Hello. I want to start off my first thread by saying I have had physical pain since February 1996, when I fell 20 feet off a repelling board while training for the Air Force. I ripped my ACL and other ligaments apart in my right knee. That injury has had a domino effect over the years and now I've got numerous other conditions and I was diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy yesterday and was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy about a year ago. The V.A. will be running more tests on me and I am seeing a neurology specialist in a month to see how severe it is. I have been seeing a podiatrist for 6 years now. I've had one surgery on my left foot and 4 on my right knee. I'm at the point of feeling like I want to give up. The pain is becoming so unbearable that I just sit in my recliner with my head back and my eyes closed. I don't enjoy TV and movies like I used to. I can't really follow plots well because I zone in and out so much. I play chess sometimes on my computer but I've lost cognitive abilities to think. I'm not dumb either. I have 3 degrees including a masters degree in business management I earned while in the Air Force taking night classes. Five years ago I was in pain but could deal with it and it wasn't terrible. Now, however, it is completely unbearable! I just don't know what to do. My podiatrist told me that being 42 years old and dealing with this type of pain, that if I live to be 70 or 80 I will most likely be in a wheelchair. I already have a wheelchair in my garage but keep staring at it with horror. I don't want to go in it. I used a wheel walker now (with a seat to sit on) that I get around in. I have to go in an electric cart at Wal-Mart. I'm just so scared with this pain. I don't know where it is going. My mother and 3 dogs are my only comfort besides meds (including 4 hydrocodone pills a day). Does anyone have any suggestions or maybe would talk to me if they have this condition. I truly would invite anyone's support and encouragement. God bless you and thank you for taking the time to read this.

Hi there, I'm new here too and wanted to offer my support. Although I'm on here for another issue, I have had 2 back surgeries for bad disks, so I can understand that terrible pain you're in.

Have you considered seeing a therapist who specializes in chronic pain patients? Not a pain management doctor, although if you aren't seeing one, that might help also. Sometimes a med change might help. I myself have adverse affects from opiods like hydrocodone, they actually make my pain worse instead of better, so I can't take them. When I had my first back surgery in 2007, I graduated from hydrocodone (Vicoden) to oxycodone (percocet) and maxed out on the dose of those before we realized what was going on. I couldn't understand why the pain kept getting worse instead of better.

I have a friend who was severely depressed and had terrible anxiety attacks from a back injury and her doctor referred her to a pain therapist who specifically deals with chronic pain patients and he helped her come up with different ways to deal with the pain and problems that arose from it. She is a different person now, a much happier, more positive person. Maybe you could find someone to help you also?

Carly

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

You will be able to meet some wonderful fellow member here for each other. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways. Take look in the following there is someone there to answer your questions just by asking.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum44.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around, please keep us up to date. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

hello and welcome. i just want to get this out so you will understand my long hand and run on sentences. i am new to the computer world it took 1/2 hour just to figure out how i could respond. i am getting it slowly, but happy i could be of any support. no one home to help, sooooooooo i will do my best!!!!!!!! i love that i could share my experience, strength and hope here, and others who are feeling the pain as we do, for i can relate, as i quote my neurosurgeon upon my last week visit with second emg report in hand, "you have a multitude of problems". no kidding! so let's just talk about your art work. 1st surgery 3/10 acdf level 5/6-6/7 failed to fuse 2nd pcdf 4/11, in short, what a pain in the neck lol. u use a word in your story DOMINO EFFECT. one of the multitude of problems i have and we share is peripheral neuropathy. your medical history and how the progression crept up it pains my heart when you share. the people on here, just for example: darlene who uplifted my day. she helped me change my thinking for that very important moment and time. when i am in a frame of mind that is nothing but negative thoughts as how you feel DO NOT GIVE UP, ever!!!!!! like i have learned, process of elimination, in mine and your case the domino effect is slowly (i speak for myself) killing me. my shrink is great. it has been a year and a half, and his expertise helps including handling the list of doctors upon doctors. test after test. draining my blood over and over and over, makes me so angry. one thing i can tell you for sure, is finding this forum, it is a positive for me, along with educating myself. we need all the positive we can get!!!!!! and the other positive? is hence the computer, i am forced to learn how to use this darn pc. don't give in with what we suffer with PAIN,PAIN,PAIN PLEASE SOMEONE STOP THE PAIN!! this to is a process of elimination. what might work for one may not work for others. on top of all the "***(&%%%# !#!!&!!!!!$$&&*(^?, i have come to find out, i am now being tested for hypoglycemia, i have always felt something underlying is going on aside from all the other body troubles i suffer with. my sister who is having microscopic back surgery as i write this. what i want to say is, always go with your gut, listen to your body, i looked in the mirror close up and noticed my left pupil was larger than other also another i called my doctor, because i explained my symptoms i believe, with that underlying feeling, along with drops with my blood pressure i am almost certain i am on the right diagnosis. be vigilant always have an advocate with you. and my experience having a copy of everything including your scripts given for tests and medication script. i am on 10 mg of oxyicodone and am never under a pain level of 5&6, along with 4 mg muscle relaxant every 6 hours. i wish you comfort and a more positive feeling. i most certainly understand as others here. once again welcome!