New members can introduce themselves here....

[sandee1818]

We welcome new members here everyday and alot of times new members will sit back and observe and read awhile before posting. By introducing yourself it helps us members get to know you and also welcome you to our wonderful community we have.

We not only support each other with pain issues but with everyday life and how the pain effects it. We have all had days when just need to vent and express out feelings toward dealing with pain and how it effects every single aspect of out lives. So feel free to do this.

I know all of our wonderful members will make you the new members feel welcome and at home here. I myself consider my friends here my MedHelp family.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. We have many different features here including a pain tracker   http://www.medhelp.org/user_trackers/gallery/pain  that will help you keep track of your pain levels on a daily basis and you can even print it out to take to your Doctor's appointments to help them treat your pain.

We have health pages that will give you more information on pain and your medical treatments and so much more.
Med Help also has many more communities also - http://www.medhelp.org/forums/list

We all here look forward to getting to know you:)

Sandee1818 & Tuckamore
Your Community Leaders

[Melissa1712]

Hello!

I'm a new member here! I'm Melissa, full time mum & carer of 2 gorgeous kids and a partner dealing with chronic pain. I've spent many weeks reading and re-reading the posts in this forum, just trying to understand what it's like to live with chronic pain so I can better help my partner.

I have SO many questions, so I finally joined. I've already received some lovely welcome messages (thank you!). I look forward to getting to know you all!

Melissa

[sandee1818]

Welcome Melissa,
   We are really glad to have you here and looking forward to getting to know you. We will answer any questions you have and help in any way we can. Your partner is very lucky to have someone so supportive and willing to learn about chronic pain. I applaud you for taking the initiative to do that and know your partner appreciates it very much:)

[optimus22mac]

Wow Melissa! I think it is just amazing that you are putting such a great effort forth to be able to help and understand your partner! I wish that some of my family or friends would spend just even an hour on here...it would really open their eyes, and maybe have them think twice before putting their 2 cents in (especially when they have no idea what they are talking about!).  Chronic pain is such a monster, and I am so impressed that you are so involved.  Welcome to the forum! This forum is like a family...I trust some of the people on it more than family and friends...it is so comforting for me to know that someone knows how I feel, and that they do not doubt me or look negatively upon me.
I look forward to getting to know you:)
Love, Alison

[geminigirl1963]

I'm probably not considered a "newbie", as I've posted several times before, but I still wanted to take a minute to introduce myself to everyone and thank you all for all the wonderful advice, words of encouragement and thoughts that you've given me since I joined MH.

I've lived with chronic pain issues for about 15 years now.  I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, lupus, severe arthritis in EVERY joint/area of my body.  I also suffer from pretty severe asthma.  I'm 47 and have already had one shoulder replaced and am in need of having both of my knees done in the next couple of years.  Most recently I've been dealing with a back/hip problem that as of right now, my ortho has diagnosed as a bulging disc/trapped/pinched nerve.  I am having an MRI done on Wednesday and go back to her on Friday to get the results of that - one main reason I haven't been posting/commenting as much lately, as it makes the pain worse sitting, so I, unfortunately, have to limit my computer time :(

I totaly agree about how people who don't suffer with chronic pain just sipmly do not understand what we as CP patients go through on a daily basis.  As the saying goes (or somethign like this anyway) -- "until you've walked a mile in my shoes"......

Again, I just wanetd to say hi and once again, thank everyone here on MH for all the gret help/advice you've given me and others.

[sandee1818]

Thank you Geminigirl for the introduction. We are very glad to have you part of the community or family as I like to call it. I will be looking forward to hearing about your test results and hope they are good. I am sorry your having so much pain and hope that after the test results come in you will have some options as to treatments that may help your pain levels.

[KittyKat23_78]

Hi,

My name is Kat and I've been lurking here for a few weeks now. I'm happy to have found such a great, supportive community!

I have suffered with pain since I was a teen. I'm 32 now. I've had several surgeries for degenerated discs and have widespread pain that is worse when I do normal activities (like mow the lawn, play with the kids, weeding etc.) Some docs say I have fibro, but I haven't bought that yet. My mom has RA. I've been tested for RA and lupus and both are negative. I suspect I have some sort of auto-immune disease that they haven't found yet since I also have Ulcerative Colitis. To complicate things further, I was also recently diagnosed with Bi-polar II - for which I am aggresivly  treating with meds and psychotherapy, which brings me here.

