Hi this is Sally,
I just joined and am amazed with the number of people who understand chronic pain. I have Failed Back Surgery Syndrome FBSS. The FBSS has caused the chronic pain I’m dealing with. I have nerve pain across my lower back and numbness in my toes. I also have pain and swelling in my thumbs L>R and pointer fingers in the joints of my hands. I saw a rheumatologist before my back surgery who looked at my hands, pressed on each side of my neck (which caused pain) and said you have fibromyalgia. I had cortisone injections twice in my back that didn’t work. My primary doctor prescribed prednisone, Vicodin, gabipentin, methocarbamol, and diclofenac. I was miserable, my body was swollen and I was short of breath, and to make matters worse I developed a heart murmur and gained 70 pounds! I finally said I need to try a different way because this is not working! I changed my diet to pescatarian, stopped the Vicodin and prednisone, stopped drinking Diet Coke, and meditate every morning. I cannot believe how much better I feel!!! Seriously, the pain is now manageable, I’ve lost weight, I’m no longer swollen or short of breath, I’m able to move my bowels, my eyes aren’t beet red every morning, and the best part- my mind is clear and the fatigue is gone. I forget, my sleep is great too. The next to go will be the gabipentin. Never give up! Age is just a number! I’m 66 and not ready to give up, my life is just beginning!