I will try to make this as short as I can. I have been a member of NA for 20 years. Four years ago I developed a migraine headache that has never left. Every day I have a headache in one form or another. On most days on a scale of one to ten, it is a 2-4. The worst it ever gets is an 8 at which point I am usually vomiting and go to the ER. I go to the top neurologist on the East Coast (seriously) and they have tried: inpatient hospitalization for a week, outpatient infusions, beta blockers, epilepsy meds, toradol, migraine specific shots and nasal sprays, antidepressants, blood pressure meds, muscle relaxers and probably more that I can't remember. I, on my own, have tried accupuncture, massage, hypnosis, nerve blocks, facet joint injections, chiropractic, and a faith healer who told me I was cursed and charged me six hundred buck to remove the curse. Nothing has worked for more than two or three days, and it has never completely relieved my headaches. I have lost the ability to exercise, spend time with my family, do housework, and so many other things. I have a therapist and a psychiatrist that I also see. I have tried non narcotics and narcotics. The narcotics work the best, but not for very long periods of time, and my doctor will only let me take them two times a week. My sponsor holds my meds for me. I sometimes wish that I had been diagnosed with a terminal illness because then I would know that the end would be in sight and I could just go to Heaven and be with God. My neuro's plan for now is for me to limit my use of any pain med, including Tylenol and Motrin to two times week until I have been at my present job for a year and I can take time off to go back into the hospital on medical leave. But that is nine months from now.
I know NA frowns upon long term use of narcotics for any reason, but I cannot go out on disability and I am not ready to become an invalid. Besides, when my head hurts so bad I can't even lie down or sleep. In the Basic Text "We Do Recover" is says "whatever pain we have will pass." But they are talking about acute pain, not chronic pain. I am hoping there is someone out there with some experience, strength and hope that can talk to me, because no one here in my area knows how to deal with me. I know one woman who had chronic pain issues and I asked her how she resolved them and she said, "I had back surgery." I was like, well, I don't think I can have head surgery....thanks for listening.
Thanks for sharing your life as it is.
I love your honesty.
I havent suffered from migraine so i cannot share from that space.
But dear lady, im seeing miracles happening all around me because of Yoga and Meditation.
My sinciere wish for you, recovering sister,.is to try this. After all, youve been thru so many attempts, and now is the time to stop and get very real about all this.
Cures havent worked. Now maybe breathing and cultivating a Silent Mind will.
Love and hugs,,, best wishes...
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Thanks for sharing your life as it is.
I love your honesty.
I havent suffered from migraine so i cannot share from that space.
But dear lady, im seeing miracles happening all around me because of Yoga and Meditation.
My sinciere wish for you, recovering sister,.is to try this. After all, youve been thru so many attempts, and now is the time to stop and get very real about all this.
Cures havent worked. Now maybe breathing and cultivating a Silent Mind will.
Love and hugs,,, best wishes...
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
I'm sorry that you are in such pain. NA does not oppose the use of narcotics, prescribed by a physician, with honesty about one's motives and working with a sponsor. Look at the chapter in the Basic Text "More will be Revealed." There is even more on this topic in the NA Informational Pamphlet "In Times of Illness" (revised in 2010). You can find a PDF copy by searching the internet. I hope you are able to deal with your condition as best you can through the NA program.
I have been looking for someone to teach me how to meditate, but I can't find anyone. The only classes available are at a time when I have to work. Any suggestions? And I love yoga, because it it one of the few exercises I can do that does not hurt my head, but it surely does not quiet my mind. I have to focus like crazy on what I'm doing so I don't fall on the floor cause I have such awful balance.
Reading "More Will Be Revealed" was what prompted me to write this. It states, 'Whatever pain we experience will pass." They are talking about acute pain, not chronic pain. NA has nothing to say about what the heck you are suppposed to do when it never stops hurting. I mean, I've been thru several operations in recovery, but they were short term things.
There are several excellent video's on meditation on youtube. I especially like some of the buddhist ones, but there are others too. Meditating has brought me some relief from depression and anxiety,. It, along with prayer are my 'go to' remedies. good luck and let us know how you are doing.
Meditation may help , it has helped a lot of people , it helps in getting your mind and body in tune. What the other members said is true , medication's are Ok under doctor supervision.
