The Problem With Pain Is That No One But The Person Experiencing The Pain Can Tell Just How Strong It Is.  I Have Also Suffered From Chronic Pain Since 1996 Or So.  I Was Stabbed In 95 And Have Had Many Sugeries Since That Time . The Last In Sept Of 08.  I Have A Wonderful Doctor Who Is An Addictive Medication Specialist.  Due To The Fact That I Tried To Take Myself Off Meds And Turned To Street Drugs, Anyway The Reason Why I Am Posting Is That I Currently Take Methadone And Hydromophone For M Y Pain.  It Works Very Well For Me.  I Was On Oxycodone But There Is Currently A Law Suit Against Them Due To The Addictiveness Of The Drug. I Would Advise Anyone To Ask About Methadone.  It Is Used For Herion Addicts . But Is Also Used To Treat Chronic Pain And It Works!  Or Find A Good Pain Clinic In Your Area. The Doctors Who Think You Are Faking Or Do Not Understand Your Issues Do Not Deserve Your Money.  Find Someone Who Will Take The Time To Listen To Your Needs.  My Doctor Will Spend 30 -45 Minutes With Me If Needed.  And Takes The Time To Answer My Questions Not Just Take A Quick Glance Write A Script And Charge Me A Big Bill!

i have experienced severe back back because of a herniated discs, with shooting pains, which was partially relieved by yoga, breathing exercises and posture balance, its a great way to straighten and strenghten the back.

Oh my gosh.  I just found this web site, and am amazed at the things written that I have read so far.  I have interstitial cystitis (which comes along with IBS, fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic fatigue, etc.)and am disabled from it.  I was placed on so many medications I was drooling and could barely function.  These included anti-depressants and pain killers as strong as morphine (RIP Anna Nicole, her son, Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, and sympathies to Brittini Spears who shaved her head on the anti-depressants).  Can't believe how many pills the doctors give, without any thought to what affect they will have when you walk out the door.  Never felt better on any of the pills-in fact they made me so much worse I couldn't keep my job, and my husband left me.  I found subsequently a book about adrenal fatigue-a medical doctor specializing in endocrinology turned me on to it, when he saw my cortisol levels were so low they barely registered (I had been falling down, like people with Addison's).  Anyway, I found out that one doctor, a Dr. Swarzbein said her theory on interstitial cystitis is that it is caused by depleted adrenals drawing from the interstitial fluids-as quoted in a book she wrote-the Swarzbein Principle.  I am saying all this, because I believe fibromyalgia and interstitial cystitis are caused by the breakdown of the body, and pills that make you more tired and groggy are going to make it all worse-speaking from experience.  Velvet bean will bring up the dopamine levels, and if you have to have another mood calming supplement, seratonin levels can be brought up with 5 htp, and eggs (or any type of meat or dairy-but egg is the purest form and does the best job).  These are to replace what the body cannot produce as you age, or are under much stress.  If you need to replentish your muscle tone, I have found 7-keto helps with the muscle pain from my fibromyalgia.  Hope this helps.  The first step is to ask the doctor to help you wean yourself from the meds.  I had to slowly cut back on the anti-depressants, and that was an awful ordeal.  I was being placed on the seratonin reuptake ones, which were not what I needed, as they were anti-anxiety meds (supposedly to help with dealing with the chronic pain) and the one that finally evened me out was an anti-depressant-boy was I screwed up until I was completely off the anti-anxiety, anti-depressant roller coaster.  Hope my experience helps someone else. 

Feb 21, 2008 -- 3:09PM, elvsh4 wrote:

i am 45 female have had chronic groin pain for 10 or more years along with bladder prob called intercystal cystitis and the pain is crazy sleep deprived tried many jobs did not work out now on total dissability hoping to get title 19 but only way is to work part time and i am trying i feel like my pain doc and shrink are not doing me justice on vicodin the strongist one and i feel so depressed the shrinks meds making me ill and trying to work part time is killing me but i have too I have no insurance HELP

Please read post #26-I couldn't figure out how to answer your post.