Wow, Shirley!!

[Guest guest]

(((Shirley))),

Read your post and just want to say I am sorry for all that has

happened and has happened to you.

I think yes, you have come to the right place.

I do have RA, however and a lot of what you say as far as standing

for a short time and sitting for a short time rings true with a lot

of us here.

Although, we have never reached the 175K marked (mainly to do with

RA), I understand the financial strain a pain condition can take on

a family, psychologically, financially, physically, the whole nine.

So, my heart goes out to you. And completely understand why you

would be depressed, but the pain has to be addressed first.

As for the pain, I am hoping someone will be able to offer more in

the way of coping skills needed for that type of pain and more

suggestions to alleviating the pain. RA is more a systemic

condition involving the entire body with fever and chills, a sense

of weakness and fatigue, in addition to the joint pain, so not sure

about pain from dissicated disks/spinal pain. I know you need your

back to do anything and everything. Although, it can happend with

RA sufferers as well.

There is a lot of good information here regarding coping skills and

medical research. I am not a medical professional, but from what

you have listed it sounds like they ( your doctors) are doing every

thing possible.

I have heard of something called a 'TENS unit -- blocks the pain

signal.' I would have to research it more for you. Not sure if

that is used for a last resort or if that is something even used for

your situation. It is designed to stop the pain signal to the

brain. I don't have a lot of information on it but heard of it for

severe pain cases like yours, but don't want to leave you without

suggesting something that could possible make it a little easier on

you. Even so, it sounds like you have a good team of doctors

helping you, except for the ER folks. They must have been really

busy that day.

Welcome and talk to you later. Take care. Keep us informed with

your progress.

love/peace,

Ebony