Question My mother is 68 years old and about 17 years ago, she had a very severe cough. She coughed for
several days and during a coughing spell, she felt
an excruciating pain go through her back. Since
then, she has been in progressively worse pain. She could not even sit at the computer to write this to you. She has been to about 50 doctors
including Mayo, Emory (Atlanta, GA), some
specialist in New Orleans. NOT ANY of these place can even guess why she is in severe pain. She has
had cat-scans, MRI's, bone scans, exploratory sugery, everthing, The pain is throughout her
rib cage/chest area. She describes it as feeling
like her organs are pulling and stuck together. She has no quality of life, stays home, in bed
mostly and take xanex and another stong pain medicine. It does not take away the pain, but allows her to sleep at night. I just wonder whey we can't find out what is wrong? Do you have any advice? It you want to transfer this to anyone who may have answers, we are desperate!!Thanks!
AnswerDear Ms. Whitaker,
Wow. This is a tough one. I've been to about as many doctors (including Emory and Mayo), with the same frustrating results, and spent four years of my life in bed with my pain pills as well, so I can understand your desperation. However, my symptoms were somewhat different, and I must admit I've not come into contact with anyone with this particular complaint. I work mostly with people who have total body pain, so the treatment of specific areas is sort of novel. That isn't to say there's nothing left to be done, of course. There are always open windows, they just might be hard to find. I'm just one person, banking off her experiences and those of other chronic pain sufferers she's talked to, but I'll do my best to relate everything I can think of.
Okay. The first thing I thought of, since the pain originated when she coughed, was a pinched nerve or pulled muscle. Pinched nerves can last for a very long time (although they shouldn't, and pulled muscles certainly don't last that long), but I'm sure they did a neurological exam at Mayo, which should have discovered something like nerve difficulties. I say should have because I place very little stock in the place; very little is understood about chronic pain, as I'm sure you've noticed, and the traditional/scientific medical world tends to believe that if it doesn't show up in tests, it's all in your mind. That is utter nonsense. I have to admit though, they're pretty good with finding technical problems, so I think that if there were nerve problems, they'd have found them. But let me say that if your mom hasn't had a very thorough neurological workup, she should. You'd be amazed at all the things pinched nerves can do as far as sensation goes.
From here, I usually suggest one of two options: seeing a doctor who specializes solely in chronic pain (which you may have done already), or visiting a naturalist (also refered to as homeopathic) doctor. A doctor who specializes in chronic pain would be the path to take for someone who wishes to stick with 'traditional' medicine: the practice they use in most hospitals, clinics (like Mayo), ect. It's the 'accepted' form of scientific treatment. Natural medicine is for those who are willing to try natural remedies. Most often associated with eastern medicine, it includes things like accupuncture, herbal treatments, and allergy treatments. These are time honoured, ancient methods of healing and prevention. I mention this because natural medicine is what has gotten me to a point where life is liveable; I'd even dare to say I'm doing well. It's not for everyone, of course, because you have to believe that what you're doing will make you better for it to work. That principle applies to modern medicine as well as natural.
So, first a discussion of the pain clinic route. This one is very tricky. Pain clinics specialize in the treatment of chronic pain. There is a doctor or doctors there who create a plan to each specific person's needs. If you get a good pain clinic, a good doctor who cares about your mom's situation and genuinely wants to help her feel better, it might very well be a good thing. However, there are several out there who will try to continue pumping a patient full of pain medications, which, while they serve as a crutch that gets you through each day, are mind-fogging and only help to reduce that quality of life. I realize they are a necessary evil since they are the only things getting her through right now, but with pain meds come so many risks and side effects (overdose, toleration, which can lead to addiction, and mind dulling effects). This is not said to scare you (you probably know it already anyway), simply to inform you. So make sure that constant pain meds aren't the only thing on a pain clinic doctor's agenda. That said, there are many other procedures that can be done. But I have to reiterate, I know they do these things for total body pain patients; I don't know if they can be done for those with centralized pain, especially so near the heart, or for someone your mother's age. But the motto I went by could apply: anything's worth a shot. Just make sure it doesn't add to the problem.
