Comments:

Stefani - 2006-08-12 10:53:33
I'm so glad you found that online support! Wish you'd found it long ago. I know at times you wish your family was more supportive and understanding, but sometimes we have to find what we need well, wherever. Good for you! Sorry you're going through this.
-------------------------------
Bex - 2006-08-12 13:28:39
And then there's the PAIN of us, your friends, who have to stand by and watch as you cry for help and we have little to offer, except understanding and a shoulder... As you know, Steph, my work is typing medical reports...mainly neurology medical reports. In this area of the country, we have huge numbers of medical facilities, and Pain Centers are big here. Your problem is a very common one up here...I seem to be typing reports all the time that mirror your symptoms. I myself have pain and am just now starting to look into the causes and possible treatments...and there is never a day anymore when I CAN walk much. Just standing in the kitchen to make dinner is too long to be on my legs, and I have to use a stool for most of the food preparation. Anyway, I do understand, and I just wish I could help more... the only thing I can suggest, and I know you are sick of hearing this, but it's true, is that you give up coffee (any caffeine) and smoking now. Those two little things are huge contributors to various neurological pain, and just from paying attention to the reports I type, I am sure of it. I don't say that it would cure you of everything, but those two items are not helping one bit and if you are serious about making a change (and I KNOW you must be) please consider it... there is life after caffeine and tobacco.. believe it or not! I wish you well...
-------------------------------
LA - 2006-08-12 15:16:45
I know that tune! Wanna dance? My song has a verse about the unpredictability of it all too. I'm pleased you're giving pain management another shot. That's the key, you manage the pain. 'All better' is wonderful, but 'better enough' to think and go and do is pretty damn great too. ~LA
-------------------------------
zen - 2006-08-12 15:58:25
steph, i understand and totally empathize with your pain! i too am a chronic pain sufferer (as you know from reading my blog) and i know what you mean by it taking over your life and you begin to feel that all your life is, is pain. i have peripheral neuropathy in my legs, degenerative disc disease, chronic venous insufficiecy, arthritis in my back and hips and severe nerve damage in legs. mostly the problems with my legs are caused by all the blood clots i've had over the years. i finally found a WONDERFUL pain management clinic and they've literally saved my life. i know you read about all my problems with the spinal cord stim and infection; leading to them removing it. but now i'm on a medicine called lyrica which has almost eradicated the neuropathy in my legs. it's amazing! i also take long acting morphine and percocet for breakthrough pain. pain management docs actually understand pain and their goal is to help you become as comfortable as possible. i too went thru the rigamarole of injections...for almost a year i was getting weekly injections in my spine...but it didn't work. hence the reason i got the stim. but now i'm good meds that help immensely. sorry to blather on so in your comments! *eek* bad zen. i just want to wish you luck with the pain management clnic!...~zen
-------------------------------
Bozoette Mary - 2006-08-12 16:50:08
I'm so happy that you've found this group. You know we all care for you, but somehow being able to share experiences with folks who KNOW helps. Right?
-------------------------------
Denver doug - 2006-08-12 17:16:06
I have some of your troubles, not nearly all, but enough that pain is my constant companion. I do so hope that the pain management helps you along your way in life. All I can do is sit silently by your side and hope for the best.
-------------------------------
Sunshyn - 2006-08-14 17:30:56
Fibromyalgia. Head pain. Nerve pain. DJD. I think you mentioned arthritis? My aunt had arthritis in the bones in her head. I think it's part of the cervical neck pain, myself. I have traveling pain. Nerves get pinched differently, thus the pain comes out somewhere else. And also, there is echo pain. I don't see a cure, either, just managing it all. That UC study I've been in has helped me a lot with acceptance and managing and communicating my own condition. It came with a textbook - Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions by Lirig, Holman, Sobel, Lauurent, Gonzalez, and Minor (bunch of docs and nurses). Published by Bull Publishing Company. We talked a lot about my asthma that wasn't asthma, as it turned out. It was candida, and I knew it. Ha!
-------------------------------
mz. em - 2006-08-14 18:04:29
A great entry Steph. I can so relate with my depression. I've just found a support group in a nearby town for depression and people with bipolar. It helps when there's someone else around with the same aches and pains.
-------------------------------
Betty Lou - 2006-08-16 12:14:41
Oh Stephanie - You are so young to have to be in so much pain. I hope that the pain management will help. I have chronic pain also, but I am so much older, and I know people that are so much worse than me, that I feel grateful to be able to do as much as I do. Also, thank you for posting the article about pain management - it really hits home. I hope you can get relief soon. In case you didn't figure it out, I am Michael's (Bunt Sign) Mom.
-------------------------------

add your comment:

your name:
your email:
your url:

back to the entry - Diaryland