The Medication Dilemma

Sometimes, when I write about my daily struggle with chronic pain, I need to express myself as though the pain and I are engaging in our own private dialogue- sometimes we manage together and sometimes we don't. No matter the day, what I do find helpful in simply being in the moment and letting the words flow honestly. When I started this blog, it was simply a way for me to share what it can be like to suffer from pain every single day.

 For some of my readers, the words will strike a chord of truth and shared compassion and for others, it may be able to give them insight to what it is like to live with a chronic condition. The one thing I know for sure if that I am not alone, there are so many people that go through both emotional, mental and physical pain. We all must find a way to give a voice to the struggles we go through in life and for me, writing this blog is incredible therapeutic and for that, I am most grateful.


So many people ask me what medications I take and I don't have any problem sharing this information but please note that every condition is unique in itself and medications should only be discussed and recommended by your own doctor. However, in saying that, it never hurts to be made aware of different meds that are helping individuals deal with their pain because it may be something your doctor hasn't explored with you yet and could indeed help you.

For me personally, I went through years of refusing medications but looking back at that time, I had a false sense of that I was this heroic young mother out of my mind some days with pain but hey, I wasn't taking any medications. "Good for you," people would smile and congratulate me like I was pushing through no matter what, that somehow I was better than those people that had to succumb to taking medications.

After suffering for at least four years, I began exploring medications with my long-term family physician to have me live a better quality of life. Please note that my doctor and I had been trying other alternatives to medications that included physio, exercise (swimming) and massage therapy. The addition of medications was never intended to replace these other important aspects of my treatment but I will discuss that in another post.

The most effective medication for me was Lyrica as this was a non-narcotic pill that helped directly with nerve pain. Within a week, my pain level had dropped dramatically and I was estastic!!
The Lyrica didn't take away my fused spine and bulging disks and all of things that came along with that but it did help reduce the pain level that I was still able to teach my music students and enjoy some activities with my family. Every moment that I felt more like my former active self just filled me with joy. I even played tennis once a week, sometimes I could barely stand up but one I got my body warmed up, I did manage. I couldn't run down every ball like before but the feeling of striking the ball with my racquet was truly wonderful- I felt alive again and so grateful.

The Lyrica helped (and still helps) me for at least one year before I needed to increase my dose because my spine was becoming more damaged with time and that was simply my condition.


I still remember vividly the conversation I had with my doctor when she told me that I would always have pain and always need a full treatment plan that included medications. At first, I was in shock and denial and I thought I could possibly outrun this thing and be free of pain one day.



So far, my doctor has been right and my medication plan has grown to include Cymbalta and Celebrex to help me have moments that I can manage better with my pain level. Sometimes, that moment is for only one hour and other times, it is a block of four hours but no matter what, I will take what is given to me. At the end of the day, please don't judge me or other people who need medications to help give them quality of life. I will continue to be open to other options, other treatments and never be complacent in my search to help me live the best life I can with my spine. But for now, I could not handle my level of nerve pain without the help of all my treatments that include being on medications. Personally, I am incredibly grateful that I live in a time and country that I have access to this help.

 I am grateful for my incredible family and friends who inspire me daily to never give up hope.
 Living with chronic pain  is definitely a difficult struggle but remember that you will still have very meaningful moments of joy if you remain open to it and when those moments come, keep the door wide open!