The next thing to discuss is natural medicine. This is an often misunderstood field of medicine, and understandably so. We grow up in a culture that stresses strict science and the omnipotency of physicians. Modern medicine can do many amazing and life saving thigs, but unfortunately even it can be stumped. Natural medicine is practiced by a certified, licensed Medical Doctor (or should be; always check out his or her credentials) who completed all the same requirements and training time as traditional MD's, but is a specialist in that he/she also went through many courses that focused intensely and completely on treatment and prevention of illness and pain through natural means. Usually, the doctor will have a consultation appointment, just as you would with any other doctor, to talk with you and your mother, get a feel for the situation, and decide on and discuss the best course of treatment. They are, on a whole, very indepth, and will ask questions you might find completely irrelevent. It is a big change, having come straight from traditional medicine (at least it was for me ^_^), but it's not as far out as it sounds. The doctor may mention any number of things, but most often I hear of them using accupuncture for chronic pain treatment. Like I've said, you might have to open minded for this (being ever skeptical after four years of hospitals and doctors, I gave them trouble until they explained it in a way I could understand^^), but you've said you are desperate, and that's what led me down that path, so I mention it. It's also necessary to mention that naturalist doctors tend to be more expensive, and insurance does not cover much if any of the bills. I'm not a naturalistic doctor, just a lowly student trying to make up for lost time and hoping to be of a little help along the way. But I hope I don't sound too dramatic when I say that natural medicine turned my life around. I was almost bed-ridden, unable to attend school, and in a drug-induced fog most of the time. The pain was constant, which caused depression, and we'd tried as much as we knew to try, to where I felt helpless and hopeless. Then a friend mentioned natural medicine to me, and although I was extremely skeptical (I asked "is that where they use voodoo dolls?" ^_~), I tried it out. It took about six months before I noticed a huge difference, but even sooner than that, small changes could be noted. I'm sure you're familiar with the pain scale; when I first became ill, it was a consistant 8. Now, after about 18 months of this course of treatment, I'm down to a 3 most days, 4 or 5 if it's raining or cold. All that to say, it can really make a difference. Our bodies weren't designed to handle such an onslaught of synthetic chemicals. I'm sure that, as with any type of treatment, it won't necessarily work for everyone, but I've yet to meet a chronic pain patient who hasn't been helped at least a bit by it. Also, you are able to stay on any necessary chemical meds (like the pain killers or other meds) until you're able to come off of them. I'm down from 14 meds a day to 5.
Now please understand, I'm not trying to say natural medicine is the only way, or persuade you into it. I'm just relating what's helped for me and others. I think I'd be remiss not to. And so I would be as well if I didn't mention God. Faith and prayer work wonders for the soul, mind, body, and thus health, no matter what religion you practice. I know that He's been the one to guide me through this, even when there were rough spots where I turned away.
Also, I want to commend you on everything you're doing for your mother. I know it must be a terrible strain on you and your other obligations, causing frustration and desperation the same as it does for her. So many chronic pain sufferers don't have this blessing; your mother is truly blessed in having you, and you will be blessed for it. Support is so very important.
Lastly, don't give up. I don't know how many times I heard this, and each time I wanted to give the person a good punch ^_^ But it's true. There is always another way, always some alternative. Hope is necessary for recovery, for everything in life, really. In the end, your mother is going to have to want with all her might to get better, and to never stop trying. You can and should continue to encourage her, but ultimately, she must find that strength to keep going, to find a way to regain her quality of life.
Well, I've said everything I know to say. I'm sorry for being so long-winded ^_^ I do hope that something might be of some use to you. It's hard to know, not being certain of exactly what all you've tried, but it covers the biggest portion, and since you've tried so much, I omitted the obvious stuff like heart or pulmonary disease and stroke. And I'm afraid I have no idea of anyone to pass this on to. I will keep a copy though, should I ever find anyone who might know something that would help. But if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. I can't guarantee I can answer them in a satisfactory manner, but I promise I'll do everything I can. I wish you both all the best. May God bless you :)
Sincerely,
Celeste
"You are my hope, oh Lord my God, you are my trust from my youth." --Psalm 71:5
"But I will hope continually, and will praise You more and more." --Psalm 71:14
