the pain first started in 1984, Dr. thoughht it was female because of the low back and pelvic pain. He first tried male hormones at $175 a month, for emdrometrious. I changed Dr. had complete hystrectomy in 85. Pain continued, tried chiropractor, I could hardly walk by tyhis time. It was recommended to go to neurosurgen, during pre-op testing I litterly died, was looking down at my body, whole thing. I had S1-L6 &L6-7 fused, 6-7 didn't fuse had it done over w/ appliance. The pain was so bad I couldn't sit, as soon as the disc was fused I had the appliance removed - so much better., but the neck pain I had put of was really going full guns. Tried acupunture at this time was also getting injections in upper neck, spine into head to relieve pain it didn't last, so I stopped them, the pain was worse. Had to have gullbladder removed. At follow-up visit the Dr. asked me what was wrong, I looked like I was in extreme pain. I was! She called me at home that night with an appointment with a new orthopedic spine Dr. for the next day. Gentlier pre-op tests. Dr. was highly training in new techneics and besides instructing classes he was spine Dr for NFL team. Complete faith in him but he suggested I also see a neoligist for pain meds. It was about this time I learned that the pedicle screws used for my low back surgery had not been approvied by the FDA for use in the spine, only joints. There was a country wide class action lawsuit, I got $5000! wow! I had my first neck surgery to fuse C4-5 & 5-6. Seemed to be going good, then the pain came back, C5-6 had not healed. Had them fused again with appliances. All about this same time I had breast cancer, had a partial mastomy, cut, dried and clean! My neouroligist said I had RSD, Reflective Sympathic Distrophy, a sure death sentence. had me shopping for walkers and wheel chairs. i joined a support group and watched people go down hill. Dr had me on oxicotton, I was flying but I couldn't function at everyday activies. in 2001 I had a minor car accident, single car. I was taken to the hospital as a precation, in my back T8 had bulged and 2 screws in my neck had broken and aiming for my spinal columm. Had to have surgery on C5-6 again. A simple procedure called an IDET was preformed on T8, cauterizing the bulge. That lasted about 3 months and the other side bulged. Back to the emergency surgery. Neuroligest controlled my after surgery pain medication. I went home on same dosage of oxicotton as post-op. Two days later I couldn't stay still or sleep. I walked and walked holding my head, which was in the stiff collar. I was in overdose! Dr. took me off that, cold turkey and gave me moriphine. It did nothing for the pain, I just walked into the hospital and to reception I was then in withdrawl! Spent a week in hospital and 4 more agonizing weeks at home. Changed Dr for pain management! I'm currently on max does of anything they can give me without going back on opids.
Last month I broke out in a terriable rash on my face and one hand. Tests have been run and results show I have rhumatoid arthritis and my ANA factor is elevated - now I have Lupus! I see a rhumatoid arthritis spec. in a few weeks, connected to a teaching hospital. Now my GYN, whom I've become to trust more than my Primary care, has asked if anyone has mentioned Fibromilagia?
I've missed out on so much this past 20 years, especially when my kids were teenagers and then with my grandchildren. I'm in constant chronic pain and if I over-do in any way I end up in bed with chronic fatigue.
Gee, has anyone had all these problems? So now we are investigating fibromilagia. What's everyone think?