm so glad it helped. Pain really is lonely 🫂and it helps to know that we aren't alone in this. We just can't see each other, lol. I LOVE what you do, where you're literally breathing and pushing the pain away from you. That's such a good idea! John Green, the author of _The Fault in Our Stars,_ talks a lot about the loneliness of pain on his RUclips channel vlogbrothers, if you ever want some more validation. He's way more poetic about it too, lol, with a lot of kindness and empathy.
The concept of developing "tolerance of uncertainty" is mind boggling to me. I have medical ptsd because i trusted people who didn't deserve that trust. My psychotherapist keeps talking about "creating positive experiences" to overcome my ptsd triggers. How do you create positive medical experiences when you are at the mercy of potentially egotistical doctors who can't/won't concieve of treating patients as whole complete individuals? How do you develope tolerance of uncertainty when you have had so many medical professionals prove that they cannot be trusted to do what is best for this individual whole person in front of them? I'm not disagreeing with you. I desperately want to trust. I desperately want to be able to seek medical care without PTSD triggers hijacking my ability to be seen and heard and feel respected.
God Bless you! I feel your pain through your words. My heart hurts for you. It's horrible to be in pain or be sick and am afraid to go to the doctor because of what others have done to you. This Dr K is an awesome doctor. I pray he stays that way and doesn't fall into the typical mainstream medical professionals we have to deal with now!! Our doctors and nurses seem to be there just doing a job that provides them with a paycheck. The good medical professionals have become dinosaurs. The ones now don't listen to us, are careless, their mind seems to be anywhere but in the room we are in and as I said because they are there to make money they don't care how they treat patients. Get em in, pretend to listen, send them packing. They get $$, we get nothing. We aren't fixed. We still have the problem. In many cases we are treated so badly we end up with PTSD and with the same problem or more problems that they have caused. I believe it won't be too much longer before we will see medicine turn around. The bad ones are eradicated. A new breed of doctors will be practicing like Dr K. Try to stay strong and think positive. I will be praying for you 🙏✝️❤️🌹
@@sglenn704 I wish that were true, (that they will soon weed the bad ones out and the medical field will improve). I believe it will get worse. Nobody is being held accountable or responsible anymore. They know it and nobody with enough power and position, will step up to correct it. It always ends up being about the money.
@@msgottaneedtoknow I don't know how long it will take. I believe you will see a big change in healthcare within the year. So many doctors were on the take with the vax. Getting paid hush money to put that stuff in people. Many doctors have already been taken down. Mostly heads of hospitals at this point. It's filtering down. I promise. Don't give up hope. I've been digging and doing research for over 4 yrs now about Everything about the government, healthcare exposure, eradicating evil from the world. Do some research. You will see!! We also have a new technology that is coming called med beds. 3 types. They cure everything from a cold to regrowing bones for amputees. They're amazing!! I promise you will see the day you are healed!!
Your spinal cord is the extension of the brain.. totally resonate with your video I’m proof of how I have switched off some of my pain signals thru intensive physiotherapy combined with strength training to now functioning without opioids three times a day.. combined with nerve blocks and rhizotomy thanks for the videos.. I’m in Ireland and wish you were here!
I have relentless fibromyalgia and SO love this video!! I have been on a low dose of nucynta (a newer opiod) for 4 years. It has been a total life changer, but I very firmly believe there is a way out...and it has everything to do with what you are talking about in this video. I can see why some people might feel completely invalidated by someone saying your pain is "in your head", but I believe it is in the way you are explaining. Thank you for your videos talking about how opiods can be helpful and necessary...but also this video explaining the possible root of chronic pain. I will be subscribing and continuing to watch because I believe you are very balanced and willing to try to truly understand what people are going through...and also real ways that can help. Thank you!!
I agree that all pain is truly all in your head. The problem is, the majority of people with chronic pain have been told 'it's all in your head' or, its 'psychosomatic' etc by that, the doctors telling them, really mean, you're 'making it up' or 'your crazy'. There are few doctors who truly grasp (they may know it intellectually, but they don't understand) that psychosomatic pain is very real and the patient doesn't have a choice in the matter, they can't just think it away. You are an exception in the medical world in really understanding psychosomatic pain. That's why you get a bad reaction, it's because the patient you're speaking to has been dismissed numerous times by doctors not as intelligent and empathetic as you, and when you say it, they assume based on experience that you are doing the same.
Enlightening!!! I had an anxiety attack prepping for my radical prostatectomy and in recovery I awoke in extreme pain. Thankfully the anesthesiologist knocked me back out immediately and I woke hours later in the room. It’s still fresh in my memory.
I've struggled with fibromyalga for over 25 years. I love seeing all this data and talk around fibromyalga. I have been told many, many times that the pain I'm feeling isn't real! It's good to see things are changing. Thank you for all of the explanation's and just taking the time to shed light on all of these medical problems. Knowledge is power! ❤🤗
I felt unsafe at least four times. The main time because the doctor was in his late 70’s and I had a reason to feel unsafe because he messed up my gallbladder surgery and I ended up with a bile duct blockage and chronic pancreatitis. I got cervical dystonia from the medicine given for nausea and I’m suffering for the rest of my life. my gut said don’t let him do it but a young doctor came out and said we are his eyes and we help him. Now every surgery I am terrified. I hurt 24/7 and have to take opioids for the rest of my life and I just want my life back. I used to have a fun and outgoing life. No more. Sometimes I feel that doctors just don’t care anymore.
I’m a Doctor Who does care but I do not give drugs, I do nutritional supplements with patients. You can even help chronic pain with light, energy and supplements used appropriately for pain. I feel certain you can find someone in your area, like a naturopathic physician, who may be dedicated to helping people get well. That means they cannot take any insurance because insurance for bids doing anything, but treating your symptoms with drugs. That’s how we end up with people being drug addicted because they’re not being informed prior to getting them started on drugs! Be determined, you can get well!
I have been lucky…I was sent to a surgeon for a consult about my degenerative disc disease in my neck. The surgeon looked at my X-rays and other medical tests, examined me and told me he would be more likely to cause me more harm than good. I certainly appreciated his honesty! I have a pain management doctor I absolutely love. He understands all my pain problems (DDD,fibromyalgia, lupus, osteoarthritis). One of my first visits with him he told me “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional “. He has treated me for 20 years and has tried everything to make my pain bearable. I’ve gone from 8-10 level pain to usually a 2-3. My medication has been the same for about 7 years.
Thank goodness, I found your channel. 20 year stroke Survivor left side effected my paralyzed shoulder and arm are causing me the most pain. The shoulder is subject and tends to dislocate easy. Three orthopedic doctors and three MRIs. I am told it’s a normal shoulder joint everything is there nothing to operate on take these narcotics and learn to deal with the pain. I’ve had shoulder pain for eight years. 8My daily pain is a level 8: I so appreciate you sharing your wisdom
I have CPTSD and fibromyalgia. My therapist told me that fibromyalgia sounds like a physical manifestation of hyper-vigilance. She is not wrong. I have pretty objectively painful co-morbidities, but I’m 70 years old this month, and I know that entropy comes for us all. The only way through this is radical acceptance, and in the way i perceive pain. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has helped, but I’m wondering if ketamine therapy might be even more effective. I’ve really struggled since the death of my mother, so I need to find out if my insurance will pay for it, or whether it’s possible to pay for it, myself. This has reminded me of how deeply trauma affects your brain, and how indelibly. Thank you so much for your compassionate insights. I think your videos help a lot of people to feel seen.
I think this is your best video so far, Doc Kaveh, and that is saying a lot because they are all good and thoughtful. As an aging woman I am finding myself dealing with increasing amount of sporadic pain, rarely severe, and trying to make the best of it because I believe it is a natural, normal part of human existence that is ultimately good for us if we let it be, and secondly I don't want to take pain killers that could ultimately become a problem. Old ladies with a painkiller habit rarely succeed in independent living because they will fall, have elimination problems, sleep disorders, etc. But recently I visited a spine surgeon who offered some pretty strong stuff. I declined and then next day realized that having a bottle of pills on hand to be used p.r.n is not in and of itself is a problem! Tomorrow I am getting that rx filled.
I am loving your sharing! I am still recuperating from thoracic and lower back surgery over 10 years ago. I was diagnosed over 40 years ago with fibromyalgia, as well as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I always thought those diagnosis are a blanket diagnosis. Just for something a doctor to use when they had no clue what was wrong with someone. Good stuff your sharing! 👍😘
Been through years of medical gaslighting while dealing with complicated and confusing medical conditions. But I do realize the key part trauma, fear and abusive relationships play in chronic pain and ability to heal. I really appreciate this amazing video!
Failed back surgery was something my surgeon warned me could possibly happen during our consultation. I even had to sign a form in the pre-op area saying I knew this was a risk.
@tmreed, I wish I was told that could happen to me. My surgeon never informed me that it wouldn't work; he said it should reduce the pain, and then when it didn't work, he transferred me to a pain specialist, and his attitude was like oh well! Good luck..
@@themysticmuse I would get all the details and find out if this is the best option for you and find out if going to relieve your pain and what is the chance of not working. Do know what kind of back surgery you need and what kind of damage you have to your spine
Pain is the breaking of the shell of understanding. Quote from The Prophet Thank you so much for your valuable wisdom and taking the time to explain it all. Love and blessings to you !! 💖🙏💫
Same, do you also have what I call chemical sensitivities? I believe this was my first childhood symptom…but it wasn’t until I was pregnant with my 2nd that the Dr said you’re highly allergic! I started to argue with him, because I rarely took any meds. My mom a former nurse and FMS patient had always told my 1 allergic reaction and the others to list as just “sensitive to” because it was only a rash, or was like speed making me bounce off the walls as a toddler. Dr said was also concerned that these were reactions to over-the-counter products like aspirin etc.
@@Laura0IN I have chemical sensitivities to scents, can't do glade plug ins or air freshners at all! But not sensitive to drugs or allergies. Just sounds, lights and synthetic scents! xo
Ok Doc, this was a good one. I took notes, as well. Being that Medical is passing me around again, because no one wants to "write" (Opioiid Pendulum). It is so frustrating being in pain until One chooses to take "the buck" that's being passed around.
I appreciate your passion for explaining and educating us. . I learned a lot about pain when I was fortunate to go through a pain clinic program for Fibromyalgia. . You connect the Mind/Body concept so well and I hope it helps many to cope.
Amen. In Washington State it's no pain medication - take Tylenol or Ibuprofen, it is all you need. I have 2 friends literally changing before me due to failure of prescribing of pain medication. I feel so bad for them. 💔💯💔
Cognitive flexibility... there are some really powerful words! Id Love to hear see a video on that subject. that is a life changing subject that we all need to learn. Thank you so much! Your knowledge is healing many of us.
Hello, Dr. K. Wow, this vid and your discussion really hit home with me. I experienced a very serious spinal cord injury and broken neck years ago. Ist two cervical fusion surgeries failed miserably leaving me in pain that was indescribable. Worse, my neurosurgen gaslite me something awful. He wouldn't even return my phone calls! My pain was so severe, my husband rushed me to the E.R. as I had gone into shock. After stabilizing me and given serious pain Rx, a whole smattering of tests were performed. To their horror, my cervical vertebraes (C-3 thru C-7) had twisted around somewhat in a corkscrew configuration. After being released, I found new doctors, a Neurosurgeon team, that were able to fix my neck and saved my life. Long story short, tremendous damage had been done before the FIX. I went thru 8 years of Physical Therapy (3 years of it continuous). The doctors told me prior to surgery that I had a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgeries (2 in one hospital stay); if i survived, I had an 85% chance of paraplegia or quadraplegia. If I had no surgery, I'd be dead in 6 months to a year. I'm extremely happy to say the surgeries were very successful and I'm not in a wheelchair!! 😅 As you can imagine, my pain for quite a few years was off the chart! At the same time, I was referred to a fantastic psychotherapist by my attorney. I suffered from monstorous PTSD. My psychotherapist treated me for 2 years along with prescribed pain Rx, antispasm Rx, etc., from my neurosurgeons. It was a an extremely difficult road that many would not have survived. Its a good thing I'm an extremely tough woman; I was NOT going to give in or give up! I was only 35-40 yrs. old at the time. My Neurosurgeon team definitely saved my life, but my Psychtherapist did as well. My PTSD was off the charts. I'm very happy to say I survived and was victorious over my devastating injuries! Yes, i still live with pain, I still take pain Rx, but it is well managed by my doctors and myself. Sorry this so long: I guess I'm trying to say, as you've stated, that painful injuries MUST be treated holistically. There IS sooo much more going on than just the pain, for sure. I'm extremely grateful for the hoardes of medical professionals who were involved with my case. Thanks to them, and my self-determination, I live a semi-normal life. Thank you for all you do! This particular topic/video hit home with me 100%. Thank you for addressing these issues; the central core to overcoming horrible injuries accompanied with indescribable unrelenting pain. Mental and physical repercussions go hand in hand; they are inseparable. You are a gem. Please, please keep doing what you are doing! And, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙏 ❤
Even when they don’t it’s still a silly comment. Sight and hearing are also “all in your head” so then people who advocate for being able to rid pain with mindfulness should be able to stop hearing and seeing at will right?
