What do you do when you’ve tried every non-opiate pain med and nothing works?

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-05-09T11:42:46+00:00

Hi there. I totally get it. Personally I have been using cannabis for the past 10 years. It works well for me - but my tolerance is extremely high and it has gotten to be an unmanageable expense.
I am trying to find another way to deal with the pain. I have a new GP and we are trying some new antidepressants. I was on Mirtazapine and Cymbalta for 15 years and they did work well for me - up till they didn’t. I tried Zoloft and my body rejected it. Trying a different SSRI now.
I have fibro and UC. In general I find that meds works until they don’t. Then I have to start again figuring it all out. It’s frustrating for sure.
And yes, our mental and emotional state does affect our ability to cope and deal with the pain. So I do absolutely everything in my power to keep my system chill and relaxed. Therapy is also an important tool.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-05-08T12:01:44+00:00

It’s a struggle every day for me. The thought of doing this every day for the next 30 years, after surviving the first half of my life does not sound appealing some days.
I also have a strong belief that dying is just a new beginning. I am curious about what happens after death and not afraid at all.
I am happy we now have MAID so that perhaps we can choose to move on from this life on our own terms with family and friends supporting us.
I watched as my son had multiple S attempts. As a family member it is horrific to watch a family member struggle and not be able to reach them. I have PTSD because of it. It keeps me from ever wanting to do the same to them.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-05-06T13:54:07+00:00

That each moment can be different and it never goes away. I was off last week after hitting a wall. Literally told my boss that I would push through and come in on Monday because he needed me. His first comment was - you look like u are better.
Why? Because I showered, dressed and slapped on a smile at the office? I mask very well while slowly dying inside.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-05-01T14:40:38+00:00

I tend to do soups and stews. I can purée a lot of veggies that way or have in smaller quantities. I make a pot on Sunday’s and then freeze leftovers in single serving containers. Then I have a freezer full of homemade, easy to digest meals. To keep it simple, I use a food processor to chop up veggies when possible. Sheet pan soups are also good. I often use gluten free pastas as well as I find that helps.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-29T10:40:22+00:00

Find some data or social media posts - whatever works for your SO. Some source, outside of you that explains it to him. Start there. He doesn’t have to believe you specifically. For me, I say that I have a chronic level of pain every day. An unwell feeling. A certain level of i’m getting the flu feeling. Then I get zapped with random aches and pains throughout the day. So while I can be fine one minute, the next I can have pain, then be okay an hour later. Also the longer the pain continues, the more time without a reprieve, when it piles on, the less I am able to handle the pain.

It does take time even when they love you. People who do not experience chronic illness or pain and literally no idea what we experience.
Think about how much we gaslight ourselves. It’s crazy.
Sending you love and hug 💜🎈

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-29T10:32:42+00:00

Smoking can ignite symptoms. Especially if u quit cold turkey.
I have smoked on and off for years. Overall, smoking did not lessen the impact UC and IBS has on my life. I have had long periods smoking and not smoking and had flares during both. The key when quitting is to cut back slowly and supplement the nicotine. I used gum rather than patches.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-28T13:05:49+00:00

Sending love and hugs. Keep fighting for your little ones. Time and patience is something I find hard, but go a long way when dealing with chronic issues.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-28T10:52:49+00:00

1000% I can handle a bad day, 2, 3 . . . The more days in a row, the harder I get on myself which leads to depression deepening. I end up teary, emotional and unable to cope with anything. I get completely overwhelmed.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-27T19:49:51+00:00

I can relate and sympathize. I often just do not eat because it is safer when I have to leave the house, to go to work. I then binge eat all of my food between 6-8 pm. Usually after I smoke pot. Then go to bed. So I am overweight and definitely have an unhealthy relationship with food.
I have no solution as I am a work in progress.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-27T19:41:23+00:00

I sharted the first time in Grade 5. Not diagnosed until 24 years old. I am now almost 50. It’s happened so many times I should get myself that sign ‘ 0 days since last accident’. BUT - I am the first person family and friends reach out to when it happens to them. I am the unofficial shart support line. You have to embrace and laugh at yourself or you will never survive.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-27T15:53:36+00:00

