Dear Morgan I am suprised that you are so young to have gone through so many things.I too have a lot of stomach issues.And one never knows when that will rear its ugly head.I thank you for your words of encouragement.Yes I did go to a chiropractor for over 20 years,physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 years.What I am facing now fills me with more dread than anything.I have had over 28 oral surgeries.I have been to the brink of death before someone finally used their common sense and put me into the hospital.I was in surgery and on IV antibiotics for 4 days.I asked a night nurse if I could have died and he said yes but could not say so or he would lose his job.That was about 10 years ago.I have had different oral surgeons.I have been bounced back and forth from oral surgery to ears nose and throat specialist.I think that I might have osteomyelitis.I am trying to find out how you find out.I am scheduled for sinus surgery on Sept 25th which is just a few weeks away.And now I have a bad case of bronchitis.I see a doctor Monday about that.But I haven't found anyone who will address the osteomyelitis with me.I can't seem to find anyone who knows too much about it.My primary said that a culture could be done at surgery and then if it is positive I can go to Infectious Disease doctors.I am terrified,The infection runs down the back of my throat and I am constantly nauseaus and have a severe bitter taste in my mouth.I would love to hear any advice or help in any way.I am scared to death that I have infection in the bone and I may loose my jaw.Does anybody know anything about that? Once again thank you Morgan for being so brave so young.A lot of people used to say to me you are too young to be so ill.And I have always said that disease favors no age.Even babies are born into this world with conditons that will cause them pain the rest of their lives.People can be so cruel.Morgan you are a fine young man.Thank you so much for being my first friend.I think we all repeat ourselves in hopes that maybe the other person hasn't tried something.But I think I have just about been to every type of doctor there is.But you were still right to suggest the chiropracor and other things.You just never know who will be your angel of mercy.Keep in touch,Jo

Dear Morgan I wrote a very long letter to you and I wiped it out.I am new to this and I was set to hit send and I hit the size of the letters to a larger size and it disappeared to somewhere else.I am going to try and remember the things I said.I think I never told you what all my diagnosis were.So here is the list.I have Myofascail Pn Syndrome,Fibro,DJD,IBS,TMJ,dry eyes and dry mouth,8 herniated disc,arthritic knees,spinal stenosis,chronic fatigue,clinical depression,severe sleep apnea,chronic sinusitis,chronic pain in my whole body

     Then there are the weird things that happen like I cannot stand the sound a flourescent light makes,unexplained headaches,nausea unknown cause,the shower hitting my skin is painful,sometimes I feel like I am being stung by bees all over my body,I cannot sit in my pew at church anymore even though my pillows and stool are never moved.I can feel the A/C on my neck and that caused real pain.But there was no where to sit that you didn't feel the air hitting your skin.terrible muscle spasms in odd places in my body,restless leg syndrome which I take clonopin for.Clonopin also helps bruxism.That was one of the leading causes of abcessed teeth.I would grind teeth that had already a root canal and crown.About a thousand dollar a tooth.But I actually ground my teeth so hard I broke the crowns.So basically the dentist said I was chewing glass in my sleep.Thus over a ten year period I have lost all of my teeth and the remaining were on their way.I finally gave in to my husbands suggestion to have oral implants put in.So that I would not have to have oral surgery number #29.But that cost us 15 thousand dollars out of our pocket.I went back to the oral surgeon constantly complaining of puss running out of one implant in the front.He said well your implants look fine,I don't see any infection.So being aggravated after a year and a half I took a glove and palpated it around the area and came up with a yellowish substance and I said then what would you call this.He seemed to think it was a sinus infection.Oh yeah I forgot to tell you I have chronic sinusitis.So he said he would send me to an ears nose and throat doctor.The first one was too extreme.The second said he saw no infection.Finally the third had common sense and I am scheduled for surgery Sept.25th.She said the reason no one saw infection on the cat scan is that they have kept you pumped up with just enough antibiotics that it is held at bay.She said she would go in and clean out the infection and close any perforations she sees.A one day surgical procedure.She told me to stop my antibiotics.So that she could get it all out.Now I have bronchitis from the infection draining into my lungs as I sleep.I want to ask her to culture any substance so we may learn what it is.That is why I asked if any one knew how to find out if you do have it.If I do I can then see infectious disease.

