[Patti_Christmas]

Hi everyone! It's been awhile since I've been here - it's been very busy here. I finally had the stim removed in December, and physically things were better, but the pains and tingles remained. I've been doing laser and needle acupuncture, it gives me temporary relief, but that's better then nothing. I recently tried another block - my doctor that does the acupuncture did it. I had about 2 days of wonderful warmth and was only down to 4 Vicodin a day instead of the 6+ that I was taking. On the 3rd day, I could barely get out of bed. Ever since, I have a horrible feeling in my groin area, my leg is extremely weak and it's almost like I am dragging it. I have an appointment today to see if the acupuncture can possibly help.

I am also having a few very embarrassing problems that started after my stim was originally placed, and I am seeing a gastroenterology doctor. He has ran test after test, but had come up with nothing. It would appear that the problem might be the medications causing my constipation and pain. He ran another blood test for iron levels and vitamin b12. For the last year, my Vit D level has been low, but I am taking a supplement that is helping. The iron level was an 11 (low - normal starts at 20) and a very low level of Vit B12. I haven't heard back from him, but did see my prim care doctor a few days ago, and she gave me a shot of Vit b. The iron is the tough part, as she doesn't want me to take a supplement because of the side effect (constipation), so we are trying to correct with diet.

My acupuncture doctor ran some lab work looking for an infection. Apparently, the injection might have caused an abscess and infection because the labs show that there is an infection.

My twitching while trying to rest has gotten worse. They are stronger and now painful. I've experienced a few episodes of tunnel vision and the feeling of floaty-ness. I had one scary tunnel vision episode where I lost all my vision, could hear my daughter and sister calling my name but I couldn't see them. What I could see was the Chesire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. During this episode, my daughter and sister noticed a change in my eyes (which the left one is now drooping) and that I was trembling all over.

I am waiting on a referral to the University of Michigan. My doctors want me to go to the pain clinic there and have my meds adjusted, as well as see a neurologist there.

I have a friend that is a nurse (non-practicing) that has been helping me somewhat, but she won't tell me what she thinks is happening. She is telling me what to have the doctors look for, and so far she is right. She wants me to go to Mayo, but it's just too far away.

Any suggestions? Any one else have these problems? Thanks