is right in some ways. I also had a Phsyc evaluation by a PM clinic before they wanted to treat me. He gave them the ok but because I had such reactions to meds they still wouldn't treat me.

Also, there are some people that do need some help mentally along with the care. I have personally seen that a lot around here in my area. Belonging to an RSD group and having several friends with medical problems I have seen the way they are handling it and it sickens me. I have one friend in her 30's, watched her grow up with Susan. She started out with back problems and now she has been on so many meds that she has messed up her breathing, heart and everything else. She has now developed some of the problems Bill passed away from. She was handed so many pain meds that now she herself has figured out she needs to get off of a lot of them.

Her sister just went to the hospital awhile back and is now going to court over a drug addiction problem. She caused a major scene in the hospital. She has Interstital Cystitis but she isn't dealing with it right, she is now so addicted to meds that she is a mental case. I knew her when she wasn't. I saw a 64 year old woman get hooked on Oxycontin to the point that the Drs. couldn't deal with her. I have no doubt that there is some mental issues mixed in with what these people are dealing with.

ON the other side. I have a friend who got his arm ripped off and is guts ripped out and he is dealing with RSD now and will not live to be 50 and he hunts, fish, and does everything. Have another friend that just got the SCS took out and he has RSD in his stomach and back now and he has went back to work.

In the group I was in I saw few that were doing great and some that were so addicted to their drugs that they wouldn't go looking for other options out there.

Also I said the same thing Mommyjen said last week, I can't understand why they haven't found the same criteria to help all RSD patients instead of dealing with each case so differently that people can actually have a lot to talk about due to the so many ways we are getting the RSD treated. They have the same meds for MS, Diabetes, heart problems and with RSD patients it's like throwing a thousand balloons in the air and them going every which way.

I'm not saying this to hurt anyone on here nor to start a riot, and I do agree there are a lot of people that don't have the mental problems before but end up with them afterward but when I look back on these friends I have that are messed up now, I can see where they were dealing with mental issues.

I am one of these people that has stepped forward and have told my life story of mental illness on here and I have told it to everyone that knows me. I always refer to myself as a lost cause or a mess.

I can honestly say though by stepping forward and dealing with my mental issues I have been blessed to get the best medical care I need. My PA was always amazed with me. He always said he didn't see how I delt with major depression and everything else but was still able to help them take care of me.

I believe if a person steps back and looks at themselves and sees what they are and what they need they are much better off then not dealing with it.

She's right about being treated as malingerers or even munchousens if we don't deal with our medical issues the right way. I was blessed never to see those words on my paperwork and these Drs. are wrong to use those terms on anyone but maybe in their eyes that's what they think they are seeing wheather it is or not.

We have to be able to use our heads to deal with RSD in a calmer different way then others with other diseases. The RSD is so difficult to diagnose compared to MS, diabetes, cancer, or any other illness out there.

Ada

I just wanted to add also that one Dr. told me that Einstein and Van Gogh were genius and both fought depression. I thought how nice it was to be compared to two men that gave the world so much. I am not even in their relm but it was a nice thing for him to say to me.

Thank you Ada for sticking with this conversation. It is a hard one to have for all of us. You give me hope! You have a beautiful heart and I just know you will continue to climb the hill. The Doctors are not invested in better treatment options so it is up to us to try to change the course of diagnostics and treatment. Keep plugging away Ada you have taken a brave road and your courage will pay off. Thanks to all who continue to have this conversation. It is very difficult and I appreciate it.

There is a huge difference between psychological and psychosomatic.
Psychosomatic is the "it's all in your head" diagnosis that Dr.s give us.
When they suggest councelling they believe us. They understand there is a real problem, but they don't know what to do about it.
A Dr. CANNOT just treat symptoms if he is to successfully help his patient. He must treat the MIND, the body AND the symptoms.
A diagnosis of a chronic pain condition has a mental component no matter how hard you fight against it. The mental component is not an illness, but it is a part of your disease. How can it not be? When you are in pain all the time, and your body is being bombarded by medications and all the signals to your brain are messed up, you need to learn new coping mechanisms. THAT IS THE MENTAL PART OF THIS DISEASE.
Yes I believe that mental ILLNESS can come along as part of the problem in chronic pain patients. Depression, as you mourn the loss of your former life. Dependency issues, as you are bombarded my medications. None of this is the fault of the patient.
When are we going to realize that there is nothing wrong with admitting that you need a Dr. to take care of ALL of you. Mind, body AND symptoms.
Don't get so caught up in labels that you forget what is important. Taking care of all of you.
IMHO, Tracy

We talked about depression some but I just wanted to ask what is your thought on why so many people are dealing with depression these days.