     I wanted to tell you Morgan that I am a 57 year old woman.Did you think I was a guy too?That is too funny.I do have a lot of blessings in my life.I have the most wonderful husband in the world.He is 8 years younger than I.But we have been married 24 years.I had 2 prior marriages.One was an alcoholic.The other did street drugs.And when my oldest was about 7 she came into the house and said daddy ------ is smoking that funny cigarette.I decided then and there my daughters(3 of them) would not be raised in that type of enviroment.So I asked for a divorce and he took the youngest by him and disappeared for several days and said if you try that again I will take all the children and you will never see them again.

     He was def mixed up in the head.But I truly believe he would have done it.So I had to out con a con man.I knew if I could get under my parents roof we would be safe.So...I moved in with my parents when my girls were 3,6,and 71/2.I lived with my parents for 5 years.That was hard.I gave up my social life so that my children would be safe.And that they would have my father as a papa.I had the most wonderful father and mother in the world.But it was hard to go from being the mother to being the daughter.But is all worked out.I agree with you that God puts us exactly where he wants us to be.I am trying to learn how to save stuff.This is all new to me.But I do thank you for being my first new friend.I wish I could go on more.But it is 4 a.m. and I better get some rest.Thank you Morgan for welcoming me into this place where we can help each other.Jo

I can relate on each issue you spoke of.I get migraines too.And the light and noise make it worse.You are lucky in a way.You became sick when doctors admit to such diseases.They didn't when I was your age.Maybe there is a cure sooner in your life than mine.And that would be ok.If I could help just by talking to someone then I feel really good.It helps me to cope with my problems by listening to others.And believe it or not I have been on the phone with a woman who heard about me and wanted to call me and we talked way too long.I live in Jacksonville.Florida.I was born here.My mother had me in the same room I had my first baby.And we get our share of hurricanes too.But my wrist are aching.So I will get back to you,Jo

Hi Morgan, how was church.I hope you said a prayer for me too.Yes the weather here is so strange.We have another hurricane on the way.And as Jacksonville really hasn't had much damage more than tree limbs and a lot of rotten wood.We just never know when it is going to hit us.We have been hit far too many times in the past to ingore it.But the people south of us are taking a beating.I am sorry I haven't been on the computer lately but I have had the flu.Called my doctor to call in something for it.And it still isn't gone.So I have a doctor appt tomorrow.And that means getting a shower,dressed,going out the door without shaking.And sit in the lobby and twitch and hurt no matter what.I will talk to you soon.I met Betty and she seems really nice.It is strange that we live in a different world than those who do not live in chronic pain.Well I am feeling pretty badly tonight so I am going to close.God Bless you Morgan,.....Jo

Hi Morgan,Yes I met the wonderful Betty.Now I have  2 people to give me moral support.I have to get dressed soon and all of that.You know the things that drain you before you even get to the doctors office.I wish I knew the answer.You know I read things like 'I cured my fibromyalgia.I don't know why people say things like that.Because doctors barely know how to deal with it much less a cure.I think they must be people who have had a bout with barrs epstein or mono or something like that.Something that will go into a remission.Have you ever known for sure without a doubt anyone who had fibro who no longer has it.I mean yeah it does go into a state of being a lot better.But then that Fibro-flare rears its ugly head again.I guess what I am asking is.Is this a site of questions to ask doctors.And to include people to share their stories?Or can anyone just say things like they are cured without proof???I know you may think these are odd questions but I have just been taken over the hill so many times.I just don't want to get my hopes up.Take care and cya soon,Jo