Again! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my fibromyalgic (?) heart -- SOMEONE in medicine finally gets us. We are hyperSENSITIVE. Everything is loud, it hurts, it aches, it's overpowering, now it's too HOT where's a window to jump out of, wait now we're FREEZING and could we please lie down thank you. (ugh lol) But we're like this because we've been hurt so badly that we're on permanent hyper alert and I so desperately hope for the day when work like yours and voices like ours help the general public HEAR us. I heard you reference the first critical bit of info about fibro: that childhood trauma and PTSD is heavily linked. THANK YOU so much for saying this, it's so important for people to understand. We are so often the victims of abuse, which is what makes us sick in the first place. It's not our fault we're like this, and we're not "faking" it. I'm so grateful to hear that validation. But there is one critical piece that I think medicine or society is either not seeing or doesn't want to see -- what KEEPS fibromyalgia patients sick. It's not our failure to do self-care, or regulate our diet, or exercise, or manage our time, or manage our stress. Sure, we could all be better about all those things. But that's not what -keeps- us -sick.- What keeps us sick such, that we never get better, is that we are never allowed to fully REST. None of us are, if we're being honest with ourselves here. It's just that fibro folks feel it way, WAY more than most of the rest because we've already hit our overload point... yet we survive. Stuck on overload. We already know that "stress kills," yeah? We tell heart attack survivors to really really really watch their stress. Well, we fibromyalgia warriors should be seen, respected, and cared for compassionately as the canary in the coal mine that we are. We must always get back to work, back to life, often back to sacrificing hours of our lives every day to barley scrape by. Doc, I bet that if you did a cross analysis of fibromyalgia patient treatment outcomes and socioeconomic status, you'd find a direct correlation; this is a stress-triggered illness and nothing is more stress inducing than living under the constant pressure of a merciless, predatory social system like an alleged "meritocracy," a hyper-capitalist system (which we should all see by now is corrupt monopoly imperialism). Why aren't we seen as what we are? -- disabled by the abuse of our primary caregivers, and thus rendered permanently in need of -some- kind of social support? Instead, the disabled in general are seen as an unsavory drain on society, and how dare we exist without working, and how double dare we ask to exist higher than mud-hut poverty? I say we should dare. We didn't ask for this, it was inflicted upon us. Unlike so many medical syndromes and conditions, we know that cause for many a case of fibromyalgia finds its roots in prior childhood victimization and abuse -- it's human-caused. We deserve better than what we're getting, whatever country we're in. Like climate change, fibromyalgia and PTSD are a man-made crisis. And child abuse is a C R I M E. But I digress. Whatever treatment we go through, we know we have to pay later. Whatever time we take off, we know we have to make up the work later and cover lost hours. And we are so often laughed out of a disability hearing, it's not even funny -- I was bedridden for 2 years while applying for disability and was told, "Sorry you can't teach science anymore, maybe go work a factory." ....as if, for one single second, that judge had ever 'worked a factory' with roaring pain screaming in her ears, fire ants tearing up her legs, the back of her throat swelling with the urge to vomit from pain so bad that she could barely see. There are millions more like me and way, way worse off. As a society, we are terrible at handling our own emotions in a frank manner. We're not taught how to love, share, or mourn; I know so many people, mostly women, who live in abusive home lives and live in terrible pain, disbelieved by even their own family, because no one knows how to cope with the pain of when mom "breaks." Speaking of which, I hope you don't take the gaslighting/normalization remarks personally; we are absolutely hurting, and hurt people... well... hurt people. It's not right, it's not fair to you, but anger from genuinely -being- gaslit by our doctors is very real, I'm sure you know. I say this with a specific wordiness because I hope it captures the attention of your team: Thank you. With any luck, some of the recent advancements in treatment for chronic fatigue -- as well as some of the overall societal changes that covid has brought about -- can start to swing the pendulum in the direction of a society which CARES for its people, rather than allowing the great masses of us to wile away our hours in pain and futility.
Hello, Dr Kaveh, I watched your video walking in the Golden Gate Park yesterday, which was a really great conversation to watch. However, it was the first time that I have ever heard any Doctor say 'Pain is in the brain'. I am fascinated by that. So, I've chosen to watch this video also, to get a deeper dive, before I mull it over. Thanks so much for the videos you make and the thoughtful, compassionate and down-to-earth way in which you make them. It is easier to lay down your guard and learn when there is no hostile judgement.
Great live stream, I enjoyed it! Do your feet smell after work? Lol! I really enjoy donating to the anesthesiologist Foundation, since it was hard for me to go to college because of my cerebral palsy, I really wanted to be a anesthesiologist physician! I’m 33 from Memphis! It takes a special person and skill to be a anesthesiologist or CRNA and you’re one of them ! You rock man
I'm going to try to keep this short, in the hope that you can tell what I am saying. I can literally feel other's pain and emotions. I can also actually see energy. I lived for years, trying to gauge another's mood in order to 'stay safe'. As far as my own pain goes... I have Dr's who know that if I tell them that I have physical pain somewhere, I am in deep trouble. I have had to have several emergency surgeries over the years, either because I didn't feel the pain I "shoukd" have ... Or, I didn't look the way they thought I should, with the severity of my condition...including severe Pericarditis requiring an emergency Pericardiectomy. I have always felt that if I stayed calm before any Surgery, that I would feel less pain when I came out from under anesthesia. At this time, I am experiencing a whole host if Autoimmune issues, and trying not to feel overwhelmed. However, I am also not being treated for whatever illnesses I have...only the symptoms. This is leading me to feel apathy towards my own ability to survive the Treatment, as well as the illness. So far, I have had 5 Pulmonary Embolisms, And several NDE'S. What does that say about my own 'inability' to process pain? Because I'd truly like to know just what I'm supposed to say to New Dr's who do not know me, since many of my Dr's have been leaving the Medical Field.
I understand what you are experiencing! When I see someone get hurt I have pain that shoots from my feet up my legs! This started happening about 7 years ago. I've had several surgeries. I think my brain has keyed into it and reacts.
WOW! This has got to be one of the most "awakening"videos I have ever seen. I will do some deep research ( in my case ) on Tolerance of Ambiguity. I am so amazed of this brain-body concept. Thank you. You are one amazing doctor, Dr. Kaveh.
I love you!!!❤❤❤ (Not in a creepy way) I love your videos that cover fibromyalgia and pain. Plus the way you explain things is so helpful. I struggle to find a doctor that will focus on fibromyalgia let alone trying to educate me. Please keep it up🤗
Some of my greatest pain is when my tinnitus is full blown. Because we are all different, my tinnitus is absolutely stress induced and therefore can cause me physical pain and mostly it's tiring and frankly exhausting when sometimes I can actually fight it off. I know that may sound strange. My point is: this was a Great video and I just wanted to contribute.
Hi, Dr. Kaveh missed live, but it was great! I still hope you will do a live Q&A on patient neglect in the ER, Surgeries, and Hospitalizations by nurses and doctors. How to deal with it as a patient, especially if you can not speak because of what happened? How do fight to get proper care when you are alone and have no advocate?
Wow, that is a good question. I have so many family members - my kids, my siblings and their kids, my cousins and their kids...etc. who would be there if I needed to go to the hospital. My family knows only too well how dangerous it is to go, even for oral surgery, without a knowledgeable advocate! I have had a number of church friends who have had to go to the hospital or have surgery and I've gone with them and stayed with them until they were in the mend. Then I made sure they were eating and taking care of themselves once they were home. I don't think many people realize how dangerous it is to go without an advocate. Hospitals and nursing homes are seriously understaffed compared to when I was younger and they had volunteers and candy stripers to help out a well staffed hospital floor. If you are involved with a church or some organization, you might see if there are other people with the same problem and make an agreement to help each other. One church I went to for a short time, i noticed a older lady that always came was missing two Sundays in a row. I asked the pastor if he knew where she was and if she was ok. He didn't know anything about her. (Churches are so different now, where the pastors and some with the gift used to go visit the sick!) I said they should have a "widows role" for people, especially elderly and disabled or single moms, who are living alone - not just widows - and to check on them regularly and call them if they aren't at church and see if they need anything. I ended up moving out of state, so I don't know if he followed up on it. He thought it was a good idea, but I doubt he would get it done unless I had stayed and organized it myself. :( The church my daughter goes to still brings food to new moms, and to grieving families. You just don't see that very much anymore.
I have put off pelvic prolapse surgery for fifteen years. Because of all the possible outcomes. Unfortunately, I’m now having kidney fluid buildup because of the pelvic prolapse. I have no other choice now but to have the surgery. Thank you for all your support of patients. I feel very strongly about patient’s advocating for themselves.
Re: 6:30ish. My understanding about pain while undergoing general anaesthesia is that the body absolutely recognises the noxious stimuli and the nociceptive nerves do, in fact, fire at the point of the stimulus, and both the spinal cord and brain can still fire and react to it in the absence of concurrent pain medication and/or nerve blocks. Is this now disproven? Even if the patient cannot remember feeling the pain, surely that can have an effect? The fact that we know that neonates suffer long-term consequences of painful procedures (particularly preemies) in terms of their later pain recognition and responses. I'm not arguing that your brain has to be able to receive and process signals in order to perceive pain... but the fact that stimuli that would be painful can cause autonomic dysreflexia in those with SCIs, despite no way for the brain to perceive that stimulus, shows that it's far more complex than if you're conscious enough to recognise the pain, and that pain can cause physical changes in the body, even when you aren't conscious of that pain.
My Goodness you hit the nail on the head .. it makes so much sense to me now from childhood tooth removal to having stitches on my hand from having a broken glass in it as a child I think something then triggered my brain with pain though I’m a strong person generally I find However that the attack of fibromyalgia can leave me feeling crippled for some time before the inflammation goes down
Because of my sleep schedule, I'm always missing the lives. Thankfully I can still watch the recorded live!👌 Your channel is invaluable. Thank you Doc 💛
Dr John Sarno tried to get the medical community to recognize that most chronic pain is associated with stress and trauma. He was laughed at and mocked even though he successfully treated many people with his lectures and cognitive behavioral therapy. I myself suffered tremendously from chronic back pain and his work helped me a lot.
What are your thoughts on being fast asleep during a nap and waking up screaming in pain (either phantom pain or my CRPS)? Cuz you aren’t worried, agitated, etc. but the body still sends severe pain signals with no stimulus
Not all pain is psychosomatic or caused by anxiety. That is why this focusing on the mental aspects frustrates me to no end. If a patient showed up with a broken arm are they gonna still preach reduce anxiety and meditate the pain away? Meditation and therapy and stuff is great and helps... but its not the end all be all! Btw... i have CRPS too. If im waking up screaming in pain i go back to physical therapy for a few refresher sessions. Mine might not be as bad as yours... i consider my case to be mild to moderate, not severe... so if PT is not helpful to you ignore my comment, but if you arent sure it might be worth a try. Also... kratom. I keep some for the absolute worse days.
@@AliciaGuitarExactly, to both of you. My fibromyalgia pain seems to be acute but repeated instances of hurting when I move because my nerves and brain are constricted with denser, tighter fascia and neuroinflammation seeming to stem from an awry autoimmune process, and from having fewer mitochondria which are also unable to use oxygen properly, causing muscle pain. Someone can constrict their nerves for a minute by tying their finger very tightly with a string, and that’s more “legitimate” pain-no one would say it’s their anxiety or whatever making them “hypersensitive”. But my repeated instances of acute pain (mislabeled as “chronic pain” IMO) every time I move a constricted, inflamed, oxygen-deprived muscle is not legitimate pain and I just need to learn to relax and think differently?
You’re talking about patient/doctor teamwork. Both dr. And patient need to be in the right head space to cooperate, communicate and participate in the healing process. Pain meds are only one aspect of healing. Brain perception is another part. Emotional healthy acceptance is another. Love your reasonable breakdown of information from a dr. Viewpoint. And I have fibromyalgia so I get what you are saying!!!
