Hey Mark, how are you doing?
 

Decided to start a separate thread as I've not been very good at keeping up with the many posts due to being sidetracked dealing with my latest health issues:o

I hope that your pain is being resolved in some manner. :hug:

Thanx Fiona
 

Hurting a powerful lot. Typing much less just now. Right arm hurts too badly, the burning of lower legs awful, even though I am still numb. Em saw my foot bleeding other night and pulled out a glass fragment I never knew was there.

EMG Wednesday. consult with pain specialist Thursday. Maybe we will learn something.

Appreciate all of the prayers. Spirits still up, and I don't even drink,:winky:
Still praying,
Mark56

Hi Mark
I'm so sorry for what you are enduring. May you feel the comfort and peace of Our Lord.
Hoping there are answers for you this week that will help ease the burning and pain.
Prayers coming your way for you and your family.

Sandy. :Good-Luck:

Hi Mark

I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering so much. How awful for you. I will be thinking about you on Wednesday and pray that the Dr's will come up with something.

Jackie:hug:

You're in my prayers!
 

Praying that the EMG shows everything that's going on so that you can get resolution to this awful pain you're dealing with. Also praying your pain dr. on Thurs. will have special wisdom and insight from our good Lord on how to best help you.:hug::hug:

Thanks Fiona.....
 

.....for starting this thread :hug:

My heart is heavy that Mark is going through such a rough time. Especially while this is supposed to be a very joyous time for him and his precious family.....moving into their new home, a grandson on the way....the prospects in which God has led him.

Please know that I too am praying with the rest of our family here and that I stand on all the Scriptures which declares you a victor in the things that come against you. You are a child of GOD and He will renew you and you will soar to new heights like that of an eagle!

Amen!
We love you Mark,
:grouphug::grouphug:

Mark...
 

I know only too well the horrible burning of feet, ankle and leg pain. The name you call him..."deceiver", is one I had never heard before you so appropriately called him. Many other names; but not "deceiver". Oh, he finds joy when we want to give up. There are all too many days he calls to us. He knows how to fill our head with a way out of all this pain. We will not....we cannot let him win.

God hold us close to You
Let our mind and hearts be
filled with Your love for us
You let Your only begotten Son
suffer to show us we are not alone
He is the Ressurection and the life
of the world to come
We will await for His calling...
Amen

(Gerry)

thank you Gerry you remembered
peace among the world
he gave his only son

Prayers wonderful
 

Grateful for prayers. EMG whole body tomorrow. Consult on Thursday at 3 Mountain time. Answers hopefully then.

How does one explain pain when it should not be there. Had glass in foot, but could not feel it. both feet up to mid calf burn as if on fire. I know fire, because I have been burned. Right arm aches so bad, hard to type.

used pain meds friday night, but refuese now. won't give in. God withus.

humore--- ouch,
mark:)

beautifully said

another beautiful piece
AMEN i have so much respect
flow

dear mark

your pain as you describe it
is my wonder
and that is if i have
numbing
then how in uncle Sams name
can i feel the pain
everyone of my fingers
like i said if the ends of
hair could hurt i bet it would
as Gerry so beautiful prays
we all are connected
happy i am a part of it
may your family have the
strength as you have
strong faith different
mind in regards
no meds
extra help and power
an answer from where
does it come from
how why
courage you invoke
God you're
helper
allow if you may
no added troubles
especially during the
anticipation of a new
Birthday his wife who
is a angel who honors
a chance to breath
prayers

Mark...
 

So sorry to hear of these painful issues you are having.

Please know that you are in my prayers as well.

Nanc
:hug:

God
 

I will ever magnify His name, for He is worthy of all praise
as the Rock, the foundation of our being, our healing, our very essence,
Blessed be His name, as He is our provider
in all times and carries us in times when it is difficult to manage
at other times bringing us alongside cool water and to places of rest
whether we are in medical tests which annoy or cause pain such as today
He will be the comforter
and when we have glass in a foot He provides one such as our daughter
to see it in astonishment, remove it, clean the wound and help with
what we cannot feel.

