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!

So happy you are finally getting some relief. Don't worry about the spelling -- we don't care!

Tam,

There is a name for the syndrome, it is called CRS (Can't Remember S&*$). I am glad you are doing better. The CRS can be caused by any number of things, among them natural aging. Most of my age group complains of losing their memory. I went through a severe bout of this after a head trauma, and to a certain extent things never went back to normal. Remembering names was something really hard for me. In fact, my head still hurts from this trauma 18 years later, though not as much.

I went to a Neuropsychiatrist and they measured some baseline stuff. He compared how i solve problems to my memory. Basically if all's well these measures would be equal. What he found was that I solved problems much better than I could remember them. This is a red flag, because with normal aging they would both deteriorate evenly. Then they were supposed to follow it up in 6 months, but by then I had new doctors who could not be bothered to complete a medical history long enough to get to this aspect of my care. The docs I have now will not talk about more than two health problems at the same time. I have a new doc now and I have had two visits and have so far discussed my rash, my eye infection, my knees, and my insomnia. Wonder how many visits before they truly understand me.

Hey Tam

Great news!!!!!

All very interesting... do keep us posted.

It is good to be able to do again. And I, like you, want that for everyone everywhere.

I assume your pharmacological regimen is different now. Whatever works, run with it.

I do understand the need to break the pain cycle... and I truly understand that's very hard to get for some of us. Don't ever give up. Keep trying.

When I started doing better I found that I had been "out of commission" for a while and have had a few mishaps by not being as physically able to do as my will is strong and I forget to think before I leap. Be careful on your way to better living. Don't need the mishaps. Think before you do things. ER visit was expensive. (I accidently jabbed the corner of a hoe in my foot. Bleeding stopped - cut a little vein - and I forgot to go get a tetanus. Well, 13 hours later, foot swelling and red and I copped a fever and was chilling. So I opted not to wait till morning to prevent a worse case scanerio. Yeah, ER doc agreed I should not have waited. Said that thing could start moving any time. So, $400 later, be careful.)

That's not the only injury on my way to betterness. Pulled a groin muscle in my right groin area as I was not used to RUNNING on aqua treadmill. Also caused repetitive stress injury to the top of my left foot from not having proper foot placement on treadmill. Had to slow that gaiter down and think about it.

Also, I was moving too fast and dumped myself out a defense attorney's door onto the city streets. made 'em a little nervous. ah, got up, went home, patched up and repainted those scuffed up fingernails and was back out at 05:00 that evening to report a public meeting.

I got to spend a brief time with a nautropathic healer who pointed out to me that I had adrenal insufficiency. Fits a lot of my symptoms to a T. Can be caused from injuries. not diagnosed a lot of times. I haven't taken her recommendations yet and ordered the supplements she's recommended. Been very busy.

Are you saying you're having brain fog since the med change? ...assuming it's changed. You may need to discuss that with your new doc. He may be aware of that and will treat the side effects. You do need the pain relief before you can help yourself. I understand. You have to do what you have to do. Just needs some tweaking.

So happy for you, Tam. Get rest when you can. Hydration and nutrition is important too.

excuse the post. Somehow I duplicated my post. duh...