Expanding on the idea that pain is experienced in our brains, when you really stop and think about it, 100% of our lives and experiences are experienced right there in our brains. That means along with all of our physical pain, we experience our happiness, our joys, our loves, our losses, our sadness in our brains. Our entire existence is stored in our memories that way, so of course it makes sense that our brains are what are experiencing the physical pain, because it is our brains experiencing our humanity too.
You are such an amazing Dr! Love your videos!! I was gas lit at my last specialist, and the ptsd winding up at every visit. Its so hard to talk about it now
4/22/2009- a motorcycle accident left me permanently disabled. A car from the on-coming lane crossed over into my lane hitting me head-on. A dozen surgeries later I still deal with chronic pain but I hate the oxy's. I'm in the process, again, of weaning myself off oxy with methadone. I will not be happy again until I am off opioids.
My PTSD was seriously escalated by a a whole building of professional mental health staff who every day for 15 years harped on me about my chronic pain being caused by an abusive husband. I've never seen such trained stupidity in all my life. I'll praise God till the day I die for him being rock ever since I can remember. Sadly, I have been gaslighted by some medical providers as well. Just grateful I finally found a provider that has never once several years been condescending to me about my pain issues. Many thanks for your ongoing posts that validate my physical status & don't mock me for how I feel. And I hope that your point about being an advocate for yourself is never minimized or underestimated.
I had five surgeries, and it considers failed back surgery. And the last one was to remove more scar tissue. But, I have never been afraid in the operating room, and my doctor was great. It started when I crashed a police patrol car at 110 mph. I was a cop for 20 years until the crash. You must ensure you feel comfortable with your doctors; if you don’t, it is time to fine another doctor. I had one doctor I didn’t feel satisfied with, and ask for another one. The new one was fantastic. one who explained everything. You got to be comfortable with your doctor; if you are not, you will always be worried if things are going to be done right. You need a doctor that will explain everything before he does it.
I was diagnosed with JRA at 9 and have had chronic pain my whole life. I had a very supportive family who was NOT focused on my disabilities. My mom used to joke and say all her kids were handicapped - one was emotionally handicapped (overly emotional), another was socially handicapped (nerd), and the fourth was socially handicapped in a different way (somewhat of a rebel in a good way). We were always busy as a family and traveled a lot. My dad was with the airlines. MY problem is that I tend to ignore my pain until I end up in E.R.. I've had a doctor say my kidney stone was intestinal flu because I didn't act sick enough. An orthopedic surgeon say I DIDN'T have a fractured femur because I climbed on the X-ray table myself. Nursing staff discounted my complaints about difficulty breathing, until I started turning blue and had to have a tracheostomy. I always call it "breaking in a doctor" because my doctors don't take me serious until I have a crisis. This practice of having a hospitaler in the hospital instead of a doctor who knows you is actually life threatening for me. I always have a family member around to advocate for me when I don't have the ability to explain or defend myself. I used to be able to always have the same anesthesiologist, but they no longer do that either. I get the luck of the draw from a clinic of critical care doctors. Trying to pay attention to what hurts or is out of order makes life less comfortable - for me and those who help me. (My kids, I'm 63.) I have had so many people, and Doctors, amazed at my pain tolerance and my up attitude, but I always say I think it is easier when you grow up with it - it's just part of life and if you want to live life, you set it aside. But my family was what gave me the attitude first - we were busy with life and pain was just something to work around. Even now, I get 90 tablets of hydrocodone/Tylenol (10/325). I usually will take a quarter or maybe a half occasionally and it takes me over a year to go through all 90 tablets. That is the only opioids I take. As much as I ignore my pain, I really can't afford to mask it even more. The intensity of a person's pain IS very much their state of mind. A lonely or scared person will feel their pain more intensely than someone with supportive friends and family, or who feels secure in their situation. I was so blessed in many ways and thank God for His kindness to me.
So relatable to my life experience, thank you for sharing, reading your message gives me much comfort to continue in the cross between real legitable pain ie living in the blessings far succeed and are more greater!. God bless you.
@@kimberlywahl3624 I had a friend who had JRA who was diagnosed at the age of 4 years and she had it TERRIBLY !!!!! Her jaw was so out of alignment that she could put three fingers in her mouth (between her top teeth and her bottom teeth) with her mouth opened up and her fingers right beside each other and then she would put them in her mouth with her first finger against her top teeth and her third finger against her bottom teeth just as if she was showing someone that she was 3 years old with her first three fingers - only with her fingers closed together instead of separated . She had quite the gap between her top and her bottom teeth and it was VERY DIFFICULT for her to eat and I just felt so badly for her .
I used to have a high pain tolerance too . 1st grade ? Steve Monday stepped on my hand and broke my finger . I told him he broke my finger and he laughed and said he didn’t because I wasn’t crying . Never did cry and spent the entire day at school and after school care until Mom got home and she was my swollen hand and took me to the ER . Then , when an exploded L4/5 disc caused increasing pain ? I didn’t appear to be in enough pain and they missed it on 3 MRI’s and called me drug seeking . Finally , they discovered my out of control pain was caused by pieces of disc floating in my spinal canal and my life was altered for the worst with chronic pain caused by permanent nerve damage because my complaints of pain weren’t great enough for the effing doctors to take me seriously . Now I have chronic pain and I feel as if over time my pain tolerance has lowered due to overload . I don’t even know if that’s a possibility? But it sure feels like it ! I’m glad you have loved ones around to advocate for you . When we’re sick or injured ? We all need a caring advocate because we’re not at our best and pain can cause short temper which can result in poor care by ignorant medical personnel .
@amyshew1151 Oh, wow, what a horrible experience! It reminds me of the two years in Redding, CA, that led up to me going septic and having a trache and my legs amputated. I'm sure your pain tolerance is lower! First, you no longer trust the medical community, so you are going to be more sensitive to anything they do. Second, you are probably suffering from PTSD from the whole situation, and your nervous system is exhausted. I'm sure you know, living in pain makes you tired - everything takes more effort. You CAN recover from some of that, but it takes time and rest and lots of happy thoughts. Most often, about 90% of the time I ever take pain meds, I take them when I'm going to sleep for the night. Being able to sleep soundly really helps with the pain tolerance and the overall recovery. I have two good doctors who understand my pain tolerance, which helps. Like me, you have attitude toward the medical community, (yeah, don't get me on that one!) but try not to dwell on those negatives-- surround yourself with stuff that tickles your heart. I like certain types of music, I have a cat, hermit Crab, and a Betta fish. I have house plants I love. I watch RUclips videos that make me laugh. (Dry bar comedians are great!) For me, my relationship and faith in God - knowing He's with me - is a rock that stabilizes my life. I know that isn't something everyone can get into, but if you can, check it out. You are welcome to contact me personally. :) Sometimes it helps if someone just affirms you aren't a hypochondriac!
I was in a very bad car accident in 1990. It's been a journey since, on and off of opioids. Here we are, present day, and I'm in the process of weaning *myself* off of pain meds with my Dr's help. They obviously have lost their significant effects and I'm simply chasing an addiction at this point. I'm currently coming off of med marijuana, too, as I was recently diagnosed with mild emphysema. I'm ready to try to meet life on life's terms. I'm so incredibly grateful for you! Thank you!
Just in case you aren't aware of the option... you can make oil from the weed. Basically, just warm it gently for a few hours soaking in something like coconut oil. Store in glass in the fridge. Put some on a chip or bread when you want. It's slower and more subtle but still helpful without smoke.
@C. M. thanks so much! I actually have a Levo machine that does it but with disabilities it's not easy to stand on my feet long enough to set it up, sadly.
As an amputee due to destructive CRPS (3/18/22…full revision required 3/2/23) with severe phantom pain, the pain-brain connection is very evident because I can just be talking on the phone with a friend or even asleep, and end up screaming bloody murder because it feels like my un-existent body part is being electrocuted, stabbed, etc. I’ve had 14 surgeries in the last 5 years alone…17 in my life…with back surgery for a blown disc when I was 21, and 4 more back surgeries since then. Top it off with widespread CRPS, and my body is on high alert a majority of the time 🤕
I have advocated for myself with lists of questions and lists of what I need/would like during surgery and being a natural redhead having woken up during surgery. But the more than once or twice my concerns and requested were ignored by the "medical professionals" in the hospital. From sneaking in a student when I asked specifically for no students or residents, to having a lot of males in the OR for my hysterectomy when I simply asked for an all female staff for this personal and scheduled surgery. I NO LONGER TRUST THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. I HAVE BEEN LIED TO TO OFTEN.
How does this relate to other autoimmune diseases? Also, physical therapy has helped me tremendously with my joint pain. Why isn't that more readily available?
53 years of severe pain for me, so far. I was diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia 30 years ago by the (then?) head of U.C.S.F.'s rheumatology department. You remind me of him - a lot! Kind and understanding! Hope I can meet you some day!
I hate when people who don't live in chronic pain daily comment on taking pain meds
Yes me too not that I take anything am lucky but know others suffer greatly from pain & I feel for them. I believe no one knows anything really or cares till they walk a mile in your shoes or suffered same. Hope you get the help you need to be pain free. Good luck.
So true. I wouldnt have a life if i didnt have help.
Me to.
I was one of those until having chronic debilitating pain.
Hi Doctor K
I am a psychologist and I have lived with chronic pain for 32 years. I use to get NMDA wind-up once a year so. Which….is more than enough! I have talked with doctors or tried to talk with doctors over the years regarding the disease of pain. I have listened to many of your videos. This last one really really affected me. I am shocked, in a good way, about your knowledge of emotions, different kinds of pain and your understanding of the humanity in individuals. Your empathy is is priceless. Most doctors, in my experience have split themselves off from the things you have dove right ino. You are so incredibly valuable and unique. Thé world of medicine would be much further along if we could clone you. ❤
As a long time pain sufferer, the information here provides to me is more in one video than what my dress my whole life has shared with me. I’m glad he’s being recognized by his peers
I agree with you!! He is amazing!
Dove is a bird. Dived is the past tense of dive.
@@hydrorix1 who cares, I knew what he meant! Look up past tense of dive: it is dove with long o sound. Dived is correct too but who cares!!
@@psrwhite I care
I am a retired RN. I was hit by a patient 23 years ago an have bone grafts and plates C3-C7. I’ve been more verbal about my pain because I don’t have to be beyond reproach and feel I can allow myself to take something for pain when I need it. I can’t take it often because I need it to work when I need it. I feel if I keep my dosing down to a couple of times a week it should work. I do feel like my pain is in my brain, spreading out throughout my body. I’m glad you said it. Just that power of knowing what I thought was happening was. I wish I did know how to correct this. The opioid crisis has hurt me I get 20 Nucynta pills every 3 months. Big joke! Insurance won’t cover those either. When insurance stops covering the nerve blocks I really don’t know what to do. Those money grubbing bean counters and the idiots at the CDC should have to feel my pain!
Janet, I feel so bad for you. Thank you for all the years of serving in the nursing community.
I have had 3 spinal surgeries, 2 neck surgeries, and 2 foot surgeries. I have a Dr who is working with me with my pain for several years now. Thank God for her.
RN and massage therapist here--are there any cranial sacral massage therapists in your area with a high degree of training? (I prefer the training from Upledger Institute)
The DEA has justified their jobs and bloated budget by intimidating pain management doctors and patients Witt chronic pain . What the DEA needs to do is prevent the street fentanyl , that is made in someone’s kitchen in Mexico, from getting into the states . I’m grateful that I have a pain management doctor .
@@honey-feeney9800 i know like whey dont we ever hear, you know, you dont need insulin... you just -think- youre in a coma... you need to meditate more and your diabetes would totally go away! (because you'll be dead) or youre obviously seriously addicted to chemo. you get it over and over again and arent stopping. you are just afraid of cancer because you -think- its bad. but cancer will only kill you if you believe it will! have you tried aromatherapy? or you dont really need that broken bone fixed. its all in your head. you just need to drink carrot juice. you wont even notice that broken bone in a few days. why dont we ever hear this? dr you seem suspiciously addicted to oxygen. you cant seem to stop breathing and you get =very= aggrivated if i am choking you and you cant breathe. you really need to give up oxygen for good, its obviosly ruining your life, once you stop using oxygen forever you'll feel sooooooo much better. stop trying to put lipstick on this pig drs. we arent buying it.
Since your injury occurred at work, workman's comp should be handling your meds and any treatments you receive
Did you settle with them at some point? If not, then they should still be covering you.
The most profoundly liberating and refreshing thing a health provider EVER said to me was “YOU are the EXPERT on you” wow stunning it wasn’t a MD RN NP PA DDS OR DC. It was my trauma therapist. I have had chronic medical problems from age 4 to present, many times I’ve seen a provider through a near lifetime until a few years ago none ever told me anything like that. I feel it was very empowering and helped build a little self esteem. I needed that at the time.
