@rwinney It seems like many people go into various treatments with the idea that it might help or possibly not. They of course hope so. But it seems like not many understand the risks involved in the treatment itself. This was definitely the case with chemotherapy in regards with the risk for the development of neuropathy as a result. Linda and I attended a class prior to chemo that gave us (supposedly) the risks involved. I believe that class either did not mention neuropathy as a possible side effect of chemo, or if they did mention it, it was seriously downplayed. When Linda did develop neuropathy symptoms after the 2nd infusion, she met with her PCP there in San Diego and she said to Linda "Oh, that will go away as soon as you stop the chemo". Her quick dismissal was a red flag for Linda, and it resulted in her questioning the whole chemotherapy regime, as I at the same time was feeding her a lot of "devil's advocate" info about chemo from the internet, and she ultimately quit chemo at that point, to the extreme consternation of many of her medical advisors at that time.

So I think everyone needs to be very careful about going forward with a treatment, given that downsides might exist that the medical profession will either not tell you about or will downplay in an inappropriate and dishonest manner in my opinion. You really have to be careful about the advice you get and who is giving it.

Rachel, it sounds like you are coming to the opinion that it may have been those treatments (needles, etc.) which you have received which may have contributed to the serious chronic disability you find yourself with now. I agree with your reticence or dubiousness about going forward with more treatments. It's a very sad statement about how little the professionals really know about what they are recommending to people, regardless of their good intentions or not.

Hank