New member intro--Ruth M

[Guest guest]

>

> Hey Y;all

>

> I kinda feel I am at one of those twelve steps programs. Hi, my name is

> Ruth, and I have Chronic Pain. Despite the progression over the last few

> years, I really have been in a state of denial about it until recently.

>

> I guess my history is as different and similar to everyones' in some

> aspects. I developed arthritis when I was still a teen (15) and have pretty

> much crunched up my right knee, necessitating 3 surgeries before I was 21.

> Oh, and I was fat. And It got worse. Eventually, by the time I was 26 I had

> three kids, a singleton and then twins three years later. I was also a bit

> over 350 pounds. I know this is not a weight forum, but I do think it has

> contributed to where I am now.

>

> My body kind of fell apart in my mid 30's---high BP, GERD, osteo in that

> right knee, and the regular arthritis in both hips, ankles neck and

> shoulders.

>

> I had weight loss surgery 6 years ago and went from 402 to 220. I lost the

> weight, the high BP and the GERD, but kept the rest and added osteoporosis,

> DDD, DJD, stenosis and herniations.

>

> I am a nurse and had worked the floor until I injured my back lifting a

> patient. I have been in administration since then. So now I am here, the

> progression and pain is constant. I do go to a pain doc, but sometimes it

> feels like i am just a number and I have the feeling I am not being taken

> very seriously, or at least my perception of my pain levels.

>

> The one time I went to ER because the pain was just that bad and my docs

> were not opened yet, I was treated like I was just there to get drugs.

>

> I have had the MRI's, CT's xrays, as well as epidurals, radio frequency

> ablations and pain meds--I am allergic to opiates so I am stuck with the

> lower class drugs like ultram and voltaren. Though at this point I am

> willing to do aything to make the pain less.

>

> The meds take the edge off, but certainly do not kill the pain. In recent

> weeks, the lower back pain has gotten so I cannot walk without assistance-

> or sit for more than 10 min or so -the pains shoot sharply down my leg and

> up my back. I am still working because I have no choice. My husband works,

> and is very supportive, but I am the one with the degrees and make more

> income. I have one child in college, the twins are in high school and the

> mortgage company would get a bit cranky if they did not receive their

> monthly obeisance.

>

> So here I am. I am really not sure where I am going--I just know I cant

> keep going the way I am now.

>

> Thanks for listening--

>

> Ruth M

>

>

--

Ruth Molenaar

New: http://paisleycatpenandneedle.blogspot.com/