New to the list, old friend to pain

[Guest guest]

Hi all...

My name is Raven, I just joined the list today. A little background

as to why I signed up...

I've been dealing with severe migraine headaches since I was 4 years

old. When I was 18, I had a series of transient ischemic attacks that

led to my brief death of 4.5 minutes. When I was revived, well after

the coma anyway, the migraines were more severe and chronic to boot.

They've been raging all day--everyday for 12.5 years now. I honestly

don't even remember anymore what it was like to not feel this

way...although I do recall what it was like to not have to worry

about certain things: medication schedules, wondering if I should

attempt something today that I'll feel horrible for tomorrow, etc.

I'm sure you all know the drill. ::smile::

I'm glad to meet a group of people who not only understand, but who

also want to push through and gain the support to keep striving for

what you want in life anyway. I may be a newbie here, but anyone in

pain is welcome to lean on me for support too.

Raven

[Guest guest]

Hello Raven

Welcome to the group. I hope we can be helpful to you. This is a very kind,

caring and knowledgeable group of people. I have no idea how I managed

before I found this support group. Our Moderators work very hard to keep the

group on track.

Kaylene

>Hi all...

>

>My name is Raven

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[Guest guest]

Hi Raven, welcome and I hope we can help you deal with your pain and other

problems that come from it. I have not been pain free in 13 years I don't

remember what its like to not hurt. I have had 9 back surgeries, fused at two

levels, had dorsal column stimulator, Morphine pump, I have had blocks,

injections, acupuncture, physical therapy, work hardening. Plus I am a single

mom of 3 boys who are now 21,20, and 17 and I did it with no child support. This

group is the most understanding, careing, best listeners if you need to vent or

throw yourself a pity party, There is someone or someones who have the same pain

as you, has been through or are still going through, We all understand because

we all are constantly in pain. Once again welcome to our group. Hugs

Kaylene Goyette wrote:Hello Raven

Welcome to the group. I hope we can be helpful to you. This is a very kind,

caring and knowledgeable group of people. I have no idea how I managed

before I found this support group. Our Moderators work very hard to keep the

group on track.

Kaylene

>Hi all...

>

>My name is Raven

[Guest guest]

Raven,

Hi, and welcome to the group! My name is Jen. I felt so bad when I

read that you started having migraines at the age of 4. It must

have been very hard on you as you were growing up! You've just been

through so much!

I still vaguely remember that life before chronic pain, although

it's starting to fade into a hazy mist, even though mine only

started a little over 2 years ago. To make a very long story short,

I took an antibiotic, had a really bad adverse reaction, developed

Fibromyalgia and chronic, full body tendonitis, and my life hasn't

been the same since! In the beginning, I used to have more good

days than bad, but over time, that reversed itself. Now, good days

are a rare treasure.

Today was what I considered a good day. Higher than normal energy

level, and just a small level of pain in the left side of my lower

back and hip....after taking all of my meds of course! A Lidoderm

patch helped that out though, thank goodness! So what did I do with

this good day? Did I put in some extra effort at work? NO WAY! I

was chatty and happy and enjoyed the heck out of myself. I wasn't

about to waste my good day on physical labor! LOL! It came just

days after recovering from a flare, so I wasn't about to ruin it!

I have a couple of good friends who suffer from migraines, so I know

how much they can impact your life. They don't go anywhere without

packing their migraine meds (one takes Imitrex, the other Maxalt),

and they are both taking Topamax to help keep them under control. I

saw how much they both have struggled to get and keep them under

control, and how tenuous that control can be. My older daughter,

who is almost 14, has had a couple of them, and I worry constantly

that she is going to start having them more frequently. I don't

know if I could handle one of my babies having to suffer with

chronic pain.

I don't know about you, but I really hate dealing with the

medication routines. Some days, I'd just like to chuck it all down

the toilet! I know I'd be regretting it in less than a day, but it

sure would make me feel good for that moment! At least I'd feel

like I had SOME control. My husband jokes around about my meds,

telling me that I could start my own pharmacy. Between the meds I

take, and the Fibro supplements, I bet I just about could! I try to

keep reminding myself that it's a small price to pay to be able to

get up every day and lead a somewhat normal life. I'm still able to

work, go places (although with rest periods), and enjoy my family.

But then I think " How many NORMAL people have to take all this

stuff? "

I've found a balance though, I think. I've been through anger,

denial, grief, all that stuff, and I think I've started to learn to

accept what fate has handed me. When I was first diagnosed, I was

determined that I wasn't going to let any of this change my life one

bit. I learned the hard way, and through a lot of self-inflicted

flares, that my life DID have to change. I can't do some things

now, or I have to do them differently. It's really frustrating,

especially to struggle with things I used to do with ease. It's

also very humbling!

Okay, I have rambled on and on! It's nice to meet you, and I'm glad

you are here. I hope to get to know you better in the near future!

All my best,

Jen