I know medical problems cause it but I am amazed to see all of the people around me today that are dealing with depression even if they don't have medical problems.

I have had 3 people that wants to follow my progress with the VNS, one being a working nurse that says she can't go 5 more years like she is.

I was told that the schools are full of depressed kids. A councellor at the boys school says their school has a very high percentage rate of kids dealing with depression. Dustin and Devin don't seem to be but again I can't say that for sure. They are grieving the loss of grandpa but they are so busy with sports and doing good in school so they seem to be doing ok.

I know we have talked about this on another post but have any of you looked around you in your family or friends and can you see signs of depression?

I can spot a depressed person after talking to them for a little bit. You can hear it in their voice, what they are saying, how they are saying it.

I know this might be a touchy subject but I have thought about this often around here. I was just wondering if any of you are noticeing it more and what is your thought on it.

Ada

I honestly thought I started a new post here and put it in someone elses but I will leave it here because it does touch up on what we are talking about.

Ada

I had this conversation with a friend last week. We came to the conclusion that the pervasive depression in the world is a nomal reaction to chaos. There is a war going on, cost of living is high, people have gotten away from community and neighborhood support.... People feel alone. Sensitive people really take this in. I don't think people are depressed, I think our society is in a bad funk and people respond appropriately. Just my thoughts!

That is so true mommajen. The world is in a mess, to bad we cant lay the problems on our creator, and go on about our business. I know this totally helps me. Just knowing that we are citizens in a kingdom, with a army of angels that fight our battles is very comforting to me.

I know life is tough with RSD, but they dont put iron in a fire to destroy it. They put it through the fire to strengthen it, and turn it into steel. I feel we are like that iron, and when we come out of this life we will be the finest, and strongest steel.

I guess that I am one of the lucky few that doesnt use the antidepression meds, and lucky I didnt. When they cut off my insurance, and my doc dropped me, I dont think I would have liked the wd's from all of that and pain meds too!

Something one of my friends on my space posted to me. She is 15 now.


EVERYBODY IMAGINE....

Just imagine that you have a seemingly normal injury.

Imagine the pain from that injury becoming the monster in your nightmare, never giving in.

Imagine crying yourself to sleep every night for months or even years because nobody knows why the pain won’t go away and nobody can help.

Imagine being told as a mere child that you have something that will never let you run again; never let you play sports, and force you to quit many of the things that you love.

Imagine a doctor looking at you and honestly saying without a sign of sympathy to deal with it, to move on with life and to accept it.

Imagine that every night the only thing you pray for is relief, a brief moment without this pain, just an instant where you can be like all the other kids.

Imagine taking more pills than your grandparents with their heart problems and diabetes.

Imagine a new procedure every week, a new hope that makes you cry for fear it won’t work.

Imagine watching your loved ones cry for you knowing they cannot do anything, afraid to comfort their “baby” with a hug because it might hurt you even more.

Imagine trying to hide your tears so that hopefully your loved ones won’t notice how much pain you’re in and won’t be so sad.

Imagine that all of your friends leave you because you are different, “disabled,” and they don’t know what to say or do.

Imagine for just one moment, that you don’t know what to do. Your world is falling apart, you always hurt and its causing family problems; money issues trying to pay for the procedures and pills, job loss because so many days are taken off of work for procedures and appointments, and a lack of hope the whole way around.

Imagine thinking back to the days before the monster and realizing that though your age says your still a kid, you have been forced to grow up too fast and your childhood will never be the same

Imagine that you are all you really have and you are facing a monster that nobody can see, just like in your nightmares when you were little.

