Friday, June 01, 2012

When it all began

By Vickie Kunkel Tuesday, January 08, 2008

      I have had a great deal of difficulty acknowledging when my pain syndrome began, due to many events leading up to it climaxed in 2006.  I suppose I would have to point to 1987, when I was struck by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph.  I was crushed inside my car and had to be extracated by the fire department, thank god 2 off duty police officers were at the same stop light my attacker ran, they were able to have assistance on scene in minutes.  My little brother was with me at the time and suffered a broken ankle, because he was in my car and pulled my body out of the way of the door caving in, I survived.  I came out of the crash with a broken spine, dislocated shoulder, broken clavical (collar bone), damaged neck ligaments and numerous deep lacerations from the shattered window and the metal caving in over my head and neck. 

 

     I was lucky that I found an excellent surgeon, who repaired my spine.  I was delighted after I healed and learned to walk again.  I had beat the damage and was near normal.  I wore high heals, I went dancing, I rode my horse several times a week.  I was fine.

 

    Then in late 1990, I was struck with cancer.  Cancer caused additional damage to my already stessed bone structure.  Again, I was very lucky to find wonderful surgeons and physicians to treat the rampaging cancer and I overcame.  I felt thankful and blessed to have come through these trials and rebounded to virtually where I started.  I foolishly believed I had overcame these health trials and would live out my life normally into late age as my forefathers had.

 

     I spent the next 10 years doing great provided I did not strain my back with lifting or over exersion during exercise.  I danced, climbed rocks, swam, horseback rode, basically lived life normally.  I excelled in my profession.  Life was very good.  In mid 1999, I fell on a flight of stairs and injured my left knee.  After several surgeons, it was determined that I had damaged the bone in the joint, as well as having torn the ligaments and miniscus.  In 2000, I moved to Oregon and in December 2000, I had surgery performed on the knee.  I found, however, that the knee was continuing to give me a great deal of trouble.  It hurt constantly, refused to support me and burned with pain. 

 

     In early 2001, it was determined that I had RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) in the knee joint.   I again had found a wonderful doctor, who referred me to an anesthesiologist that treated me with blocks performed in my spine under general anesthesia.  My future husband (at that time) was very concerned with my continued difficulties with my arms and hands.  I talked with my doctor in late 2002 due to my left arm pain levels.  By this time I was suffering with extreme back, neck and arm pain, with severe weakness in my left arm. 

1/ 8/08 10:53pm

Vickie

It certainly sounds like you've really been through it all.  You must be an amazing woman to of survived all that you've been through.

I think most everyone here thats been forced into the disability process has gone through your same feelings.  I'm in the waiting period for my hearing right now too.

I sincerely hope that you will join in with us where every you feel comfortable.  Thank you for sharing your story with us, it's helps us to know what's gone on with your life and how you became a chronic pain patient.

Welcome to the Chronic Pain Connection and I hope we can be of some support for you too.

Take Care, it's a plesure to meet you!

Betty

1/10/08 4:08pm

Hi Betty:

Thank you so much for your comment.  I suppose part of my difficulty is I was raised believing that I must stand on my own two feet no matter what.  My husband has been a great help in dispelling that belief to some degree.  I must admit that there are days that I simply feel that it's all been just too much to deal with, but I always seem to pull  myself up by the boot straps and sally forth so to speak. 

The disability process is very discouraging in my opinion.  I have been advised by attorney friends that I was a fast case and reached the end decision quickly, yet it certainly did not feel that way with all we lost in the process.  I applied, was denied, applied for a reconsideration with yet again all my medical support and then I received it.  That simple two step process took almost a year.  We just were not prepared for that type of disaster at my age.

I do have some light at the end of the tunnel.  I have a great pain specialist that has implanted an interthecal pain pump, which basically is implanted in my side and has a tube that runs around my body and into my spinal cord.  It delivers pain meds constantly into my spinal cord.  Yesterday was the first time since its implantation that the delivery rate of medication was raised and I actually felt some relief.  I am hopeful it will control the chronic pain to some degree. 

Although I will never be able to perform my usual pasttimes or go back to work, I should be able to live day to day without being in screaming pain.  Yeah for the good doctors.

It's a pleasure to meet you.  Take care.

Vickie

1/ 8/08 11:59pm

Hi Vicky,

 I'm glad you found us.

You've certainly been through the mill.

I'm fairly new here my self but, I have found

that talking with others folks who deal with pain every day somehow makes it easier or at least not as lonely.

