Alternative remedies for chronic pain (1)

Like me I'm sure you've been through the wars with this illness and when it comes to talking about pain relief I'm usually the first one to roll my eyes because not a lot has worked for me. It dawned on me one day that my G.P had put me on medication that's also used for Cancer pain and that kind of freaked me out. I have always had a keen interest in the alternatives to convential medicine. I have tried accupuncture for my Endo with successful results, I must actually make a new appointment. My therapist actually told me that there was a "mass" over my right ovary and after what happened on Tuesday I'm inclined to believe her even more now.

I have also tried herbal and homeopathic remedies. Personally, Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

(seeknatural.co.uk)

 and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium),

(Etsy.com)

taken in tincture form can sometimes ease my bleeding and the symptoms of PMS but this does depend on the cycle and what medications I'm taking the effects vary. For my pain I have found that Belladonna works great for me. Its a dangerous herb so do not try to cultivate this yourself. Buy from a reputable health store please.
Herbs like Ginger are great for nausea and Nettle tea is an old remedy my Mum used to give me for cramps. It eased the pain I must say and I was really skeptical at first. Again in depends on your pain levels. We're all different. Nowaday's I wish a cup of Nettle tea would do the trick. But I'll stay positive and kick this Endo in the butt. I don't want to get stuck in the negative pain cycle. It looks a little like this and I'm sure we can all relate to it at some point or another;

You are best to talk to your healthcare professional before beginning any course of herbal or homepathic treatment. 

I've heard many people tell me now aboue TENS machines. I have as of yet to try one out. I think I'll do some research into it and decide then. For now here's a little bit about the TENS machines;

How tens pain relief works

At high and low frequencies, tens machines activate opioid receptors in the central nervous system. Opioid receptors have various functions, including the production of analgesia (pain relief), sedation and euphoria. When a tens machine is turned up to a high pulse rate, it causes neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the spinal cord to send messages to the synapse in the brain. This causes the spinal cord to block the pain gate, by producing pain relief (analgesia). At a low frequency, tens pain relief machines also stimulate serotonin receptors in the spinal cord. This causes serotonin to be released in the brain. Serotonin helps to relieve chronic pain.

How effective are Tens Machines

Various research has shown that using a tens machine is an effective way of easing pain, if it is used correctly. The results vary according to the type of pain. A study done abroad surveyed the effects of tens pain relief for labour pains. 71% of participants said tens machines had provided effective pain relief for their labour pains. Most of the participants said they would use a tens unit for pain relief in the future. For more TENS machine info, go here  http://www.tensmachines.ie/

Scared yes, foolish perhaps, stubborn most definitely.

Hi all, forgive my absence I've been having a rough time with my Endo of late. So bad that on Tuesday morning I actually gave myself a fright. For a few days previous I had an intense pain in my right side. Not a familiar pain, like a sharp stabbing pain just under my last rib. Too high I thought for it to be connected with my Endo and I had planned to see my G.P Tuesday evening if the pain did not ease. 

{I know many people would say to go straight away to the hospital if you have a sudden intense pain but when you are experiencing pain daily and you are accustomed to a certain amount of unexplained intense pain I think you can become a little bit complacent about things. Well I can only speak for myself but I think this is the reason I don't run to A&E each and every time I've a new pain as I'd be in there every week and that's not the life I choose to live. My apologies if this offends anyone, it's not my intention.}

So with that in mind I was minding my own, doing some chores when all of a sudden this tearing pain just floored me. I mean literally. I fell to the floor with the pain. It shot right through my body, spasmed around my back and even into my legs. I was clutching my abdomen having no idea what was happening to me. It felt at if someone was twisting my ovary and pinching it until finally I felt what I can only describe as a "pop" or a sudden "burst".  The pain lasted several minutes with such an intensity I had to focus on my breathing, using techniques I have learned over the past few years. Of course it would be a day I was at home alone. I couldn't even get to my phone from where I was. I just had to ride the pain out. Those minutes felt like flaming hours. It was intense to say the least and one of the worst pains I've experienced in sometime. 

Ten times worse than this picture could depict. I would have taken the barbed wire I swear. 

When I was finally able to move I noticed there was a lot of blood, clots and tissue has passed. It was a scare to say the least. I must point out that I did not proceed to the Emergency Room. I rang my hospital and spoke to someone from the Gynae Team. I have in my possession Cyklokapron and Primolut and was advised to take these to stop the bleeding as that's really all they would do for in hospital. When I described my symtpoms it was loosely agreed that it was an ovarian cyst that had ruptured. The person I spoke to obviously will not be named and they couldn't assure me that staying at home was my best option. They encouraged me to come in for a scan but having been through this process several times before I felt fairly confidant that the pain would pass with the clots. 

Today I am much better. Even yesterday the pain was completely gone from my right side.

I found out from my pharmacist that the painkillers prescribed my my G.P are no longer on the market as there were not enough people on them. I have decided to return to a homepathic remedy I know well. Touch wood, all is going well today. I managed to get some sleep last night which I really needed and between my boyfriend looking after me, then going to visit my Mum and Sis. I have so much support and I am eternally grateful for them. 

A different path?

Ladies, I'm sure you're tired of being promised that this or that treatment will aid you or rid you of pain, gain your a few years without those sometimes torturous cramps, save your fertility or just give you a better quality of life.

Now those of you have been on that long list of hormone therapies, surgeries &

sometimes whatever the Doc's are pulling out of there hats have probably, like me already turned to an alternative medicine to see if it has any use.

I myself have tried TCM but while I was on a GnRH analogue so we've never been entirely sure which one worked although the herbs I was prescribed certainly helped with the side effects of the treatment so in that I can say hand on heart they worked for me.

Whilst I have not been yet brave enough to go for acupuncture I have tired homeopathic & herbal remedies & still continue to use certain one's for PMS & the general annoying pains I get from my Endometriosis.

It really doesn't matter what "stage" of this disease you have, you still suffer, it's not

fair & it's certainly not something you've brought on yourself.

*Some of the Herbal Remedies I've tried over the years are; Chamomile, Peppermint, Feverfew, Yarrow, Chaste Tree, Valerian, Hops, Skullcap, Sage & also in the Homeopathic realm I've used Belladonna, Kali. Phos & New Era tissue salts for menstruation.

*If you want to try any of these please consult with your G.P or local Herbalist first.

In no way am I encouraging you to abandon your treatment's or usual medicine but instead am just putting it out there that there are always alternative's even if to just help with side effects or improve your overall health.

Give herbs a shot, they were around first after all :-)

Remember there's always support available to us, a light at the end & always always there's hope.