We are each blessed, and I am to overflowing
with friends who care deeply especially here within NT and at home,
even my brother calls to ask "how are you?"

Then the deceiver brings tests such as in our well meant departure from a rental, where the property has had a spy who reports untruth and stirs up the vexation of our landlord...... so I feel led to deliver truth to the deceiver
and last night she storms into a conversation between my bride and I with kind neighbors who are helping the remainder of the cleaning to occur. We feel so blessed by good friends, for I cannot do anything physical due to pain, but it is done.

I challenged the deceiver with truth, TRUTH about her disruptive conduct, and she was scarce able to stand up, for in the face of truth, she could not handle knowing the reality of the snaring web woven by our landlord who could not or would not rely upon her professional property manager, so she wove wiles of deceit in sweet conversation pulling neighbor against neighbor to gain the benefit of spies. Oh how sweet it is to be free from the web, to be enabled to call out the deceiver in truth for his use of simple people to do harm. Last night sitting in pain in my car, I merely smiled at the ugliness and rage spouted by one caught in her acts as a proponent of damaging words, ugly statements, and efforts to harm. She spoke of feeling upset and I had not been Christian like as I merely spoke truth. Her venomous words were as water sliding from a rock...... then gone. How good to follow God.

So today, the EMG. Tomorrow answers. I type right now with fresh arm, so lengthn this report in order that you know I am supported, and the Lord is alongside in all things. All will be well. I am grateful.

He is my rock,
my defender in times of deceit,
one who calls each of us His beloved,
for we are,
Thank You my Lord in all things,
Amen [Thy will be done]
Mark56:grouphug:

Wow, what a mess with just trying to move out of your rental! The enemy is always ready to pounce and stir trouble when he sees God's blessings coming into our life...he tries to thwart our enjoyment of them as they bring praise from our lips to the Almighty... but we who know his sneaky ways are quick to discern and not allow ourselves to be deceived.

Let us know how the EMG goes today. Hopefully it did not cause more pain for you. :hug::hug:

EMG's
 

EMG's are really rough. I was such a coward; I would not have this done to my ankle area. The thought of someone pressing anywhere on this area with all this burning pain was just too frightening. Never had it done.

Mark's determination is admirable. He has been thru so much and pray that with all the tests that cause pain upon pain, treatment will be forthcoming.

(Gerry)

Emg
 

No PN, but severe nerve damage concluded. Pain extreme. Pressing on. God will prevail in helping deal with these things.

Description thus- Right arm thus, shows consistent carpal tunel syndrome, nerve extremely sensitive despite the three prior surgeries. End of the road on surgery, another would probably damage more than it solves, besides, I tire of surgery. Pain extreme. Hand weaker and weaker, a situation which will worsen, SO being ambi, I will learn to scrawl my signature with my left. How about that? The left arm is fine and strong.

Disappointed PN not found in lower legs, a condition my pain specialist said he could handle somehow. probably by reprogramming my stim [ only with me at the controls].

This leaves two tests about which we have to learn results today at 3pm: the blood panel, and the nuclear medicine test. I, uh, well, do not like the possibility it may be the nuclear medicine answer, so I cling to God, who is faithful to deliver with hope for the best.

All of your precious prayers are so appreciated, and we know God'a grace surrounds us. Gong to work, and to drop off an Inspri cushion to my 92 year old friend Ray, who needs it now as he begins a life of wheelchair use, hoping to avoid sores.

Pain is incredible, yet, shower, shave, and off to work, aided by your prayers.
Victory is here somewhere. Oh, how the deceiver loves to leave us with overwhelming pain......
Not giving in,
Prayers to all,
Mark56

Nerve damage
 

Mark, I am a bit confused. I thought the cause of PN was from damaged nerves. I have a lot of nerve damage. I was so hoping you could possibly have another lead put in so your legs and feet would be taken care of by the stim.

