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Open Back Pain

I HAVE A DISC PRESSING ON MY SPINE IN MY NECK. MY LOWER BACK HAS DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE WITH RUPTURED AND HERNIATED DISCS. I'VE BEEN THIS WAY FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS.

Treatments

Cortisone (Injection) Working / Worked

I HAVE FACET BLOCKS WITH CORTISONE INJECTIONS IN MY BACK WHICH HELP FOR A SHORT PERIOD.

Rhizotomy Working / Worked

I HAVE RIZOTOMYS ON ONE SIDE OF MY BACK AND TWO WEEKS LATER I HAVE THE OTHER SIDE DONE. THIS LASTS ABOUT 1 YR.

Prayer Working / Worked

Prayer works when nothing else will.

Open Stress Management

STRESS IS MY MIDDLE NAME. I STRESS OUT OVER EVERYTHING. MY NECK STAYS IN A PERMENANT KNOTTED, HARD, ROCK LIKE STATE. AT ONE TIME IT GOT SO BAD I HAD TO HAVE PHYSICAL THERAPY ON MY NECK AND SHOULDER MUSCLES BECAUSE I COULDN'T RELAX. I'VE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH IN MY LIFE AND STILL GOING THROUGH SO MUCH WITH MY FAMILY THAT RELAX ISN'T IN MY LIFE.

Treatments

Music Working / Worked

IT HELPS TO LISTEN TO SOMETHING SOOTHING. ESPECIALLY WITH HEADPHONES.

Patience Not Working

I'M NOT A VERY PATIENT PERSON. THAT IS ONE OF MY DOWNFALLS.

Physical Exercise Working / Worked

IF I'M PARTICULY UPSET I CAN GO FOR A WALK AND WALK OFF THE ANGER OR ANXIETY OR WHAT EVER IS GOING ON AT THE TIME.

Seroquel Working / Worked

IT HELPED BUT I HAD TO QUIT TAKING IT DUE TI HAND TREMORS.

Writing Working / Worked

IT HELPS TO GET MY THOUGHTS OUT OF MY HEAD AND ON TO PAPER OR COMPUTER OR WHEREEVER I PUT THEM.

Crying Somewhat Helpful

WHEN I GET STRESSED I CRY, BUT MORE OUT OF FRUSTRATION. EITHER THAT OR WHEN I'M HAVING A PANIC ATTACK. SOMETIMES WHEN I'M FRUSTRATED AND STRESSED TO THE MAX I GO AWAY FROM EVERYONE AND HAVE A GOOD CRY.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

MY THERAPIST HELPS ME LEARN HOW TO FOCUS ON CERTIAN THINGS WHEN I START TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK AND SOMETIMES I CAN STOP THEM BEFORE THEY GET TOO BAD.

Prayer Working / Worked

I call on the lord when I'm scared and panicked.

Open Bipolar Disorder

I HAVE BEEN BI-POLAR EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. I GO DAYS WITHOUT SLEEP. I HAVE MANIC EPISODES AND THEN I CRASH. THE MEDS THAT WOULD HELP ME BEST MAKE ME GAIN TOO MUCH WEIGHT. SO I SUFFER. I'VE DONE THINGS WHEN I'VE BEEN MANIC THAT I DON'T NORMALY DO THAT CAUSED MY FAMILY PROBLEMS AND LOTS OF STRESS. THINGS I CAN'T TAKE BACK.

Treatments

Celexa Somewhat Helpful

WAS HELPFUL FOR A VERY SHORT TIME.

Depakote Working / Worked

IT WORKED BUT I GAINED TOO MUCH WEIGHT.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked

I'VE BEEN IN DBT FOR 3 1/2 YEARS. IT HAS HELPED MORE THAN I CAN SAY.

Geodon Working / Worked

IT WORKED. I JUST STOPPED TAKING IT FOR FINANCIAL REASONS. MAY START BACK.

Lamictal Too Soon to Tell

I WAS ALLERGIC TO IT.

