Brokenwings
 

Hi Brokenwings It's Karen I havent read the yet what you are talking about because I have had the flu so bad and been on meds for that to and tonight I just started to feel a little better but I was reading what you were talking about and I live in California and cant get any help I have an HMO Insurance but they just changed that to they changed it to IPA HMO Insurance and it makes it almost inpossible to get help of any kind the state will only help you if you have 2000 a month where I live thats my house payment with great credit Im so scared with no help from family cant work and a house and I have to pay for insurance the house the van and taxes meds for me and my son with an heart condition that could one mominte he could be laughing with friends or me and the next his heart would stop and he would die plus he has ocd anxixty dosoder and tourettos every morning Im glad I wake up but I was suppost to go live with my boyfreind in Oregon but its on hold now everything is. I just dont know what to do......When and I mean WHEN I get dressed the purple reddish is up to my chest now.I see my pain secialist today Thurs. I'll let you know what happens and buckwheat to. Im already having problems breathing for the last few months but Feb was probably been then worst time more signs that its inside.............I'm really scarced I'm fighting but I dont fell like its getting me anywhere except my love for my son but Im afaird that when my sson goes to college in 3 yrs I will need to be in a home I will only be 42 yrs old. Im afraid I wont be able to take care of myself plus I will be totally alone. My son says he wont leave me I keep telling him yes he has to go and grow for him and me in 5th grade he read at a 12th grade level. I need to make sure he does I put a college fund with my settlement to make sure but now I lost almost all the rest due to my devorce and living bills and MEDICAL and now whae does somebody do when they live in Calif. and their is no help for pain treatment or RSD................Im doing to read and I saw on the web CNN about kitamine and I was going to try that..........

That is what some say (Dr Hooshmand), but this is really a controversial topic... a friend of mine who "recovered" from RSD used ice in his RSD treatment, but Dr Hooshmand says that it can aid in the spreading of RSD... who knows?! :confused:

I personally cannot tolerate heat, and I loved using the ice; but I decided not to use ice because maybe it was a no-no even though it felt SO good to my burning up body! :confused:

Hope you are having a pain-free day. :hug:

Hi Karen--have you applied for Social Security Disability Benefits yet? How long have you been totally unable to work due to the RSD? If you have been unable to work for a year, then you should apply ASAP. There will be a lot of paperwork to fill out, BUT, maybe someone can help youwith it.

When you are feeling a bit better, you might want to go to the nearest Social Services Office in your area and explain your situation. They will be able to explain all the different programs that you might qualify for.

Another thing you might want to consider, since you have a house. Is there a Community College or University in your area? You might be able to find a very responsible student that you could rent a room out to, for a "reduced rent", in exchange for a little assistance. I found a really nice gal after I had my arm surgeries, and it worked out VERY WELL! She got married and moved out, so I need to find another room-mate. So ,I will be calling the College and also trying to visit in person, to see if they can find someone in the Nursing or EMT program who would like this type of 'arrangement".

I am not clear about what health insurance you currently have. Maybe your Pain Doctor or his Office Manager can explain what treatment is or is NOT covered...
All I have at the moment is Medicare, and so far, i have had no problems getting treatment. That is why it is important for you to apply for SSDI--there will be a "waiting period" to get Medicare, once you qualify for SSDI, so the sooner you apply, the better.

To qualify for Medi-cal, you can own a home and one vehicle. You cannot have more than $2,000 in the bank, stocks, IRA, etc. I don't think that the trust in your Son's name would count, but I am not sure.

The best thing to do, Karen, is go in person to Social Services--they might be able to help you find OTHER resources out in the Community who could assist--maybe Meals on Wheels, or services through a Chruch or other local organizations.

Keep your chin up!!! If we don't ASK for a little guidance, no one will know how to assist!

I hope your Pain Doctor appointment goes well today, and he can help you with the pain.

Brokenwings

Dear Karen, so sorry you are suffering so
 

Its breaks my heart to hear your pain, im trying to hang in there too also starting 4th year of this junk.. I know- I feel like the begining stages are starting over again. I hope things improve for you -hang in there and good luck to you on getting to try a new pump. write me if you need some one to listen to you vent, take care, cz

I too can not agree with using ice. Just heat
 

RSD causes vascoconstriction- Ice makes thats worse and the pain worse for most people. I can not take extreme hot water either, but epsom salts in a hot bath really really do help in some way, I dont know how but it really helps me. cz ( Just the mental break, the 10 minutes of getting it ready can distract for a few minutes from the pain.. take care.

