Messages By: ladidi100

Hello,

I too suffer from chronic pain, due to Degenerative Disc Disease. I have had 4 surgeries directly related to this, and 6 surgeries for various other problems, though none were elective. I know I need another operation on my neck, which would be the 3rd there, because the fingers in my left hand are going numb.

I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 15 yrs old, and went through 2 1/2yrs of pain, which included getting weekly shots of Gold Salt Injections, and weekly blood & urine tests. That in itself was pain enough, but I also had to sell my horse which I'd only had for about 3 months (a childhood dream, unable to come true til then due to moving every 3 or so years as we were a military family), was in the hospital 6 times one summer, and had to travel by helicopter to Keesler Air Force Base by myself for a week of testing.

Now as an adult I've had a total of 10 operations in the last 15yrs, and believe me there's nothing I'd like better than to be free from all this pain. I'm on a prescription plan which includes Methadone, Lortabs, and various other pills, just to maintain the pain, but it doesn't really go away, does it?! I've applied for disability, as I'm a single parent, and haven't been able to work since last October, therefore I have no insurance for myself. I was denied the first time by the people who decide whether or not you're able to work, so I've retained an attorney to file an appeal, which takes anywhere from 12 to 14 months!! I now have maybe 8 months to go before the appeal.I now have been diagnosed with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder, thanks to all the red tape.I am blessed enough to have a mother and an ex-husband who are helping to pay our rent and untility bills, (my mother is using her retirement savings which makes me feel guilty as hell), and we at least qualified for food stamps. What on earth do people do if they have no one to help them? I firmly believe that's where a lot of our homeless people come from, waiting on our government to help them.

I've lost 2 jobs, and a 2yr scholarship, so believe me when I say I DO understand your pain. All we can do is what we are doing, which is just getting through one day at a time. And pray alot. One of my doctors said recently that God must be preparing me for something special. I can believe and accept that, but I'd sure like to know WHEN?!!! Seriously, I'd like to go back to school and major in psychology, because I believe I could help other women in going through times and circumstances like ours.

I'll remember you in my prayers,

Karen

I have been living the summer from hell. I have fibromyalgia and I have lived from one flare to the next since early spring. My dr. is sympathetic and my husband also understands. I take every supplement that I read about that is suppose to help.

I had been working out at the gym five days a week with a mix of using the treadmill, the machines and free weights coupled with aquabics. I remember one week feeling really up and begining to "feel" my body as a good thing. the next Monday my knee gave out while on the treadmill. I found it difficult to use the machines and I kept dropping the free weights. My dr. told me to lay off the gym until I felt better but my aquabics were ok. The next week during an aquabics class I found myself fighting to breath and the chest pain was something else. Back to the dr. No more aquabics and more medications.

I started on the regeime I use when my fibro kicks in and eight weeks later I am still in pain, still running out of air and my whole leg hurts instead of my knee. As I said my Fr. is sympathetic but I feel really wierd going to the office almost every week, especially when I know that there is realatively little can be done for fibro.

I use meditation, playing my keyboard, painting, gardening, and prayer. I know there are people my age doing wonderful things but not me. I am depressed. I am fat. I am out of shape. I am out of hope.

Is there anyone else out there like me. What do you do? Please don't tell me to look on the bright side or any other moronically cherrie euphamisms.

By the way this is one of my good days.

 Hello, I am a 48yr old woman with OA. I have had 3 total knee replacement surgeries, one bone fusion surgery on my right foot and carpal tunnel surgery on both hands because of the use of crutches and a walker. The last knee replacement surgery I had was to replace the first one on the right knee, it had been cemented in, and when my then present orthopaedic surgeon took the old one out, my femur shattered, and I was non weight baring for 8 weeks. It was just incredible. So I know all about chronic pain.  I have read all  of the messages and I am sorry that all of you have such problems, the Lord will watch over all of us, and we are all blessed in many different ways,, like the lady that her wonderful husband planted the flowers for her, bless his heart. Thank you all for listening,, and God bless you all.    Martha 

   Hi Diane,  Im so sorry for your pain. I do not have RA as far as I know. I have OA. But I can tell you what my symtoms were.  I had alot of burning, it would burn llike it was on fire,  and God forbid if I would turn my ankle on the slightest little bump in the sidewalk or a tree root in the ground, I would be in agony.  But that was about the extent of my pain,, but at times if I walked too much or stood too much I would be on crutches for atleast a day and a half.  Right now  I am in need of bone fusion on my left foot. It has been difficult trying to find an orthopaedic surgeon in my area, but I have found a good hospital. The pain in my left foot, is different because there is more deterioration of the bone, I don't know if you've ever had a broken bone, but when you put alot of pressure on it it hurts alot,, but when you take the pressure off the pain is almost unbearable. I hope your dr. decides to do the surgery and take the cysts out and in doing so may discover why you have more pain. I wish you all the luck in the world, and God bless you and your wonderful husband. I too have a wonderful man in my life, and consider myself very blessed, and am about to have another grandbaby, thank you for your concern, and I would love to talk with you more about your flowers, and anything else you would like to talk about, and please feel free to ask me any questions about my condition, and I am a very good listener, so if you just want to talk or are troubled about something feel free to write me again.  All My Best To You and Your Hubby,  Martha 

Hello 

I am new to this site. I normally post on the depression board which is a wonderful support system for me.  I am here to try and get some ideas from others who suffer from the never ending pain on the 24/7 basis.  Here is a bit about me.  Hope I don't bore you all. 

I have had two cervical spinal fusions.  The first in 1999 with a fusion using part of my hip bone.  The second in 2003 using a titanium cage.  These are C4/5 & C5/7.  I suffer from neuropathic pain and when a low pressure system comes in, I know. 

I have stenosis and budging disks in L4/5 & S1.  The pain never stops.  I have been on so many medications and not much works.  I was on high doses of Neurontin which almost killed me.  I now take oxycodone, xanex, and effexor.  Sad thing is, if I run out of the oxycodone, it will kill me.  I am physically addicted due to the length of time I have been on it.   

I have been unable to work since 11/01 when I injured by lower back again.  I feel like a total failure in life.  I was once very productive.  I was even a volunteer firefighter/EMT and was studying to be a Paramedic.  That is now all gone.   

Thanks for listening.  Any suggestions?  I hate life right now.  Just hate it.  I feel worthless and feel like a looser.  The pain causes depression as I am sure many can relate. 

Thanks again. 

Nekocats 

I am 55 and just (2 months ago) diagnosed with Scoriatic Arthritis.  I get some of the same responses.  My husband just can't believe that I am in pain almost constantly or that the medications make me sick/dizzy.  The RA doctor seems to think I've had this for years and that it was just misdiagnosed.  In the meantime, I'm dealing with severe depression.  I'll send you my prayers and thanks for writing about constant pain.

Sandy

Roger would be far better off without his wife.  It made me furious to think that any person,let alone a wife, would behave like this.  

I know from my own experience that  health issues take their toll on the entire family. I became disabled 3 years ago, our income dropped substantially, but our family has never been closer.  My husband and 4 children ( ages 10-20) stepped up with emotional support, for not just myself, but each other; as well as financial improvising.  You do what you can to pay all the bills, they'll be there tomorrow............your loved one may not be.