So happy to hear that you found a doctor that understands what I repeatedly end up telling my doctors. Which is, "I've lived in this body for 55 years, I know it better than anyone.".
@@shelleythompson-brock6412 no doctor ever told me that. My trauma therapist is older than dirt but perhaps with that comes wisdom. I’ve seen a lot of doctors none ever reassured me in that way. It was validating at the very least.
@@islandbirdw Yep. Best doctor I've ever had and trusted was my childhood doctor (a D.O.), and even took my children to him until he retired. I have scoliosis and severe back/joint pain since birth, among a litany of other things. All the specialists wanted to put rods in my back. My doctor advised against it until the pain got so bad that I couldn't endure it any longer. I've always endured and don't have to deal with the myriad of issues that would've stemmed from having rods installed. I'll forever be grateful for Dr. P.J. Kirlin, D.O., and wish all doctors could be as wonderful as he.
My ear dr said that too. He said "chronically ill patients like you know your body really well and are usually correct about what you tell us. I have learned to listen."
I almost cried!
@@islandbirdw I was in a bad car accident. I can not tell you how many times and for different problems that I got much better advice and protocols from my physical therapists than the doctors. They were much more of the "what works for you" mindset.
There are psychological aspects to pain, but the physical MUST be treated too. I was told "pain cant kill you" and "mind over matter" and i even became a Buddhist nun to practice meditation better. When i slipped and fell in the bathroom i seriously damaged my hip and spine. The ortho had my chart mixed with another and told me my injuries did not match my pain, and there was nothing he could do. He did not even refer me to physical therapy.
Turned out i DID have serious injuries the next dr showed me on the mri and xrays. Because i was put off and made to wait i developed CRPS and have required a wheelchair since 2016. If i had been put into physical therapy right away i probably would have fully recovered. Instead i went through 3 or 4 12-week PT stints just to be able to sit up but the nerves are too damaged to be able to do much else. I cant even tolerate the air touching parts of my leg without feeling like i am being burned or shocked.
Yes, meditation helps me cope... but it does not heal the physically damaged nerves, and they wouldnt even be that damaged if not for medical neglect. I would be walking if not for medical neglect. If i end up with a blood clot from being in a wheelchair... pain WILL have killed me! Maybe not directly, but pain DOES kill. Pain can cause heart attack too, so that "pain cant kill" stuff is bunk. Tolerating high pain is not healthy and can cause lasting damage.
That is why i hate when doctors ONLY focus on the psychological aspect of pain. There are real physical aspects too. Healing the mind does not cure all pain and can be a distraction when the physical cause should be addressed promptly.
Ok doc, you have blown me away with this episode. This explains so much of my suffering for over 30+ years. I am in tears, I can't believe all the pain I've suffered without having an explanation that made sense at all and, here you come along...
Dr, I’d just like to thank you for being such a kind-hearted person. You obviously care very much for others and it’s wonderful to know. Anyone that’s fortunate enough to be a patient of your is blessed. You offer so much that is largely missing from the medical community. There seems to be an ever increasing lack of empathy and I feel like many people feel like a number. It’s a shame that doctors aren’t required to treat patients with the love and respect that you always do. 🌺
Just because "pain is all in the brain" does NOT mean patients need to be ignored, gaslit or treated as though they are insane.
With degenerative disk dis-ease and cervical stenosis, I was referred to a neurosurgeon. He told me that my surgery was not a slam-dunk case and I wouldn't necessarily achieve what I was looking to (coming off of pain meds and living pain-free). I was upset and almost angry at first. Anyone living in pain, I believe, would understand my initial reaction. I've since come to greatly appreciate my neurosurgeon even more.
That's an honest doctor!
@@maryeckel9682 Indeed he is. Hard to come by, sadly. I'm eternally grateful.
@@maryeckel9682 a surgeon at that. Most will take your money regardless.
I am similarly afflicted. Initially went to neurosurgeon when my arms were painful and I'd not known how I'd survive...I was told to come back when it became unbearable. After researching surgical options I realized there were no good ones. Acupuncture by an amazing man seems to decrease the nervous system response to the pressure on nerves.
Well, better an up front in expectations and likiehood of success doctor than blowing sunshine and you joining the 1/3 of back surgeries that fail.
Because, 1/3 of back surgeries for pain become failed back surgeries, which strongly suggests that those patients were poor candidates for surgery in the first place.
I've got SI joint problems, massive muscle and connective tissue lumbar damage, cervical osteophytes causing mild to moderate problems, a AAA that isn't large enough yet for surgery, hyperthyroidism, separated shoulder that's not quite severe enough for surgery and osteoarthritis.
The only thing listed that I'd consider surgery for eventually is the AAA, which likely will be a full surgery, as the renal arteries are involved in the aneurysm.
Realistic expectations, honestly from one's physician and understanding what is possible vs unlikely or impossible is critical in forming a baseline of expectations for one's abilities and limitations and quality of life is problematic without that foundation.
Talk about "medical PTSD," I feel unsafe every time I go to a doctor for help. That is a well-learned defense after having 33 years of Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. It started when I was 24. Now I also have Long Covid and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hearing this compassionate explanation of chronic pain is so rare and so welcome that I feel at the edge of tears as I listen.
By the way, I LOVED having Ketamine IV treatments. I wish I could afford them every two weeks. Very helpful.
Doctor, you are a pioneer and one of the very rare doctors who actually pursue true healing, not just symptom management, for your patients. I recently found you and absolutely adore all your content.
I had an acquaintance whom I believe is now dead from OD on street drugs. I do wish I could have turned back the clock and sent her to you. Towards the end she became schizophrenic as a result of her drug use, which was a result of her family trauma.
Please continue to educate us. I will like, share, subscribe (already am LOL)
Nutrition and diet require more time and study than is presently required in medical schools. It's so refreshing to find doctors who have delved further into that knowledge on their own. 🙏🥰🙏
This Fibro and Chronic pain is Not in my head.
Just another Quack who will not treat the pain.
@@marysharpe6181 I have it secondary to Hashimotos Thyroiditis, and it is NOT in your head. I'm fortunate enough to have my doctor treat for it the best she knows how to. I wonder if you have any of the same weird symptoms as me...
@Mary Sharpe I completely innerstand your feelings as I suffer from chronic low back pain, fibro, osteoarthritis, cervical stenosis, arthritis in both knees, bilateral carpal tunnel and much more. (I'm only 52) That being said, what he's explaining makes perfect sense to me. We are finding out, granted very slowly, that everything we've been taught, including drs and all career avenues, is absolutely wrong. With that in mind, try to innerstand that he's teaching the truth and start to research for yourself to see what he means. I was always under the belief, since finding out we've all been lied to about everything, that all doctors were simply indoctrinated (that's what all forms of current education are) and neglected to do any studies and research on their own outside of medical school. Then I came across this guy. We not only have a broken med system, all systems were created broken with no desire to ever fix them. Brainwashing has been what we've all been subject to. Drs, especially.
@@marysharpe6181 I'm sorry you also suffer. Much love and many blessings to you and to all! 🙏🥰🙏
@Zephyr Hills goodness! I'm so sorry! I have a lot of stomach problems lately myself. I'm certain is from diet in my younger years and being on and off pain meds since a bad car accident in 1990. I've changed my diet but it's apparently too late. I, too, had pylops and h-roids recently removed and I'm waiting for a follow-up appt and it's over a month away from my procedure (broken med system). I hope you find some relief and help soon. Have you thought about Chinese medicine/herbs? It's expensive but it's tried and true and healthier than the American alternative of chemical concoctions. An herbalist would be who you'd want to see. I hope this helps. Much love and many blessings to you and to all! 🙏🥰🙏
This applies to Multiple Sclerosis as well. I had a crazy episode that nobody can explain in 2015 (not Cleveland Clinic or Mayo) that left me in hospital for 10 weeks and paralyzed from waist down (I did recover with lots of PT). Then I got diagnosed with MS in 2020 after another episode with a lesion at the C2-C3 and some other markers (that I had since 2015 like OG bands). Anyways that first episode gave me a LOT of nerve damage really fast. Working in mental health, I knew I didn't want to get on pain meds out of fear of addiction and I fought and fought to make it without it. Cannabis has been a lifesaver. However, this is how the pain doctor explained it to me which helped me understand but didn't help the pain LOL. He said, look at your foot. You are having really sharp shooting pains on and off that are intolerable at times and it's very real pain. However, your foot is not "hurt." There is nothing actually wrong with your foot per se. There is something very wrong with the messaging signals between your foot and brain. Again, it didn't take the physical pain away, but it helped me not feel so crazy, which a lot of people like to make people with "invisible illnesses" feel. I hope that explanation helps someone like it did me. People seem to accept that explanation like they have an "ah ha" moment. 😁😂
I live with MS and I do take norco for pain. The pain is in my legs. I did have nerve pain and Jesus took it. I felt it leave from my feet after my pastor prayed for me through text and as soon as I said amen, within a few minutes I felt it leave and I haven’t had it back since. I still have the muscle pain lol. I’m glad I have norco because I needed it for after my port replacement procedure. The first week is the worst. But, I am not afraid of being addicted. I take it when I need it. That’s mostly at night and sometimes half them. It helps. It is weird how MS works and causes pain where nothing is wrong. But the pain med does work and so does the tizanadine at night. It seems that during winter, pain wasn’t as bad but when spring and summer hits, it’s worse. So so weird.
@@jessicajarsak7812 here's the fun part. Some opioids can increase muscle tension, actually causing more pain.
The body, ill understood, but we all have to live with the damnable things. :/
But, at least you can tolerate the hydrocodone, I can't tolerate them well, I dump tons of histamine and literally feel like I'm dying with any of them.
This doctor just explained perfectly why $uicide is such a huge temptation to people like us who live in chronic pain!
Your words were perfect!!!!
You explained this in such a caring supportive way!!!
I wish I had known or accepted this decades ago.
This information only can help
Your thoughtfulness is so beautiful and Your courage magnificent!!!
I can tell you one thing that makes any kind of pain an order of magnitude worse - not getting enough sleep. Getting enough sleep makes such a huge difference!
How do you sleep when you have RLS for 36 years.
Absolutely!!! Sleep is crucial.
True adequate sleep makes a big difference except that a lot of people who have pain have difficulty sleeping
I've suffered from chronic pain for 20+ years, and I have a question: What is this thing "sleep" you speak of? 😭
@@dapawaz8310 Oh, man, I am so very sorry you’re going through that. There is nothing worse than unrelenting pain.
“Perceived Danger Pain”. I wish doctors would’ve explained my Fibromyalgia to me like this early on. Them saying to “reduce stress” resulted in me avoiding life and opportunities for growth because challenges used to mean feeling unsafe and flare ups. I know now stress itself doesn’t cause my pain - it’s perceiving the stressful situation as danger that does. The daily videos from the YT channel Pain Free You have been so helpful to me.
Dan is a great guy! I watch his videos when I get a flare up of pain to remind me it's all because of perceived danger.
I’ve been dealing w fibromyalgia that was early Parkinson’s and then have MS caused by severe injury to spine and partially paralyzed but also have CPTSD and really love your compassion just having a doctor as nice as yourself would be a Godsend.
There are such few good doctors left, I’ve watched many of your videos and love you sharing new knowledge, thank you for always coming from a good place, I def would never yell at you! Haha, thank you for everything you do, many blessings 🙏
😂 how many times I heard this … “Pain is in the brain “ you’re right Doc … I did want to scream that I’m not imagining this pain , it’s so crippling that you think you are closer to death anytime . The truth is it’s emotional trauma could be anything from childhood trauma to adulthood trauma and y oh don’t realise where it’s triggered from or how and when but your body gradually begins to become stiff joints her the muscles hurt the digestive system becomes weak gosh I could go on !! 😂🤦🏻♀️
Btw Doc you are amazing you make so much sense that other doctors out there just can’t be bothered to do ! ❤❤❤
Man, I wish I could find a Dr like you in Indiana. I live with chronic migraines that no preventative or rescue medications work for and the attitude of my neurologist is so rushed and uncaring. Thank you for sharing information with all of us!
I lived with “ migraines “ from age 11-43 until I met a godsend anesthesiologist who asked me questions like -“ Do the migraine medications relieve your beaches ? “ answer “
No.