 Welcome

Chuck 

1/10/08 4:17pm

Hi Chuck:

With all you have done for our country and having been married for 25 years (congratulations), it just doesn't seem like a fair deal, does it?  I know I have days that I look back at all I've overcome and I just can't understand why I'm still fighting just for a semblance of a normal life.  I suppose it is simply meant to be.  I am one of those ol' fashioned kind of gals, I was raised with strict German parents.  I was taught from a very early age that you have to stick your chin up and simply deal with it.  For the most part I have and continue to do, yet some days are just harder then others.  I am lucky that my husband is very understanding as much as he can be.  Yet, my husband is very healthy, never even gets a cold, he is a competitive weight lifter who holds several world titles, so he finds it hard to understand what I am going through even though he desperatly wants to be there for me.  So perhaps conversing with others in my position will be helpful to me, especially on those tougher days.  Thanks again.  Take care.

Vickie

1/11/08 12:00am

Vickie

 

I see you have an athletic husband too.  Mine has lifted weights and know in the past few years has taken up running, we're planning his first marathon tonight and he's reading a book on marathons, so he can figure out what to do.

I'm really excited for him, he's worked really hard. 

It's kind of hard when I'm not able to join him in his running and training like I would of liked too.

I'm going to go and cheer him onCool

 

We're glad to have you here, it's made a big difference in my own pain and dealing with it, to have a place to come and discuss life & Pain with others who understand.

 

PS;  You did really have a short SSDI case.  I'm on my third denial and waiting for a hearing, which takes up to two years, It's nearly been a year already and it's been two years since I began.  UGH!

 

Betty

Anonymous
Vickie
1/12/08 1:24pm

I am a lucky woman to have a wonderful husband, but yes, I find it very difficult because I used to work out every day before all this began.  Then the pain got so intense I couldn't do anything but lay on a couch for a year, it's only been recently that I am able to at least do a little housework again and take a shower alone, due to my falling problems.  I broke several bones prior to getting it through my head that I couldn't even take a shower alone.  But things are definitely looking up with the pain pump beginning to take over and the doctor is starting to reduce the oral pain meds.  YEAH.

I am real excited for my husband's meet in April also.  It's a ways away, but he is working hard already preparing for it.  He is a perfectionist, if he doesn't take first place, he doesn't feel like he has improved from his last meet, so I'm excited to see what he will do this meet.  His last meet he took the top State title and lifted the highest amount in State history for his size.  I'm very proud as I'm sure you can relate.

Your husband is a runner?  He will probably meet a dear friend of mine somewhere in the marathon circuit, Carmen Kocinski.  Carm has ran marathons for years.  I hear it is a very difficult and exhausting sport.  So, GOOD LUCK!

1/12/08 7:50pm

Vickie

 

Good Luck to your husband too.

 

I'm looking forward to the weekend away, hoping to take my therapy dog with me and work on some of his skills too.  He's two now and ready for some more training and I'd like to use the crowd of the reuters at the marathon to get him more accustomed to crownds and noises that a large groups of people can make.

 

Take Care

Betty

1/13/08 2:18pm

Hi Betty:    What breed of therapy dog do you have?    What does he do for you?  I absolutely love animals.  I spent years working for animal shelters breaking bad habits of abused dogs and training dogs to enable them to have a higher chance of adoption.   I really miss that part of my life.  Perhaps I will have a chance to spent an hour or two a day returning to training after things balance out.  Sure hope I can. 

I took a weekend and went up to Spokane, WA over the Christmas holiday and loved getting away.  I, unfortunately, had a tough time of it and had even more difficulties by the time I got home.  Loved seeing the change of scenary though.  Not sure if you feel like me, but being stuck at home all the time is one of the tougher things to handle.  My husband and I used to go away at least one weekend out of every 6.  Even if it was just a weekend at the coast, it was wonderful. 

Today seems to be one of those tougher days for me, not certain why.  Only reason I can pinpoint is my husband and I tried to go to the movies yesterday and the sitting in the chairs absolutely killed my back and hips.  Couldn't sleep last night and my back and hips are terrible today, pain meds aren't getting it under control enough for any relief.   Unreal, I can't even go to a movie after all the pain medication going into me.  I know its just a matter of time, but it just depresses me a bit to be at the point I currently am.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel seems to be getting longer each time I look down it.  Guess the key is not to look down it.  Right?  Blush

I hope you two really enjoy your weekend away and I hope your husband does great.

