Hey Lisa,

I'm sorry you're going through all this,.but I am disabled, I live alone, I have some family, but they don't help financially or otherwise. I have a lot of friends and I do have my cousins who are more like sisters than my own ones.

I applied for disability and got denied like everyone does at first, then reapplied and received it, I applied for food stamps which I just received, my rent comes with heat thank god, otherwise I could apply for help with heating bill and get it because of disability.

Have you ever applied for help? You can even download the form on line I think, from your Social Security Offices in your City. Plus check with city for Housing, see if you're eligible for it, put your name in for Section 8 if you haven't already. There are food pantries in each city that will usually help you out with groceries if you can't afford them. Some of the Churches offer bags of groceries on certain days, but you have to make the calls and fill out the paperwork.

Every State and City is different, but all offer ways to help. Those are just some of the ways I know because I had to do it.

Hope this helps you out.

Hugs,

Mary Ellen

Hi,
I am so sorry things have changed so drastically. Sometimes people build up a tolerance to certain meds and need to change to a new med.

If you can, you need to talk to your PCP and see what other meds might work. Explain that you need to be able to work and you need to be able to cope better.

I can relate to some of your questions. First is getting up - my 9 lb dog starts jumping on me and growling. She will not stop until I get up an take my meds.

Reason to live- that is a personal one. I re-evaluate that quite often. I know that is why God blessed me with children because the doctors told me I could not get pregnant. I ended up with 3 children with medical issues, so I had to push myself. They are in college and I have had my 8th rear-end collision recently. Now I am looking for that rope to hang on to. Thankfully you have a friend, I hope you find support through this time. Your PCP may want to put you on some anti-depressants to help.

Surviving - Hopefully your PCP can help get the pain under better control. There are programs that may help such as food stamps, housing assistance, do you qualify for SSI or SSDI? See if social services have anyone that can help you.

I was born a survivor I think. I guess I look at all of the crap as just another challenge to concur or at least tame. I worked until this last car wreck, now I have lost my business. My husband had to go back to work and with his medical challenges, I don't know how long he will be able to work. I did qualify for SSDI but I am older, and many times younger people are rejected because they feel the person can do some type of job.

Hopefully some of our other members have some better ideas for you. Please keep us posted, you are important and our group really tries to offer support and friendship.

Hang in there, definitely talk to your doctor about better pain control.
Wishing you well.
Hugs-RJ

I too would suggest checking with your dr/pain management place because your body will get use to a meds and it no longer help...please do not just lay there and give up..don't let the pain win.As for the finiancial part-I might check with your dr and see about putting in for temp disability until your pain can once again be regulated.

Hi Lisa, I just read this and had to mention a thread on the Brain Injury board...*Still not well one year after car accident* another member (madoak) just found out after years of pain that she had undiagnosed spinal cord impingement...has seen several docs...not saying this is what you are dealing with, but thought I would mention this for you to read...you never know what might help someone!!

I too am by myself, suddenly on disability, I called the Center for Independant Living in my state, and they sent me names/phone #/ for elderly/disabled/lower income housing. At the time I was unable to use a computer(eyes/brain) but I did find a decent,affordable place to live/rent a % of income.

Others here have good input, I too would contact social services to help you!

One day at a time, thoughts and prayers that you find the medical help you need. There are so many helpful and supportive people here...you are not alone!! Blessings

Time to go back to your doctors. Nerve pain can be managed by specific drugs. As others have said pain management is not a fix it and forget it thing. The pain is constantly changing and the efficacy of the medications changes as well. It's a constant battle to find the right balance of medication and other therapies. PT should be a critical part of the treatment for your conditions. You should also look for a therapist to help with the depression.

Hopefully you received a settlement from your accident. You also can apply for disability but will need documentation from a doctor for this. If you have no other income source you should contact your social services department to find out what programs you qualify for including health care.

Thanks for your replies. The thing that is hardest is going from having a $100K+ job and going shopping, eating out, etc, to having no income and not having a life. Plus this constant feeling like I've been lit on fire and am dealing with a burn that will never heal (that's what it feels like, I mean). Going from happiness and feeling like everything is possible to this all within a couple weeks is beyond devastating. I think I procrastinated getting trigger point injections for too long and now my muscles and nerves are fried or mangled beyond the point of return. Waaaaaaaaaaaa! :(

Thank you for the suggestions, however--these suggestions are giving me a little comfort and setting me on the right track.