Progress, Finally!
I had my pain specialist appt today.
They sent me a form in the mail to complete in advance where I was to shade in areas where I had pain, and put xx's on each of the pain epicenters.
I did it. I did it in different colors, labeling each area with the trauma that caused it and the date of the injury.
The doctor took one look at all the pain, and my MRi's to back it up, and the first thing he did was the standard test to rule out fibromyalgia. (that's the first test any half-wit doctor will do when they come across a chronic pain patient with pain in all four quarters of their body.)
Fibro, thank god, was negative... but I have something that doctors could mistake as fibro. I have over 10 different injuries all connecting together causing widespread pain.
That's the story for now at least. At least until we can get more information.
He's sending me to an orthopedist for my knees and my carpal tunnel.
I'm going to be getting epidural steroid injections in my back (my first injection will be in 9 days), and if I so choose, I can see a physical therapist and a pain psychologist.
Yes, of course I so choose. You're darn tootin that YES I will go to a pain psychologist, if nothing else to try and start some damage control on what the long term effects of chronic pain has done to the bubble gum patched remains of my mental state.
I am a little nervous about getting injections in my back without getting updated MRIs of my back first. Who knows what it looks like now over six years after the last imaging? My pain is considerably worse in the last six years, maybe it's worth a second look? Perhaps I'll just call tomorrow and ask about that.
I know I'm not supposed to take any time off, but I've been dealing with most of this pain for over 8 years. Some of it even longer, and the worst of it for over 4 years.
I think my priorities are clear. Yes, doc. When do you need me?
I can try to make up the time, but finally getting OUT of pain, even if I lose this job in the process, is my top priority.
They sent me a form in the mail to complete in advance where I was to shade in areas where I had pain, and put xx's on each of the pain epicenters.
I did it. I did it in different colors, labeling each area with the trauma that caused it and the date of the injury.
The doctor took one look at all the pain, and my MRi's to back it up, and the first thing he did was the standard test to rule out fibromyalgia. (that's the first test any half-wit doctor will do when they come across a chronic pain patient with pain in all four quarters of their body.)
Fibro, thank god, was negative... but I have something that doctors could mistake as fibro. I have over 10 different injuries all connecting together causing widespread pain.
That's the story for now at least. At least until we can get more information.
He's sending me to an orthopedist for my knees and my carpal tunnel.
I'm going to be getting epidural steroid injections in my back (my first injection will be in 9 days), and if I so choose, I can see a physical therapist and a pain psychologist.
Yes, of course I so choose. You're darn tootin that YES I will go to a pain psychologist, if nothing else to try and start some damage control on what the long term effects of chronic pain has done to the bubble gum patched remains of my mental state.
I am a little nervous about getting injections in my back without getting updated MRIs of my back first. Who knows what it looks like now over six years after the last imaging? My pain is considerably worse in the last six years, maybe it's worth a second look? Perhaps I'll just call tomorrow and ask about that.
I know I'm not supposed to take any time off, but I've been dealing with most of this pain for over 8 years. Some of it even longer, and the worst of it for over 4 years.
I think my priorities are clear. Yes, doc. When do you need me?
I can try to make up the time, but finally getting OUT of pain, even if I lose this job in the process, is my top priority.