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djcbrit 
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About Me
djcbrit
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About Me
I have had chronic neck, head, shoulder and arm pain (all on the left side) for almost 3 years now. I also had a hysterectomy about 6 weeks ago. I've had about 5 surgeries for the "neck" pain, and at least 15-20 surgical procedures, including experimental ones. Nothing has worked. I'm on morphine, cymbalta and clonopin. I also take migraine medication as needed. I am on disability as I can't possibly work like this. I spend most of my time in bed or a reclining chair. I rarely go out except to doctors' appointments, the pharmacy or a rare errand. I sleep a lot and am extremely depressed. My life has boiled down to very little, and I used to be an attorney in a large law firm with a busy schedule and vibrant social life. Now, I am at home and struggling as a single mom to even feed my kids because I'm not well enough to cook. I'm losing my mind. There is no end in sight. They don't know what I have except "nerve damage" and muscle spasms and radiculopathy in my arm. Every day is like climbing Mount Everest. I'm 46 and I'm afraid I'll never have a "normal" life again.
I have had chronic neck, head, shoulder and arm pain (all on the left side) for almost 3 years now. I also had a hysterectomy about 6 weeks ago. I've had about 5 surgeries for the "neck" pain, and at least 15-20 surgical procedures, including experimental ones. Nothing has worked. I'm on morphine, cymbalta and clonopin. I also take migraine medication as needed. I am on disability as I can't possibly work like this. I spend most of my time in bed or a reclining chair. I rarely go out except to doctors'
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Interests
Reading, writing, traveling, knitting, decorating my 2nd home near Seattle, talking to my two teenage boys, playing with my kittens.
Reading, writing, traveling, knitting, decorating my 2nd home near Seattle, talking to my two teenage
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Hugbook
I’m With You
Thank you so much for your response. I think we should all just type up applications and hand them out to the docs when we go in. Couldn't you just see their faces???
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Welcome to DS. I hope you find comfort here.
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Support Groups
Close Chronic Pain
I have had chronic neck, head, shoulder and arm pain (left side) for almost 3 years. I also had a hysterectomy about 6 weeks ago. I've had about 5 surgeries for the "neck" pain, and at least 15-20 surgical procedures, including experimental ones. Nothing has worked. I am on disability; can't possibly work. I spend most of my time in bed or a reclining chair. I used to be an attorney. I am at home and struggling as a single mom. They don't know what I have. I'm 46.
Treatments
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked
- Cymbalta Working / Worked
- Flexeril Not Working
- Heat Somewhat Helpful
- Lidoderm Not Working
- Lyrica Not Working
- Morphine Somewhat Helpful
- Naproxen Not Working
- I took huge doses for many months with no relief. I've stopped taking NSAIDs altogether.
- Neurontin Not Working
- Physical Therapy Not Working
- Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful
- Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful
- Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful
- TENS Not Working
- Writing Somewhat Helpful
- Walking Somewhat Helpful
- Makes me feel as though I have accomplished something. I think it might loosen me up a little too. My neck and shoulders are so stiff and frozen.
Close Bereavement
Type: Loss of a SiblingI lost my brother to a car/train accident and my sister to suicide. I am now the only child left.
Treatments
- Crying Somewhat Helpful
- Music Somewhat Helpful
- Pets Working / Worked
- Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful
- Reading Working / Worked
- Remembering Too Soon to Tell
- Support from Friends & Family Not Working
- Family (e.g. my parents) understand. Friends generally don't.
- Talking Not Working
- Time Not Working
Open Anxiety
I get anxious a lot, particularly in social situations or stressful situations.
Treatments
- Acupuncture Not Working
- Breathing Exercises Somewhat Helpful
- Klonopin Somewhat Helpful
- Positive Thinking Not Working
- Trazodone Not Working
- Too debilitating
- Valium Somewhat Helpful
- Xanax Working / Worked
Open Depression
Treatments
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Somewhat Helpful
- Cymbalta Working / Worked
- Positive Thinking Too Soon to Tell
- Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful
- Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful
- Writing Somewhat Helpful
