Forgive me but I copied and pasted this from another message board I belong to as my hands are DONE
I am still working on photos from my trip to Mexico and will post them soon!!
Today
though, was back to reality. I spent 5 (yes FIVE) hours at the pain
clinic. My appt was at 9:45, got there at 9:30, the doc didn't see me
until almost noon! But, than she spent 2.5 hours with me.
Let me
start by saying I just don't know what to think. First of all, the
office is more like a spa, on the new patient forms they ask if you are
interested in botox, skin treatments and other cosmetic stuff. This
pain specialist was recommended to me by my rheumy doc.
She has
a western medicine degree, but practices very eastern medicine. Ok, I'm
cool with that. She did a FULL medical history and exam. My hands are
killing me so to keep this relatively short, the jist is-----yes, she
also agrees that I have sero negative, ra, fibro, ibs, polyrheumatica
arthritis, neuropathy----all things I have been told before.
She
also says my adrenal systems, lymphatic system and liver are shut down.
My pupils no longer respond to light, I am a bit jaundice, I have a
systemic yeast infection, my chi is blocked(??), I have pelvic floor
something or other---a few others things I can't remember at the moment.
She
says the swelling in my limbs is being caused by myofascial muscle con
stricture something, something something----basically all my muscles
are constricted so tightly that blood can not flow, the tendons and
ligaments are being damaged and the waste that your cells produce can
not be carried away. Ok, makes sense.
She had no comment at the moment on the causes of the miscarriages.
She
is drawing more blood tomorrow after fasting, didn't exactly understand
all of what its for but a more intensive thyroid and sugar test,
hormones, I guess a lot more but I can't think clearly right now.
I
will see this special physical therapist next Wednesday who treats this
sort of thing. After the blood work comes back, I will start a two
month treatment course for the yeast and IV infusions to supplement the
organ failure and whatever hormones and vits I am low on.
She is
checking to see if she can get the insurance to pay for acupuncture and
massage therapy. I am not exactly sure on what the treatments are going
to be at the moment. She wants me to stop working and apply for
disability but I explained to her that I can not afford to stop
working, let alone stop working AND pay for these treatments.
My
head is spinning, I am hurting and just can't stop crying. I just have
no more energy to deal with this or anything else for that matter. Can
I just run away to Mexico forever and pretend this is not my life???
Michele....((((HUG))) it almost sounds as if some of the issues that have just been awful for you are going to be resolved. A systemic yeast infection is just horrible and can cause so many other problems. I am glad that is going to be taken care of.
I know we say hang in there a whole lot to everyone, but hang in there. Some of these treatments and what she said to you makes a whole lot of sense. It doesn't hurt to try the acupuncture and massage therapy if your insurance covers it. Who knows, it may work well for you. Besides...getting a massage that you don't have to pay for?? HEAVEN!!!!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers a lot hun.
I have been seeing a massage therapist weekly. She just works on my extremities. My feet and hands are so ravaged. It is giving me tremendous mobility and I feel it is beneficial.
At 80 bucks a session, I may have to cut back soon...but it is heaven.
I have had tremendous relief from accupuncture. Keep an open mind! Hang in there!
Sorry you're going through all of this Michele. Sounds like they are understanding what's going on....hopefully they'll be able to get things going to make you feel better.
Michele, I know you are overwhelmed. That is a lot to take in. But I'm glad that she is looking outside the box for answers. If what she says is true, it makes sense with all that you have been describing. I think that this is a good thing. Even if she is only able to fix a few things, it will be so much better than where you have been of late.
And, if she can do anything for you to improve your life and well being, then you probably will be able to keep working. If that's not going to continue to be possible, you will come to that point of decision yourself. I worked until it wasn't possible for me any more. Every day, I want to go back to work. But I still know that I am not able no matter what any person in the rest of the world has to say about it. I know. It's just not possible. If you get to this point, you will know it. Somebody gave me that advice and I know that they were right. Probably was Roxy. If not, it was one of several others.
I know that you feel like she threw too much at you and yes, retreating back to Mexico would be a nice idea. Hey, maybe the two of you could just move there or do like Linda and her husband do and spend half their year in Mexico. The world is full of possibilities.
I'm full of hope for you. I just feel like someone is going to discover what is at the bottom of all this. It sounds like something serious is going on and you just cannot give up on the search for your answers.
I know it is hard because I'm right there with you. My pain specialist is the only one looking for answers. My physical therapist is my cheerleader telling me that I'm doing a great job. My neurologist told me this week that I'll never work again and there is nothing else that he could possibly do for me and no, I don't need to make another appointment because hey, he's basically giving up all hope for me. Then, I had my nerve conduction tests done today and I have absolutely no neuropathy. None. Nada. This is after the primary and neurologist absolutely said I did. But fortunately the pain specialist wanted proof. So YEAH!!!
You keep seeing this doctor that at least wants to look for answers. At least she is testing you to see if something is going on. And massage therapy is Godsend. She might have to get it approved under manual therapy rather than massage therapy. Also, some massage schools will do it for half what it costs at a fancier place. Massage therapy is good because it really does have that hands on healing of one human with another.
Keep trying. I'll keep looking for my answers and you do the same. My daughter and I have this agreement. I can't give up and you can't either. It's got us through a lot of tight, painful spots. Make that agreement with me, Michele, because I so want to see you well.
Thanks girls. I appreciate all the support. I have not had too much time to research the treatments options she has suggested but I am going to proceed with whatever she suggests at the moment.michele,
I know it sounds overwhelming right now. Just remember, one day at a time, one treatment at a time. You're going to feel better. You are. It's going to work. I'm off Humira now and starting Remicade in a few weeks and my doc keeps telling me we'll keep trying until we find something that works. We have to believe. Right? I'm believing for you Michele. Hugs!!!!
Sorry about the blood test mess. But I feel excited that just maybe this is the one that is going to get your bod back on some kind of decent track.
Deanna you can still have nueropathy that does not show on tests. That is mild - you can totally recover. Good riddance to the neuro. Any chance of getting into Barrows?
It sounds to me that she is taking the holistic approach to your care which is