@mdmo Lauren Seavertson. I've had Arachnoiditis for about 25 years. I now live in a suburb of Phoenix, in the cheapest retirement home in the valley. I was taking Dr Tennant's papers to my doctor's. Not one was really interested. I'm former RN & can't believe the ignorance, or attitudes of most doctor's They say the health care system is broken & of course getting worse with our new administration. My current pain clinic is a joke. I went there because every one says a pump is only answer, I had a trial of pump with Dilaudid but 95% of my pain is in my butt & down legs, with very severe, bilateral sciatica & horrible pain down both legs & bilateral pain both feet, top & bottom, & in every toe now. This all simultaneous. Sorry, but think iv'e lost about 20 IQ points. Had a substitute pain doc, since mine on vacation. She's familiar with Arachnoiditis & gave me Dilaudid ( allergic to Morphine) I didn't even have to ask. I get 2mg pills, one every 4 hours. it's better than OXY, but it really doesn't help that much... I'm fused C3 thru sacrum & all my whining is somewhere on this site. No doc's in this valley want to treat me, as a PCP. The minute i talk about managing my steroids, when i get a flare, they say they don't do that. Takes 6 plus months to get a neuro appointment & most neuros i've contacted tell me it doesn't interest them, because it's not interesting & u only need steroids. They all sub specialize. I have what looks like a small pharmacy in my little kitchen. I also get valium for, when i get my horrible, awful pain. Nothing much helps & I'm afraid the feds will come in & cut my meds, because they are doing this in Phoenix. I used to go to the hospital & beg to be hooked up to stronger meds ( used to get Dilaudud or Fentanyl & some benzos) but i'm afraid, as the damn Opioid crisis ruined it for everyone one of us with legitimate, severe pain. Since I'm fused everywhere, my pain is from top of my neck down both legs, feet, all toes. I can only lay flat & typing on the computer, is absolutely impossible. Had trial of pump with Dilaudid but not sure if it helps, cause no real back pain, it's all horrendous nerve pain in lower extremities. & in my neck & upper back, from all my hardware. I was totally paralyzed with MRSA in my spinal cord. I recovered from that some what, because i was in Northern US & got fantastic care. Now have permanent suprapubic catheter, with drug resistant. & infections & get horrendous flares & no one will manage my steroids or wants to mess with me & they tell me just take steroids, not difficult etc Can't sleep, can't use my arms much... I'm depressed & have a PHD with remote therapy. She's great, but I'm so isolated as i can't go downstairs & go to senior fitness or go to the dining room etc... I try, but i also have a torn rotator cuff & need a new shoulder... feel like i have wasted last 25 yrs, & I'm thinking that I'm going to die soon. I'm on Medicare & Medicaid, so out of most money ( of course, this get's in the way of a lot of good doctors etc) Need help, but some god docs just say they feel sorry for me. Any suggestions? Would love to talk to other's with this horrible condition. Hate Arachnoiditis & i'm sorry for typos, but feel like i am going to pass out!!! Sorry i am whining again