[Georgia Smile]

Hi Group,

I have been reading some of the messages and have already found out places to look for more information. I had 3 spinal surgeries by 20 because of scoliosis and then had 18 great yrs. without pain. At 37 I began to have a lot of spinal pain again and needed to have another spinal fusion. I had no idea that this would be a surgery that would begin my life of chronic pain. After that surgery, Emory University Spine Group had to repair all of the mistakes that the other surgeon had made. I ended up having a infusion pain pump for the pain and this helped my pain yet I had problems and needed to have another one put in a few years after getting the first pain pump. Ten days after the surgery I was in screaming pain when the air would even touch my upper leg and my hip. This was the worst burning pain that I had ever had in my life. I was diagnosed with having CRPS about 8 months later. That was in 2000 and in 2004 the burning spread to my left foot and lower leg. My right foot turned becaujse of the spasms that were going on I guess. It never changed back.

The burning is really bad and the weather is my worst enemy other than emotional stress. At the time of getting CRPS I had been married to a Delta pilot for 23 yrs. and we have three son's. He left me while I was in the hospital. He said thathe was tired of the "pain thing". I still have three wonderful son's and I am 53. I have 2 grandson's and a cute granddaughter.

Even though I live with pain I have wonderful relatives that I love and that love me too. I am a christian and I know that God is in control. I pray for all that are in pain on this site .

May God Bless You,
Georgia Smile