Hi Rain Shower ~ Welcome to the forum. I am a newbie too.

Is acupuncture helping you with pain?

Me too, have always had treatment resistant depression. Have you heard of the new nasal spray for treatment resistant depression? It's a product of Ketamine. It has to be administered in a clinic that is approved for this procedure and you wait there up to 3 hours after the spray due to the side effects it can produce.

Nothing worse than battling sleep, the next day, like today for me is just awful, no energy to do anything.

Have a great day anyway and nice to meet you. Drop us a line too about yourself.

Hugs,

Blue

Hi. I am sorry you had to endure cancer treatment alone. You are one strong person!

I have investigated ketamine infusions for chronic pain and depression. The nasal spray not so much. They wanted to perform lidocaine infusions but my primary advised against it as well as one of my pain docs, as I have had this since 2001. These meds are most effective for more recently diagnosed folks. Once I get over this workers comp BS, I will be seeking treatment elsewhere. More restorative medicine than treatments such as ketamine and spinal cord stimulators. I have had more spinal injections than I can count. Tried TENS. Tried chiropractor , which I still occasionally use. Warm/hot aqua therapy helps a lot, as does gentle range of motion and yoga. Meditation, mindfulness, CBT, mirror theory, I could go on but will not bore you. My tool kit has many things that by themselves provide marginal improvement, but all together, I can get out of bed most days. Also use distraction as another helpful tool.

Take care

Rain,
What a big list. I had a tens unit for my neck but it stopped working.

I haven't been able to get a new one that works yet. But that is okay.
I will one day if I decide I want to .

I used to do massages, but stopped at one time, and just never
got back into them. I have a wish to not spend that money so haven't
started again.


Donna

Just found out that I am qualified for full Medicaid + Extra Help which will enable me to get off of the Medicare Advantage plan and onto a Supplemental. I have to go thru underwriting, unfortunately. Very excited !!! All my hospitals have dropped the Medicare plan I now have, along with most providers, but now I qualify for Special Enrollment Period and July it's open for me.

In any event, if I do not qualify for underwriting, then will have to keep the current plan but they will help pay for soo much !!

Lots of balls up in the air................ bankruptcy approval - will know in 2 months and now medical underwriting. Can't hold my breath that long, lol.

It's like the whole world has opened up for me now.

Blue

It sounds so fantastic! What is underwriting?
fondly
bobby

It is Medical Underwriting to see if I have any pre-existing conditions. If I do, they cannot deny me insurance but will jack up the premium three times the initial cost.............. gulp. I am worried about my new dx of BiPolar. If any new dx's in last 3 months, it will be considered pre-existing. I should know something soon.

If I have to be charged that large amount for the premium and they tag a pre-existing dx on my medical, then I will probably stay with the Medicare Advantage Plan and not take on a Supplemental.

How are you today Bobby?

Blue

Rats! I am reading. I was up most of the night and had a stomach ache. I took my bp a little while ago and it was fine. I was so relieved. No depression! Doubling the dose was I think a great idea.
How are you doing? You are so strong. I bet you finally need some nurturing.
fondly
bobby

I'm so sorry that you have experienced so much sadness in your life, BlueMoon(((HUGS)))

It must be hard to trust people after so many have hurt you so much.
I have also experienced the same kind of revolving door of friends in my life. I have been through a lot, and have been burned and abandoned many times as well. It's traumatic. I keep most people at a distance.

I never finished my degree either because I became disabled mid-stream, but I'm very proud of the work I did, and you should be very proud of the work you did, too. It sounds like it was all interesting and rewarding. Not everyone can say that- degree or no degree.

Congratulations on being eligible for extra help and possibly being able to take advantage of a Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan. I hope that the plan turns out to be affordable for you because it would open up a whole new world of providers for you. I know that you are struggling in that regard now...

OhKay ~ Good to hear from you today Thank you for sharing in a moment of sadness with me and understanding.

I think that my upbringing is what toughened me to be able to endure what I have dealt with all my life. Sadly, when 911 happened and everyone was reacting that there is "no safe place anymore", I would say "welcome to my world".

Trust is elusive for me. I open up and get hurt and I should have learned my lesson at age 68, lol, but I keep trying to find balance in people where I can exist. However with BPII and a broken brain, I am a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.

Congratulations on what you accomplished despite your disability . It's really neat to hear someone reflect back on everything and are proud of what they accomplished in life, that is making me *smile* for you. The sun is definitely shinning down on you.

The confusing thing about being approved for Medicaid and Extra Help, is that I am staring at a notice from Social Security and Medicare that said (4 months ago), I did not qualify for either due to my income. So, even though my insurance company and it's on the Medicare website that I am approved, there is a little doubt in the back of my mind that someone may have made a mistake. It's the same ole story with me, so trying not to get my hopes up too high.

I will qualify for Supplement because insurance companies cannot deny for pre-existing conditions, however, they can jack up the monthly premium 3 times and that would force me back into my original plan and would limit who I can then see, because soo many providers in my state don't accept Medicaid. I should find out soon something and at the same time I am waiting to find out if I am discharged thru my bankruptcy.

I just did my budget and it's going to be tight with a Supplemental policy and I won't be able to save. So, whatever happens will be for the best.

Take care OhKay (( hugs )) and thank you for responding !!

Blue

Hi Bobby ~ Have been thinking of you today and wondering how your depression is and your tummy ?? Did the increase in meds help left your depression?

I'm doing okay today, so far

Blue