Lithium Working / Worked

I TOOK IT FOR A LONG TIME AND DONE FINE. AFTER THE HEAD INJURY. I WAS TAKEN OFF OF IT DUE TO OVERDOSING TOO MANY TIMES. I WAS PUT ON SOMETHING LESS LETHAL. WHEN I TRIED IT AGAIN LAST YEAR IT AFFECTED MY KIDNEYS AND I COULDN'T TAKE IT.

Risperdal Working / Worked

IT WORKED FOR A WHILE. THEN I STARTED GETTING STIFF. I HAD SIDE EFFECTS AND HAD TO QUIT TAKING IT.

Seroquel Working / Worked

IT HELPED ME BUT I GOT TO WHERE MY HANDS HAD TREMORS. I HAD TO GO OFF OF IT.

Tegretol Working / Worked

IT WORKS BUT I WON'T TAKE IT BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT GAIN.

Topamax Somewhat Helpful

I STARTED TAKING TOPAMAX FOR MOOD DISORDERS THEN I HAD MY ACCIDENT AND STARTED HAVING SO I TAKE IT FOR SEIZURES. IT DOESN'T WORK REAL WELL AS A MOOD STABALIZER FOR ME.

Wellbutrin Not Working

IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME.

Zyprexa Somewhat Helpful

IT HELPED FOR A WHILE. THEN MY BODY GOT USED TO IT.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

was diagnosed bi-polar 2 with mixed episodes after i started therapy.

Prayer Working / Worked

Pray all the time.

Open Migraine Headaches

I'VE HAD MIGRAINES FOR YEARS I HADN'T HAD ONE FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS BUT I'VE HAD TWO IN A WEEK AND A HALF. THE FIRST ONE LASTED 5 DAYS. THEY COULDN'T KILL IT EVEN IN THE ER. I HAD TO WEAR IT OFF. THEN A DAY AND A HALF LATER ANOUTHER ONE CAME ON. I WENT ON RIGHT THEN TO THE ER INSTEAD OF WAITING. AND THAT ONE THEY GOT RID OF. THAT IS THE WORST HEAD ACHE OUTSIDE OF A STROKE YOU CAN HAVE.

Treatments

Aspirin Not Working

IT DOESN'T PHASE IT.

Topamax Working / Worked

I TAKE TOPAMAX FOR SEIZURES BUT IT WORKS FOR MY MIGRAINES TOO. FOR THE MOST PART UNLESS I GET REALLY STRESSED OUT THE TOPAMAX KEEPS THEM AT BAY.

Tylenol Somewhat Helpful

WILL HELP SLIGHTLY HELP IN THE VERY BEGINNING OR THE VERY END IF I TAKE 1000MG.

Crying Not Working

I CRY WHEN THE PAIN GETS SO SEVERE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY LONGER BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE THE PAIN GO AWAY.

Prayer Working / Worked

i definately have to pray my way thru these headaches.

Open Fibromyalgia

I HAD AN ACCIDENT 11 YEARS AGO. AFTER I GOT EXTREMELY WEAK, ACHEY,SORE, COULDN'T WALK BY MYSELF. I WAS SEEN BY A REUMATOLOGIST. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FIBROMIALGIA.

Treatments

Cyclobenzaprine Working / Worked

IT WORKED UNTIL I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MS. AFTER ABOUT A YEAR MY MUSCLES STARTED CONTRACTING AND I WAS MOVED UP TO ZANAFLEX.

Neurontin Not Working

IT NEVER DID ANYTHING FOR ME.

Ultram Working / Worked

IT HELPED WITH THE PAIN OF THE FIBROMYALGIA. AFTER MY BACK GOT A LOT WORSE I HAD TO GO ON A STRONGER PAIN MED.

Zanaflex Working / Worked

THIS WORKS REALLY WELL TO RELAX MY MUSCLES.

Methotrexate Working / Worked

AT ONE TIME WHEN I WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED AND AT MY WORST. MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED METHOTREXATE. IT HELP GET ME OUT OF A WHEELCHAIR AND WALKING AGAIN. I ONLY TOOK IT FOR A WHILE BUT IT WAS WORTH IT TO WALK AGAIN AND NOT HAVE SO MUCH PAIN.

