I had to get off of them, after 10 solid years, many more on/off before that, for a lot of different reasons, too many diseases and too many organ systems to deal with...I've had to find other therapies to manage the pain. But I"m older than you and semi-retired.

Sorry you're having to deal with these decisions, it sucks when so many body systems are involved.

I'm older than you both.

There used to be an old commercial for margarine with the tagline "you can't fool mother nature". The body tends to do what the body wants to do. A drug can suppress something, and the body will try to find a way around the drug.

I have no answers. I can say that this is the reason why I resist going on any medication for anything for a prolonged period of time.

You might want to just do what you have to do to get through school, and then cut your hours back a bit. It won't be easy as a PA to do that...but it's possible.

Full support for whatever choices you make, Patti

But Patti you don't have our situations.

I have to take the meds I do, I've had 31 surgeries in the last 21 years, I have no removable organs left except a lung, due to disease or cancer. I have a knee that's made out of "Donor cadaver bone and screws/pins" due to a condition I was born with.

I was dealt a "Genetic CRAP" card. I took Narcotics for as many years as I did because I was having surgeries on average of 2 or more a year and then for 10 years straight because I'm a Chronic Pain patient, I took them so I could walk and move. So I could drive to work because I had/have children to support. I'm in level 5 pain every day of my life from the time I open my eyes until I go to bed.

I've been off Narcotics for over a year, but I still have to take 17 meds a day to do the jobs of all the organs I don't have and treat the Seizure Disorder, Kidney Disease, Liver Disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, Cluster Migraines, Gastroesophageal issues (post surgical), Asthma, Atelectasis (lung disease), Degenerative Cartilage Disease and Advanced Osteoarthritis. Oh and the BiPolar Disorder.

I eat cleaner than anyone I know, I've never smoked, I've never drank alcohol, because I'm allergic to it, not even mouthwash or cough syrups. Never done recreational drugs. I'm at the gym 4 days a week and kayak, garden on weekends. I swim 3 or more days a week. I do all that with the pain.

And I still work, 4 days a week, 20 - 25 hrs a week I'm in my office working. So, my body has to work, because I have to work.

So nothing my body is doing is in regard to anything I've "given it" or "done to it", it's just the luck of the draw.

Aronia's pain is a result of a really bad accident that practically destroyed the lower half of her face. She's had multiple jaw/facial surgeries. Still has constant jaw and teeth issues that affect her daily life.

She has to work, she has kids to raise and is paying for school. You can't always just not "take medications" that's not a realistic way to live. She didn't choose what happened to her, but now she does have to manage it.

Its great that your healthy, but your situation just isn't the same.

I'll repeat....Full support for whatever choices you make, Patti

***I have worked, gone to school, and raised kids, also. I too didn't choose all that I went through. I make no presumptions on what is best for anyone, but myself. Yes it is great that I am healthy. I appreciate it every single day of my life. In large part because I have seen people in my REAL LIFE that have struggled with pain and/or health issues.

Why are you fighting with me Kat? Because I didn't agree to go to the doctor because I had acid reflux a couple of days ago? Because I posted a non-scientific article about acid reflux meds? I could have posted the professional article, but most people wouldn't have been able to read it, and it's a bit stuffy. It was MY journal...these are thoughts that I'm kicking around in my head...nothing that I've made firm decisions on. Nothing that I'm ranting about. Just thinking...in my journal.

And now I apologize for bringing this to your journal Aronia.***

Fighting with you??? Discussing actually, and this has nothing to do with your journal. I just don't think you have a realistic idea of what people like Aronia have to deal with and what options can or cannot be done.

Seeing someone who deals with health issues and living it are 2 very different things.

Just stopping medications without finding another "something" to replace what that medication is managing is not a realistic idea for people with real medical issues, who have to be able to function in the world. And in this situation 95% of the time that other "something" is going to be another medication.

Actually, I very much do have an idea of what someone living with pain has to deal with.

Reread what I wrote...I said NOTHING about her pain medications or any medications that she is taking.

I said that maybe after she finishes school she might cut back on her HOURS.

Good grief it's the internet. Most people are what they say, but I would never take medical advice over the internet nor attempt to give it.


As far as the comment that I did make...upregulation/downregulation of chemical receptors for drugs is hardly new concept. Complicated as hell...yes. My comment was designed more to express MY GRATITUDE that I didn't have to deal with it, and MY SUPPORT for what Aronia is dealing with than anything else.

Gotcha

I love you both!!! Thank you for your support.
I came up with the following plan:
- I am going to have genetic testing to see which narc will give me the most “bang for my buck “. I want to take something that I can process 100% and have maximum relief. I know hydrocodone doesn’t work for me so there is no reason to take it if it does nothing but kill my adrenals.
- I am going to have an ablation on my leg in 2 places - my jaw is a lost cause. I m not having a nerve transplant.. it is a 4 hour surgery at Boston Medical Center... with no definite results.
- I started exercising to see if that helps.
I always knew my life will not be long. Better pack it in with living !

If I make it another 20 years it would be nice !

Sorry to read about your continuing battles Aronia. Your medical problems are way, way over my head, but I wish you all the best. OCP and you continue to be the best medical advisors on this Board (sadly, ever so slowly getting fewer and fewer members. I wish the shrinking Board was due to the elimination of chronic pain).

@Aronia, sounds like you've come up with a sound plan. I'm with you on the Nerve Transplant, too low a % of any positive change to go through that surgery.

Hang in there girl, I'm sure you have another 20 years in ya!

Also - I am looking into Ketamine infusions.

I'm sure you're doing your research, that particular drug is not an easy one to decide on. But it shouldn't affect your adrenals.

@sptrout...ahhh a world of no more pain...well we can dream I guess!

How's life down in Texas? Hot?

What do you do when you have a condition that can't be helped by meds or surgery like a circulation issues where the leg swells and makes it hard to walk and do anything. If I even tried to walk briskly for 1 mile, I'd be laid up in bed for a week. Meds will not fix what I have and I am coming to terms with it finally. Aronia, if meds help you function and feed your kids, you should find the right balance between pain meds and adrenal function. I do not have kids, but if I did I don't know what I would do. I've been fighting for 2 years working part time and it is getting worse for me. There are no surgeries to fix deep veins that have been destroyed by blood clots. They can replace arteries, but not veins.

Actually, there are interventions available for veins. I worked in vascular surgery, there are specialists that can help.