Arlene it would help me better to advise you if you told me where you live.Not your address but just city and state.I too am a little hesitant about how much info I give about my meds and doc's.I had surgery today and really it is so weird.I had enough pain meds for the surgery.I took 2 of everything to sleep and here I am writing to you.I just cannot figure out how we can take all this strong meds and it do nothing for us.Don't you agree.I think it is weird if I go to a E.R. for example I broke my foot.Not bad but bad enough to go get xrays.I went through what I call the drive thru e.r.I broke the bone across the place where your foot and toes meet.I broke that twice on the left foot.And on May 26th I broke my right foot.When it was all said and done the doctor told me he would write something for the pain.I assumed it would be Lortab or something along those lines.I declined the meds saying doc I have stronger meds at home than what you are going to give me so what is the point.I just needed to know if it was broke and get the ugly shoe again so I wouldn't break it again like I did my right foot.My point is that my primary doc is great and she told me do not use up my maint meds for surgery.Those docs should take care of that surgical medications.I told them that this morning.I have heard nurses and medical people whisper about oh that woman is a drug seeker or clock watcher.So even nurses don't believe us.My friend set them straight saying she just had major surgery.If it is time for her meds,that doesnt make her a drug seeker or clock watcher.She just wants to have the pain taken away and what is wrong with that after a major surgery.It is a hard long road to find a good doctor that trust you and your word about pain meds helping you or not at this time in your life.Maybe they might think you need a change.But I have 3 good docs.They are first my primary,second my pain mang doc and third my psychiatrist who I have known for 18 years and he still cannot figure out why my health has been treated on borderline abuse.So I hope you can find a good one in there somewhere.I am on a lot of meds since I had the surg today.I just ate and need to sleep.But your pain reached out to me and after I am better and thinking a little clearer.I will re-read your message and help you the very best I can.God Bless you and good wishes for 'HOPE'......Jo

Arlene,I know I should be in bed but wanted to say a few things to you it may help today.I know how frustrating it is to make those phone calls and wait around.But that isn't what I wanted to say to you.First I find it amazing when you said that the pain meds make you have the opposite reaction.I do that too.People always telling me if I take that I will just sleep all day when it in fact is what helps me get out of the bed and do the little things I enjoy or have to do.I wonder if we should bring this up to the doctors on site and see how to find out what we should do about it.I have been telling doctors for years that I feel like I haven't taken anything except that since it is time released I start gradually getting more strength and also mentally better.Know why.Because the meds are not depleteing your brain of its own endo morphines and seratonins.What I mean is that our brains are pumping those chemicals out because the pain is chronic.So your brain goes into a chemical imbalance known as clinical depression.Oh my my brain is still filled with anesthesia so I hope I am doing this right.I take 30mgs of Morphine Sulfate er,4 times a day.And 30 mgs of MSContin ir for break through pain.Now I told them not to give me morphine after surgery because it makes me throw up.This is where it gets tricky.Why doesn't the Ms Contin or called Morphine Sulfate which is the same thing.Why doesn't that make me sick to my stomach.And my rheummatologist told me it isn't the same thing that they give you in the hospital after surger.So it took me 3 weeks to get the nerve up to have it filled and 3 days to take one and ofcourse as I said I didn't feel as though I had taken anything.I asked for Percocet for the surgical pain and guess what the bottle says....Oxycodone/apap/5mg tablets.So I am assumimg that that is Percocet.Do you know a site for a PDR or ask somehow if Percocet and oxycodone is the same?Because I feel like the Percocet helps me better too.And god bless you girl for taking care of a baby.What kind of heartless men and sometimes women do not even see our pain.We are invisible as street people to them.They avoid coming in contact with a homelss person approaching them for a dollar to get a hamburger.Or what ever.That is how we are treated by the medical community.And just as people say well if I give him money he will just buy booze or a pack of cigs or drink  some wine.Well I would rather loose a dollar or two and be able to go to sleep at night knowing no matter what I did the right thing.Why can't we receive atleast the benefit of the doubt.So if you are so inclined.Let me know if they are the same.I have an appt with my psy Monday and he does help me a lot with sleeping aids because I have sleep apnea.He trusts me.We used to work together.He knows I don't abuse my meds.I hate the word drugs.It conjures images of people standing in an alley with a needle and a spoon cooking up what ever and putting that rubber hose around their arm.I think that is what the word drug means to so many healthy people.We did start out calling them drug stores didn't we.Now I say my meds.I try to stay away from those words.I still mess up but I am trying to make it a habit to say these are my medications which my doctor wrote for me.And just leave it at that.Well my nose is running bloody so I better lay down.I hope this day passes quickly for you and I will pray for you always....Jo        