None of them helped and some made my headaches worse. Seemed like they jacked up my blood pressure .My aunt takes an Immitrex and migraine gone . I take one and it’s worse . The white dots in my brain MRI that all the other doctors said were the end result of migraines ? This doctor said we’re the cause of my headaches . He sent off blood for a test and confirmed an immune disease - can’t name it for you sorry , falls into white matter disease - my immune system is attacking the veins in my head -that causes swelling , pain , the blood can’t pass them thickens and eventually the vein dies off - pain, pain, pain and results in the white dots in the MRI . Untreated? My body will attack larger and larger veins likely resulting in a stroke . One baby aspirin a day and I haven’t suffered another “migraine” since . He told me if the headaches resume ? He’ll prescribe another medication. His attention and knowledge and care likely saved me from not only a poor quality of life but a deadly stroke . If I were you I’d bring this up and ask them to test you for this immune disease as an alternative diagnosis for your horrible headaches . Best wishes .
I'm so sorry for your medical condition. You may want to consider finding a new doctor.
@@amyshew1151 wow that's interesting. Hmm I already have 2 autoimmune processes, rheumatoid arthritis and hashimotos thyroiditis. That's worth checking into. Thank you for the information and best wishes to you as well!
@@lindsayschilling8707 thank you, Indiana is ran by one neurology group with my insurance anyway. So I'm limited. Not fair insurance determines success or failure for patients
Indiana has no pain care
Thank you!! This is a very much appreciated video from a suffer of chronic pain. I’ve had a seven level upper neck fusion six back surgeries and 13 hip replacements the last one being due to metal poisoning I wish I had a doctor like you when I was dealing with this stuff. I’m using humor right now to get me through because you’re right it is in your head but just because it’s in your head does not make it any less powerful, or hurtful to a physical body but I appreciate how well you explained chronic pain and the connection with the brain because that’s where the pain is registered so you are correct it’s in your head!😊 but I can understand how patients would be resistant to that but I’ve been doing this for long enough that I really wish I would’ve met you in the beginning of this journey of mine it would’ve made things so much easier as I just finished my last surgery and as far as I’m concerned my last😊 as now I’m having to relearn how to walk and now I’m suffering from severe neuropathy to boot but I’m learning 🥳but I am very appreciative and grateful for my hardheaded and stubbornness that used to get me in severe trouble as a child because it’s the only thing keeping me going I wish more doctors had the ability to think about pain like you do because believe it or not they don’t or at least the ones I’ve seen and you are right you have to be your own advocate because if you can’t, who will but I want to just say thank you for a very well presented and thought out video and greatly appreciated by a person who suffers from chronic pain so thank you.😊👍
Sick of the way severe chronic pain is treated as if it's all in your head
I’m so tired of the non verbal, and verbal treatment of chronic pain as if I’m a junkie or that I will be punished if I don’t agree with the dr’s next step, which was, ok, we are going to find the nerve endings and burn them. Of course it will come back so within a year and 1/2 I would have the same issue all over again. Oh, not to mention, All of my patients just love not being in pain anymore. (like he had invented a cure for seizures) I’m not willing to be a “thing to practice on, until I can figure this out, maybe”
My most awful surgery was when I ended up at at retinal specialist at a hospital after noticing weirdness in my eye. He gave me three options for surgery. I chose one... then he said "Come on back." What? Surgery? Now? ...without having a day or two to get used to the idea.
I got on the table and soon said "You're not going to put me out?". Then came the needles in my eye and then a freezing probe. After that, he pounded my eye with a laser to "weld" my retina together. Afterward, I felt as if I had been beaten to a pulp.
Had the same thing happened and I was terrified and traumatized for months remembering it. I’m so sorry that happened to you because I know what it’s like.
Wow, that's messed up! I'm sorry to hear that both of you went through that.
Gosh I'm so sorry you experienced that. That sounds like a surgeon who is more concerned with raking in the money rather than their patient's wellbeing. Unfortunately, the system is full of ego-driven, arrogant and greedy drs just like that. It's sadly encouraged in society to behave this way. Not enough of us go *against* the grain of society.
Much love and many blessings to you and to all! 🙏🥰🙏
Whoa! Well, surgeons are not always good with people. I hope at least your retina was fixed!
Tom Nesmith: I'm soo sorry for that awful experience you had.
This is very reminiscent of the challenge entailed in explaining the CBT model to patients/clients. The construct of catastrophizing is relevant. Some patients hate the idea that their thinking contributes to their distress. It takes a skilled clinician to effectively explain that no matter how objectively distressing an experience might be, it usually only becomes unbearable if we tell ourselves it is. If we have the ability to dampen our stress response by even 2%, by definition it is not the worst possible thing to go through which tends to reinforce itself- the belief that is.
I have a major case of medical PTSD from every doctor being pompous asses, chauvinistic, arrogant, etc. I specifically asked fir a female ob/gyn. I got the call from gyno oncology for my appointment and I was grateful it was a female doctor, but it was at a teaching school. PTSD fears were present that I'd have a doctor who would trigger me. As I said, our cancer hospital is a teaching facility, so when a very handsome young male doctor came in and introduced himself as the one who'll be assisting in my case. I may have been 50, but the inner cougar kicked in and when I saw his blue blue eyes, I had to compliment him. It was part cougar, part anxiety, and a lot of PTSD memories flooding in. He blushed and within a minute I sensed I could relax and not be in fight or flight mode. He was so nice, caring, compassionate, patient, and most of all (the huge trigger issue) non-judgmental. By the time the history was done, he left to get the attending and she was equally as nice as the hot senior resident. Yes, surgery was needed and done 12 days later. My anxieties were high, but I felt I was in good hands and everyone I met along the way was very nice and caring. I'm pretty sure the anesthesiologist was thinking I might need a psychiatric evaluation. My hot doc was there and I was in full cougar mode flirting away. I know, funny how anxiety is different in everyone. I tried to make my surgeon laugh but she did try.
I have multiple things wrong, chronic pain being one from fibromyalgia, stenosis, and some wicked/nasty neuropathy all over. I have a great GP that I found. Fresh off of residency and up for challenges.
Your patients are lucky to have a "sleepy time " doctor as sweet and caring as you are.
I have CPTSD, RA and fibromyalgia.
Growing up being called sensitive as if I was over reacting is now perceived as an insult to me.
I am trying to work through my trauma and no one wants to be in pain. It’s awful.
Do you know that acupuncture could help you ? Dr. Strittmatter is an expert in earacupuncture and can certainly tell you some experts in the USA, cause she is teaching there ! You can find her on RUclips… 🙂
@@loreley3126 no I hadn’t thought of acupuncture! Good idea!
I’ve worked really hard to manage ptsd, trauma, anxiety, depression. I’ve been diagnosed with RA, fibromyalgia, raynauds, osteoarthritis, DDD, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, Mortans neuroma, neuropathy, and temporal lobe seizures. I finally have reached acceptance that my brain is not perceiving pain correctly. There is definitely a mind-body connection. But, I’m struggling to find any doctors who actually help. I truly want to feel better and be more functional. Thankfully, I have an amazing therapist who specializes in treating people with chronic pain and childhood trauma. Also, I finally found a good podiatrist, physical therapist, and a really good neurologist/epileptologist. As far as pain management goes, I’ve decided to move on from my pain management doctor. He was gaslighting me,trying to convince me that his spine injections worked, accused me of lying, told me to “calm down” even though I was remaining perfectly calm. He said I was causing myself to have fibromyalgia because I was so worried about my pain. The only thing he ever did was prescribe gabapentin which I can’t tolerate, and he constantly pushed more and more injections/ablations on me, even though they didn’t decrease my pain. I suspect his clinic is just all about making money off patients, not actually healing or helping people. So now I’m on a quest to manage my pain through natural ways. I’ve been researching brain-retraining,acupuncture, diet,and physical therapy techniques. I’ve come to realize there are a lot of doctors out there that do more harm than good when it comes to treating chronic pain and chronic illnesses. Thank you so much for being such a knowledgeable doctor with empathy and compassion. You are so respectful of your patients. Your advice is helping more than you know.
Thank you. I have been following the research on chronic pain, neuralgia, since 2000. There is so much I could say about what I have learned and my personal experience. I would appreciate it if the FDA would back off of their extreme policies, not supported by the research. That would be step one. Step 2 is that we need more research on the role of the brain in keeping pain messaging going for years and decades. Until chronic intractable pain is more fully understood, with all of the channeling in the nervous system, the FDA is hindering patients from getting relief by threatening their health care providers.
Thank you for this video. I stumbled onto your channel and I'm very happy I did. I am an old woman with knee pain since I started walking as a child. My knee pops out, I pop it back in. My life. Two yrs ago I tore the meniscus in that knee trying to pop it back in. The Dr said while fixing the tear he would fix original problem. it didn't go well. I was on pain meds for a year. Two months ago my knee was really hurting but I was suspicious. Out of nowhere, I told my brain "This doesn't make sense I think you got the pain reading wrong go back and take another reading because it doesn't hurt as bad as you're saying." Now if anyone walked in my house they would have me committed because I sit a few times a day and have that convo, out loud, with my brain. It works! Usually, it will take the pain level down to my normal daily level (2-3) if that day it doesn't lower the pain I just except that I will occ have a rough day. I really didn't know this was a thing. I haven't told a soul how I've been controlling the pain. Not even my dr, you're the first I've told. Now that I heard you I'm going to go look for books or something that will help me develop this better. If Drs know about this there must be books, right?! I'm excited to learn more.
I'm glad you discovered this method!
Thank you for sharing this important information. You did a fantastic job explaining pain. More health care professionals and patients need to learn about this. I have Complex PTSD due to many traumas experienced beginning in childhood. Not being safe and supported led to a life of hypervigilance, fear and bracing. Later in my 30's I was in a bad auto accident. Tissues healed quickly but significant neck & back pain continued for 20 years. I was finally fortunate to have a physical therapist who explained pain to me as you did in this video, and he introduced me to the education and tools provided by the Neuro Orthopaedic Institute (Noigroup). With these tools and help from my somatic therapist, my pain is significantly improved and the space between trigger and reaction is slowly, very gradually expanding.
Doctor K: As a hand therapist I applaud your information. Empowering patients with understanding the "PTSD" and/or their reported pain" whether it is an injury, loss of of a finger/thumb, loss of function, surgery recovery or outcome is the greatest gift we can give them. The first time I spoke to a patient regarding "pain and PTSD" I got a look that was priceless and they said, "that makes sense". This assisted to redirect the pain, work on how we could address it and they had more control than they thought. I am aware pain has many variables as well that require other interventions such as homeopathic, GMI and related health provider patient support. Unfortunately, this valuable input you are sharing is not a common thread throughout the US or the world. Healthcare has been controlled by pharmaceutical trends and a change in healthcare culture to make money by pressuring us to achieve productivity markers. That is, how many patients can be seen?, how many cortisone injections can be done, the referring provider not listening to the patient or having minimal to no dialogue on this topic. It is refreshing to see you are part of the future current in healthcare. Those of us about to exit it are saddened at times knowing the "care" in health providers is distorted. This sad thought is an ongoing talk among the retiring health providers. Thank you for leading us back to a human caring way of providing sincere care to all that cross your path. I hope you continue to give us more! All the best!
It is important to acknowledge the role of doctors, especially surgeons--who gain financially from doing surgery after surgery--in the abuse of patients and their subsequent trauma.
Phenomenal presentation explaining central sensitization. Spot on. Thank you. CRPS for 20 years. After years of learning, counseling, researching & being treated for "pain", its finally coming together & making sense. Its an awakening & resilient place to be.
Thank you so much, for the validation and empathy. Here's a bit of my story and how it relates to all this.
My psychiatrist and I started ketamine treatment last year, except we're doing daily troches instead of infusions, to get those dendrites a' growin' back after decades of glutamate toxicity. I've been at this low dose for long enough where it's helping. A few months ago, I finally had the will to start PT for the chronic pain in my lower back (out-of-whack SI joint + herniated discs). Problem is, regular ole PT made the pain so much worse. Not the soreness that's supposed to happen - *pain.*
We'd already done a thorough history, and given all that, he recommended pelvic floor PT. We're going back to the beginning, where multiple traumas started this whole chronic pain thing (three surgeries for endometriosis, one unnecessary oophorectomy, years of misdiagnosis of my back, plus other personal traumas).
My new PT is amazing. She explained the same things you did - about the upregulation of our pain systems with chronic pain versus how things work with acute pain, and how trauma drives that upregulation. We're not doing any of the intimate stuff yet, because nope, not ready for that. For now, we're working on my fascia and CBT skills. When my pain switches sides or it ramps up, I say "I'm safe. I'm not in danger. Sleeping/showering/standing/riding in the car, etc did not damage my body."
