1. < Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Posted by Kelsey Mohring @kelseydm, Apr 27, 2016

Welcome to the new Chronic Pain group.

I’m Kelsey and I’m the moderator of the group. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.

Why not take a minute and introduce yourself.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

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Hi JK (@contentandwell) - I think both Apple and Android phones changed the security so you have to have your App Store setup with a credit card even if it's a free app you are trying to download. Here's some links to check for whichever type of phone you have: (Google search results):

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS751US752&q=phone+keeps+asking+for+a+password+even+for+free+apps&oq=phone+keeps+asking+for+a+password+even+for+free+apps&gs_l=psy-ab.3.

John

REPLY
HazelBlumberg | @hazelblumberg | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

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I'd been going to my dentist for 25 years. He had seemed to be losing interest in me even before I got TMJ pain, and I just figured, OK, the guy really needs to retire. When I got the TMJ pain, he did what he was supposed to do: gave me incredibly painful shots into trigger points in my mouth, fussed with the nightguard he'd made me, all to no avail. He felt that botox wouldn't help me, and after having experienced facial paralysis with Bell's palsy 20 years ago, I have NO desire to undergo any kind of paralysis again. My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who found no joint problems, so he couldn't offer me surgery--and from what I've read, surgery for TMJ pain often leaves you in worse shape than you were in before. He gave me a muscle relaxer, Flexeril, and sent me back to my dentist. The dentist sent me to a physical therapist who was, in my humble opinion, off his rocker, and I refused to see him again. (Plus, I was in absolute agony for 2 1/2 days after the "session" with this nutcase.) After that, my dentist recommended a pain management specialist, but he wouldn't write a referral for one. So, I dumped him.

I see my psychiatrist for every-6-month med checks. When I went to my last visit, I wanted to talk to him about my TMJ pain. He asked who my dentist was, and I told him--and also said that I'd fired the dentist. "Well, now that you've fired him, I feel no problems in telling you my experiences with him," said my psychiatrist. He said that, if anyone has a problem that's somewhat out of the ordinary, this dentist simply doesn't want to deal with it. At all. So, he does benign neglect, doing nothing further to help you, until you finally give up and leave him alone. So, perhaps that's what's going on with your dentist?

I've been in touch with the medical marijuana people here in Florida. They have been marvelously helpful and totally on the ball. This morning, they called me back, because I'd left them voicemail with questions. Turns out I didn't have to have the online Eappointment that I'd signed up for--I'd been on hold for so long the two times I'd scheduled one of those interviews (with a physician assistant), that I'd decided to see about calling the doctor directly. The MM people asked me which doctor I'd like to see, and they set up an appointment for me for next week. All I need to do is bring an ID, a list of medications I take, a diagnosis, and a check for $299. If I don't get accepted, I don't have to pay the $299. If I do, then that's for the first 6 months. The followup, which involves another visit, is $99.

So, I've sent a note to my primary care. I hope she'll write a diagnosis for me, although I don't think she's crazy about MM. She wants me to try an RN/LMT/PT who's in her office, but frankly, I'm sick and tired of half-measures that do nothing. She'd sent me to an ENT, who'd made the diagnosis; unfortunately, I didn't write down the name of the ENT, and I don't remember her name. I suppose the oral surgeon could write a simple diagnosis. I certainly wouldn't have asked my dentist, even if I were still going to him. So, we'll see where this all leads. I would much rather use MM than pain pills and muscle relaxers, which leave me befogged and don't really provide me with lasting relief.

Hazel

REPLY
HazelBlumberg | @hazelblumberg | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

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JK, I don't find that any names pop up for me when I reply to someone! So, I'm definitely missing something!

Hazel

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @hazelblumberg "I'm sure your summers must be killers! Do you have the humidity that we do here..." + (show)
@hazelblumberg

I'm sure your summers must be killers! Do you have the humidity that we do here in Florida? Being inland, we have very little breeze--except if a hurricane is passing through--which just intensifies the misery. I do indeed miss winter. I'm originally from Utica, New York, smack dab in the middle of the snow belt. And yes, I really do miss snow at Christmastime.

Hazel

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Our daughter lived in Salem, and worked at the Moore Center in Manchester, but they just sold their home there and moved to Alameda, CA. Her husband is in the Coast Guard, and was stationed at Boston. Her first winter was a classic, with a lot of snow. It damaged the roof, especially with the ice dams. Quite the experience for a native Oregonian.

She's enjoying the palm trees around the base housing.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

Jump to this post

@contentedandwell

I take Generlac because some of my meds are constipating, and because of the several stomach surgeries I've had, as well as ER visits for bowel obstructions. No cirrhosis.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @hazelblumberg "I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and..." + (show)
@hazelblumberg

I developed earaches in September 2016. My primary care found no ear or sinus infection and sent me to an ENT, who diagnosed TMJ pain. I went to my dentist for help. He gave me weekly anesthesia shots into trigger points (OUCH!) and exercises to do, including massaging the trigger points and opening my mouth as wide as I could numerous times in the shower while my face was warm and wet. (I have been wearing a night guard made by my dentist for over 20 years; he replaces them as they wear out.) The pain continued and only got worse; it was at the top of my head, in my ears, in my jaw, above my palate (as though I'd eaten hot food). My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon, who did 360-degree x-rays and found no joint damage. He told me I was therefore not a candidate for surgery (YAY!) and prescribed Flexeril, a muscle relaxer. The pain only got worse, and I continued to wake up in the night with horrific pain. Ibuprofen didn't even touch it.