Crying Not Working

I CRY WHEN THE PAIN GETS TO THE POINT THAT I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE.

Prayer Working / Worked

Ask god to help me get thru the pain as much as possible.

Open Sexual Abuse

I WAS MOLESTED WHEN I WAS 5 BY A 16 YR. OLD NEIGHBOR BOY. WHEN I WAS 14 I WAS RAPED AND BEATEN BY MY FIRST BOYFRIEND. WHILE I WAS STILL 14 I WAS GANG RAPED. NUMEROUS THINGS HAPPENED HAPPEN TO ME THAT I WON'T GO INTO. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A VICTIM.

Treatments

Hospitalization Somewhat Helpful

IT'S FOR EXTREME CRISIS ONLY. THAT IS MY LAST RESORT.

Leave Working / Worked

TAKE A WALK WHEN THINGS GET TO BAD AT HOME OR WHERE EVER I'M AT.

Music Working / Worked

MUSIC RELAXEX ME AND CALMS MY NERVES. IT TAKES ME TO OTHER PLACES.

Talking Working / Worked

I'VE BEEN IN THERAPY FOR A LONG TIME. IT HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH. I HAVE A WONDERFUL THERAPIST THAT HELPS ME MORE THAN I CAN SAY.

Crying Somewhat Helpful

I CRY FOR THE LITTLE GIRL THAT LOST HER INNOCENCE WAY TOO EARLY AND NEVER GOT TO REALLY KNOW WHAT BEING YOUNG AND INNOCENT WAS.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

REMEMBERING MY FIRST SEXUAL ABUSE WAS THE REASON I STARTED IN THERAPY. I'VE WORKED THROUGH SOME OF WHAT I WENT THROUGH, BUT STILL HAVE SOME MAJOR PROBLEMS FROM THE RAPES AND ABUSE.

Prayer Working / Worked

Prayer gets me thru my flashbacks.

Open Self-Injury

I STARTED STICKING PINS IN MY LEGS WHEN I WAS 14. I DIDN'T GRADUSTE TO CUTING UNTIL LATER. NOW I CUT WHENEVER I GET STRESSED AND FEEL SO MUCH PAIN ON THE INSIDE I JUST WANT IT OUT. I HAVE DIFFERENT SITES DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF MY CRISIS. THIS IS WHAT MY THEREPIST HAS LABELED ANYWAY. WHEN I GET UPSET THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS CUT. AND IF I CAN'T USE MY SKILLS THAT IS WHAT I DO.

Treatments

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked

I'VE BEEN IN DBT FOR 3+ YEARS. IT HAS HELPED ME SO MUCH. BEFORE I CUT EVERYTIME WITHOUT EVEN THINKING OF TRYING SOMETHING ELSE. NOW AT LEAST I HAVE SKILLS TO TRY USE TO GET THROUGH THE DISTRESS UNTIL IT'S NOT SO BAD THAT I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I SEE MY THEREPIST 1 1/2 HRS. AT THE FIRST OF THE WEEK AND 1 HR. AT THE END OF THE WEEK WITH DBT ON THE SAME DAY AS THE SECOND VISIT. IT HAS HELPED ALOT. I COULDN'T MAKE IT WITHOUT IT.

Rubber Bands Working / Worked

I PUT A RUBBER BAND ON MY WRIST AND WHEN I HAVE A BAD THOUGHT WHETHER IT BE CUTTING OR SUICIDAL I PULL BACK ON THE RUBBER BAND AND LET IT GO. THE STING OF THE RUBBERBAND BRINGS ME BACK TO CONCENTRATE ON THE FEEL OF THE STING OF THS RUBBERBAND AND NOT MY OTHER THOUGHTS.