I've always been so resistant to CBT, because it felt like therapists were sometimes telling me to lie to myself. But here, I'm telling the truth. I _am_ safe, I'm _not_ in danger, I'm _not_ damaging my body by doing everyday things. And when I say these things to myself, sometimes, the pain subsides. A couple times, the pain was gone, for hours.
Now, I'm also on long-acting opiates, so when I say gone, I mean "the long-acting opiates did their job a little too well". But these moments caught me by complete surprise, and if this becomes consistent, it'll finally be time to lower my dose. The other thing was, I didn't need to distract, because there wasn't anything to distract from. Distraction is the constant background noise of my life, so I don't focus on and amplify the pain, but it takes a lot of mental energy. So the breather wasn't just from the pain - it was a breather for my brain.
Anyways, now I get the trauma/nervous system/pain connection a bit more, as far as how it works on me. I appreciate you validating our pain, explaining there _is_ a physical cause (besides the injuries or diseases we have) and explaining how treating the trauma can rewire the nervous system and give us relief.
Similar circumstances, I have a pain pump and it has given me my life back. I am an assistant director of nursing and raising my 2 boys on my own. My si switches sides too and I have endometriosis too. My mantra is sit down breathe the pain away as I rub my legs and si area outward, away from my body to literally get it away from me. I don't wish you pain but it is amazing to see someone with similar as I do at times feel alone in my pain especially since I was very young when it started 13 from being hit by a car.
@@plumsmom8043 I'm so glad it helped. Pain really is lonely 🫂and it helps to know that we aren't alone in this. We just can't see each other, lol.
I LOVE what you do, where you're literally breathing and pushing the pain away from you. That's such a good idea!
John Green, the author of _The Fault in Our Stars,_ talks a lot about the loneliness of pain on his RUclips channel vlogbrothers, if you ever want some more validation. He's way more poetic about it too, lol, with a lot of kindness and empathy.
The concept of developing "tolerance of uncertainty" is mind boggling to me. I have medical ptsd because i trusted people who didn't deserve that trust. My psychotherapist keeps talking about "creating positive experiences" to overcome my ptsd triggers. How do you create positive medical experiences when you are at the mercy of potentially egotistical doctors who can't/won't concieve of treating patients as whole complete individuals? How do you develope tolerance of uncertainty when you have had so many medical professionals prove that they cannot be trusted to do what is best for this individual whole person in front of them? I'm not disagreeing with you. I desperately want to trust. I desperately want to be able to seek medical care without PTSD triggers hijacking my ability to be seen and heard and feel respected.
God Bless you! I feel your pain through your words. My heart hurts for you. It's horrible to be in pain or be sick and am afraid to go to the doctor because of what others have done to you. This Dr K is an awesome doctor. I pray he stays that way and doesn't fall into the typical mainstream medical professionals we have to deal with now!! Our doctors and nurses seem to be there just doing a job that provides them with a paycheck. The good medical professionals have become dinosaurs. The ones now don't listen to us, are careless, their mind seems to be anywhere but in the room we are in and as I said because they are there to make money they don't care how they treat patients. Get em in, pretend to listen, send them packing. They get $$, we get nothing. We aren't fixed. We still have the problem. In many cases we are treated so badly we end up with PTSD and with the same problem or more problems that they have caused. I believe it won't be too much longer before we will see medicine turn around. The bad ones are eradicated. A new breed of doctors will be practicing like Dr K. Try to stay strong and think positive. I will be praying for you 🙏✝️❤️🌹
You took the words out of my mouth.
EXACTLY!
@@sglenn704
I wish that were true, (that they will soon weed the bad ones out and the medical field will improve). I believe it will get worse. Nobody is being held accountable or responsible anymore. They know it and nobody with enough power and position, will step up to correct it. It always ends up being about the money.
@@msgottaneedtoknow I don't know how long it will take. I believe you will see a big change in healthcare within the year. So many doctors were on the take with the vax. Getting paid hush money to put that stuff in people. Many doctors have already been taken down. Mostly heads of hospitals at this point. It's filtering down. I promise. Don't give up hope. I've been digging and doing research for over 4 yrs now about Everything about the government, healthcare exposure, eradicating evil from the world. Do some research. You will see!! We also have a new technology that is coming called med beds. 3 types. They cure everything from a cold to regrowing bones for amputees. They're amazing!! I promise you will see the day you are healed!!
Uncertainty is the truth..
Doc!!!!! Your empathy and understanding is so overdue, needed, valuable, and life saving 🙏❤️ thank you
Your spinal cord is the extension of the brain.. totally resonate with your video I’m proof of how I have switched off some of my pain signals thru intensive physiotherapy combined with strength training to now functioning without opioids three times a day.. combined with nerve blocks and rhizotomy thanks for the videos.. I’m in Ireland and wish you were here!
Glad I have stumbled upon your channel , so informative!
I have relentless fibromyalgia and SO love this video!! I have been on a low dose of nucynta (a newer opiod) for 4 years. It has been a total life changer, but I very firmly believe there is a way out...and it has everything to do with what you are talking about in this video. I can see why some people might feel completely invalidated by someone saying your pain is "in your head", but I believe it is in the way you are explaining. Thank you for your videos talking about how opiods can be helpful and necessary...but also this video explaining the possible root of chronic pain. I will be subscribing and continuing to watch because I believe you are very balanced and willing to try to truly understand what people are going through...and also real ways that can help. Thank you!!
I agree that all pain is truly all in your head. The problem is, the majority of people with chronic pain have been told 'it's all in your head' or, its 'psychosomatic' etc by that, the doctors telling them, really mean, you're 'making it up' or 'your crazy'. There are few doctors who truly grasp (they may know it intellectually, but they don't understand) that psychosomatic pain is very real and the patient doesn't have a choice in the matter, they can't just think it away. You are an exception in the medical world in really understanding psychosomatic pain. That's why you get a bad reaction, it's because the patient you're speaking to has been dismissed numerous times by doctors not as intelligent and empathetic as you, and when you say it, they assume based on experience that you are doing the same.
Enlightening!!! I had an anxiety attack prepping for my radical prostatectomy and in recovery I awoke in extreme pain. Thankfully the anesthesiologist knocked me back out immediately and I woke hours later in the room. It’s still fresh in my memory.
I've struggled with fibromyalga for over 25 years. I love seeing all this data and talk around fibromyalga. I have been told many, many times that the pain I'm feeling isn't real! It's good to see things are changing. Thank you for all of the explanation's and just taking the time to shed light on all of these medical problems. Knowledge is power! ❤🤗
I felt unsafe at least four times. The main time because the doctor was in his late 70’s and I had a reason to feel unsafe because he messed up my gallbladder surgery and I ended up with a bile duct blockage and chronic pancreatitis. I got cervical dystonia from the medicine given for nausea and I’m suffering for the rest of my life. my gut said don’t let him do it but a young doctor came out and said we are his eyes and we help him. Now every surgery I am terrified. I hurt 24/7 and have to take opioids for the rest of my life and I just want my life back. I used to have a fun and outgoing life. No more. Sometimes I feel that doctors just don’t care anymore.
I’m a Doctor Who does care but I do not give drugs, I do nutritional supplements with patients. You can even help chronic pain with light, energy and supplements used appropriately for pain. I feel certain you can find someone in your area, like a naturopathic physician, who may be dedicated to helping people get well. That means they cannot take any insurance because insurance for bids doing anything, but treating your symptoms with drugs. That’s how we end up with people being drug addicted because they’re not being informed prior to getting them started on drugs! Be determined, you can get well!
I could listen to this man FOREVER.
Thank you for this! I am a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma and chronic pain. I will be sharing this with my own patients!
I have been lucky…I was sent to a surgeon for a consult about my degenerative disc disease in my neck. The surgeon looked at my X-rays and other medical tests, examined me and told me he would be more likely to cause me more harm than good. I certainly appreciated his honesty! I have a pain management doctor I absolutely love. He understands all my pain problems (DDD,fibromyalgia, lupus, osteoarthritis). One of my first visits with him he told me “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional “. He has treated me for 20 years and has tried everything to make my pain bearable. I’ve gone from 8-10 level pain to usually a 2-3. My medication has been the same for about 7 years.
Thank goodness, I found your channel. 20 year stroke Survivor left side effected my paralyzed shoulder and arm are causing me the most pain. The shoulder is subject and tends to dislocate easy. Three orthopedic doctors and three MRIs. I am told it’s a normal shoulder joint everything is there nothing to operate on take these narcotics and learn to deal with the pain. I’ve had shoulder pain for eight years. 8My daily pain is a level 8: I so appreciate you sharing your wisdom
I have CPTSD and fibromyalgia. My therapist told me that fibromyalgia sounds like a physical manifestation of hyper-vigilance. She is not wrong.
I have pretty objectively painful co-morbidities, but I’m 70 years old this month, and I know that entropy comes for us all. The only way through this is radical acceptance, and in the way i perceive pain. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has helped, but I’m wondering if ketamine therapy might be even more effective. I’ve really struggled since the death of my mother, so I need to find out if my insurance will pay for it, or whether it’s possible to pay for it, myself.
This has reminded me of how deeply trauma affects your brain, and how indelibly. Thank you so much for your compassionate insights. I think your videos help a lot of people to feel seen.
I think this is your best video so far, Doc Kaveh, and that is saying a lot because they are all good and thoughtful. As an aging woman I am finding myself dealing with increasing amount of sporadic pain, rarely severe, and trying to make the best of it because I believe it is a natural, normal part of human existence that is ultimately good for us if we let it be, and secondly I don't want to take pain killers that could ultimately become a problem. Old ladies with a painkiller habit rarely succeed in independent living because they will fall, have elimination problems, sleep disorders, etc. But recently I visited a spine surgeon who offered some pretty strong stuff. I declined and then next day realized that having a bottle of pills on hand to be used p.r.n is not in and of itself is a problem! Tomorrow I am getting that rx filled.
I am loving your sharing!
I am still recuperating from thoracic and lower back surgery over 10 years ago. I was diagnosed over 40 years ago with fibromyalgia, as well as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I always thought those diagnosis are a blanket diagnosis. Just for something a doctor to use when they had no clue what was wrong with someone.
Good stuff your sharing! 👍😘
Been through years of medical gaslighting while dealing with complicated and confusing medical conditions. But I do realize the key part trauma, fear and abusive relationships play in chronic pain and ability to heal. I really appreciate this amazing video!
Failed back surgery was something my surgeon warned me could possibly happen during our consultation. I even had to sign a form in the pre-op area saying I knew this was a risk.
@tmreed, I wish I was told that could happen to me. My surgeon never informed me that it wouldn't work; he said it should reduce the pain, and then when it didn't work, he transferred me to a pain specialist, and his attitude was like oh well! Good luck..
Sooooo, as a woman who needs full spinal surgery, should I rethink it?? Now I'm super uneasy....
How did you do??
@@themysticmuse Well. Two years later and no problems. I was glad I had it done. It was needed.
@@themysticmuse I would get all the details and find out if this is the best option for you and find out if going to relieve your pain and what is the chance of not working. Do know what kind of back surgery you need and what kind of damage you have to your spine
Pain is the breaking of the shell of understanding. Quote from The Prophet
Thank you so much for your valuable wisdom and taking the time to explain it all. Love and blessings to you !! 💖🙏💫
I have fibro and the auditory and lights being to bright is right on! Wound up is the right word. Thanks for acknowledging. Xo
Same, do you also have what I call chemical sensitivities?
I believe this was my first childhood symptom…but it wasn’t until I was pregnant with my 2nd that the Dr said you’re highly allergic! I started to argue with him, because I rarely took any meds. My mom a former nurse and FMS patient had always told my 1 allergic reaction and the others to list as just “sensitive to” because it was only a rash, or was like speed making me bounce off the walls as a toddler. Dr said was also concerned that these were reactions to over-the-counter products like aspirin etc.
@@Laura0IN I have chemical sensitivities to scents, can't do glade plug ins or air freshners at all! But not sensitive to drugs or allergies. Just sounds, lights and synthetic scents! xo
Ok Doc, this was a good one. I took notes, as well. Being that Medical is passing me around again, because no one wants to "write" (Opioiid Pendulum). It is so frustrating being in pain until One chooses to take "the buck" that's being passed around.
I appreciate your passion for explaining and educating us. . I learned a lot about pain when I was fortunate to go through a pain clinic program for Fibromyalgia. . You connect the Mind/Body concept so well and I hope it helps many to cope.
The best medical saying/advice I ever heard was....."Just remember...there is nothing surgery can't make worse".
