[gruvingal]

I have an appointment today because my neck and lower back are getting worse. I have bad discs and narrowing of the spinal column. I also have fibromyalgia. I have been telling them about this for two years and I am at the point where the pain meds aren't working as well because of more pain. My left arm goes numb all of the time and now my shins and tops of feet also go numb. The last time I had an MRI was almost three years ago and the surgeon I saw then said there was nothing that could be done surgically. I don't want to have surgery, but this is getting to be too much. My left arm is going numb as I type and also does it when I drive or use it for anything more than a few minutes. I am on Medicaid so it takes forever to get in for any specialist or procedure. I am still waiting for an ALJ and court date for my disability. I feel like walking into he emergency room and telling them I'm no leaving until someone does something! I wake with a migraine almost every morning and sometimes in the middle of the night. My quality of life sucks! I can't keep up on my house or yard work and that makes me feel even worse. I also want to walk into ODAR and tell them I won't leave until the assign a judge and court date. It's ridiculous to have to wait 15 or more months for this, especially when I have plenty of medical evidence that I am disabled. AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!

[caroline2]

Reading your story, sounds a lot like what I live with. But I'm all worse off since hip replacement in 2010, so I deal with that every day.

OA since 18, Fibro hit me in 1999 but I manage. No house or yard to worry about my little apt works fine and when it need a good cleaning, I hire someone.

I've had a couple MRI's done with that road.

I use all supplements for the most part, thyroid med and BP meds and take otc pain med and Pain RX herbal supplement in between ibuprofen.

I have a post on the meds/treatments area about: Do more pain meds, cause more pain. I don't know if you've read that one or not. MSM powder helps calm pain too.

I stretch out my body and use my massager on some areas that are numb from nerve damage from hip replacement. My arms can start to go numb, but it's a nerve getting pinched as I see it.

Sorry, you are having a rough time, but there are a lot of alternatives that can help.

I've talked a lot about fibro and thyroid connection. I went 10 long years not getting the right help...not getting any help...just scripts of anti depressants....

[Auntie Audrey]

Hi gruvingal, sometimes the wheels of justice turn slowly. I was once involved in a court case as an accident witness, and with all the delays and rescheduling it took just about two years for the judge to render his verdict.

Regarding your situation, the only suggestion I would have is to get a second opinion on whether or not surgery is an option for you, but I realize it might take a while for you to do it. It is unfortunate so many doctors have stopped taking patients on Medicaid.