Talking Working / Worked

I TALK TO MY THERAPIST ABOUT IT. HE HAS A RULE THAT IF I CUT THE DAY BEFORE I SEE HIM I ONLY STAY 10 MIN. BECAUSE THAT IS NOT HELPFUL IN MY TREATMENT TO GET BETTER.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I WORK ON THIS IN THERAPY. IF I CUT THE DAY BEFORE I SEE MY THERAPIST, HE ONLY SEES ME FOR 15 OR 20 MINUTES. LONG ENOUGH TO PROBLEM SOLVE WHY I CUT. BECAUSE THAT IS NOT HELPFUL TO MY GETTING BETTER.

Open Sleep Apnea

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA SINCE 1997. I WOULD WAKE UP GASPING FOR BREATH. IN THE MORNING I WOULD HAVE BAD HEADACHES. I WOULD BE SO SLEEPY THROUGH THE DAY THAT I WOULD DROP OFF TO SLEEP SITTING UP. MY FAMILY USED TO SAY I COULD SLEEP STANDING UP. I ALSO SNORED SO LOUD THAT MY ALMOST DEAF FATHER HEARD ME. THAT'S WHEN I KNEW I SHOULD GET TESTED.

Treatments

CPAP Working / Worked

I'VE USED A CPAP SINCE 1997. I COULDN'T MAKE IT WITHOUT NOW. I ALSO KNOW IF YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA AND DON'T USE IT YOU COULD HAVE A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE. ANYTIME I LAY DOWN FOR A NAP OR TO GO TO BED I PUT IT ON.

Lose Weight Working / Worked

I'VE LOST 128LBS. THAT HAS BROUGHT ME TO HAVING MILD SLEEP APNEA AS OPPOSED TO THE MORE SEVERE TYPE I HAD IN 1997. I STILL HAVE QUITE A BIT TO GO BUT I'M WORKING ON IT.

Open Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

About 14 years ago I was hit with the worst feeling of fatigue I had ever felt in my life. I let this go on for about 2 weeks and finally went to my doctor. He did some lab work and when it came back he told me I had chronic fatigue. He said that I had the epstien barr virus which is another name for chronic fatigue.

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Friend

I LOST A FRIEND THIS MORNING. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HE DIED FROM YET. HE WAS ONLY 47. WE GREW UP TOGETHER PLAYING HOURS OF BASKET BALL AND SOFTBALL. ONE DAY HE'S HERE AND NOW HE'S GONE. HE JUST LAYED DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP ON A FRIENDS COUCH. I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S GONE.

Treatments

Crying Too Soon to Tell

I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY. I'M STILL IN SHOCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL.

Prayer Working / Worked

ALWAYS HELPFUL.

Remembering Somewhat Helpful

THINKING BACK ON ALL THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD .

Crying Too Soon to Tell

MY FRIEND LEFT THIS WORLD WAY TO YOUNG. I CAN'T SAY GOODBYE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE SO MY TEARS WILL WASH AWAY MY GRIEF.

Prayer Working / Worked

I've prayed for my friends family.

Open Hiatal Hernia

I HAVE A SMALL SLIDING HIATAL HERNIA. MY PAIN HAS GOTTEN WORSE LATELY AND SO HAS THE REFLUX.

Treatments

Nexium Working / Worked

THIS WORKED BUT MY INSURANCE STOPPED PAYING FOR IT.

Prevacid Working / Worked

IT WORKED FOR A WHILE, BUT MY STOMACH GOT SO BAD IT COULDN'T HANDLE MY PROBLEM.

Protonix Working / Worked

THIS IS WHAT I'M TAKING AT THIS TIME. MY INSURANCE DOESN'T PAY FOR IT BUT MY DR. GIVES ME WHAT I NEED IN SAMPLES.

Prilosec Working / Worked

I HAVE TO TAKE THIS BEFORE I GO TO BED. IT HELPS ABSORB THE ACID AT NIGHT. IT REALLY MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Antacids Working / Worked

I HAVE TO TAKE THIS AFTER I EAT. AS OF RIGHT NOW MY ACID REFLUX IS OUT OF CONTROL.