Vickie

1/13/08 7:19pm

Vickie, Hello

Great to hear from again.  I have to laugh, my therapy dog is a little unorthodox, he's a Pugoodle.  My toy poodle and my sons Pug had an unexpected union a couple years ago, before our son took his puppy to be neutered? UGH!Oh my! and I ended up with my Pugoodle.  Right now, he's still learning his obediance and social skills, it's been a slower than normal process with my being disabled and I'm sure you know how I we can have troubles with keeping any type of schedule.  If I could get my pain more consistently controlled, I'd sign us up for a class and If I had some $$ (Unable to work) I send him to a trainer for a month or so.  But He's a really neat dog and defineately One of A Kind!  LOL  My husband & I just love him, he's a great dog.  Both his parents are part of our pack here at home.  He's a really happy, but odd looking fella.

You went to Spokane for xmas??? I live in Washington too?? Whereabouts do you live??? If that's too personal you don't have to answer that.

I've had the same trouble at the movie theater, have you heard of those Cinatopia theaters in Vancouver???  We can go if we go to one of those theater, it's a little more expensive, but the chairs are like recliners and you can put your feet up too.  You can order food from the waitress and eat it or drink a glass of wine or beer (I don't drink anymore, but some people will have one glass) But you can order soups, salads, hamburgars, etc.  They are really nice. I bring in a blanket for my lap and put my feat up, use my lumbar pillow for my back, I just get comfy.

Well, I hope you got some rest today and will be able to come back later.  Take Care and I'll see you around.

Betty

1/15/08 1:01pm

Oh my, that is an odd combo of dog!  I had a friend when I was a kid on the island, that had a poodle/Mastiff mix that was blind.  She bit into a downed power line when she was a puppy and because we grew up on islands in Alaska, there was no vet to care for her.  Lollipop was her name and she was a huge loving, curly haired baby.  Lollipop could navigate the beach amazingly well, hardly ever tripped over a log or anything. 

Now I have a spoiled rotten cocker spaniel that my husband bought me on Christmas of 2002, after I had to put my boxer to sleep due to cancer.   He is a beautiful cocker, with freckles on his nose and big, soft brown eyes.   He is so attached to me that when I'm gone for a day or two, he sleeps on my nightshirt and doesn't even want to eat.   Understand that eating is his favorite thing to do normally.  He is a wonderful dog, he is trained almost perfectly, he heals, sits, lays, will flip treats off his nose, all on command.  He was so easy to train, but then I was feeling much better at that time and was able to walk him regularly.  Now he is as bad as me, because everyday he lays on the couch in the crook of my knees, behind the pillow I keep in my knees.  He was so excited this past week, because I was having a good day (the first in 2 years) and was able to actually take him for a walk.  He was so cute.

I live in Medford, OR, but my mother and I drove up to see the remainder of the family.  It took two days to drive up there and two days back because I can only stand being in a car for about 3 1/2 hours a day with getting out every 30-45 minutes to try and stretch out my back, but it worked out.  I have a big dodge truck with lots of leg room and great back support.  I was miserable after we got home, thankfully my doctor was scheduled to turn up my pain pump the week after we got home.   Where do you live?

Our movie theater sounds similar (to some degree) as the place you describe.  Our seats are loungers that lay backwards and I put my feet up on the seat in front of me, with my pillow behind my spine it works out okay for shorter films, but the one we went to see was 3 hours long.  Way too long, even with the ability to get up and move around I was miserable when we got home. 

I'm due to go up to Portland in March to see my niece (she's like a daughter to me), hopefully my pain pump will have all my pain lowered to an acceptable level by that time.  I believe it will be, I am actually having a pretty good day today.  I think I will walk my excitable pooch today.  It's pretty cold outside, but the sun is out.

Take care. 

Vickie

1/16/08 4:04pm

Vickie

How wonderful to hear you've had some good days!Woot!Big Grin

I'm finally survived my three days of the flu, boy was that miserable.  and yes, I had my flu shot, apparently did not work on this type?

I'm still a little weak, but I got up early or at least early for me and did get a pretty good nights sleep.  I feel like I've stored up some energy from sleeping for the past couple of days, so at least one thing comes positive out of the additional illness.