Amen. In Washington State it's no pain medication - take Tylenol or Ibuprofen, it is all you need. I have 2 friends literally changing before me due to failure of prescribing of pain medication. I feel so bad for them. 💔💯💔
Cognitive flexibility... there are some really powerful words! Id Love to hear see a video on that subject. that is a life changing subject that we all need to learn. Thank you so much! Your knowledge is healing many of us.
Hello, Dr. K. Wow, this vid and your discussion really hit home with me. I experienced a very serious spinal cord injury and broken neck years ago. Ist two cervical fusion surgeries failed miserably leaving me in pain that was indescribable. Worse, my neurosurgen gaslite me something awful. He wouldn't even return my phone calls! My pain was so severe, my husband rushed me to the E.R. as I had gone into shock. After stabilizing me and given serious pain Rx, a whole smattering of tests were performed. To their horror, my cervical vertebraes (C-3 thru C-7) had twisted around somewhat in a corkscrew configuration. After being released, I found new doctors, a Neurosurgeon team, that were able to fix my neck and saved my life. Long story short, tremendous damage had been done before the FIX. I went thru 8 years of Physical Therapy (3 years of it continuous). The doctors told me prior to surgery that I had a 50/50 chance of surviving the surgeries (2 in one hospital stay); if i survived, I had an 85% chance of paraplegia or quadraplegia. If I had no surgery, I'd be dead in 6 months to a year. I'm extremely happy to say the surgeries were very successful and I'm not in a wheelchair!! 😅 As you can imagine, my pain for quite a few years was off the chart! At the same time, I was referred to a fantastic psychotherapist by my attorney. I suffered from monstorous PTSD. My psychotherapist treated me for 2 years along with prescribed pain Rx, antispasm Rx, etc., from my neurosurgeons. It was a an extremely difficult road that many would not have survived. Its a good thing I'm an extremely tough woman; I was NOT going to give in or give up! I was only 35-40 yrs. old at the time. My Neurosurgeon team definitely saved my life, but my Psychtherapist did as well. My PTSD was off the charts. I'm very happy to say I survived and was victorious over my devastating injuries! Yes, i still live with pain, I still take pain Rx, but it is well managed by my doctors and myself. Sorry this so long: I guess I'm trying to say, as you've stated, that painful injuries MUST be treated holistically. There IS sooo much more going on than just the pain, for sure. I'm extremely grateful for the hoardes of medical professionals who were involved with my case. Thanks to them, and my self-determination, I live a semi-normal life. Thank you for all you do! This particular topic/video hit home with me 100%. Thank you for addressing these issues; the central core to overcoming horrible injuries accompanied with indescribable unrelenting pain. Mental and physical repercussions go hand in hand; they are inseparable. You are a gem. Please, please keep doing what you are doing! And, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙏 ❤
When people hear, "Pain is all in the brain", they think you're saying it's all in their MIND - that it's imaginary or psychosomatic.
Even when they don’t it’s still a silly comment. Sight and hearing are also “all in your head” so then people who advocate for being able to rid pain with mindfulness should be able to stop hearing and seeing at will right?
BRILLIANT info videos!
Thank you
I am a nurse and deal with post surgical patients.
Again! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my fibromyalgic (?) heart -- SOMEONE in medicine finally gets us.
We are hyperSENSITIVE. Everything is loud, it hurts, it aches, it's overpowering, now it's too HOT where's a window to jump out of, wait now we're FREEZING and could we please lie down thank you. (ugh lol) But we're like this because we've been hurt so badly that we're on permanent hyper alert and I so desperately hope for the day when work like yours and voices like ours help the general public HEAR us.
I heard you reference the first critical bit of info about fibro: that childhood trauma and PTSD is heavily linked. THANK YOU so much for saying this, it's so important for people to understand. We are so often the victims of abuse, which is what makes us sick in the first place. It's not our fault we're like this, and we're not "faking" it. I'm so grateful to hear that validation.
But there is one critical piece that I think medicine or society is either not seeing or doesn't want to see -- what KEEPS fibromyalgia patients sick.
It's not our failure to do self-care, or regulate our diet, or exercise, or manage our time, or manage our stress. Sure, we could all be better about all those things. But that's not what -keeps- us -sick.-
What keeps us sick such, that we never get better, is that we are never allowed to fully REST.
None of us are, if we're being honest with ourselves here. It's just that fibro folks feel it way, WAY more than most of the rest because we've already hit our overload point... yet we survive. Stuck on overload. We already know that "stress kills," yeah? We tell heart attack survivors to really really really watch their stress. Well, we fibromyalgia warriors should be seen, respected, and cared for compassionately as the canary in the coal mine that we are.
We must always get back to work, back to life, often back to sacrificing hours of our lives every day to barley scrape by. Doc, I bet that if you did a cross analysis of fibromyalgia patient treatment outcomes and socioeconomic status, you'd find a direct correlation; this is a stress-triggered illness and nothing is more stress inducing than living under the constant pressure of a merciless, predatory social system like an alleged "meritocracy," a hyper-capitalist system (which we should all see by now is corrupt monopoly imperialism). Why aren't we seen as what we are? -- disabled by the abuse of our primary caregivers, and thus rendered permanently in need of -some- kind of social support? Instead, the disabled in general are seen as an unsavory drain on society, and how dare we exist without working, and how double dare we ask to exist higher than mud-hut poverty?
I say we should dare. We didn't ask for this, it was inflicted upon us. Unlike so many medical syndromes and conditions, we know that cause for many a case of fibromyalgia finds its roots in prior childhood victimization and abuse -- it's human-caused. We deserve better than what we're getting, whatever country we're in. Like climate change, fibromyalgia and PTSD are a man-made crisis. And child abuse is a C R I M E. But I digress.
Whatever treatment we go through, we know we have to pay later. Whatever time we take off, we know we have to make up the work later and cover lost hours. And we are so often laughed out of a disability hearing, it's not even funny -- I was bedridden for 2 years while applying for disability and was told, "Sorry you can't teach science anymore, maybe go work a factory." ....as if, for one single second, that judge had ever 'worked a factory' with roaring pain screaming in her ears, fire ants tearing up her legs, the back of her throat swelling with the urge to vomit from pain so bad that she could barely see. There are millions more like me and way, way worse off.
As a society, we are terrible at handling our own emotions in a frank manner. We're not taught how to love, share, or mourn; I know so many people, mostly women, who live in abusive home lives and live in terrible pain, disbelieved by even their own family, because no one knows how to cope with the pain of when mom "breaks." Speaking of which, I hope you don't take the gaslighting/normalization remarks personally; we are absolutely hurting, and hurt people... well... hurt people. It's not right, it's not fair to you, but anger from genuinely -being- gaslit by our doctors is very real, I'm sure you know. I say this with a specific wordiness because I hope it captures the attention of your team:
Thank you.
With any luck, some of the recent advancements in treatment for chronic fatigue -- as well as some of the overall societal changes that covid has brought about -- can start to swing the pendulum in the direction of a society which CARES for its people, rather than allowing the great masses of us to wile away our hours in pain and futility.
you just put into words my experience...🙁....✨
Me too. I’m 74 and in lots of pain. My daughter and her husband think I just imagined I’m in pain. No sense trying to tell them different. 😢
Hello, Dr Kaveh, I watched your video walking in the Golden Gate Park yesterday, which was a really great conversation to watch. However, it was the first time that I have ever heard any Doctor say 'Pain is in the brain'. I am fascinated by that. So, I've chosen to watch this video also, to get a deeper dive, before I mull it over. Thanks so much for the videos you make and the thoughtful, compassionate and down-to-earth way in which you make them. It is easier to lay down your guard and learn when there is no hostile judgement.
Great live stream, I enjoyed it! Do your feet smell after work? Lol! I really enjoy donating to the anesthesiologist Foundation, since it was hard for me to go to college because of my cerebral palsy, I really wanted to be a anesthesiologist physician! I’m 33 from Memphis! It takes a special person and skill to be a anesthesiologist or CRNA and you’re one of them ! You rock man
After having a stroke, it finally clicked for me how much our brains control our physical state. I wish all doctors understood that.
I'm going to try to keep this short, in the hope that you can tell what I am saying.
I can literally feel other's pain and emotions. I can also actually see energy.
I lived for years, trying to gauge another's mood in order to 'stay safe'.
As far as my own pain goes... I have Dr's who know that if I tell them that I have physical pain somewhere, I am in deep trouble.
I have had to have several emergency surgeries over the years, either because I didn't feel the pain I "shoukd" have ... Or, I didn't look the way they thought I should, with the severity of my condition...including severe Pericarditis requiring an emergency Pericardiectomy.
I have always felt that if I stayed calm before any Surgery, that I would feel less pain when I came out from under anesthesia.
At this time, I am experiencing a whole host if Autoimmune issues, and trying not to feel overwhelmed.
However, I am also not being treated for whatever illnesses I have...only the symptoms.
This is leading me to feel apathy towards my own ability to survive the Treatment, as well as the illness.
So far, I have had 5 Pulmonary Embolisms, And several NDE'S.
What does that say about my own 'inability' to process pain?
Because I'd truly like to know just what I'm supposed to say to New Dr's who do not know me, since many of my Dr's have been leaving the Medical Field.
I understand what you are experiencing! When I see someone get hurt I have pain that shoots from my feet up my legs! This started happening about 7 years ago. I've had several surgeries. I think my brain has keyed into it and reacts.
WOW! This has got to be one of the most "awakening"videos I have ever seen. I will do some deep research ( in my case ) on Tolerance of Ambiguity. I am so amazed of this brain-body concept. Thank you. You are one amazing doctor, Dr. Kaveh.
Your level of understanding of this topic is so rare !
If only more doctors would try as hard as you do. I finally have two young doctors that are actually helping me.
isnt pain a warning sign that your body is telling you there is something wrong ?
Your explanations and openness are terrific. Thank you.
Such an eye-opening talk.
Wow! You're a fantastic communicator!
Lucky are those who you get to help in their dark and painful days.
I love you!!!❤❤❤
(Not in a creepy way)
I love your videos that cover fibromyalgia and pain. Plus the way you explain things is so helpful. I struggle to find a doctor that will focus on fibromyalgia let alone trying to educate me. Please keep it up🤗
I have never heard this before, I am so excited to learn this! Thank you
Some of my greatest pain is when my tinnitus is full blown. Because we are all different, my tinnitus is absolutely stress induced and therefore can cause me physical pain and mostly it's tiring and frankly exhausting when sometimes I can actually fight it off. I know that may sound strange.
My point is: this was a Great video and I just wanted to contribute.
With a family member facing surgery I appreciate your insight and discussion. Thank you Doctor.
Hi, Dr. Kaveh missed live, but it was great! I still hope you will do a live Q&A on patient neglect in the ER, Surgeries, and Hospitalizations by nurses and doctors. How to deal with it as a patient, especially if you can not speak because of what happened? How do fight to get proper care when you are alone and have no advocate?
Wow, that is a good question.
I have so many family members - my kids, my siblings and their kids, my cousins and their kids...etc. who would be there if I needed to go to the hospital. My family knows only too well how dangerous it is to go, even for oral surgery, without a knowledgeable advocate!
I have had a number of church friends who have had to go to the hospital or have surgery and I've gone with them and stayed with them until they were in the mend. Then I made sure they were eating and taking care of themselves once they were home.
I don't think many people realize how dangerous it is to go without an advocate. Hospitals and nursing homes are seriously understaffed compared to when I was younger and they had volunteers and candy stripers to help out a well staffed hospital floor.
If you are involved with a church or some organization, you might see if there are other people with the same problem and make an agreement to help each other.
One church I went to for a short time, i noticed a older lady that always came was missing two Sundays in a row. I asked the pastor if he knew where she was and if she was ok. He didn't know anything about her. (Churches are so different now, where the pastors and some with the gift used to go visit the sick!) I said they should have a "widows role" for people, especially elderly and disabled or single moms, who are living alone - not just widows - and to check on them regularly and call them if they aren't at church and see if they need anything. I ended up moving out of state, so I don't know if he followed up on it. He thought it was a good idea, but I doubt he would get it done unless I had stayed and organized it myself. :(
The church my daughter goes to still brings food to new moms, and to grieving families. You just don't see that very much anymore.
Facing it . Embracing pain and exploring it is so liberating.
I have put off pelvic prolapse surgery for fifteen years. Because of all the possible outcomes. Unfortunately, I’m now having kidney fluid buildup because of the pelvic prolapse. I have no other choice now but to have the surgery. Thank you for all your support of patients. I feel very strongly about patient’s advocating for themselves.
I thank God that I found your channel! Thanks for this amazing information.
