@sandytoes For me I hear so many complaining women (yes, bitching bitches) Thanks @grandmar for speaking straight as this is how I see it when I hear thus. I am terrified of speaking the "P" word anywhere as I do not want to come across as weak and pitiful. " I am woman, I am strong!" NOT, but unwilling to admit thus. See it as both nature and nurturing. I also know men that are this way too.
Clarification-I am female and have respect for both genders...clarify, always clarify with clarification.

@oregongirl I have the same problem...it is called doctor face.

You are so right that men complain, too. Sometimes they are bigger babies. Don't get me wrong, I love men. I am not anti-man. It's just sad that it is the women who get pointed at when making too many complaints, etc.
"I am woman, hear me roar!"

@mamasitalucita Beautifully said, almost poetic!
I was to about 5 doctors before I found one that helped me. The shots would work for a couple of days, a week or not at all. But I kept trying and trying. At that point, surgery wasn't even a blip on the radar.
When I moved to Florida, I started with one doctor but again, he didn't help. Next, I did some intensive research. I found a pain doctor about 1 1/2 hours away (longer with traffic). Fire works, celebrate! I found someone who could actually help me. Not for a couple of days, a week or not at all. How about 6-10 weeks!!!!! No pain, normal!!!! However, when the shots wore off, back to hell!!!! This is how it was for 3 years. Then, 2 shots in a row did NOTHING!!!! I took a chance and had another one about a 1 1/2 weeks ago. It is not perfect but much better.
I decided to seek the wisdom (I hoped) of a neuro-surgeon. I could no longer stand the pain in between shots and my cervical spine joined the party after about 8 years of being pain free. My doctor just couldn't do anything about it. Anyway, I had cervical spine surgery 12 weeks ago. He replaced C5/6. Except for one spot, I was feeling FANTASTIC. NO neck pain. Unfortunately, I fell twice and inflamed my cervical spine. I now have to wait for it to calm down.
I have also begun PT for my lumbar spine for about 6 weeks. After that, using a special x-ray, I will have lumbar surgery on L4/5.
I am retired and would like to have a life without pain and more than just sitting in my chair. I am willing to take the chance.

Hoping for a painfree day for us all...….
ronnie

I see in my statement below is not completely correct. Texas pain Drs are leaving their profession and going on to something else in medicine. Their hands are tied. I am going to allow him to give me shots but I tried to tell him, what about the rest of my body. I think the shots are a way to get any meds. I will take the shots ONCE and never again. They DO NOT work on me.
Does anyone know if there Medicare will continue to pay the bills, or is there a limit of how high they are willing to go.

I think doctors keep making lots of appts because they have no idea what is wrong with you.i don't think doctors today have skills to help us. In the past if they CD not figure what was Wrong, they prescribed pills.

Amen sister !!

@grandmar Helen Ready couldn't have said it better this is why we women are fibro warriors

Right on!

I fell, too.  Off the bed.  Ended up having to have a CAT scan.  Said every thing normal. (For me!) Just so happens, I had a regularly scheduled appointment with my Fibro doctor.  I have uncontrollable muscle spasms, and do I take Flexeril at night, when there's an issue.  He found a low dose muscle relaxer that I can actually take during the day when I have a flare going on.  So, big step upwards for me on that end.  All my symptoms are very manageable right now, for which I am so grateful.  Getting the right supplements, the right foods, the right medications can be like going through an ancient maze.  But when it works, pure Bliss. Hope you get to feeling better and have a pleasant rest of the holiday! Love and peace, Mamacita Lucita.