Forgive my typing- if there are words in the wrong place, the parkinsons as you all know causes your fingers to hit the wrong keys all the time. John

I guess for me, I say as much as I care to share - hopefully just enough. It's probably good to get it said once and for all. My pain comes from spinal stenosis, bipolar disorder, and a leg which has undergone 4 knee surgeries, including two total replacements, and a broken leg which adds a plate from hip to knee - the combination which results in x-ray personnel saying my knee looks like a junk yard! Where the Parkinson's and the essential tremor (which is very bad on top of PD tremors) came from, I have no idea, it's just here.I have fought no national wars, only personal ones, but I thank you for your service. We each have our own problems and must learn to accept the problems of others.

Hello, @johnjames. Welcome to Connect. *smiles to you* 🙂
First, I would like to Thank You, for your service, and for your many sacrifices, both physically and emotionally/mentally. You have such a dedicated military career...44 years.
Secondly, I want you to know that YOU are NOT alone. The Connect groups are comprised of many wonderful people, people that "survive" daily, as do you, the medical issues that you've shared. I quote you "Parkinson's, PTSD with Chronic pain and anxiety”.
I'm going to tag @colleenyoung, who is the Director of the Connect forum groups. She will undoubtedly, link you to MANY helpful, informative and supportive Connect groups, that will allow you to meet others, that share similar experiences with what you are dealing with.
You listed 4 "conditions" that you deal with daily, in your post. Yet, as I read them... I could feel how heavily they must weigh on you.
As you have mentioned your diagnoses, may I ask if you are currently on medications, for symptom relief, or treatment, and do you find them helpful? Are you seeing a knowledgeable and experienced professional, to help deal with your PTSD and Anxiety?
Here, you will find others sharing their experiences with medications, and healthcare professionals. I personally believe that a significant part of "feeling better", comes from having educated, caring and compassionate healthcare teams, or doctor's.
I'm currently seeking a new Primary care, as I feel it is time to find one that "fits" the qualities I listed.

I'll tell you what I was told when I started posting on Connect... "Write as much, or as little as you are comfortable with sharing". As you know, writing, and talking are a catharsis... a way to vent, and relieve the mind of some of its heavier burdens. DO so... and as often as you would like. I hope that you find by doing so that you are not only helping yourself, you are helping others as well.
Your position, as Army Chaplain allowed, I am sure, many others to find in you support, reassurance and "a light, in the dark". Such a wonderful and supportive position to have held... yet, I'm sure... it came with many a hardship on yourself.

I deal, daily, with Anxiety/ Panic Attacks & PTSD, although, not for the same reasons that you do. I DO understand and relate to the many mental, emotional, and physical "ups and downs”, of both. Again, you are definitely NOT alone.
In another post, you openly shared your exposure to Agent Orange. Again, there are support groups here, in Connect... with others that have dealt with the horrendous after affects of Agent Orange, and serving in the military. As well, other online support groups offer various levels of support.
I am the daughter of a Vietnam Vet, my father suffers the health effects of Agent Orange exposure, and he remains adamant that it NOT only affected him medically, it genetically affected his 3 offspring, and theirs as well. As his adult child, with an array of medical issues, at 47, I have to say, I agree wholeheartedly.
@johnjames, I believe that you will be a great asset here in Connect. I have to add though, that I feel, and I apologize if I am incorrect, or if it's something you are uninterested in, but I feel that you would be a wonderful asset to an "in-person support group”, as well. You have such profound experience in having been an Army Chaplain and an "in person" support group would allow you to be supportive, while in return allowing you to receive "more direct", reassurances, support and comfort, that you may seek.

@johnjames, I hope my reply to you, offered some support, and not just "early morning" babble. (*smiles*) 🙂
I wish you a day filled with, "positives and feelings of comfort”. ~ Godspeed~ Kim

Thanks for tagging me @kimsworld!

