Hi,
I am 44y/o male that became disabled in 2005 after a case of bronchitis that turned into a serious case of empyema that became so bad I had a left pneumothorax and required a left thoracotomy and decordication (removing the lining of the lung) to reinflate the lung and a 30 day hospital stay..All of this was caused by our present medical system. After being treated at home for 6 weeks prior to being hospitalized It was handled in a way that was cost effective to the hospital system in South Florida but in the long run cost them half a million in medical costs.(Because of the wrong med's and treatments) And cost me my ability to earn a living for me and my family. Because of all of the pulmonary problems and the high doses of prednisone I came down with a disease called Avascular necrosis that stops the blood flow in mostly the long bones requiring me to replace both hips-knee's and shoulders. I've replaced 1 shoulder in 2009 and 1 hip in Oct 2011. Only 4 more joints to replace and have to deal with Lt chest pain and severe COPD for the rest of my life. I Hope I can contribute to the chronic pain forum and learn some of the many different tx's and med's being offered.. Thanks Randy