Chronic pain and staying active. How do you manage?

I also have DDD. I'm down 43 pounds, and the pain is so much better just for that. I agree with something in the water. I'm not much for swimming, but do like water jogging, as I said upthread.

Hi there, I had a condition called Adenomyosis as well as Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, all diagnosed at about the same time. It was diagnosed by an endoscopic surgery that also drained many of the large cysts I had on my ovaries (previous to this I had also had a C-section). I had a radical hysterectomy with oophorectomy 5 years ago. About 6 months after my hyster I also had my gallbladder and appendix removed due to a massive infection. I found out not too long after that, that all those abdominal surgeries had caused a mass of scar tissue in my abdomen. Basically it feels like a corset that binds all my organs and muscles together from the bottom of my ribcage to the top of my hips. Scar tissue doesn't respond well to physical therapy. So it's taken a good year to get a good medication course going. That's what's helped the most. To stay active I basically just know that if I have a good, active, day I will know I have to rest the next. For example, on Friday we deep cleaned the house which involved 6 hours of stooping, lifting, twisting, being on my knees, up down up down. At the end of the day I was literally whimpering and unable to move. So on Saturday I did very little, went to the pool which helped a lot. Today I still feel pretty sore but better now.

I plan around my pain in order to run and do some free weights. That's basically my whole thing, planning around it and finding what has dulled it the most.

Chronic pain makes me crabby and self centered. For over a year i was in a funk over inflammation, numbness and relentless pain in my right forearm, bicep and shoulder. I eventually found the right doctor ... an integrative specialist ... who identified the situation and tested for the MTHFR chromosomal mutation and polymorphism.

Complex subject, but apparently 50% of population have this genetic abnormality which amongst many other things causes inflammation, swelling of muscles and migrating muscle pain. It is treatable with high quality methyl-factor & thyroid hormone (for my situation) supplements daily for life to assist in protein synthesis & thyroid regulation. Officially i have an auto immune thyroid disease. The MTHFR affects quality of life. With such a high % of population affected you would think doctors would do a simple blood test.

Most important i want to share the miracle of castor oil. My smart doc recommended applying 2-3x's per day, externally, to arm & shoulder. Within 1 month my paralysis had reversed and within 2 months the pain was reduced 80%. I'm not completly pain free 5 months later, yet I've only been on supplement a few days so hope for continued relief.

Generally i add a few drops of my favorite essential oils to the castor oil, wear an old t-shirt as it's thick, apply heat and rest. I hope it works for you.

Blessings on the surgery, my friend! Not a viable option for me. The doc's were very honest. It was 50/50 for working, very likely not permanent with 6 months in a halo after. Um ... PASS!

I have gone back to a studio for Ashtanga yoga 3-4 times per week. PT was more costly and yoga has other benefits for me. They also offer gentle yoga. Could be helpful for some!