My dentist then sent me to a physical therapist, who didn't listen to a word I said. I came in on a "good" pain day: my pain level was about a 5 out of 10 (10 being the worst). After his examination and showing me how to do various exercises, he triumphantly told me that my pain level was now reduced. I said "No. My pain level is now about 7.5." He said he didn't believe me. He attempted to push me to go to his outside clinic to get "magnet therapy," and he tried to push me to see a friend of his who is a naturopath. Two days after this session, I was still in excruciating pain and doubt I'd ever return to this physical therapist, although he had me schedule 4 more 1-hour sessions with him.

I called my dentist again, and he called in a prescription for Tylenol plus codeine, which I can take every 4 to 6 hours. My dentist seems to have no further solutions for me.

My primary care is currently out of town, but I will see her when she gets back (in August); she may be referring me to a pain management specialist, which my dentist recommended--however, my dentist refuses to give me a referral to such a specialist, even though the specialist will take referrals from dentists or doctors.

I have been treated for many years for clinical depression and panic/anxiety disorder by my psychiatrist, and the meds have helped me immensely. On Monday I see my psychiatrist for my usual 6-month med check, and I'm going to ask him for help with the terrible TMJ pain. I have also had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time. The fibro pain has greatly lessened over time and hardly bothers me, but the CFS continues.

The TMJ pain makes it difficult to concentrate. I'm self-employed, and I enjoy my work. But pain gets in the way, as it does in every single situation: work or pastimes. My dentist mentioned massage therapy, but I'm in too much pain right now to try it. Another friend mentioned using a TENS unit. I feel as though I'm not living; to be in constant pain is hardly living, at least to me.

Any other suggestions? Would a TENS unit help? I'm more than willing to purchase one. I'll try just about anything to be pain free. Sometimes I am pain free. But I spend about 2 weeks out of every month in serious pain. I am feeling very discouraged.

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@contentedandwell

It's similar to Clonazepam, but I can't take Ativan - heart rate goes to 180.

Jim

REPLY
edieguinn | @edieguinn | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

Jump to this post

When I try to unsubscribe from thread or link it asks for a login. It will. It recognize mine. Just getting bombarded by emails and want them to stop 

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

Jump to this post

@hazelblumberg. Wow, $299 w/another $99 at 6 months seems VERY expensive. In California my Skype doctor appointment cost $45.00, and the yearly renewal is $45. Be sure you're not being ripped off. I know Florida is different from California but that seems a lot different. I live in Southern California. Good luck. Gail B Ledesma

REPLY
HazelBlumberg | @hazelblumberg | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

Jump to this post

No, alas, that is the cost. That's what my friends pay, and that's what appears in the web pages regarding MM. Florida is the epicenter of pill mills and pill mill doctors--and every other scam you can think of--so the government is wary and hence going to make it as difficult and expensive as possible to get MM. California is a beacon of light. Florida, alas, is not.

Hazel

REPLY
Jen, Alumna Mentor | @sandytoes14 | Aug 14, 2017
In reply to @boourbonman "I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana...." + (show)
@boourbonman

I promised you all I would let you know when I got approved for Medical Marijuana. Judi and I did it. We then went down to Edgewater FL. and got two 500 mg bottles. $70 each. So we were suppose to start with 5 drops (each drop is a mg.) three times a day and slowly work up to 10 drops 3 times a day. Do the math. 16 days for $70. We are both at 5 drops 3 times a day and no relief. I sure hope it starts to ease our pain. Will Keep you posted.
Hoot

Jump to this post

@edieguinn You must log into Mayo Connect with your email address and your password. If you forgot your password, click on the FORGOT PASSWORD link. At that time you will need to make a new password and then follow these steps that @JustinMcClanahan writes here :
To not get as many email notifications from the Chronic Pain pain group, follow these instructions:

– Click this link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/
– In the top box that explains what the group is about, click on the Following button in the bottom right corner
– Choose the “Include messages in my email digest only” option

This should slow down some of the email notifications from the Chronic Pain group (and any other group you choose to complete the same process for)

To not get as many emails from the Welcome conversation in particular in the Chronic Pain group, follow these steps:

– If you are responding by email, click VIEW & REPLY on the bottom of this notification
– Scroll all the way to the top until you see the original message posted by Kelsey
– Click on the +Following button
– Choose another option besides receiving an email each time a post is made.
– Be sure to click on Update after both of these steps

These steps can be applied to any conversation and group. Whenever you participate in any discussion you are automatically subscribed to receive email notifications for that discussion so you would need to complete the above steps to try and limit your notifications. I hope this helps and I hope I made this as clear as possible. If not, do not hesitate to ask me to clear anything up or explain it a bit better!

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