I have long feared being a "pain patient". I've worked in a medical setting for most of my life and know how people are looked at and treated when they are on PM. So rather than treat my pain I have dealt with it for a long long time. On occasion I would get pain medications after a procedure or something and it was such bliss for a little while because I could ACCUALLY FUNCTION and enjoy my life. My therapist finally broke through to me recently and helped me realize that in order to get my life in balance I needed to address my pain issues and if that meant being on a PM program to have better quality of life then so be it. And that I needed to get over my anxiety of "being a PM patient". I finally went in a spilled my guts to my PCP, which was REALLY HARD. I told him about my daily pain that I was hiding. I told him everything through tears. He was so kind. He wrote me for some Vicodin 7.5's, twice a day and had me sign a contract. He referred me to a local PM doc, whom is strongly recommended by my therapist as being the best in town for listening and bedside manner. My appointment with him is coming up in a couple of weeks and in preparation for that I've been here reading about other people's experiences etc. so I know what to expect and what to ask.

I have a husband and two children to take care of and I can't tell you guys what a relief it's been to have some meds to take for now. I can play with the kids, grocery shop, cook dinner...all kinds of things that would "cost me with pain" before! I am excited to see what the PM doc says and see if he can help diagnose this pain once and for all!

Sorry so long. I look forward to getting to know you and being a part of your community!

Kat

[sandee1818]

Welcome Kat,
  We are so glad to have you here. I am glad that you spoke to your PCP and got some much needed relief. I do hope that you find the root of your pain soon and in the meantime have your pain treated. That is very important.
We look froward to getting to know you. We have such a supportive community here with some really great people who genuinely care.
Good luck with your appointment, we will look forward to hearing how it went;)

[opus88]

yes welcome kat, there does come a point when we need to reach out and go beyond what we've always thought of as taboo....we do deserve to function and enjoy life as much as possible and with no quilt....I hope you get you're pain under control to enable you to participate in some fun activities with you're children.
good luck with the PM appt.

[beanoville]

I came to medhelp after I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  So much has happened since then (Christmas 2006) but I come today 2 years in a pain management program.  I have been on methadone (5mg tid) for bone pain related to chemo and idiopathic lymphedema in both legs.  Sprinkle in osterarthritis in many joints and when I'm in my bathrobe with my walking stick, I feel as though I bear a striking resemblance to Methuselah...without the beard of course!  The methadone has been a lifesaver, I also work with biofeedback and a psychologist to monitor the personal side of things and how they relate to my pain.  I'm so lucky to live near a major university hospital and get the kind of treatment I need.  I plan to post now about an issue I have and look forward to getting to know you.  Beanoville (Diane)

[sandee1818]

Welcome back Diane:)
          Were so glad to have you back and we look forward to hearing from you. Med Help is always here and I am glad that MH was able to help you when you were diagnosed with breast cancer. How are you doing? Are you in remission?
I am glad that you have found some relief with the Methadone. I am sure you do not even remotely resemble Methuselah. You are a strong person who has had alot to deal with and I am sure your as beautiful as you always were:)
Welcome back!

[beanoville]

Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate the warm welcome!

[kjoy85]

I found this website a few weeks ago through a friend on Facebook. I didn't know where to begin looking for support communities online for chronic pain. I'm 25 and both my mom and I are chronic pain patients. I've had chronic pain almost all of my life and have usually gone unmedicated because the doctors wouldn't listen to me. Fortunately, I have friends who are fairly understanding of the fact that I have limitations, but it doesn't remove the frustration. I've been labeled as having fibromyalgia, but it doesn't cover all my symptoms or explain why I'm prone to soft tissue injuries. I know that I may never get all the answers, but I have to try.

[sandee1818]

Kjoy85,
     Welcome to the community. Were very glad to have you here.
I am glad to see your not giving up on finding a DX.
Are you in pain management?
We look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you:)

[Jaybay]

I'm an oooold Med Help member (and no, I'm not saying HOW old!) and pop in and out of the pain forum depending on how I'm doing.  If you don't see me around I'm either laid out in bed or having a stretch of decent days.  If you see me posting a lot that means I'm feeling pretty crappy and trying to distract myself with other people's problems.

If anyone has pain due to abdmonal adhesions and bowel obstruction, give me a shout. About all I can offer in the way of real advice is smoothie recipes, but I'll do my best with anything else.  The list of surgeries I've had in my life is beginning to resemble an anatomy textbook.  Chances are fairly good that if you've had a surgery, you've found a partner in crime.  There's not much left to be removed or rearranged, so I'm hoping my 5 year surgical hiaitus will continue until I hit the morgue - whenever that day may be.  