Re: 6:30ish. My understanding about pain while undergoing general anaesthesia is that the body absolutely recognises the noxious stimuli and the nociceptive nerves do, in fact, fire at the point of the stimulus, and both the spinal cord and brain can still fire and react to it in the absence of concurrent pain medication and/or nerve blocks. Is this now disproven? Even if the patient cannot remember feeling the pain, surely that can have an effect? The fact that we know that neonates suffer long-term consequences of painful procedures (particularly preemies) in terms of their later pain recognition and responses.
I'm not arguing that your brain has to be able to receive and process signals in order to perceive pain... but the fact that stimuli that would be painful can cause autonomic dysreflexia in those with SCIs, despite no way for the brain to perceive that stimulus, shows that it's far more complex than if you're conscious enough to recognise the pain, and that pain can cause physical changes in the body, even when you aren't conscious of that pain.
My Goodness you hit the nail on the head .. it makes so much sense to me now from childhood tooth removal to having stitches on my hand from having a broken glass in it as a child I think something then triggered my brain with pain though I’m a strong person generally I find However that the attack of fibromyalgia can leave me feeling crippled for some time before the inflammation goes down
I was just over a year old when a broken tooth abcessed. Dentist told my mother babies don't feel pain and pulled it. It had a huge root.
Because of my sleep schedule, I'm always missing the lives. Thankfully I can still watch the recorded live!👌
Your channel is invaluable.
Thank you Doc 💛
Dr John Sarno tried to get the medical community to recognize that most chronic pain is associated with stress and trauma. He was laughed at and mocked even though he successfully treated many people with his lectures and cognitive behavioral therapy. I myself suffered tremendously from chronic back pain and his work helped me a lot.
Thank you so much for compassion and truth
What are your thoughts on being fast asleep during a nap and waking up screaming in pain (either phantom pain or my CRPS)? Cuz you aren’t worried, agitated, etc. but the body still sends severe pain signals with no stimulus
Not all pain is psychosomatic or caused by anxiety. That is why this focusing on the mental aspects frustrates me to no end. If a patient showed up with a broken arm are they gonna still preach reduce anxiety and meditate the pain away?
Meditation and therapy and stuff is great and helps... but its not the end all be all!
Btw... i have CRPS too. If im waking up screaming in pain i go back to physical therapy for a few refresher sessions. Mine might not be as bad as yours... i consider my case to be mild to moderate, not severe... so if PT is not helpful to you ignore my comment, but if you arent sure it might be worth a try. Also... kratom. I keep some for the absolute worse days.
@@AliciaGuitarExactly, to both of you. My fibromyalgia pain seems to be acute but repeated instances of hurting when I move because my nerves and brain are constricted with denser, tighter fascia and neuroinflammation seeming to stem from an awry autoimmune process, and from having fewer mitochondria which are also unable to use oxygen properly, causing muscle pain. Someone can constrict their nerves for a minute by tying their finger very tightly with a string, and that’s more “legitimate” pain-no one would say it’s their anxiety or whatever making them “hypersensitive”. But my repeated instances of acute pain (mislabeled as “chronic pain” IMO) every time I move a constricted, inflamed, oxygen-deprived muscle is not legitimate pain and I just need to learn to relax and think differently?
You’re talking about patient/doctor teamwork. Both dr. And patient need to be in the right head space to cooperate, communicate and participate in the healing process. Pain meds are only one aspect of healing. Brain perception is another part. Emotional healthy acceptance is another. Love your reasonable breakdown of information from a dr. Viewpoint. And I have fibromyalgia so I get what you are saying!!!
Expanding on the idea that pain is experienced in our brains, when you really stop and think about it, 100% of our lives and experiences are experienced right there in our brains. That means along with all of our physical pain, we experience our happiness, our joys, our loves, our losses, our sadness in our brains. Our entire existence is stored in our memories that way, so of course it makes sense that our brains are what are experiencing the physical pain, because it is our brains experiencing our humanity too.
You are such an amazing Dr! Love your videos!! I was gas lit at my last specialist, and the ptsd winding up at every visit. Its so hard to talk about it now
4/22/2009- a motorcycle accident left me permanently disabled. A car from the on-coming lane crossed over into my lane hitting me head-on. A dozen surgeries later I still deal with chronic pain but I hate the oxy's. I'm in the process, again, of weaning myself off oxy with methadone. I will not be happy again until I am off opioids.
My PTSD was seriously escalated by a a whole building of professional mental health staff who every day for 15 years harped on me about my chronic pain being caused by an abusive husband.
I've never seen such trained stupidity in all my life. I'll praise God till the day I die for him being rock ever since I can remember. Sadly, I have been gaslighted by some medical providers as well. Just grateful I finally found a provider that has never once several years been condescending to me about my pain issues. Many thanks for your ongoing posts that validate my physical status & don't mock me for how I feel. And I hope that your point about being an advocate for yourself is never minimized or underestimated.
I had five surgeries, and it considers failed back surgery. And the last one was to remove more scar tissue. But, I have never been afraid in the operating room, and my doctor was great. It started when I crashed a police patrol car at 110 mph. I was a cop for 20 years until the crash.
You must ensure you feel comfortable with your doctors; if you don’t, it is time to fine another doctor. I had one doctor I didn’t feel satisfied with, and ask for another one. The new one was fantastic. one who explained everything. You got to be comfortable with your doctor; if you are not, you will always be worried if things are going to be done right. You need a doctor that will explain everything before he does it.
I was diagnosed with JRA at 9 and have had chronic pain my whole life.
I had a very supportive family who was NOT focused on my disabilities. My mom used to joke and say all her kids were handicapped - one was emotionally handicapped (overly emotional), another was socially handicapped (nerd), and the fourth was socially handicapped in a different way (somewhat of a rebel in a good way).
We were always busy as a family and traveled a lot. My dad was with the airlines.
MY problem is that I tend to ignore my pain until I end up in E.R.. I've had a doctor say my kidney stone was intestinal flu because I didn't act sick enough. An orthopedic surgeon say I DIDN'T have a fractured femur because I climbed on the X-ray table myself. Nursing staff discounted my complaints about difficulty breathing, until I started turning blue and had to have a tracheostomy.
I always call it "breaking in a doctor" because my doctors don't take me serious until I have a crisis.
This practice of having a hospitaler in the hospital instead of a doctor who knows you is actually life threatening for me. I always have a family member around to advocate for me when I don't have the ability to explain or defend myself.
I used to be able to always have the same anesthesiologist, but they no longer do that either. I get the luck of the draw from a clinic of critical care doctors.
Trying to pay attention to what hurts or is out of order makes life less comfortable - for me and those who help me. (My kids, I'm 63.)
I have had so many people, and Doctors, amazed at my pain tolerance and my up attitude, but I always say I think it is easier when you grow up with it - it's just part of life and if you want to live life, you set it aside. But my family was what gave me the attitude first - we were busy with life and pain was just something to work around.
Even now, I get 90 tablets of hydrocodone/Tylenol (10/325). I usually will take a quarter or maybe a half occasionally and it takes me over a year to go through all 90 tablets. That is the only opioids I take. As much as I ignore my pain, I really can't afford to mask it even more.
The intensity of a person's pain IS very much their state of mind. A lonely or scared person will feel their pain more intensely than someone with supportive friends and family, or who feels secure in their situation.
I was so blessed in many ways and thank God for His kindness to me.
So relatable to my life experience, thank you for sharing, reading your message gives me much comfort to continue in the cross between real legitable pain ie living in the blessings far succeed and are more greater!. God bless you.
I feel u. I had Jra at age 9 too. 63 too.
@@kimberlywahl3624 I had a friend who had JRA who was diagnosed at the age of 4 years and she had it TERRIBLY !!!!! Her jaw was so out of alignment that she could put three fingers in her mouth (between her top teeth and her bottom teeth) with her mouth opened up and her fingers right beside each other and then she would put them in her mouth with her first finger against her top teeth and her third finger against her bottom teeth just as if she was showing someone that she was 3 years old with her first three fingers - only with her fingers closed together instead of separated . She had quite the gap between her top and her bottom teeth and it was VERY DIFFICULT for her to eat and I just felt so badly for her .
I used to have a high pain tolerance too . 1st grade ? Steve Monday stepped on my hand and broke my finger . I told him he broke my finger and he laughed and said he didn’t because I wasn’t crying . Never did cry and spent the entire day at school and after school care until
Mom got home and she was my swollen hand and took me to the ER . Then , when an exploded L4/5 disc caused increasing pain ? I didn’t appear to be in enough pain and they missed it on 3 MRI’s and called me drug seeking . Finally , they discovered my out of control pain was caused by pieces of disc floating in my spinal canal and my life was altered for the worst with chronic pain caused by permanent nerve damage because my complaints of pain weren’t great enough for the effing doctors to take me seriously . Now I have chronic pain and I feel as if over time my pain tolerance has lowered due to overload . I don’t even know if that’s a possibility? But it sure feels like it ! I’m glad you have loved ones around to advocate for you . When we’re sick or injured ? We all need a caring advocate because we’re not at our best and pain can cause short temper which can result in poor care by ignorant medical personnel .
@amyshew1151 Oh, wow, what a horrible experience!
It reminds me of the two years in Redding, CA, that led up to me going septic and having a trache and my legs amputated.
I'm sure your pain tolerance is lower!
First, you no longer trust the medical community, so you are going to be more sensitive to anything they do.
Second, you are probably suffering from PTSD from the whole situation, and your nervous system is exhausted.
I'm sure you know, living in pain makes you tired - everything takes more effort.
You CAN recover from some of that, but it takes time and rest and lots of happy thoughts.
Most often, about 90% of the time I ever take pain meds, I take them when I'm going to sleep for the night. Being able to sleep soundly really helps with the pain tolerance and the overall recovery.
I have two good doctors who understand my pain tolerance, which helps.
Like me, you have attitude toward the medical community, (yeah, don't get me on that one!) but try not to dwell on those negatives-- surround yourself with stuff that tickles your heart. I like certain types of music, I have a cat, hermit Crab, and a Betta fish. I have house plants I love. I watch RUclips videos that make me laugh. (Dry bar comedians are great!)
For me, my relationship and faith in God - knowing He's with me - is a rock that stabilizes my life. I know that isn't something everyone can get into, but if you can, check it out.
You are welcome to contact me personally. :)
Sometimes it helps if someone just affirms you aren't a hypochondriac!
I was in a very bad car accident in 1990. It's been a journey since, on and off of opioids. Here we are, present day, and I'm in the process of weaning *myself* off of pain meds with my Dr's help. They obviously have lost their significant effects and I'm simply chasing an addiction at this point. I'm currently coming off of med marijuana, too, as I was recently diagnosed with mild emphysema. I'm ready to try to meet life on life's terms.
I'm so incredibly grateful for you! Thank you!
Just in case you aren't aware of the option... you can make oil from the weed. Basically, just warm it gently for a few hours soaking in something like coconut oil. Store in glass in the fridge. Put some on a chip or bread when you want. It's slower and more subtle but still helpful without smoke.
@C. M. thanks so much! I actually have a Levo machine that does it but with disabilities it's not easy to stand on my feet long enough to set it up, sadly.
As an amputee due to destructive CRPS (3/18/22…full revision required 3/2/23) with severe phantom pain, the pain-brain connection is very evident because I can just be talking on the phone with a friend or even asleep, and end up screaming bloody murder because it feels like my un-existent body part is being electrocuted, stabbed, etc. I’ve had 14 surgeries in the last 5 years alone…17 in my life…with back surgery for a blown disc when I was 21, and 4 more back surgeries since then. Top it off with widespread CRPS, and my body is on high alert a majority of the time 🤕
I have advocated for myself with lists of questions and lists of what I need/would like during surgery and being a natural redhead having woken up during surgery. But the more than once or twice my concerns and requested were ignored by the "medical professionals" in the hospital. From sneaking in a student when I asked specifically for no students or residents, to having a lot of males in the OR for my hysterectomy when I simply asked for an all female staff for this personal and scheduled surgery. I NO LONGER TRUST THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. I HAVE BEEN LIED TO TO OFTEN.
Explaining the wind up and PTSD connection fits me to a tee.
How does this relate to other autoimmune diseases? Also, physical therapy has helped me tremendously with my joint pain. Why isn't that more readily available?
Great explanations and gratefully appreciated.
My doctor has PTSD from invasions by the DEA.
53 years of severe pain for me, so far.
I was diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia 30 years ago by the (then?)
head of U.C.S.F.'s rheumatology department. You remind me of him - a lot!
Kind and understanding!
Hope I can meet you some day!