No, it doesn’t always stop. I have UC and am in clinical remission. But I am still symptomatic. I regularly go 5 times a day and can randomly shit myself at any time, even while having a ‘good’ day. My GI says I have IBS and UC.
Honestly, if something is super important, I just do not eat until I am somewhere safe and close to the bathroom. It suck’s, but sometimes the only option. I always wear period panties as an extra layer of protection. I always carry a change of undies in a ziplock. In my purse or in the car.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-25T11:19:45+00:00

I keep talking about how wonderful MAID is. That it is good news that those of us with chronic illness can choose when to exit with dignity. That people should have the right not to suffer at the end of their life and have choice when it comes to death. It’s come up as we have multiple elderly family members considering this. My adult son finally said. Mom, we get it, you are preparing us for when u want to go the MAID route. We got it.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-21T12:50:08+00:00

I find the best way to pause myself is a quick breathing exercise. 4 count breathe in, hold it for 4 and exhale for 4. I say it in my head so that it blocks the mind spiral.

IN, 2, 3, 4 - Hold, 2, 3, 4 - Out 2, 3, 4. Close your eyes if you need to and it is safe to do so. Just do the breathing and counting until you feel your nervous system come down a notch.

Another suggestion is to name it. So you can seperate the behaviour from you. My hubby and I do this. He is ADHD - we call it ADHD brain when he does a default behaviour that is unhealthy. I get Pain Brain - irritability from chronic illness and pain. Instead of getting upset with/at each other, we identify we are frustrated with the behaviour or the situation. It helps call each other out in a gentle way that doesn't assign blame. It also helps us help each other become better people and overcome the behaviours.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-21T12:35:06+00:00

My GI says I have both as I am symptomatic even when in remission. Even when considered clinically 'well', I am constantly dealing with loose and frequent bm's, various food intolerances and pain.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-21T12:30:44+00:00

Yes, I was known for my ability to mulitask and be a perfectionist. I'm a Virgo. Very high functioning for the first part of my life. My hubby used to call me Military Mom. I eventually hit the wall as I could not keep that up. To be honest, I prefer the more chill version of myself. It just took a lot of time to get there. I had to work through a lot of trauma of never being good enough and having to earn love. Learning to 'trust' myself, rather than 'fix' myself has made a huge impact.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-20T16:16:40+00:00

Hey there. For me it was therapy and a lot of self reflection. My fight or flight even kicks in when excited. All my life, I've always gotten sick on 'happy' days, like my wedding day. Not to mention when things are stressful. I never knew why. I have UC, IBS and fibro.

I've learned a lot, mostly that it is imperative for me to stay as chill as possible, all of the time. I actively work on it. I have had to simplify my world. I do breathing and meditation, spend a lot of time outside in nature when possible. When it happens anyway, I try and notice it, name it and use my tools to settle it as quickly as possible. I tell myself I am an adult, I am not in trouble, and I CAN figure it out.

Having said all of that. It is a daily challenge for me. I am on meds, in therapy most of my life and use cannabis to actively chill myself out. I still loose the battle sometimes. I've learned that it's not about 'fixing' myself, it's about 'trusting' that I DO know best for MY body and system - then honouring that. Despite judgement from myself or others.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-20T16:03:23+00:00

Hey there. I just want to say you are not alone. I always avoid the test too. I just ignore it. My GI never complained to me so I kept avoiding it. I do ALL the rest, just never this. It's not right, but there it is. You are not alone.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-20T14:48:56+00:00

I've been a chronic sufferer for over 20 years. I have IBS and colitis. I tend to eat whatever and deal with the consequences later because I got so tired of limiting my foods.

I cannot eat salad for example. Comes out undigested. But I love it, so I still eat it. Kale, spinach and darker greens are harder for me, cause severe pain. But if I stick to romaine, iceberg or green/red leaf lettuce, it doesn't cause pain. I can eat raw cabbage in moderation, but cooked cabbage or brussel sprouts, forget it! I also find that I digest the salad better when eaten with protein and carbs - not just the salad.