On a more personal note, I find music to be an extremely effective distraction from pain.  I play handbells and sing in the choir at church and those few hours of rehearsal and worship are about the most pain-free hours I can claim in a given week.  I'm blessed to be able to participate so I'll keep it up as long I possibly can.  Looking forward to hearing from other members about their own coping and distraction techniques since meds can only do so much.  :-)

[dominosarah]

Sandee and Tuck........I just wanted to tell you 2 that you have some really wonderful members on this forum.  I had the pleasure of talking with a couple of them today who have brought to our attention on the SA forum that there was a lady on here who had an awesome journal about pregnancy and pain meds.  This will be a life saver to us when we get moms over on our side who have no where to turn.  Just thought you should know how much it is appreciated!!!          sara

[sandee1818]

Thank you very much Sara:)

[Kayliegh78]

Hi,
I'm a new member.  I'm a single mom of 2 young boys and have been in pain for as long as i can remember.  Mostly lowerback but it has spread and i now feel it between my shoulder blades. I also suffer from sciatica and have numbness and burning all the way down my right leg.  Life is a nightmare right now.

[Tuckamore]

Welcome Kayliegh,

We are glad that you joined us.

Feel free to make a separate "Question" post on the Forum.

I am sorry your life is a nightmare. Many of us have been here and know exactly what you are talking about. I too have terrible sciatica. No Fun!

I'll look forward to getting to know you better.

Peace,
~Tuck

[sandee1818]

Hi Kayliegh,
   Welcome! I know how difficult it is to take care of small children and be in pain and sometime wonder how you can care for them when you feel like you cant even take care of yourself because the pain takes over.
I have two girls that are now 7 and 8 years old and they keep me running. There are days I cant do the things I want to with them and they do understand to a point but I always feel guilty and feel like I am letting them down.
I look forward to getting to know you and hope we can help and offer support.

Hope to hear from you soon:)

[Edward93]

Hi, im Edward

Male at Sydney, Australia. Currently still studying at university. My first time but i'll try and learn as fast as i can :)

Cheers,

Edward

[opus88]

I too am a pop in and out member, do alot of reading but not alot of posting...there are many on here Kayleigh and Edward that can give you so much help and good advice, so please stick with us.
Kayleigh I also suffer with nerve damage and severe sciatica, are you on any seizure meds for this? Gabapentin or Lyrica can be very helpful. I've taken gabapentin for many years....
best to you all old and new friends....♥

[sandee1818]

Hi Edward and welcome:)
We look forward to getting to know you and were so glad you joined us here in the community. We have some awesome people here and we can always use more:)

Hi Opus,
I haven't seen you here in awhile I hope your doing well:)

[lynnejenni]

hello, brand new here, this is my first reading and seeing where everyone is coming from.  I think it doesn't matter WHAT causes your pain, its still pain.  
I had an industrial accident 8 years ago that lead to 2 surgeries, anterior fusion and posterior fusion on my L4-5 and S1-2.  I also have a bulging disc.  I believe something went wrong in my first surgery but getting those answers has been a nightmare.  I cannot walk without the use of forearm crutches and suffer from chronic pain on a daily basis.  I did the pain management thing and didn't like how it made me feel so I went off all meds and have been learning ways to control it without medications.  I am seeing a great dr at Cleveland Clinic in cleveland, ohio and she does have me on Gabapentin for the let spasms which keep me in crutches.  I am also in PT.  Through this entire process I have also been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and PTSD.  They go hand in hand.
More than you probably wanted to know but thought I would put it out there for anyone who can relate.  
God Bless you all in your daily struggles to be "normal".  xoxo

[JadedSweetheart]

Lynne, nothing you want to share is more than we want to know.  It's always great to get to know new members.  We're all glad that you've joined us.

I guess I should introduce myself.  I am 28 and am currently pregnant with our 4th child.  This is our second marriage so this is our first together.  The baby was a surprise as I have been in PM since Aug 2008 and wanted to have surgery before I had any more children.  I wasn't even sure that I would have any more children and am a little apprehensive about the pain medication during pregnancy as well as worried about carrying around a baby in my arms for the next couple of years.
I have 2 known herniated discs and several buldging in my cervical vertebrae.  I am pretty sure I have some discs out of whack in my thorassic and lumbar, too, but I've never had that checked.  I have Degenerative Disc Disease at a young age and I've really been having back pain on and off for the past 14 years.  It became constant or chronic in 2008.  
I enjoy growing orchids and other exotic flowers and love my crazy cats.  I was a karaoke queen, but the nightlife is not really consistent with CP.  I enjoy beading and other crafty things, when I can.  I also like debating politics for fun, not for serious conversion of others.  I'm interested in alternative medicine and homeopathic remedies.  I hope to get this neck, shoulder, and arm pain under control some day and am looking into Artificial Disc Replacement.  I'm not going to go into my religious views, but I do love God.  I'm also a voracious reader and bibliomaniac (I love books).  
That's all I can think to share now.  I love this community and the members here.  It's a great way to learn about our conditions and pain management and it's a great distraction of pain as well.  I've really enjoyed getting to know the members here and I'm glad to have you all.