~Written by: Anabel Gilbert


PARENTS, Imagine....

Imagine your child has a seemingly normal athletic injury.

Imagine that injury turning into the worst nightmare of your lifetime.

Imagine going from doctor to doctor looking for answers and getting none for months or years.

Imagine learning your child has an incurable nerve disorder with only ‘trial and error’ treatment options.

Imagine watching your child endure excruciating pain without relief.

Imagine your child being told by doctors to ‘get used to the pain’ or ‘it’s just in your head’

Imagine having your child scream when a cotton ball touching her skin feels like a razor peeling her skin.

Imagine looking forward to anesthesia because that’s the only time there’s relief from pain.

Imagine undergoing numerous epidurals, in-patient IV morphine drips, out-patient continuous blocks where anesthetic is pumped by catheter to the spine, forty treatments in a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, spinal column stimulator trial to interrupt the pain, and taking more medications than you knew existed.

Imagine this is your child and you pray and worry night and day.

Imagine watching your child’s life deteriorate in front of your eyes – a carefree, athletic, cheerful and outgoing child having to finish school at home, college dreams quashed, trying to hold down a jobs then having to apply for disability, enduring physical changed due to medications no young woman wants to face, realizing she might never be able to have children, accepting dependency on others.

Imagine being that once-vibrant child dealing with not only the physical pain, but the pain of isolation, loss of friends and the loss of hope for a ‘normal’ life.

Imagine your struggle as a parent or wife/husband as you try to hold thing together physically, mentally and financially in the midst of other family illness, job looses, etc, over time.

Imagine having to face the reality of needing outside help!

~Author Unknown, Tweaked by Karrie Lumbsden

Imagine your an adult with all of the above.
Added by allen


........IMAGINE RSD!

Hi, I am usually on the weight forum due to not wanting to deal with chronic pain and had rather laugh and cut up there.
Truth is had a listened to the Neuro NUT that told me I need to see a shrink for my jerking, arms, legs, head, full body you name and my other many issues, had I not believed in myself and known for 13 years as I stumbled through various doctors and a husband that did not believe anything was wrong with me...only in my head he thought. NS in my town said come back when you have radicular pain. I ended up stumbling, falling, having jerks so viloent they looked like I was seizing. By the way I never had the radicular pain at all. I had neuropathy and myelopathy. Had I listened to these jeks and not sought comepetent help, I would now be in a wheelchair wearing diapers and being fed. I got a good new Neuro in my town, he came from a large hospital in New York, he sent me to a good medical school where an excellent NS saved me. I was in surgery 8 days after he checked me over. Please never never believe any doctor or family member when you know in your heart that something is wrong.
I have wrecked my car from blacking out last month have injured my neck again and now it is all coming back. Fired my primary Friday. It wasn't the doc it was the office help..long story. At this moment I am whinning, will I stop trying to get myself help. NO WAY.
Please believe in yourselves and don't accept needing a shrink as a way to heal what is physical. Would I go to one for the pain and couseling and to help me cope even at this age of nearly 65, sure. I know they can help but they can't operate. I also use my faith to get me through which is my personal help too.
Also excuse the bad spelling and wording. I am having lots of confusion and brain fog. I have followed this thread and you folks are so brave and caring so is mommyjen. I only have DDD, myofacial pain syndrome or trigger point pain, bulging all the way down and sacroliac is another story. Guess to be accurate my spine is just crumbling and has been from overusing it for years.At this point until I get help again I don't know where this is going, but I am old enough to just be an ole granny! Right now I am missing my brain and I am not kidding. Beginning to wonder if it will ever return at this point. Oh well, sooner or later I'll forget all about it anyway. Laughter needed here! Feel free to laugh it helps me feel more normal.
Hugs to all of you, Anne

I truly understand your situation. I was lucky and had a Dr for 23 years that devised a pain management plan that worked. But unfortunately he abandoned me and now I am experiencing RSD symptoms that were under control for years.
I asked the Dr today "What happen to Doing no harm?" She quickly replied if you don't like it get another Dr!