Tracy,  Stress reduction is a big key like Cort mentioned, but when you are in so much pain, it tends to make stress worse.  I think you need some relief before you can be successful at redussing stress and connecting with the mind and body.  Can you get on a state insurance program for a little while so you can see a pain specialist?  You need to get control of your TMJ or it could get to the point that you need surgery.  I had it last summer, and even though I had it really bad, it was not the worst case....and I was in misery!  I can only imagine how bad you must feel, plus dealing with all your other issues.  Definitely start today with stress reduction techniques, but more importantly, try to get assitance so you can see a Dr. who can help you get your pain more managable thru meds.  After your body has calmed down a bit, really apply stress reduction techniques and slowly cut back on your pain meds.  Take good care of yourself!  I wish I could take all your pain away...I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best!!  Big HUG!!

Hi Tracy,

First I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I was just talking with a person at our doctor's office who has RA and no insurance.

Have you tried to get disability benefits? With that you can get healthcare.  It takes a while but you need to try to get help. Most disability attorneys don't need any money up front. In fact, many will give you a free consultation to help you get started in the process. If they want money up front, say good bye and try another. Sometimes fibromyalgia or arthritis support groups will have a list of attorneys that are most helpful.

Now what a lot of people don't know about getting disability benefits is that you can also work "after" you get the benefits. The best thing is to get that consulation with a good disability attorney to get you on the right track for help. I know it will take time but it will be worth it in the end.

Perhaps with the right meds you can work full time again one day. But in the meantime you need some care that you are obviously not getting.

Stress relief is something helpful but being so stressed out over all your issues kind of precludes not being able to get stress relief.

Good luck, Granny

My heart goes out to you, and I understand.  Fortunately, I DO have insurance; however, chronic pain is almost impossible to eradicate.  I have been living with it for 12 years.  I would suggest meditation, relaxation techniques, and possibly low levels of yoga.  Any one of them, or small amounts of each,  could help you relax your mind and  your muscles.  I try different things depending on my pain level for the day.  Try to find a time of day when your boys are at school, or outside playing, to make YOUR TIME.  No phone, no computer, no  one asking for YOU.  You can research meditation techniques on-line.  I wish you luck!  God bless.

Hello,

Sounds like you need to apply for disability, the insurance alone will give you a few more avenues to pursue, alternate pain therapy is awesome IF it works for you, get a SSDI Lawyer and get the ball rolling.

The alternative drug therapies are awesome now adays but to tap into more than you have takes insurance and you will most likely need a few surgeries which will help in the long run.

Good luck to you and take advantage of all your resources.

Jean

You really do have your hands full. I am so sorry that you have so much on you right now. I have been suffering from Post Polio Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome for most of my 60 years now. I survivde the chronic pain and disability by taking one day at a time. Set small goals and try to focus on these goals. I do this to distract myself from the pain that is still there even though I am well medicated. But if I don't focus on my goals and where I want to be going then I just drown in all the pain and problems I have to deal with. You cannot choose the problerms you are having but you can choose your direction and your goals.

There are resouirces available to you. Others have spoken about SS Disability. That is certainly at the top of the list  for you. I did not have to get an attorney and was able to be accepted with total and permanent disability on my first try. I think the reason it worked for me is that I took the process of applying in a very step by step manner, making certain I had missed nothing plus I obtained letters from 6 of my doctors and surgeons to attach to the application supporting my pain and disability.. Now this may not have been the reason it went so smoothly for me. But I have to believe that it did help my case and good attys can be very expensive. So go ahead and give it a try.

Once you have your disability you will then be in a good position to access many other services which could provide you with some needed support in different areas.

You are not alone. Please remember that. Once you have described your condition here, you will have many of us who have fought and continue to fight many of the same battles you face each day. We will remember what you have told us and we will hope that you will be able to try the different suggestions we have offered you.

Another thing that keeps me going is knowing that there are reasons that these things happen. I may not know those reason right now but that does not mean that these things are just accidents or random happeniongs. I wish these things were not happening to you just as I certainly wish my things were not happening to me. But they are andf I can choose to fight against them or I can try to work with those things I do have and use those things to help me manage my stuff. Work with your strengths to manage the bad stuff.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Keep in touch. We will be waiting to hear from you again,

Sandy

Hi Tracy, You certainly have my attention and my sympathy. To suffer with TMJ, which is a living nightmare and horribly painful, a large painful bunion, carpal tunnel syndrome, and old back injuries, you are in a pain nightmare called chronic pain.

There are two kinds of pain, acute and chronic. Acute can be treated and will go away, eventually. Chronic is around to stay. I can logically say your pain is chronic because TMJ is a nightmare. If it is as serious as you say, major surgery and a long recuperative period is usually necessary. Carpal tunnel can be corrected, but it requires surgery.

A bunion on the foot usually requires SURGERY. Old back injuries usually spell

trouble in the future, and probably surgery. If your husband is disabled, and you have young children, you likely have some relationship with DFACS. Whether you do or not is irrelevant. Go to them with your problems and apply for EMERGENCY Medicaid. If you are refused, your state has elected Senators and Representatives to whom you can take your case and get some help and establish an immediate need for medical help.

I do not know what state you live in, but regardless of where you are in the USA, you will have a state senator or representative who will gladly look into your situation and assist you with getting emergency help, even if you have a low paying job with no insurance because you cannot afford to pay for it. Do not sit back and suffer and sink into a pain induced oblivion of depression. Go for help according to the guidelines specified and you will ultimately get the help you need. I know that with TMJ alone, bio-feedback and ansaids are not going to give you any real relief.  Pursue the help you need while you can still think and function and deal with the pain at the same time.  You have my sincere best wishes.