sallyb sakky...

[sallyb]

Some of you may remember me...some may not. Anyway, I have had Firbromyalgia since 1983. I also have herniated disks, cervical and thoracic. T8/9 has spinal cord compression. My pain is very bad...usually to the point of crying. Yes, rainy weather is more painful. The pain ranges from about mid back (T8/9) to the floor. Occasionally it is also in my upper back, neck and head...but, it is the lower pain that almost makes me feel chlostrophobic. Does anybody else feel that way? Sometimes I feel panicky because I feel to be smothered with pain...with no escape.

My doc just doubled my Ultram to see if it will help me. I am not sure if it is helping me a little, or if I am just too tired to care. Makes me feel like dirt. Doesn't do much for depression.

sally

[Sara1979]

I can definitely relate to that feeling of panic when my pain is so out of control and I have no means to lower it.

It sounds like you are in a lot of pain for Ultram to control. I am taking the max dose of 400mg. It used to work well for me but I have been taking it for 8 years so it does not work for me very well. I am not sure what the next step will be for me.

You should definitely talk to your Doctor about b/t medication in the very least. It sounds like you have been through a lot so I am assuming you have already gone the Tylenol, NSAID, Anti-Seizure, Anti-Depressants, Biofeedback, etc. If you have I would say that it is time to move into opiod therapy. Have you been to a pain clinic?

[wildpinky]

hi Sally, i remember you...i dont have anything to offer that would help you...

i hope you start feeling a little better soon...

(((hugs)))...

pinky

[cindybear]

Hi Sally,
I could never forget you !!!! Ultram !!! That is M&M's.....Has it ever worked for you...It has never worked for me...It was a joke, I would of just use tylenol.....Would your Doc give you something a little stronger...maybe something , that would last 24/7...I mean that is your pain..Why suffer...Glad to hear from ya' Sad to hear your in so much pain...Hugs, Cindy

[sallyb]

Yeah!!! I rember both of you!!! Been a long time. Glad to know that you are both here.

Yes...the Ultrams are like M&M's. At first, the doubled dose was unsettling because I was not use to it at all. At least, it gave me something else to think about besides the pain!!! But, 6 days later, I am just fine except for being a little weak....and hurting as usual. My doctor claims to be a PM doc, but I don't think he knows what he is doing. Went to a neurologist to see if he could help me, and he said that what I need for pain management is a Rheumatologist. Have an appointment for that on 10/31...long haul. But, at least I can have hopes of getting relief before long. Yes, I suspect I will be put on much stronger medication. It has been so long since I have been relieved by anything. That is why it feels like it is smothering me...I can't get away...panicky. Fortunately, I usually am able to fight that claustrophobic feeling. It doesn't feel good mentally.

My daughter, Katie, just graduated from high school, and then went immediately into the Army. They gave her a $67,000 college bonus for going. She graduates from basic training on the 13th...in South Carolina. My mother is paying to fly me there for it. I can't take the wear and tear of the road...too painful. I cannot wait to see her. Miss her soooooo much!!! After that, she goes to A.I.T. (Advanced Military Training) to learn how to be a Patriot Missle Launcher. Sounds feminine, doesn't it? Ha! Ha! Anyway, at least that position will keep her off the battlefield, and into a safe place for missles which battle, or protect, from a distance. I spend a lot of time writing her, and that also gives me an opportunity to loose "self". That is the only way I have found to escape pain. Loose "self".

Thanks for responding to me. It really feels good. I hope your pains are, and will be reduced...maybe fixed!!! Wouldn't that be great???

Love, sally

[sallyb]

Hey, Sara. I did not mean to NOT address you. Just got excited to see people that I remember. I appreciate your response to my writing. It is good to have a caring friend again. I forgot how good it was to have the forum. Nothing like talking to people who understand what you are talking about.

My real name is "Sarah". "Sally" is a nickname. Something in common.

Glad to have a new friend......sally

[cindybear]

Sally,
OMG, A missile launcher....Tell her thanks for protecting us for the next couple of years..She is very brave and deserves all the thanks she will be getting...My son just got out of the Marines not to long ago...It's just a big worry, no matter what jog they have..He was loading bombs into the jets, right before they took off and bombed IraQ....He did that for 18 months...And I was worried sick the whole time...Even though he stayed on the boat...I think my eyes was glued on TNT or TNN...Hope you get better care at the other docs...Hugs,Hun. Cindy
P.S. I'm very proud of your Daughter

[sallyb]

Thanks, Cindy. Yes, I am a very proud and worried mother too. I will tell her thank you for you. Tell your son too. I even have a tendency to walk up to military personell that I see on the street to thank them. It is a huge sacrifice which I did not even consider when I was young. I think the kids of today are made of something more than I was. Not looking forward to the possibility (I hope not) of her being sent to Iraq, or some other war zone. I don't think her occupation warrants that. I rest in that thought. She has enlisted for 4 years active, and 4 years reserve. I hope not....

Got to leave to go see my mother in Slidell (going with my son). I hope to get back to the forum this evening if the road doesn't do me in.

Love, sally

[uvamomb]

Sally,

I've been to PM, but I have found that the best person, for me anyway, to manage my pain is my physiatrist. I'm probably spelling it wrong. She really knows here stuff and also does botox injections, refers to p.t. and keeps in close contact with my progress there. Just another thought for you. I want you to get some relief!!!
Hang in there,
Kathy

[wildpinky]

Congrats to you and your daughter, Sally...tell thanks from me too...you should be very proud of her...my son is in his second year at college with Junior standing...he could graduate a year early but doesn want to...he is on a full scholarship and even gets spending money throughout the whole year from the college...

good luck with the Rheumatologist...my daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was in the second grade and is now 23 and never outgrew the JRA, her Rheumalogist is great...he makes sure she isnt in that much pain...so i am keeping my fingers crossed that your will help you too...

i hope you are having a nice weekend...