 

Your doggie sounds like a wonderful baby.  I don't know what I'd do without my pack.  They spend every moment of every day with me and we all have a wonderful time snuggling.  I spend many hours alone here at home and it would be horrible without the whole gang, I'd be very lonely.  I'd like to go out for a walk today, but it's really icey out and I don't want to slip & fall down.  My car is still covered in snow, it's frozen on it hard, so I don't really want to get out on the slippery car port and try to deal with chipping off all the hardend snow while trying to stay afoot with a cane to boot, so I think I'll just do some indoor exercises & maybe some small cleaning up.

 

I hope all is going well for you and you get to feeling better all the time.  Take Care.

BettyHeart

Anonymous
Vickie
1/17/08 12:50pm

I know how you feel about being alone at home.  It can be pretty tough when my husband is at work and I feel like I'm trapped without anyone to talk to.  My pooch helps some, but he hasn't quite mastered the art of conversation, although he does try. 

It is pretty tough dealing with ice on a cane, I can relate, I've been on my cane for over a year and whenever its icey out I don't go out unless my husband is there to catch me if I slip.  I think I miss being able to walk normal almost as much as I miss working and conversing with others on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, my doctor's nurse messed up on filling my pump yesterday and now I am going to have to go to the hospital to have it corrected so I get the amount of medication I'm supposed to be receiving.  seems there is difficulties with whatever pain relief method a person chooses.

Well, here is hoping the snow and ice let up so you can safely go outside for a walk or drive.

Take care.

Vickie

1/18/08 1:02am

Hello again Vickie

 

Well, I made it out for the day.  Boy was it a busy one.  I went to my elderly friends to go with her to her two appts and when I got there she had cancelled them both???? Said she was weak, so I went over to her medication tray, where I lay out all her meds in twice daily doses and she had only taken her meds twice in a week!  GGGRRRRRReat!  She has Hight blood pressure, but it's controlled if she takes her meds, she also has issues with her thyroid and she had not taken any of her thyroid medication.  Both these when not taken will cause horrible fatigue on top of her RA???  So I'm sure she's weak, as she was fine about an hour1/2 after taking them both.  Her house was a disaster, so I tried to get it cleaned up for her and it really pushed me over the edge, then after I got her house done, she said she needed me to take her to lunch tomorrow with her friend and go to the apt that she rescheduled tomorrow, so I would not of allowed myself to get so fatuged and over did today, if I had known she had commitments tomorrow.  I hope I can survive this two day event. I never do anything two days in a row, so I guess I'm getting my out doors time, just was not planning on quite so much.  Ive told my friend that I'm not able to do two days in a row, but her memory is not very good and I don't think she understands very good.  Pains really high tonight and I'm really tired, so I won't keep you, just wanted to say hello again.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your refill problems, I don't really understand how the nurse could not realize she was not getting your pain pump filled correctly, but that is a really bad deal.  I would of thought that she had a measured amount to put in and if she did not get it all in, then somethings wrong???  gosh, I've heard so many difficult things with pain pumps as well as oral meds.  Your exacty right, none of us is safe from all the strange issues that come up?Cheesy  I would of though a pain pump would be simple?? Not so!  HHHMMMMMM.  I hope your able to get it taken care of, so you don't have to worry for a month or how ever long it is?

 

Take Care, glad your coming back everyday.

Betty

Anonymous
Vickie
1/18/08 3:01pm

Betty:

Sounds like you truly have your hands full with your friend and your own difficulties.  I could never do a lot two days in a row, it's one day or nothing, but then I have trouble just cleaning my house because I am unable to bend down or squat and get back up again.  I understand about thyroid problems, I'm on Synthroid also for my thyroid and if I miss a day or two, I get exhausted where all I can do is sleep.  Mine died after my chemo treatments when I had cancer.  I hear that happens to a lot of women. 

I'm sorry, I guess I didn't explain it very well about my pump issues.  The nurse does have a measured amount and it was filled correctly, but when they change the meds in the pump and the delivery rate at the same time, the pump is supposed to beep and let them know that it has reset correctly, because it needs to deliver the medication that is still in the line at a higher rate then it will the new medication once the line clears.  Does that make sense? 

Well, my pump did not beep, so in essence it was delivering the medication at a much lower rate then requested.  You have heard negative things about the pain pump????   All I've heard is really good things about it and I know it has been working much better then just the oral meds at controlling my pain levels.  There are some minor draw backs like if I lose weight (which is my intention) the doctor will need to go back inside me and stitch the pump in again because the fat in my body will be gone and if the pump isn't reconnected, it will flip. 