Open Brain Injury

I WAS AN LPN AND ONE MORNING I TRIPPED OVER A WHEELCHAIR AND HIT MY HEAD IN THREE DIFFERENT PLACES. THE DOCTOR TOLD MY HUSBAND IT WAS LIKE I HAD BABY SHAKEN SYNDROME. I COULDN'T WALK BY MYSELF FOR 6 MONTHS. I HAD TO LEARN THINGS ALL OVER AGAIN LIKE HOW TO USE THE SHOWER. EVEN TODAY IF I HAVEN'T WORN AN OUTFIT FOR A WHILE I CAN'T REMEMBER IT. I'VE FORGOTTEN SOME PARTS OF MY CHILDREN GROWING UP, AND PARTS OF MY MARRIAGE. SOMETIMES I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I'VE EAT THAT DAY OR NOT.

Treatments

Physical Therapy Working / Worked

I WENT THROUGH MONTHS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY. IT TOOK ABOUT A YEAR TO GET OUT OF MY WHEEL CHAIR.

Occupational Therapy Working / Worked

I'VE HAD TO LEARN DIFFERENT WAYS OF COPING WITH MY DISABILITIES. I HAVE TO WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN OR IT'S NOT REMEMBERED. I MAKE NOTES EVERYWHERE. I RELY ON MY CALENDAR ON MY PC TO LET ME KNOW THE DAY BEFORE AND THAT NEXT MORNING WHEN I HAVE AN APPT. I ALSO HAVE AN APPT. BOOK I CARRY IN MY PURSE. EVERYTHING HAS IT'S PLACE AND IF IT'S MOVED I'M TOTALLY LOST.

Open Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments

Effexor Not Working

IT DIDN'T WORK.

Guided Imagery Working / Worked

When I get so Uptight I have a walk I take through a field of flowers and down to a little stream. But I start with breathing exercises first and then go into my imagry. I can stay there as long as I want to. I feel safe and calm.

Music Working / Worked

I havd certian songs that I feel like are being sung directly to me. they make me feel safe, especially at night.

Paxil Not Working

IT DIDN'T WORK.

Pets Somewhat Helpful

I HAVE LITTLE DOG THAT IS MY CONSTANT COMPANNION. THAT HELPS NOT BEING ALONE.

Remeron Not Working

Made me sick.

Open Financial Challenges

My husband worked as a welder and I was a stay at home mom. When my son and the the last child started school I started nursing school. My husband hurt his back and went on disability. But with my nurses pay and his ssdi we did good. One day I went to work as usual fell and suffered a head injury. I lost my home, my car, and ended up living with my parents. That was 1996. Every since that day money has been an issue in every way you could imagine. Utilities turned off, then back on.

Treatments

Budgeting Working / Worked

I set down at the last of every month and make out a budget for the next month. but there's always a surprise like a belt breaks in a tire. so i have to decide what medicine i can do without this month or what bill i can try to get help with. It's like a vicious circle.

Cut Up Credit Cards Somewhat Helpful

I done that when I first got hurt.

Earn Money Working / Worked

I make jewlery. I have in the past made sets and sold them to but gas and food with. My husband has sold most of his tools for way less than they were worth just so we could eat.

Crying Somewhat Helpful

Sometimes I get so tired of being poor. There's never enough money no matter how much you plan or save. there are times when I just break down and cry until I can't cry any more.

Open Personality Disorders
Type: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

For a long time I didn't know what made me do a lot of the things I do. About 4 yrs. ago I started in DBT. I learned there are other people out there that cut and have panice attacks, lots of phobias, everything rolled into one. People that have been abused, I always thought I was alone.

Treatments

Talking Working / Worked

I see a therapist twice a week 1 1/2 hours and 1 hour. It helps to be able to have some one to talk to .

Open Addison's Disease

I started passing out due to extremely low blood pressure and spent 5 days twice in the hospital before the hospital tests diagnosed Addison's Disease. I have to take midodrene three times a day to keep my blood pressure up and cortisol twice daily.

Treatments

Cortisol Working / Worked

I haven't taken it very long.