I was just told by my daughter that the reason why some people in my family don't want to be around me because I have changed as they put it.I have been working on one kid for 10 years and my sister of about 10 years.And again I was told the same thing.I look like I am on drugs as they so eloguently put it.And I just got a message from my daughter that she was tired of being in the middle.And she said I told you that you wouldn't like what they said.She also thinks her sister who only takes Lortab has changed too, but only said so when she needed a Lortab while driving in the car together.Lortab is like a baby aspirin.I certainly wouldn't refer to as narcotics.So I guess Amy and I are the outsiders again.How can other people say I have changed when they have not seen me in years.Or know what meds I take as they change so rapidly sometimes.Sorry I am venting to you .I thought that oxycodone was Percocet.Any kind of meds like that you have to detox off of slowly.But that doesn't mean you are addicted.There is a difference between addiction and dependence.As the DEA now says it does not mean a person is addicted mentally to a med just because they must slowly reduce it as the body is addicted but not in the same way.The used a person with diabetes for instance.They need their insulin.And if they didn't take it they could go into a coma etc.....So what if we do get dependent on it.If we are never going to get better and live without it pain free.I think we have to accept that fact.If it ever comes to our decision to stop taking a specific drug.You can ask your doctor to help you.That way if you go in some rehab place they are going to mark you down as a drug abuser.I asked my psychiatrist once I wanted to get off of one med and he said well fine,I can put you in the hospital and I stopped him there.Be at the hospital in uncomfortable surroundings.I said could I do this at home.He said sure.I will write down the instructions.And all it was is you do say 6 pills (for a number)6 pills for 6 days  then 5 pills for 6 days then 4 pills for 6 days then 3,2,1, for 6 days.All it was is to take less each day until you are done.So I hope that is a tip that will help.I must go.I am so hurt right now about what my daughter said to me.Why cant they look with eyes of commpassion instead of eyes of sneering judgmental disdain?Guess we will never know in our lives......take care arlene