Anyway, I hope you are doing okay and will make it  through your busy schedule.


 

1/19/08 2:04am

Hey there Vickie

 

How's your day been?

I did survive my 2 dayer, but I'm defineately suffering tonight for it.  I should of told her NO.  She mentioned, she knows I cannot handle 2 days in a row, but she was too exhausted and we had to get her drivers license renewed by today or she would of had to take the test again.  She was really happy that we got her stuff done and I'm happy when she's happy.  I'll just be down for the next couple of days.  My stomach is still really bothering me from my episode of flu at the beginning of the week, so thats been a problem too, but I hope it will be better tomorrow.

I did not speak correctly last night, I too have heard some really great success with the pain pumps, but what I have read alot of, if something goes wrong, it's a much bigger deal, than us with oral meds.  One day I'm hoping to have a pain pump, as many of the benefits would be wonderful.

Sorry, I was having some trouble with Fibro fog last night and it was difficult to comunicate what I was talking about.

Thanks for explaining the problem you have, I don't really have a good enough understanding on how the work exactly.  Does your doctor or pharmacist have the device that changes the flow rate and do you have to change it very often?

 

Talk to you soon, gotta hit the hay soon.

Betty

Anonymous
Vickie
1/19/08 1:44pm

Hi again, Betty:

I hate the fibro fog, I seem to get it really bad when I'm having a rather tough day and I try to talk to a friend on the phone.  I can't seem to put 2 and 2 together to make a sentence that makes any real sense.  I had an episode last week when I was talking to a friend that lives in Vegas and I just couldn't find the words to make any sense, lucky she understands it because we've been friends for so long.

I'm glad to hear you are over the flu for the most part.  I sure hope I can avoid it this year, although if you had your flu shot also and got it any way, I feel less confident that the shot will prevent it.  I hate needles and it took a lot to get me to just go get the flu shot, but with my auto-immune disorder, I really can't afford to get sick.   The winter after I was diagnosed with Lupus and auto-immune disorder, I caught the flu, which became pneumonia and I ended up almost dying due to the inability to fight off the illnesses.  I was hospitalized for 2 weeks.  Scared my husband to death.  I think thats when I realized that this Lupus was serious stuff.  Up until that point, it was just another anoyance.

My doctor has the pump's control device and I am currently having the flow rate changed about every week or two, but that is only until the rate gets to where it needs to be to get my pain level to an acceptable rate.  My doctor thinks he can have it where it will need to be within a month or so.  I'm really looking forward to that.  It's very simple to change the rate, there is a small computerized control device that looks like a video game controller that the doctor holds and there is a connecting line with a small round device at the end of the line.  I put the round device against the skin over the pump and the computer device reads the level of the pump, what is left in it and what the medication is.  It's really pretty interesting how it works.

The changing of medication or filling is a little different and somewhat painful, but nothing comparable to my constant pain.  The doctor or his nurse take a large (and I mean large, the needle is thicker then any I've ever seen) and they stick it through the skin over the pump and into the middle of it, then draw out any remaining medication and refill it with new medication.  I really love mine and can't wait to be off all the oral crap and on just the pump.  The pump delivers a much smaller dose of medication and the medication goes directly to where the problem is coming from, so it works much better.

Well, my back is a real pain since I slipped on the ice the other day, so I need to get off this computer and rest. 

1/20/08 1:13am

Vickie

The fog & fatigue sometimes are more distressing than the pain for me.  I just get really tired of not being able to articulte through a conversation or type a response.  One would think, I'd just stay away from posting, but this site is pretty much all my social life now and so I really rely on corresponding with others here.

The other day I was feeling a little grumpy/fatigued/brain fogged /stomach upset.  So I probably should not of posted, I was trying to hide my grumpyness, but I don't think is was working very well.

