Mark, I have been wondering how you were doing too, it's been awhile since you posted.

Thank you and Good to see you stop by Mark, many blessings for your family. I think the cloud is following around so many that do not deserve it.
di

As I posted around here, my TOS is changing a bit.

I have horrific days, but then I'll have one that is not so bad...I quickly try to walk around the block, and see the sunshine. But it usually only lasts a day, and that is the weird part.

I've been working so hard to try to get better over-all health. I know TOS cannot kill you, but the meds and the damaged nerves can harm the liver, bladder, kidneys, breathing, etc., and things were getting really bad last year.

But my blood tests actually show some improvement now.

I believe it came from working with my doctor to take myself off and / or down so many of the meds they had me on. Some are required, like thyroid. But the oxycontin was doing nothing for me by the end of 3 years - it was cycling so fast and immediately going from no relief to waiting for the next dose. Then Methadone didn't seem to cut pain...it was like a dark cloud. I think the Fentanyl patches are doing better for me, I really do.

The insurance co. has had me back in the back of my SUV in a home-made bed going to all of these doctors. They are doctor-shopping and I intend to report them to the judge at some point. I want the legal aspect over, and my case to be set, as I am set in 100% disability...there is no big change coming my way...I am an "inactive" lawyer now, and that change on my Bar record really made me cry. I worked two jobs, had a child, and put myself through school, and worked for 14 years...and it's gone.

But good news is that my girls (not living with me, they are adults now), both seem to be doing OK in this economy, and their issues with my illness are calming down. Each day gets a little better with them on the phone. Of course, I miss holding them, but even without my illness they would've had to grow up, right?

Well, better get off before the headaches, neck pain, etc. gets waaaay too bad...

Love you all.

I'll cry for you too. TOS has made a crier out of me. So sorry you're in "inactive" status. That's heartwrenching.

I too have found the less meds I take, the better my body feels, on the whole. But there were years I had to take Celebrex and pain pills just to get through a shower. I knew I wasn't supposed to take Cel with other painkiller, and my reply to that was: "If the next pill kills me, I have to take this one." So I know you have to do what you have to do. A tolerable exercise regimen, therapy and lights have helped me the most, since this is apparently a for-the-rest-of your-life condition.

I also kept telling myself "It won't always be this way." And my pain patterns have changed and yeilded quite a bit the last couple of years. So don't give up. We're in this together. [/SIZE]

First thought is to DiMarie: I am so sorry for your loss. I know you have had a long struggle. You had been there for me when I had my surgery back in 1999. I still can't believe it has been that long. I will say a prayer for you and your family.

I also have not been on the site in a while. I had been pain fre for a long time then, unfortunately, the monster reared it's ugly head. Now it is RSD. I am not quite sure what to do. They want to do the Ketamine infusions and I am scared. I have spoken to a few of my doctors. When I was first diagnosed by Dr. Schwartzmann in Philly, my mom was with me. When we came home she related all the info to my hubby who promised me the world. don't worry about anything, the kids and I will take care of everything, blah, blah, blah. It lasted 1-2 days. Next thing, he has fired all my office personel and I am working full time. Great help. Doctor says I can't use my right arm but I get up at 6 am, feed 3 kids, get them to school, do laundry and go to work. I grocery shop and cook dinner. He actually sleeps half the morning and I am ready for marriage counseling. He doesn't get it.

Sorry, I am fed up and tired. I also have to have some gynecological surgery in 2 weeks and I am sure I won't get help there. I'm sure I'll come home and be asked what's for dinner!!!

Linda

I'm in this TOS position due to the exact things u r doing at work. TAKE ur breaks, TAKE ur lunch, TAKE a timer to time ur keyboarding to re-align your posture to stretch & breathe, then TAKE the computer keyboard & throw it out the door!

Damn...ur not doing urself any favors here, buddy!

Yep, the CRPS is just a tag-a-long with our TOS. Sorry, it aint gonna get better until u take charge & think of urself 1st.

Keep ur chin up, I mean down *baby nods

Linda is the RSD in the same places as the TOS pain?

If you have time to read on the RSD forum or maybe just post a question about surgeries and what precautions need to be taken.. like blocks??
-I think they are called, to keep from any sx spreading.

Today I had a chunk of a molar crack off while I was eating a clementine orange!!?!
Really.

oh no,
maybe it was cracked from something else and just happened to break when eating the orange???

I notice when I'm sore or tense I clench my jaw { teeth} - so i try to catch that habit right away and loosen my jaw so I'm not putting pressure on my teeth.

Oh Thursday, I know how fretfull that is. I had two break from eating a salad at Mikey D's and hit a hard piece of bacon, and another time a burger with a piece of bone in it. Both times I had the molar patched with filler material. Worked out great.

Linda, I am so sorry to hear this. You have been really oushing your body for a long time. Is your husband fretting over cost of an employee or are things not affected by economy in your business.

Can he put an office in your home to do most of the work from? Is it RSD or Fybromyalgia? Sometimes when I had real bad asthma and took the steroid pack, forget what it is called, that really made the symptoms almost a past thought for awhile.
How are the children?
Prayers are going out to you, di

di