I just saw a new pain mgt. doc, and it was a very amazing visit.

One of the things he did was talk to my other half - fiance - you all know him.

Doc said, "now I'm going to show you something - look at her face" - the both liened in. He said "can you see how subtly her right face is falling with gravity. She does have nerves that would normally take care of that, but the nerves are damaged" and sure enough, my fiance did see the change in my face.

I was never a person who cried a lot or would spend time primping in the mirror. I kind of just slap it on and go. But this time, yes, he got me, I believed him.

So he then talked about electricity, and that there is too much in my system, and that when the nerves are in pain, the nerves flare up and cost a lot of free ranging "electricity" - and he has a whole protocol for the electricity.

Now before I can go about recommending him, I need to read up and check his background, etc.

But I can say that since seeing him I have had one pain free day (since 2002), used my hands, cooked, went to the grocer's with no pain, and bought my daughters some clothing "online" (but my daughter did that part.)

I went to bed with HOPE for the first time in 6 years. I was giddy.

You know, for six months now, I am losing my mind.

I can't do correct spellings.

I have forgotten conversations, days, movies.

I have written some CRAZY letters so my fiance must read EACH ONE before they go out.

EACH time I've gone to do "one errand" I get talked into something VERY expensive and can't say "no."

I can't remember day / date / time / what you just said.

I can't remember your name.

What planet is this???

NOW SEE??????

I forgot to tell you the whole reason for the thread - the pain test.The doc turned off the lights, and then with his little flashlight, he said, "see how big her pupils are? And her high blood pressure and her high number of heart beats? That's all killing her, and it's signs of pain, but watch this one, then he shined the light on my pupil, and it immediately contracted." HUH? fiance said.

Well, "this girl doesn't even have HALF of the pain relief she should be having because her pupils are reacting almost as it she had none. Every patient is different adn find the right level for them should be different. But no wonder she's been depressed, suicidal and just plain ruined as a human being - she's been operating for 6 years on HIGH, CONSTANT, UNRELENTING PAIN and the doctors are too afraid to stand up to DEA and make their case and do the work to get their patients some relief so that the body can then start to heal itself. Our bodies can't heal themselves if they are just reacting to pain...

Wow, what a guy, huh? I'll tell you more, like I said, when I properly do my homework on him. Right now I just want to see if some of his techniques work.

I can't wait to hear more about this doctor!

The pupil test is a known test for adrenal fatigue and i imagine after years in pain your adrenals are shot.

Interested to hear more.

With the pupils, when I am in the hospital they always check and then recheck before giving morphine to make sure my pupils contract slowly, but not too slow, as then that is a sign that I am getting too much med.

On the flip side, this doc I was seeing asked me if I was taking the full amount of pain meds I was allowed and I said "yes" and the of course, he checked my pupils and they contracted rapid - fast - no delay, which caused him to make the comments about me not getting even 1/2 of what I should be getting for relief, so that my body can heal, instead of expending it's efforts all towards fighting the pain and the pain "wreckage" it causes.

So with my new pain relief, I am able to do some things to help myself get better, like doing the strectches, and longer walks, and even ballet (I used to take it, so I did it in the pool! I am now able to use the jacuzzi and pool, where I used to just lay on my bed and look at it. I was up last night talking - something I didn't have the energy to do! Well, everyone is in shock by how well I am doing.


The only thing I am not "getting" is WHY am I developing this inability to spell or remember people's names, or even my pets!

hi tam, havent been here in ages......but this post caught my eye, the side i suspect i have the hypertrophy of the vertabra (commonly referred to as an "extra" rib) i also have drooping on that side of my face, i can still move it, just droops....i suspicion a discrete loss......but this is WITHOUT a real issue with the TOS.....i was also congenitally absent the wisdom tooth in the left upper jaw...so i had assumed some pre birth trauma....who knows?
very interesting....

Narcotic pain drugs contract the pupil.
Stimulants (including adrenaline) dilate it.

People taking opiates typically have what are called pin point pupils, in normal light.

I have never heard of this test. But I do know from my anatomy class that when a sudden pain is felt, the pupils will dilate in normal light.
Dentists use this marker when they are working on you. If you dilate suddenly, they know they are hurting you. (our classes were mixed and we had some dental students).

I think one can take any person into a dark room and watch pupils dilate, then shine a light and that one will constrict. How on earth can a doctor tell who is who, when everyone has this response? Now I could imagine the reverse. If you have pinpoint pupils from your opiate meds, and they DO NOT dilate in the dark, then I can see that happening.

from http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec20/ch225/ch225b.html

I thought the Dr was meaning that she would have had a slower reaction time if she had a proper level of pain meds to control her pain??
..

But I have no clue if someone with pain controlled would have a slower pupil reaction than the "average" person..

I am sorry.... "free ranging electricity"?

I am all for explaining things to patients so they can understand.
But this whole thing is rather hinky to me.

If her pupils were unequal in normal light...this would be a concern. If her face was really drooping and that eye did not react normally, this would be a concern. Most people have asymmetric faces, and one side may appear puffier than the other, or droopier or whatever. This does not mean the patient has too much electricity in her system. Just my opinion.