I'm normally alright with dealing with the FM/Chronic pain thing, but just adding the flu or cold or something different, really is distressing for me and I should just go to bed and stay there.  I just feel guilty for laying in bed and know that I need to try my best to forge on and continue to function.  Since our kids are gone from home, I really don't like to leave my husband all by himself either.  I think it makes him worry more when I stay in bed or layed down.  I don't want him to worry, he's got enough to be concerned about

Thanks for sharing more about your pump, it sounds interesting.  Hi-tech too.  They surgically put those in and then is there alot of different meds they can use??  From what I understood from my pain doc, she will not let me even think about one, until we have exhausted all oral possibilities.  She said I had many years ahead of my of pain treatments and she did not want me to go that fast unless completely necessary.  From the first time she saw my films of my spine, she's said that I will be a patient of hers for many, many years and often too.  I thinks that was when it finally sunk in that I was not going to get better, we would just have to continue maintaining me.  I remember waiting until I got into the car with my husband after my first radio frequency oblation procedure, and I started to cry and explain to him that I was never getting better and had nothing but pain to look forward to from here on out.  My Mother inlaw keeps praying for some scientific research to find something to heal me.  Sometimes it bothers me as I feel like she thinks my current state is unexceptable.   My own mother just excepts me just the way I am and just encourages me to be at peace with my situation.  I know my Mil means well, but it just bugs me sometimes.

Thank you for sharing and I'll talke to you soon, rest and hope your pain comes down too.

Betty

1/22/08 2:53pm

I know exactly how you feel about not wanting to just lay around and do nothing, unfortunately, that is pretty much the state of my life for the past 2 years.  I try very hard to keep on doing little things, but when walking or just driving a vehicle causes severe pain, I am just stuck. 

About the pump, yes, there are a number of mixtures of medications that can be used in the pump once they surgically put it in.  It took 7 years of heavy narcotics before they would even consider me for the pump, plus a bunch of painful treatments that only made it worse.  I just finally came to a point that all the doctors and surgeons agreed it was the only option.  So here I am.

The slip I took really messed up my back and I'm finding it very difficult to type, so I must sign off for today.

Try not to get down, perhaps your mother in law only knows how to pray for help for your pain.  I don't know her, but I've known a great many individuals that rely on prayer over even doctors (I was raised strict catholic).  Is she this type of individual?

Until we chat again, take care and keep your chin up, you never know when a good day will smile upon you.

Vickie

1/22/08 7:20pm

Hello Vickie

I'm feeling better today and have actually gotten a couple of small chores done with a bit of help from my husband.  I was able to wash & change all our blankets and bedding and it feels really great to get something done.  I also got up early like a real person and am always happy about that too.  Since I restarted my supplements after running out during xmas, I've been sleeping better and also have had some more energy.

Yesterday went to town with my husband and he helped my get my friends groceries over to her.  So I am pretty much caught up on my committed chores for the week.Big Grin

 

I'm sorry about your difficult time and having to stay down on the couch.  I pretty much had to stay in the recliner for the first two years of this misery and it was really distressing.

I still have days that I have to stay in the recliner most of the day,but I just try, as you and do a couple of productive things to try and feel like a normal person. 

 

You guessed it, we are all practicing Catholics on both sides of my husband & my families.  So yes, we do rely a great deal on our prayer lives.

 

Take Care, hope all is well for you

Betty

Anonymous
Gail Mees
2/11/08 4:41am

I am 68 years old, and spent 2 hours writing about all my pain, and about guilt and stress and not to manifest guilt.

However, I lost it, and can never do it again.

 

I hope you get better by some form of miracle. Never allow yourself to be totally alone, and never feel guilty again for yourself, and allow yourself to open up.. and you don't have to be brave. And reduce stress as much as possible. It's a killer.

 

GOOD LUCK Heart

 

 

2/18/08 6:03pm

My apologies for being MIA for the past couple of weeks, just a real rough patch.  I am finally on my feet again after a very tough last couple of weeks.  Sometimes it all comes crashing down and it seems like I will never get through the toughest times, that's when my wonderful husband comes to my rescue and supports me until I am able to stand on my own once again.  I have wonderful news, as always there is a light at the end of it all.  My doctor finally has my pain pump up to a level that it helping a good deal to control the pain when I walk or move about normally.  He advises I will never be able to sit for extended periods again, nor walk for hours on end like I once did, but the change in my pain levels is dramatic at this point and he isn't finished yet.  I have to go in to see him on Wednesday and he will add additional pain medications into the pump to help complete the stabalizing of my pain levels.  I am more then delighted Woot!with the progress my pump has made.  I will never be able to rid myself of the fibromyalgia or the lupus, but at least the majority of my constant pain will be under control.  I will have a good portion of my life back.  It will be wonderful to be able to wake up at a decent hour in the morning and do my housework on a regular basis again.  The good lord knows my poor dog is desperate to go for walks on a daily basis again.   I trust all is going as well as can be expected with you.  God bless.

Vickie

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By Vickie Kunkel— Last Modified: 12/08/10, First Published: 01/08/08