YOU ARE A DOLL.I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO THESE MESSAGES ARE GOING LONG.SOMEONE NEEDS TO HELP ME KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THEM IN SOME ORDER.I AM NOT WHAT U WOULD CALL A COMPUTER EXPERT.I HAVE DRK CIRCLES TOO.I HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE COMPUTER HOPING AGAINST HOPE THAT BONNIE MY DAUGHTER MIGHT HAVE THOUGH IT OVER AND SAID SHE WAS SORRY.I DONT GET IT.I HAVE LOST THE RESPECT OF MY OLDER SISTER AND BONNIE.I THOUGHT IF SHE WOULD HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY I AM OSTRASIZED THEN IT MIGHT MAKE SENSE TO ME.THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD IS THAT I HAVE CHANGED.WELL THAT ISN'T REALLY A REASON.IF SHE HAD SAID I CHANGED INTO A BAD PERSON THAT WOULD BE A REASON.THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE.SO I TOLD HER SHE HAD CHANGED TOO.WE ALL CHANGE.I TOLD HER A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HER FRIENDS ARE SILENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE MEDICATIONS THEY TAKE BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN THE WAY SHE TREATED ME.I NEVER KEPT MY MEDS A SECRET BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK I HAD DONE ANYTHING WRONG.AND I TOLD HER SO.I SAID BONNIE YOU KNOW A LOT OF YOUR OWN FRIENDS HAVE TOLD ME YOU HAVE CHANGED(WHICH SHE HAS) SHE USED TO BE THE EASIEST CHILD I RAISED.NO BACK TALK.GOOD GRADES.WORKED HARD FOR WHAT SHE HAD.DIDN'T ASK ANYONE FOR HELP IF SHE COULD DO IT ON HER OWN.FUNNY I GOT HER THE SCHOLARSHIP TO XRAY SCHOOL.SHE HAD NO ONE TO COUNT ON TO  PICK UP HER DAUGHTER AND KEEP HER DAYS THAT SHE WAS TOO SICK FOR THE CHILD CARE PLACE TO TAKE HER.FUNNY MY MEDS AND SMOKING DIDNT SEEM TO BOTHER HER WHEN SHE NEEDED ME.AND THAT WAS THE FIRST YEAR I SPENT IN BED.THEN SHE GOT A GOOD JOB AS A XRAY TECH.MOVED INTO A HOUSE I COULD ONLY DREAM OF.JUST PUT IN A POOL.BUT I AM STILL LIVING IN THE SAME DUPLEX MY HUSBAND BUILT 24 YEARS AGO.NOW MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH ARE SICK.HIS JUST RECENTLY STARTED.AND HE IS 8 YEARS YOUNGER.I GUESS I JUST CANT LET IT GO.INJUSTICE IS MY BEEF.AND I KNOW THAT SOMEDAY SHE WILL KNOW.BUT THAT ISN'T WHAT I WANT I DONT WANT REVENGE OR SEE I TOLD YOU SO.I WANT TO HAVE HER RESPECT THAT SHE USED TO GIVE ME.IS THAT STUPID.AM I JUST A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT? I KNOW WE ALL GET ON HERE AND WRITE WHEN WE ARE IN SO MUCH PAIN.THE DOC CUT MY GUM OPEN WHERE THAT IMPLANT IS AND A PIECE OF SKIN HAD MADE A POCKET OF INFECTION.I THINK SHE GOT IT FIXED.AND THAT IS A VERY GOOD FEELING.ITS HURTING LIKE ALL GET OUT RIGHT NOW BUT IT IS A NORMAL TYPE RECOVERY HURT IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT ARLENE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ACT LIKE THEY HAVE IT TOGETHER.BUT YOU KNOW SOMEDAY YOUR SISTER WILL HAVE NO ONE TO DO FOR. I THINK THAT IS WHEN SHE IS GOING TO UNDERSTAND HOW HARD IT IS TO LIVE WITHOUT ANYBODY NEEDING YOU ANYMORE.THAT DAY COMES TO US ALL.IT IS JUST SAD THAT WE GET SO SICK THAT WE CANT DO FOR OTHERS LIKE WE USED TO.WE HAVE CHANGED.MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID THE ONLY THING THAT NEVER CHANGES IS 'CHANGE' .I AM SO SORRY THAT YOU HAD THE TROW UPS.I HATE THAT WORSE THAN ANYTHING.EVEN THE PAIN.I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HURTING.AND EVEN SO YOU STILL REMAIN SUPPORTIVE TO ME.I LOVE YOU AND YOUR COURAGE.I DEF LOVE THIS SITE AND ALL THE FRIENDS I HAVE MADE.WISH WE HAD A LITTLE VILLAGE WE COULD ALL LIVE IN AND HAVE HEALTHY PEOPLE GO TO THE GROCERY STORE FOR US ETC...I KNOW YOU ENJOY YOUR CHICKEN SOUP.I ENJOY WORKING IN THE YARD.I HAD ABOUT 6 RED ROSEBUDS I CUT THE OTHER DAY.LIFE STILL DOES HAVE ITS BLESSINGS.THANKS FOR LISTENING.AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT....JO

I live in Jax.Fl.And dont feel rained on I would have to go back to read everybody's email to find out where they live too.So you liked my village idea.I know that they dont exist.(outside of dementia and the very old) But look at Morgan,she is only 16 yrs old.But who's to say we cant start one.We might never see it in our lifetime but then again look how many people die from cancer and we are still continuing to search for an answer.Well I think my meds are kicking in so I will shout ar you later.....Have a good day love Jo