Brokenwings, Thank you .I already tried for SSDI and all the other things and I dont qualify yet. Im not sure what Im going t do. My Drs appt didnt go very well like always, He said how pretty I am but he is so sorry that maybe next month or longer we would talk about putting the stimaltor in my neck the base of my skull. I never wanted to do this because of the chances of making a mistake but Im gettting there. He said that I have had so much done and nothing has helped so he wants to wait to try anyhing. I asked him about that block he said oh yes you stay in the hospital its like what we did before. He doesnt want to because he said the insueance wont cover it because it didnt work before. Bad day and Im not done with appt today. He just gave me more meds and said to hold on and he knows how hard it is and that everything I do is around this but my son is always first his kids went to school with my son. My son for the first time is telling me he is mad because Im so sick and alone. The dr said it takes someone special to handle the pain level and still see me. My boyfriend does but hesnt here.

Ill see what I can do thank you for the help............Have a good day Ill check back later tonight. Brst to you Karen

CZZ74, Hi its Karen thank you I would love to be able to vent to you as long as you do the same. I got NO help like always for the last few years. I dont know what to do or where to go I just want to run but I have my son and my wheelchair isnt that fast......l.o.l............the pain just doesnt break...........

Take care send me an message anytime best to you to

Gentle Hugs Karen

Hi again Karen--well, I am sorry that you have to WAIT, yet again, to see how your Pain doc wants to proceed...

So, it sounds like you did have the brachial block and the hospital and it did not help? Maybe I misunderstood...

The axillary block is done in the Doctor's office. The Doctor injects local anesthetic into the brachial artery which is located in the armpit.
Karen--when the procedure is done properly, your WHOLE ARM has NO FEELING--which means NO PAIN--NONE AT ALL (they could actually then do SURGERY on your arm, and you wouldn't even KNOW, that is how dead your arm goes)!

For me, Karen, these blocks last about 8-12 hours; I like to get them as LATE in the day as possible--that way, I can take advantage of NO PAIN in that arm, and at least get a better nite's sleep. I have noticed that it also helps break the "pain cycle" somewhat, and I don't have to take as much pain medication for several days afterwards. A few weeks later, I get the OTHER arm done. Even though it is not a "perfect solution", I at least get a BREAK from the pain in one arm or the other...it is MUCH better than having a LOT of pain ALL the time in BOTH arms.

Now, it could be that your Doctor might want to try this, karen. The procedure is very inexpensive (and your insurance co. should be HAPPY!):D

I know that I am afterwards:D :D !

I wish that I could try the Spinal Chord Stimulator, but unfortunately WC yanked the authorization for that...and it is WAY to expensive for me at his time. BUT, from reading other's stories, it seems that it might be something for you to really consider, if this is what your Doctor thinks may help you.

First, you have to have the "trial"--temporary electrodes are placed up in your neck. It is usually done as an out-patient procedure. The electrodes stay in your neck for a few days, and then when you go home, you get to select the type and intensity of the stimulation that you receive in order to help control the pain.

If the "trial" helps control your pain, then it might be that you will want to have the permanent implant. BUT, you won't really know unless you do the TRIAL. I can understand how scarey it all seems, Karen. I RESISTED the whole idea, and then when i FINALLY broke down and told my Doctor to schedule the Trial, the Ins. Co CANCELLED the day before I was to go in and have it done!
So, for now, I will NEVER KNOW if I could have been in a LOT LESS PAIN for the past TWO YEARS...

I hope that you find SOMETHING that helps with the pain, Karen, even if only temporary...at least it is a BREAK for a little bit...


Hang in there, and keep your chin up!

Brokenwings

Thanks very much for this description! I had read that somewhere before and I completely forgot... so now I see exactly why not to use ice!!

Now, what about cold water? Think it has the same effect? Anyone? I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)

Ok, can someone please tell me what the 8 symptoms are??!

TIA! :)