Thru all of this Mark,
God inspires you to do all
that you need each day
.....keeping the "deciever"
at bay.
God is Faith
God is Hope
God is Love

Many prayers are with you as well.

(Gerry)

Hello Dear Ones All 19 April
 

What a ride..... the good, the bad, the ugly and that awful tune one may whistle.......

Tests pretty much done.

Well Gerry, the EMG was conclusive I do not have peripheral neuropathy while those very same legs absolutely have radicular neuropathy, the reason I have the stim and it works so very well as distinguished from James situation. The explanation the super expert gave me yesterday [and I mean this in all sincerity, as he is also a gentle soul] was while nerve fibers may regenerate [emphasis on may], in a horrific situation of nerve injury, the connector plates which must reintegrate the fibers into the system do not regenerate resulting in something akin to an electrical extension cord all laid out straight and not plugged into the electrical source. Funtionality is nada. Thus, my lumbar and thighs burn like hades if stim is off as it had to be for the EMG because its signal did interfere, AND my lower legs are numb as a mouth following the proverbial dentist visit for a root canal while STILL feeling that burning fire going on in the "stocking feet" area. This is why I could be bleeding from a foot which had no sensation of the glass which was protruding from it the other night.

The right arm, it is a "lost cause" for pretty much the same reason as the legs with prolific nerve damage. Three surgeries, and declining strength, declining tactile capability, while hurting to beat the band, all the result of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome..... nerves gone crazy. Get used to it, and eventually, it will lose the ability to function.....

OK, all of that is the UGLY.

The GOOD is the bone scan did NOT show CRPS or bone cancer [same test, both issues, in fact 12 diagnoses come from such a nuclear scan]. We raised hallelujah about that [both since sister in law Terri, has RSD/CRPS and no legs at all any more, pain galore while a medical text study on the issue- and that is for absolutely real James, I cannot give you her real name- OH, and no bone cancer, the disease which claimed one of my grandmothers at 76].

So, that leaves the BAD, the revelation in the same bone scan of Gout in my lower legs. We had, well actually I had, then we both laughed, on the way to the Doc office today the scan would probably reveal Gout, and I would be asked to stop drinking...... ha, ha, ha..... have never drunk a drop in my life. So, today was another stop at the lab for blood tests for uric acid in my blood, and such. I will begin riding my bicycle and using our treadmill to work on dropping weight, the only real thing which could have caused this issue, except my fondness for asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, and cauliflower [can you imagine?]. Has been kinda hard being cripped up to attempt proper exercise..... oh, well.

Heck, my arm is bugging me too much, I gotta stop typing again,
Prayers for all,
Mark56

Mark, thanks for all the info. I am aware the nerves "may" regenerate. In fact, not likely. The sheath covering the nerves are missing and constantly misfiring. I do take many of the vitamins/supplements Mrs. D has recommended...just in case. While I do seem to have more energy; the legs and feet continue to be a problem.

The good, as you say; is real good....no CRPS or bone cancer. Is there anything, other than some loss of weight, that can be done to lessen the awful burning/pain?

I will pass something on that was sent to me today and it is for you from me. I will......ASAP...(Always Say A Prayer) with you in mind.

(Gerry)

Hi Mark,

I am so shocked that you have been diagnosed with a hereditary disease on top of all of you other ailments. I myself was screened for Radicular Neuropathy since I have an uncle who had the same symptoms as me, also later diagnosed with CRPS. That certainly explains your numbness of the feet. This may also explain the severe condition of your sister. Very good that you have such a thorough diagnostician though.

Wonderful news that you do not have bone cancer. I was so glad that you did not have a spread of your CRPS to your legs as you had feared. At least your left arm is unaffected.

A few dumb questions:

If your bad right arm has carpel tunnel, I am curious, where did your CRPS originate?

Another dumb question but is there no hope for physical therapy keeping what use you have of you bad arm? I only ask this because when I had a spread of CRPS to my wrist atrophy set in so fast that it became useless.

Can you reprogram your stim to get the Radicular Neuropathy and Gout in your legs and feet?