@johnjames, I'd like to add my welcome. I'm glad that you started a new discussion here in the Chronic Pain group specific to pain, depression and anxiety. Thank you. I'd also like to introduce you to members talking in other areas of Connect on topics that might interest you. For example

- I have PD (Parkinson Disease) http://mayocl.in/2abXKUs This is a good place to meet others talking about Parkinsons. @ggopher also has Parkinson's presumed from agent orange.
- In the Mental Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mental-health/ there are several discussions about depression and anxiety
- Agent Orange/Dioxin related illnesses http://mayocl.in/2d3pT2A

I hope this helps you connect with others. I look forward to your joining the conversations.

Kim- Thank your father for his service in Viet Nam, and I'm sorry he too is suffering from agent orange issues. Thank you for sharing your daily struggles of pain, PTSD and Panic Attacks- Yes they are real- even those we can't see them at times, that doesn't change the fact that there real and can cause real pain, and emotional pain as well. Allot of folks who know about such health issues doesn't make it less important and real. PTSD causes many health problems- The VA research team has come out with a new diagnosis connected to PTSD- " It's called - unknown serve internal anxiety" You can feel to your core and yet it doesn't show up in a normal physical. The many combat veterans have now been re-diagnosis' with this- as I have been as well. It doesn't go away, they give medication that only helps calm the anxiety some Folks that have these conditions need a true and trusted friend to talk to and fellowship with daily-if need be, and someone who isn't trying to give you an answer-or saying you should do this or that. You need a friend -who is a real friend that cares unconditionally. I hope that make some sense, it's very lonely when trying to get through the day by yourself. I'm bless with a retired Army Nurse and continues in her field. Bless you for sharing, and I so appreciate your transparency. JJ

The length or brevity of your posts isn't an issue. It's good to have a place to speak and be heard without being judged or viewed as an oddity. I don't have Parkinsons, but I am being treated for major depressive disorder, anxiety, restless leg, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. I retired early from pastoral ministry, because of my mental health issues, and suicidal ideation. Neuropathy is a more recent problem, and so far, haven't yet found a medication that would treat the chronic burning pain. Chronic pain, as we all know, has a direct effect on depression, at least it does in my case.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1776567-suffering-from-acute-or-chronic-nerve-pain-this-15-minute-procedure-could-bring-you-immediate-relief/<br><br><br>I just read this article about Hydrodissection which is a simple procedure to relieve nerve pain. Maybe it can help some of the members of the chronic pain group? It is at least worth reading about. 19lin<br><br>

Kim- thank you for sharing so much in detail-which I do very much appreciate- and nothing you say or anyone is babble- Yes I do have five doctors that I'm blessed to have working with me and all the health issues- including PTSD and the Internal Anxiety- Agent Orange as many know shows up or can, anywhere in ones body- and then it will travel wherever it wants. I had a heart attack three months ago and my Doctor at the Mayo clinic told me - she believes it was caused by Agent Orange. First time for me, to ever hear those words from a Doctor outside the VA Hospital. I hear you Pastor also, your pain and depression I pray becomes easier to manage, as manage is all we can do most of the time. The medications I take is for every thing from the Parkinson's, My Spine, my lungs and heart issues and on it goes- but I'm very thankful we have such good care here. As many of you have- been to other countries where the health care was only a shot or a small bottle of pain pills ( if your lucky). There is so much to digest from what I have read " From All of You" and each and everyone if important and listening to my issues ( I truly thank you and for your kindness and understanding). JJ

This is interesting, @19lin. Hydrodissection might fix a lot of people's pains from skeletal pressure on vital nerves. Would this injection offer a permanent fix -- as opposed to temporary relief from injection of a local pain killer?

What's surprising to me: I didn't know that MRIs don't display nerves! Ultrasound is better for this?

Interesting about MRI. I have never heard this and wonder if it is true or not. I noted, just for interest, the site is a site that posts paid content. A PR site. Might be valid, but I would want to know more from alternate sources.

Plus the other articles I read do not say there is no nerve information displayed via MRI.