Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
Hey Y’all! I'm new to this site. I'm just going to vent a little bit.
So about a year and a half ago I was getting these terrible headaches, like crawl in a ball and sleep for 10 hours a day, everyday for months on end. I went to a series of Doctors but no one could figure out what was wrong with me. Finally they stopped all on their own. I stopped thinking/worrying about it.
Oh, just an FIY I'm only 22 years old.
Moving on. February of this year comes along and the headaches start up again. Oh no. I go to my Primary Doctor, she says it could be one on five things: 1. I had just gotten over a sinus infection, so she thought that could be residual. 2. I need new glasses. 3. TMJ 4. Migraines 5. And lastly I should see a Neurologist-- worst case scenario.
I had a feeling it was TMJ related so I made an appointment with my regular dentist. (I needed a cleaning anyway). So the first appointment the can get me in is a week later. Fine. They took normal X-rays and did a routine cleaning and such. Due to the amount of cracking, popping, grinding my jam makes when opening my mouth, which i've had since high school I might add, She said they could make me a mouth guard to help, but she'd rather send me to a specialist since they could make me a better, customized mouth guard as well as suggest alternative treatments because surgery is not necessary, (It's got a very small success rate, and sometimes makes things worse).
Anyway, so after months of cancelling and rescheduling, they finally got me in to see the specialist. So I go in take more x-rays, talk with the PA, he shows me a video and gives me a folder with general info on TMJ and such. Then the Doctor comes in... "Wow you're young, too young for this kind of damage." She starts asking me all these questions about family history and my general health and if I had been in any car accidents.
Long story short my jaw is deteriorating rapidly and we don't know why. Her working theory, as of right now, is that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, or some other kind of Autoimmune Disease. Funny thing is I got routine blood work done back in October and everything came back fine. Yet my Temporomandibular Joint is so withered away on both sides, it seems like this has been a problem for years.
Since I've seen her I've been doing physical therapy twice and week and seeing a chiropractor once a week. It was helping to the point where my headaches were down to nothing. But the last couple of days its back up to crawl in a ball and sleep all day pain.
I got an MRI about two week ago and no one has really gone over it with me, though my physical therapist read the report briefly and disagrees with it.
The specialist wants me to see a Rheumatologist, which is not till the end of April, to get blood work done and maybe a bone density test.
I've been missing months of school due to the pain and the appointments. The semester is rapidly coming to an end and I feel like I'm not going to be able to finish in time because all I want to do is sleep. I feel like my professors think I'm just making up the pain, It's all in my head. But you try and feel this way for months on end, and you don't even know why.
I've also already spent over $600 just on co-payments in just the last month.
I fear for my mental health, I work 2 jobs, go to school, deal with this medical crap, and try to balance social life and a new boyfriend. I also have to find a summer internship in order to graduate.
I'm not sure how much longer I can do all this with out collapsing in a giant heap.
Have you thought about seeing a Pain Managment Doctor ? You will need a diagnosis and a copy of your medical records proving you have a medical condition that may require opiates.
Do you see a Counselor or Psychiatrist or Psychologist ? The reason I ask is your comment about all you want to do is sleep. Wantiing to do nothing but sleep is a sign of Depression. If you aren't seeing a mental health professional, you need to seriously consider it. I am very surprised none of your doctor have recommended it.
You might want to talk to your school about Reasonable Accommodations ? When a student has a disability or heath concern that impacts their ability to attend class, complete assignments, etc, sometimes other arrangements can be made to help the student. Since you have not been diagnoised with a medical condition, this may not help. It will also depend on what you need to complete your classes. They key word is Reasonable. If there is nothing that can be done for this semester. Maybe next semester Reasonable Accommodations might help. Look in your Student Handbook and see if it says anything about Reasonable Accommodations. Also look on their website.
Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis-
https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/types/seronegative/
itsjustme2012 --I do have medical insurance. Thankfully, I am still covered under my dad. But at $20 a copayment for every visit 4 or 5 times a week.... It adds up fast. Plus a $325 mouth guard.
Anyway, I'd rather stay away from opiates and other drugs, thats a big reason why I sleep so much. I'd almost rather sleep it off rather than take meds, I've always been that way.
I've been seriously considering seeking out professional mental health. I've been doing research like crazy. But I don't even know where to start. Counseling, Therapy, Psychologist, Psychiatrist... So many options. And I'm trying to find someone with good reviews that also takes my insurance, It's not as easy as it sounds.
I'm also going to look into Reasonable Accommodations. They probably can't do much for me this semester since theres only a week or two left and I still don't have an official diagnosis.
You can't really depend on reviews online for medical professionals. Unfortunately, most of the patients that write reviews are the ones that are not pleased. One patient that doesn't like something a provider did or said can post as many negative reviews as they want and make it look like different patients.
Call your insurance company and get a list of Psychologists that are taking new patients in your area. Then ask friends and family and your doctors if they know anything about them. You may also want to talk to your counselor at school. Sometimes they know more about Psychologists than doctors do because of their interactions with students.
I commend your not looking to take medications for an easy fix. But, some medications can be helpful. Sometimes symptoms can affect our ability to function which has a negative impact on other areas of life. A medication can improve functioning and help us see things clearer. Depression and/or pain can affect every part of life. Untreated it can cause more problems than the initial ones. Most Psychologists have a Psychiatrist or other doctor they work with that can prescribe medications when the Psychologist thinks they can be helpful. Try and keep an open mind. Be sure and let a Psychologist or anyone you see for your depression or other mental health issues know how you feel about medications.
If you are prescribed a medication, be sure and do your own research on it before you take it. Read what the Physicians Desk Reference says about the medication, check online for complaints made to the FDA by patients and medical professionals, check online support groups to see what others experience with the drug has been. Be sure and pay close attention when age is mentioned because a patients age can play a large role in the affects of a medication.