Are there any meds that work for Radicular Neuropathy?

Getting properly diagnosed a blessing? Yes. Now you know the enemy and with persistence and prayer you will develop a roadmap to manage this and continue your full life!

Mark: Just a thought...
 

My best friend has suffered with MS for many years and with no insurance has had to deal with it by herself and with God's guidance. She has much nerve issues and has found that certain foods are triggers for her. She does a lot of "let's try this food and see how I do" and she's come to discover recently that foods (vegs.?) from the nightshade family cause her to have a bad flare up of nerve pain.

Maybe starting to pay attention to foods, ( ie, elimination diet), may hold some pain relief? She says that at times she can eat certain foods and no problem...other times, major nerve pain. Just a thought. So sorry to hear you're dealing with more stuff :hug::hug:

I'm so sorry to hear about the cont struggles and pain you are having. I'm happy to hear it wasn't bone cancer. It so often seems like we all experience a domino effect with all of our issues. One thing always leads to another. I have a friend who had gout and I know it is a struggle for him when he has a flare up. I hope your pain is only a flare up and that you receive relief soon. If he has any tips for you I will pass them along.

Hang in there!

Hi Mark,

I can hardly believe a genetic disease in the mix. At least you have a diagnosis now.

I have one question to add to the list.

Have you considered speech recognition software to make you job easier. Not suggesting in any way that you give up on that arm, just a thought to help you at work or in any of your other written work.

Better days are ahead for you!!!!!

Thank you
 

Yup, I am blessed, and Cleo shouted Hallelujah when doc told us what was going on, for we can handle these things....

He ordered a specific seven step blood screen for Gout to confirm, and specifically help him either in caring for me, AS HE MOST ASSUREDLY DOES- A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY DOC WHO IS A BLESSING, or to refer me to a rheumatologist to have things done, as in drawing fluid from a knee to determine the crystals in the fluid.

Watching diet, for nightshade foods are problematic as is red meat or organ meat [oh, darn, I cannot give up liver, because I already hate the stuff].

Dropping weight and exercising on my mountain bike will assuredly help.

Watching for helpful hints here from my blessings, you my friends who care, will help.

Yeah, acknowledging a heriditary part of this and taking it calmly will help.

DRAGON software will help. In fact, my specialist who administered the EMG himself is arm challenged, for he has a left arm which did not fully develop. I understand this well, for in our family, we have a gymnast who won many and stunning awards competing as a high school gymnast along all other young ladies, even so, still winning with her deliberate and well practiced routines. So my specialist said typing is a challenge for him, and he has used DRAGON for ten years to help in his practice and as a professor at University of Colorado Med School focusing on neurological issues. All we who have challenges CAN meet them head on and see an opening tunnel in the closing near distance, for in it there is a better life revealed.

Then receiving care and prayers from you, my friends,
Thus I am blessed,
Thus we together will move forward,
Thus God will show us blessing after blessing after blessing [Amen?],
Praying for you all,
Mark56:grouphug:

Right there with you on the liver
 

and, for me, you can add in "sourkrout" :vomit2:

(Have always wanted to use this lil' cartoon guy but never had a chance till now...thanks, Mark:D)

You TWO Make me LAUGH!!
 

And the bestest thing about laughter is that it does not cause pain while it is a true joy to experience. So, let's away with :vomit2::picknose::Deliberate::deadhorsebeat: and any other funneh stuff [like.... dare I?...... well, you know, vapors? Oh, there is no icon....:laugh::ROTFLMAO::Thats-Funneh::Crazy 2:].

Cheers! We should have a liver, sauerkraut, pick nose disgusting stiff kind of party...... now that would bring out the funny bone!!!! I can already feel Joan cringing from miles away!

