Friday, June 01, 2012

It's Getting Worse

By GeekyGranny Saturday, January 05, 2008

Cry   I suffer from not only fibromyalgia, but also osteoarthritis in my spine, hands, knees; carpal tunnel syndrome; chrondomalacia; migraines; sleep apnea; narcolepsy; GERD; DDD; bulging discs; and am extremely hard of hearing.

 

I'm in constant pain and it is causing me lots of depression. I'm at the stage of my SSDI application where I'm waiting for an appointment to meet with judge.

 

I can't deal with this pain as easily as I used to. I have NO income so NO insurance. My husband is also going for SSDI (he was denied his first time and the hearing was teleconferenced) but this is his second time. We are living off our savings.

 

My new primary care doc did fill out the functionality form for my lawyer  as well as my neuro. But my rheumy and pain doc refused to. I just hope their notes in my records are good enough to help.

 

On being denied the first try at SSDI, they told me that they acknowledge my disabilities but an employer can accommodate my disabilities so I can still work. Yeah, right. I've been job hunting since I was illegally fired in April.

 

My mind is going. I used to have a great memory... especially photographic one. Not anymore. Migraines and fibro fog cut in and I can't think clearly. I can't physically do anything without pain. My hands hurt so much I can't hold anything for more than a few minutes before the pain sets in. And often, I will drop things because of the pain and numbness. I even have trouble holding a book to read because the pain kicks in.

 

I injured my knee in a fall at a work site and it is not getting better. I'm wondering if I need a workman's comp lawyer to sue for damages because although I follow my ortho and physical therapist's prescriptions, the knee hurts and it buckled under me the other day at the rehabilitation hospital where I do aqua aerobics and leg exercises.

 

My pain is coming at me from all directions. Fibro first, then arthritis, migraines, carpal tunnel, knee injury.

 

I hate to get out of bed. I've had depression episodes where I really wanted to die. The pain killers are not enough. I have too much to do and I can't do it.

 

Ten minutes of physical work causes my back to go into spasms. Then I break out in sweat and if I don't quit, my breathing becomes hard.

 

I've had lots of cortizone shots all over my back, in my finger and wrist, and in my shoulder but they last only a little while. The cold winter, wind, and bright winter sun hurt me so much.

 

I just can't work anymore. The pain is too debilitating. Pain killers don't always work. And my mind is not as sharp as it used to be. I fall asleep on the computer if I don't take my Adderall and my neuro has now decided that my primary care doc should prescribe it instead of him. But she won't because she is in another state. I'll run out soon and won't be able to function at all.

 

Got a JOB INTERVIEW TODAY--My first since being illegally fired.
1/ 6/08 1:28am

Hello Geekygranny

 

Welcome to the CPConnectionBig Smile

 

It' sounds like you are dealing with a tremendous amout of very painful issues.  Have you ever thought about having surgery on your carpel tunnel hands/arms, etc.  I had the surgery done on my hands about 4 years ago, it's really been a blessing to eliminate some of my pain issues.  I know it's not going to cure all your other pain issues, but I had a very successful surgery and it's helped to reduce the pain in some ways, at least my hands, arms & shoulders don't hurt, fall asleep, etc.  as they used to.  I had the surgery done back when I though my pain was going to heal and thought since I was off work with my spinal problems I may as well take care of surgery on my hands in hopes of relief of a portion of the pain that hindered me working in an office and using my hands.  Sure! Successful surgery, but My spinal pain & FM never went away.  of course I did not know that was what my pain was from.

 

I hope your able to come and visit as much as you feel up to it.  Your welcome to join in all you want and I hope to see you around.

Take Care, it's nice to meet you

Betty

1/10/08 6:25pm

Hi Betty!

 

I'm in the middle of workmans comp process to have my CTS taken care of.  Main problem... no communication.  My doctor is supposed to send a letter to the insurance co. saying I need an EMG.  And in turn she will assign me a neuro on their list to do it.  She has NOT been answering my calls as to whether she received a letter or not and I can't get an answer from the doctor's office if they SENT the letter or not.  But gotta keep trying cause my hands hurt and the pain is traveling up my right arm.

 

On top of that, I have another workmans comp issue with my injured knee.  It buckled under me last week.  not a good sign.  But my legs are so fat that my doc is reluctant to do endoscopic surgery on it.

 

But I'll keep plugging away and calling to find out things.

1/11/08 12:45am

Hello again Geeky Granny

Nice to hear back from you.  I'm not real familiar with the workmans comp issues, I only had to go through that issue years ago with an original spinal injury after a fall at work, but I sort of healed up after than and although I had bouts of spinal pain whenever I over did myself or strained my back, I was still working and relativly normal most of the time.  Boy do I miss those dayEmbarassedCry

 

I've been through the calling, calling, leaving messages, no response, etc.  It seems like no ones in much of a hurry to make things happen for the pain patient and boy can that be frustrating.Furious

It seems your doing exactly what I would recomend doing, so we're on the same page.  I've found that I've had to keep my patience, and just tenaciously keep calling, to get someone to listen and make somthing happen.  I'm not quite sure why they don't think we're serious about getting things done.  Maybe they are waiting to see if we are going to heal or something?  Who knows?

 

I hope you'll get what you need soon.  I'm really happy with my Carpel tunnel surgery and it worked really well.  I suffered with the shoulder, arm, & hand pain for years, wore the braces and all the rest for years too.  Boy am I glad that's over now too.  It's a pain to not beable to use your hands very well.

 

Take Care, hope to see you around

Betty

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (9769) >
By GeekyGranny— Last Modified: 09/18/10, First Published: 01/05/08