Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hi everyone! I am 47 years old. I have chronic pain that started in my early 20s. Growing up I was always involved in sports, mainly gymnastics until middle school then soccer, basketball, and
cross-county. After years of episodic flare ups, I exhausted all “conventional” therapies. I couldn’t tolerate my work as a RN and decided to have my first fusion. I think it’s worth noting that both my Physiatrist and Spinal Surgeon saw significant changes on my MRIs in my cervical region- however, at that time, it wasn’t causing pain.
So, in 2013 at 38 years old, I had an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) for L4-L5 and L5-S1. For 5 years, it was wonderful with minimal pain.
Then in 2015, I began experiencing neck pain, stiffness, severe headaches, and radiculopathy into my arms. In 2016, after again trying conventional and alternative therapies to no avail, I had a Cervical fusion from C5-C6 by the same surgeon.

In between these years I’ve also experienced the following:
(No family medical history- adopted)
Hip fracture (non-mechanical)
Finger fracture (required surgery)
Fractured toes
Other fracture finger
Cracked molars (2)
Severe Rib pain- been to ED x 2- Once was told “Pluerisy” and then told “costocondritis”
1 37-week gestation
1 34.5-week gestation
TMJ - left side of jaw
Cold hands/feet
Veins “blow” if I hit my hand on a table for example
Livedo Reticularis

Recent Findings/ new symptoms
Postural Tachycardia - recently noticed (130s while standing)
Osteopenia on DEXA scan
Radiculopathy- hip/ legs, groin, abdomen!!!
Left rib pain
hypermobility of spine- crepitus

I don’t even know what type of doctor I need to see at this point. Any help or guidance is so appreciated!!

Hello @dphillips221, Welcome to Connect. You certainly have been through a lot. I can't begin to imagine trying to figure out what is causing it and what might help. There is a discussion started by @jenniferhunter that you might find helpful - Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Have you heard of Myofascial Release Therapy?

First timer here, Teresa CES, Cauda Equina syndrome. I have no support system, my DR's an idiot! He won't even read the literature. I just feel so alone

First timer here, Teresa CES, Cauda Equina syndrome. I have no support system, my DR's an idiot! He won't even read the literature. I just feel so alone

Hi everyone! I am 47 years old. I have chronic pain that started in my early 20s. Growing up I was always involved in sports, mainly gymnastics until middle school then soccer, basketball, and
cross-county. After years of episodic flare ups, I exhausted all “conventional” therapies. I couldn’t tolerate my work as a RN and decided to have my first fusion. I think it’s worth noting that both my Physiatrist and Spinal Surgeon saw significant changes on my MRIs in my cervical region- however, at that time, it wasn’t causing pain.
So, in 2013 at 38 years old, I had an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) for L4-L5 and L5-S1. For 5 years, it was wonderful with minimal pain.
Then in 2015, I began experiencing neck pain, stiffness, severe headaches, and radiculopathy into my arms. In 2016, after again trying conventional and alternative therapies to no avail, I had a Cervical fusion from C5-C6 by the same surgeon.

In between these years I’ve also experienced the following:
(No family medical history- adopted)
Hip fracture (non-mechanical)
Finger fracture (required surgery)
Fractured toes
Other fracture finger
Cracked molars (2)
Severe Rib pain- been to ED x 2- Once was told “Pluerisy” and then told “costocondritis”
1 37-week gestation
1 34.5-week gestation
TMJ - left side of jaw
Cold hands/feet
Veins “blow” if I hit my hand on a table for example
Livedo Reticularis

Recent Findings/ new symptoms
Postural Tachycardia - recently noticed (130s while standing)
Osteopenia on DEXA scan
Radiculopathy- hip/ legs, groin, abdomen!!!
Left rib pain
hypermobility of spine- crepitus

I don’t even know what type of doctor I need to see at this point. Any help or guidance is so appreciated!!

Hi everyone! I am 47 years old. I have chronic pain that started in my early 20s. Growing up I was always involved in sports, mainly gymnastics until middle school then soccer, basketball, and
cross-county. After years of episodic flare ups, I exhausted all “conventional” therapies. I couldn’t tolerate my work as a RN and decided to have my first fusion. I think it’s worth noting that both my Physiatrist and Spinal Surgeon saw significant changes on my MRIs in my cervical region- however, at that time, it wasn’t causing pain.
So, in 2013 at 38 years old, I had an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) for L4-L5 and L5-S1. For 5 years, it was wonderful with minimal pain.
Then in 2015, I began experiencing neck pain, stiffness, severe headaches, and radiculopathy into my arms. In 2016, after again trying conventional and alternative therapies to no avail, I had a Cervical fusion from C5-C6 by the same surgeon.

In between these years I’ve also experienced the following:
(No family medical history- adopted)
Hip fracture (non-mechanical)
Finger fracture (required surgery)
Fractured toes
Other fracture finger
Cracked molars (2)
Severe Rib pain- been to ED x 2- Once was told “Pluerisy” and then told “costocondritis”
1 37-week gestation
1 34.5-week gestation
TMJ - left side of jaw
Cold hands/feet
Veins “blow” if I hit my hand on a table for example
Livedo Reticularis

Recent Findings/ new symptoms
Postural Tachycardia - recently noticed (130s while standing)
Osteopenia on DEXA scan
Radiculopathy- hip/ legs, groin, abdomen!!!
Left rib pain
hypermobility of spine- crepitus

I don’t even know what type of doctor I need to see at this point. Any help or guidance is so appreciated!!

I am in pain 24/7. Somedays worse than others. Have tried Injections and Ablations with minimal success. No pain pills, just a bunch of creams, muscle relaxers, and Cymbalta. Any one tried BIO-WAVE versus TENS? Looking for some relief anyway I can get it. Life Quality, if you suffer with debilitating pain, I'm sure you know what I mean.