Hi Jacjie Stone

Arachnoiditis--no I was not aware of this condition. I really appreciate this most informative post.

Im so sorry your suffering so much --I hope some good chronic pain mgmt could come up with a regime to provide you some relief. Dont ever give up !!

Oh my jacjie you are so strong & ginnie speaking of physiatrist, thats what my dr is & different from pm/anes b/c they concentrate on "functioning" as in "are you or how are you functioning?" Everytime i go to my dr he tells me all the scary dea stuff that is happening to other drs & instead of his jovial kind laugh & beautiful smile he is grumpy, furrowed brow & frowning.I saw him smile minimally @ last appt but i was there 2 hours. I can hear your screams & it makes my stomach flip over, please at least no more myelograms, ok? Have you read everything by dr charles burton & dr j aldrete? The a word? I will tell you anything that i have learned, have studied for 12 hours a day since september. Please i care so much, what can i help you with? Thank you for saying that i was a gift, this condition makes me feel like im a burden to all even though i dont ask for any help, it comes from their frustration that i cant just go to grocery, church, birthday parties unless im spared that day, i want to commit in my heart but dont know what my body will do!

I was lucky, my physiatrist and my PCP are really really good. I still take a pain killer but not morphine and I am grateful. I take a host of suppliments from the physiatrist, and I have to admit, this doctor has helped my pain. She also listens to me. I know not everyone finds a doctor like this. I pray you all do, and don't stop looking until you find that help. My doctors didn't tell me to get off Morphine, I asked to do it. I wanted to see just how much pain I would actually have after my two spinal fussions. I didn't want to mask, pain that may be developing under the site of my fussions. If we overdo it, and use these medications, we can ruin what we already tried to do. I didn't want any more spinal fussions. Now I know my limits, and don't do anything that hurts my neck. So many of us suffer in terrible pain, and it is so important not to give up and find those professionals willing to really listen to us. Nobody asks for these things to happen. When doctors can't smile, listen and offer help that really works, there isn't much point to seeing them.

My former PM doc. would not treat for post surgical pain for another proceedure, and neither would the surgeon. Just what is a patient suppose to do in a case like that? Nobody willing to treat for post surgical pain?
I turned down that surgery, as it involved fusions in my foot. Found another PM doctor who is that physiatrist. It took a long time to get myself stable with pain and the right kinds of doctors. Please dear people on NT, don't give up and continue to find those doctors willing to help. they exist, and there are those who have compassion. My prayers go to all of us on NT, daily. ginnie

I am ticked too, and the number of patients I see on NT, who are being denied pain meds, and who suffer horribly. You and I know that suffering too. I wish I could do more to find these good souls the help they need to have a functioning life. docs. are so afraid now of the DEA. This whole cut back on pain meds, is going to ruin the lives of countless folks, unless these doctors follow compassion. Finding that compassionate doctor can take alot of time and energy. I am angry too Leesa, and my stomach flips over, when I hear the pain of others who have not found any relief.
We are given our minds and developed these medications to benefit mankind. Nobody that I know of on NT, is faking this pain or they wouldn't be here searching for answers and help. You were my first contact here Leesa, and I will never forget you for the compassion you showed me while I was crying and afraid. I just wish there was more I could do, like shake these doctors who refuse to help by their shoulders and make them listen to their patients.
I keep all of us in my prayers daily. ginnie