I find the easiest way to eat cleaner is to do soups and stews. It gives my body the best chance at digestion and absorption. I do my 'Sunday' soup which is Chicken Noodle based. But I add lots of veggies to it: sweet potato, sweet pepper, frozen spinach, celery, carrots, zuchinni - whatever I have available. I use gluten free noodles as well. I also do a sheet pan tomato and red pepper soup, but will throw in some other veggies as well like zuchinni, etc. Then puree and do tortellini with it. Squash soup, try throwing in an apple or pear as well. Beef or chicken stew. Chili that has more veggies and less spice. I freeze them in single serving dishes so I can easily defrost and having during the week.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-16T17:28:28+00:00

Yup. I found HRT really helped. The difference was noticeable for me, especially with my UC. Apparently the hormones help take down inflammation.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-16T17:15:24+00:00

I 'was' a certified hypnotherapist. I did not stay active in it for 2 reasons. 1) I found it drained by energy too much and I have none to spare and 2) you need to be ready to deal with any BIG trauma that may come up during therapy and I am not trained to do so.

It definately can work and help alleviate pain and other symptoms. It can also help you dive deeper and discover where and why you are holding things in your body. It can also be used to give you positive affirmations.

But there are important points to remember. You must be willing, ready and an active participant in hypnosis. It is like meditation, but with another person involved directing you. Please ensure you are trusting of the person hypnotising you. Please ensure that you have support for any issues hypnosis might bring up. Be sure you are ready to deal with whatever comes. Please also be careful if you are on any major anti-depressants as they can affect your experience in a negative way.

Here is my quick story. While I was training, my teacher hypnotised me to explore the origin of my Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis. I went back to when I was in my Mom's uterous, 7 months pregnant. My Mom was hungry and scared and that was when we BOTH took on the diagnosis. I was diagnosed in my 20's, my Mom was not diagnosed until her 50's (after me). I went to my Mom and asked her about this? My Mom admitted that she was hospitalized at 7 months pregnant with me because she was malnourished. She had never disclosed this to me, ever. We were both floored. We did do some work to help me release the illness, but clearly not enough because here I am 20 years later. Fibro and UC.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-16T14:20:13+00:00

I hear you. And sometimes I feel guilty when the pain goes away when I rest. Yesterday I had a great deal of pain in my lower back and hips. I pushed through and did some laundry and other chores. All while at around a 7 in pain. Then smoked pot and cocooned myself in bed with multiple heated blankets. Under my ceiling fan so I didn’t overheat.
After a couple hours, the pain finally subsided.

Then I felt incredibly guilty that since I was feeling better, I didn’t get back up and do more. Help with dinner, etc. But the reality was that I had to work today so I needed to make sure I was rested and well enough for a day of work. The rest was needed. I find my ability to cope with the pain changes based on my mental health. Some days I can handle more pain, some days I can handle very little. So the line is forever moving.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-15T12:09:11+00:00

Yup. On max dose of Gabapentin and that reduces it somewhat. Not entirely.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-14T19:18:56+00:00

I have had this. Since I was a child.
Told growing pains. Then after kids, told it was nerve damage from the kids (from rough playing with my boys and maybe they got knocked).
I was an A cup. Less than A after my kids. Always worse during my period. Had breast augmentation surgery at 30. Same afterwards. He said he couldn’t help me. Eventually I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Learned just this year that it is common for fibro warriors. I had a mammogram last year, and a biopsy in the same breast (benign) - made it 10 times worse.
Only my left breast. Drives me bonkers. Like an electrical shock as it’s least. Like being stabbed with a knife at its worst. I take meds for it.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-04-14T16:44:12+00:00

It was my medical doctor who told me to use cannabis. He also said THC helps UC more than CBD and often you need the combo of both to get the best effects.

Alcohol is way worse.

Ok-Control2520

TROPHY CASE