:D:D:D:grouphug:
Mark56

THIS is exactly what has been missing lately! We haven't been playing with the smilies!
:holysheep: how could we let this happen? :Red eyes::boy(sad)::paperbag: oh my Lord! :Slip:
this font is very irritating innit? :eek:
Heaven's to mergatroid this is even WORSE :eek::eek:
..... and this pee green REALLY makes me want to :vomit2::icon_eek:
....I wonder if there's an idiot like me on every forum?? :lookaround:
SO, how many people have I irritated SO far? :Poke:

Ok, I've used my quota limit on the cartoons.
I'll go take my medication now. :cool:

Hey Mark,
 

Was just reading one of your posts to Kelly, I believe, and you said your right arm was not only becoming useless to use but also painful. I know you may not want to even hear this right now, but have you considered a cervical SCS like I have? They could do a lead for just the right arm, probably. My cervical SCS gives coverage for the hands and arms so may be good coverage for your pain. Just a thought...

Hey, that means you'd have "twins" like me :D

Twins
 

What a wonderful thought, Fiona.....

Doc has not spoken of it, and the specialist who did the EMG let me know my right arm nerves are going away...... devervating...... dying, then suggested in such simple grace and consolation [as he is one who was born with a left arm defect which ever prevented his ease of typing] gave thought a dictation software will become beneficial to me. I feel he was giving me the straight story, as this simple maneuver is SO painful, and my strength is all but gone. No grip. Gives me to wonder what will that be like as it may come. Then, I thank God I have a fully functional left arm which is strong and good.... I am blessed.

Doc said twins are not in the cards for me stim wise, and I can accept that, as I trust these folks with my being, for they have ministered unto me to bring me back from that brink in 2010.

Agape,
Mark56:hug:z

So the focus now is on finding cause and treating painful gout condition? Do you have pain in your arm or just loosing usefulness of it?

By the way, are you practicing using your left hand yet? :D:D Make sure you do it in private as nose-picking is sometimes frowned upon:winky:

And we Frown upon the common
 

Not a digit provided to us not meant to use. Matter of fact, a friend who had to have nose surgery said his surgeon told him in OR he lifted the patient arm to ensure the index would still fit where it was intended. How about that? Sounds im-proper, but true. Reckon I will have to practice.

Pain in arm, yes, especially after doing some of this.... and the hand too. Doc said signs of the denervation.

Working on the gout stuff, a bunch of blood tests having been run last Thursday. I learn on 30th what is what and how to proceed, I hope.

Praying all is well with you,
Mark56:hug:z

Will the denervation eventually end in no pain?...hate to think of you loosing use of the arm, but if it eventually ends up painfree that would be a plus, I suppose:confused::confused:

Phantom Pain Possible
 

Consider it as a bloodless amputation.... in amputees, there are still events of feeling phantom pain in phantom limbs long since gone wherever they go [the incinerator?] as with my sister-in-law, Teri. No legs for years now due to RSD, but phantom pain to beat the band.

The brain is a wondrous creation and a baffling recorder of data which bubbles out in some of the most creative, embarassing, painful, humorous, incredulous, precious ways...... as in my father, who with alzheimers, was attending a funeral of a friend and wondered out loud why "that guy" was laying in a box.

Mystery, this no doubt best describes the brain and its very existence.
God,
the mysteries of faith,
the incredible brain,
things happen,
faith protects,
agape,
Mark56:grouphug:

My pain dr. told me during my initial consultation with him when first investigating SCS that he uses them for phantom pain, also. Pity you cannot join the "twin" club.

Praying that you'll soon get a quick resolution to this gout thing. Seems like it's one thing after another, sometimes :(

I go see rheumatologist today to have him view CT scans of shoulders and hips to make sure there is nothing going on there. Still having difficult time sleeping as side sleeper and hips/shoulders hurt at night. Those that can sleep through the night, pain free and wake up refreshed with vigor are not realizing how blessed they are :Zzzz: !

I will make my utmost attempt to communicate to him to treat this body gently and "no, pretzel making today" as I so do want to go to the beach and sit under the palm trees, while listening to the waves rolling in :Excited:

Did I just read in another post about you trying to get accepted by New York? Are you planning on moving:confused::confused:

Nope
 

Have client needs there. That's all.
Mark56:):grouphug: