Anyone Left w/ Chronic Pain?

I have chronic pain most of the time.

I had Fibromyalgia before bc, and sorta learned to accept that pain...I couldn't get rid of it completely, so took codeine whenever I knew I had something coming up I HAD to do. But, since bc the pain is a lot stronger.

I have had five and a half years of Arimidex, but wasn't given Calcium/ VitD, until 18 months ago, so ended up with Osteopenia, and bad back pain for almost a year. The only release I can find is to go and curl up in bed for a couple of hours. I get all my work done in a morning, well it takes me until 1 o'clock every day (7 days) have a quick late breakfast, then off to bed, like a toddler, for a little nap. I get all the 'must be nice'...alright for some'.... 'part-timers'  jibes, most days, which makes me feel worse ! I get accused of being a 'druggie' because I take my codiene, and sometimes ibuprofen tablets...so now have taken to taking them when no-one can see me...I know...stupid...but what the eye doesn't see means one comment less !

I have been working with a slipped disc ( or so I am being told by my dr. and physio) since October last year. I have really got pi**ed off about it this last 2 trips to the physio, which is doing me NO good at all, and asked for an MRI...AND got one arranged for next month. I had expected a bigger fight than that. Just simple things like picking a dog up, or reaching for washing, when I have it on the line, kills me, but as I don't look ill I get no sympathy, or help at all. I have also put on almost 40lbs, and just cannot shift it. I suppose lugging this around does not help with back pain !

I do have help with my housework 2 mornings a week, but this is turning into a fiasco...my cleaner got pregnant last year. I had hoped she would have left when the baby came along, but, no, she brings it with her. It is driving me insane, trying to sort out things she can do where the baby isn't going to come into contact with the dogs I have in the house while I am working outside, and not able to watch things is an accident waiting to happen ! The baby is just starting to walk, won't stay in a babypen nor a pram. Yowls a good part of the time its here, and a baby screaming and constant pain do not mix, and the cleaning, such as it is nowadays, comes to a halt for the babys breakfast, the babys drinks, the babys changing, the babys snacks. I am paying to have a baby looked after that is not mine, and my house is being half cleaned ! This, I am sure, causes my pain level to increase ! I am torn between looking for extra work so I don't need to come inside and see whats going on, or coming inside and taking over the flaming baby so some cleaning can get done !!!  Being a coward, and wanting a calmer life I stay out of the way, though how on earth I can find extra work outside in the middle of winter I don't know !

So I end up, on cleaning days not being able to get a proper rest, for going round finding fault in things not done, and trying to set about it myself. My physio said to me last week he didn't know how I had managed to carry on working for nearly a year, as most of his other patients just seem to rest up 'til it gets better. He doesn't know the half of whats going on in my house.....before long there will be a baby battering, as I can't stand the house full of the noise of a screaming baby much longer !

Isabella. 

Dotti, I would love to get another cleaner.....but...I can't just sack this one. I know I have grounds to do this, and then some, but she is a single mother and relies on the cash to survive. I actually feel sorry for her....so am in a catch 22 situation.

I shall just end up locked up for smothering the child !!!!!!!!!!

Let us know how your back op. goes, I have read about this keyhole back surgery, but whether it'll be available in UK is not known. I had a really bad day yesterday with my back, and just had to pack in everything at 3pm and just sit for the rest of the day. I always feel so guilty when I have to sit down, leaving everything. The day before I was putting together some kitchen cupboards from Ikea, for my utility room, and knew I would have to pay the price !!! I am like you with the back, having to keep sitting down every few minutes. I just HATE being inactive, suppose I wouldn't have so much prolonged pain if I just sat down a lot more, but thats just not me !!

 Ohbother...how are you going ??

Isabella.

Isabella, why don't you tell your cleaner that you pay for 3 hours cleaning, if it takes her 4 hours to do it since she has to stop for the baby that's OK but you expect the number of hours you pay for. That should ease your frustration and your mess.

I wish all of you ease from your pain.

Leah

It is not up to you to save the world.  Or this girl. 

I dont know about the States, but in Canada, there is much help for single mothers with daycare and work programs. 

Regardless, it is not up to you to listen to the baby scream.  She either has to find a sitter or you will find another housekeeper.  It is that easy.

HI All,

Thank you so much for posting about oyur chronic pain.....I too am suffering from it and feel awkward about still needing to take some narcotics to get me through the day.  I was dxd last dec, stage 3, had surgery - followed by a nasty staph infection, then chemo, radiation and now on tamoxifen.  It's funny when I write all of that down I feel like "of course you still have pain and achiness"...but I do worry about it because it feels like some of the other survivors I know do not have the chronic pain issue.

There was some question a few years back that I may also have an auto-immune type problem so that may be tied in to why I have pain....

Anyway, thanks for listening, I am so glad to get to know you all,

Warmly,
Fiona