Welcome to our little corner of the internet. Sorry you needed to find us because of your pains. Since I dont know womens issues just wanted to welcome you. Hugs bill

Welcome and gentle hugs!!

We all hurt around here, in different ways and spots, but we pull together and help each other through the hard time so we can all live better lives.

This is a safe place where you can rant, vent, ask questions, or just send out a funny joke to make people smile.

I have a few diagnosis... the main one is that 9 years ago I came off a horse head first and crushed part of my spine. I was too scared at the time of the accident and when surgery was brought up I bolted. A few other things have gone wrong since then, thyroid cancer took all my energy. I now live a much different life than I did ten years ago - but it is a life. I am only able to be functional for one or two hours a day - so I do my best to make that time count.

When you feel like it, tell us more about you and your pain and we will do what we can to help.

Gentle hugs!

Yadlim and critters

MPS as in myofascial pain syndrome? I have that too and it's been a rough ride. I was just diagnosed with scoliosis in my thoracic and they think it was caused by the intense spasms from my MPS. Fun times! I also have cervical and lumbar issues. Basically my spine is a mess. They don't know which came first but I tend to believe it's the MPS.

Mine started with whiplash from a car accident which I think triggered my RA. But the MPS took several drs visits-about 50+ physical therapy- & roughly 18mo to get dx'd. In my case I finally found a diagnostic doctor, similar to Dr. House to find the problem. He's also a pain mgmt specialist and neurologist so I got lucky.

As for dealing with it..I do bi-weekly deep tissue massage(it should be weekly but I can't afford that) with a great therapist who knows trigger points & can work out the scar tissue & spasms. I also take muscle relaxers & pain meds. I just started nerve meds. The pain meds are for my severe RA too. A heating pad is my best friend and I also bought a new mattress & pillows. Get intense treatment as soon as you can. My dr explained to me that it takes as long to undo the damage as it took to get there. So if its been 18mo it will take at least 18mo to undo. Scar tissue and "stuck" fascia is hard to treat. It's like glue. The scar tissue happens when the muscles stay tense for too long & die off from not enough oxygen & blood supply. Other than that it's just one day at a time.

I'm sorry you lost your career to pain. I did too. It's hard but you learn to adapt to your new normal eventually and accept things the way they are now.

Take care,
Emerald

(((( hugs))) i am so sorry that this happened to you!
We are here for you and everyone here understands how it feels to be in severe pain.
I am wondering, what kind of doctors have you seen for this and what kind of testing and treatment you underwent?
Hope you will feel better soon!!!

Hi Estranged,

Welcome to the group and I'm sorry you're suffering so bad. Seeing that you're a radiologist, you obviously know what's wrong. Do you go to a pain clinic? I know you say you're on a lot of medications and can't sleep without being drugged. I have severe lumbar and cervical disc degeneration, spinal stenosis, just had a cervical fusion with screws and bolts put in. I have an implanted dilauded pain pump and I'm still in pain, but it takes the edge off. I exercise every day because stretching helps alleviate the stiffness that has set in.

I actually don't sleep in a bed anymore because it was too painful to lie flat for me. I sleep in a recliner or in a chaise lounge. Who do you see for your pain management? I hope you can get some pain relief soon and I look forward to getting to know you better in the future.

You'll find a lot of nice people here with some good information and they are all willing to share. I hope you find the support and answers you need here.

Hugs,

(((((( )))))))))

Mary Ellen

Hi Estranged, Welcome! I'm so glad you joined us, but sorry you needed to. Everyone here suffers from pain in one form or another. As for me I've had nine back surgeries, three total knee replacements, spinal stenosis, several bad discs in my neck, DDD & the list goes on.

As mentioned above it would be helpful to know what therapies you've tried, if you've had any surgeries for your issues & if you would be so kind as to let us know what the initials stand for in regards to your pain. Sending up prayers for healing, comfort and diminished pain. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Hugs & God Bless
Lisa

You are like me, so young to have all of these medical issues. I'm so sorry you're going through so much pain right now. You seem to be a very accomplished person. It's not your average run of the mill doctor that has what it takes to be a radiologist. I'm so glad you found this support group. You will learn a lot from us, and we will learn a lot from you. I hope you find the answers that you are looking for real soon. Don't give up on your future. You might find the right combination of meds that will allow you to regain some of your functionality back. I hope you are feeling better when you read this. Hugs!

I don't know how young (or old) you are but I was a young man myself when it all started. Nowadays, when I go to see doctors, and I tell them I'm in pain, they tell me it's "age related." I want to say "F... You!" So I guess that's a common theme among all long term pain sufferers. We keep asking ourselves what our lives could have been if there were no pain. How many potential opportunities, relationships etc. were lost because of this pain?
So the pain itself becomes part of our reality. So if you're young, my advice to you is that try to live your life the way that if this pain lingered on for a long time, you would not regret missed opportunities...

Mat

Hello and welcome! Sorry to hear your pain has cost you so much in your life...I try to explain to people that when we have physical health problems which affect our doing the normal things..we have to find our own tricks...how we can do the same things but in our own way! It may be longer-but we do not let the pain control our lives..we find our own ways to live our lives.So don't give up.

Hi Estranged and welcome. I too am sorry you have to be here. I have had 5 cervical fusions 3 lumbar fusions, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis of the spine and on and on. Lol. I found everyone here to be supportive and nonjudgmental. You can always count on them to be here for you. In your own time tell us more about yourself and again- welcome.

Dear Friends , I feel so moved reading the warm welcome messages you guys have posted for a newbie like me.
I am truly enthralled .. Reading the posts make me feel i am not alone & that i can connect with humble people. some of you guys have/are undergoing a much bitter ordeal than mine..!

I Thank everybody for the warm reception , motivation , kindness , affection good wishes ,blessings and prayers .
reading your responses a quantum of my pain has come down & my heart feels light already.
I had been to the pain clinic and received the needle jabs for my trigger points.., so resting a bit
I will certainly share my whole story and stay connected with everyone.
I feel privileged to be a part of the group

warm regards & ((((( HUGS )))))) to you all.