I was just cleaning up my bookmarks and came upon this link - I have not been here for several several months, and thought to come look at how things are going.

I have had MP since 2007 and am currently taking Lyrica to control the average background pain. My pain "breakthru's" are remaining consistent, with about 2-5 a day, ranging in strength from about 6's up to 9's, with the occasional "storm of the century" 10 (about once or twice a month it seems).

I have been getting treatment at the Multidisciplinary Pain Clinic at our University Hospital, here in Edmonton, Alberta, and I think my next appointment this month, I will be Rx'd either morphine or methadone pills to help me work through the breakthru's.

My mental state has been a concern for the past 3 years, and I see a Mental Health Specialist on a monthly basis for follow-ups and encouragement. I am taking Effexor to help with this condition, which all my care-givers (and I) agree is most likely linked to my continual battle with pain and inability to hold a job.

I have recently been accepted by Revenue Canada as being Disabled, and am now collecting Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits. However, the buggers in the Government have seen fit to lower my Military Pension by the same amount, so in practice, I receive the same amount each month, but now in two cheques, and as well, because I am now receiving CPP Disability Benefits, I am not allowed to work, even if I could! I had to sell my home business to my wife, and I work for nothing now, all profits go to her and our general home maintenance account. Oh well, it's not as if I am working hard at it or anything - I doddle on the computer when I am able and get some graphics work done for various customers, but nothing that will get me that little grass hut in Tahiti.

My MIL had a pacemaker implanted in her hip area to help her combat nerve pain issues about 10 years ago, and every time I ask about this at our Hospital, they say it won't work for me as they do not know the point of injury on the nerve. So they say. I might have to go to Germany and see one of their doctors about getting this surgical procedure done. But of course, it will all be "out of pocket".

In the meantime, I try to get by each day by setting a routine - such as I can - that allows me to have a "regular" routine.

Any newbies want to chat with me, let me know - I'm on MSN and Skype.

Cheers,