I have been hurting for 10 months and there is no end in sight.

insulin dependent for the last few decades, sugar was 94 this morning. what is this awful pain??????? JOINTS, NERVES NECK even to the FEET....Margaretob

Rheumatologist for arthritis, neurologist for neuropathy, pain management for pain, and your primary care doctor should be able to give you something for sleep.

Best wishes to you for some relief soon.
Cookie

Sorry about all that pain Margaret but how do you know those are your issues if you don't have a doctor? It could even be something else causing the worst symptoms and you are mixing a lot of OTC meds although I get that pain will make you do that for sure! Usually you would start with your primary care doctor who could refer you to the appropriate specialist or specialists. If you are diabetic I'm assuming you must have a doctor. If your doctor is not trying to help you then shame on them and start by finding another primary care doctor who will guide you.

Completely agree with Cookie. The first step for you is to find a rheumatologist. Ask your primary care for a referral to that speciality. Also, there are pain clinics out there that can help you with all of that pain! I went to my orthopedic dr years ago for back pain and he referred me to a pain clinic affiliated with the hospital. I was truly helped by this clinic. I also have a hard time sleeping, so I asked my primary care to prescribe something for me. I take it, along with a Tylenol PM and I am finally getting a good night’s sleep. All of my best to you. MaryAnn from Boston

I’m so sorry you are having such a hard time. Pain is not our friend. I also suffer with awful pain from several different maladies.
I go to a RHEUMATOLOGIST for arthritic pain and pain from an autoimmune disease that I have, and fibromyalgia
I see a NEUROLOGIST for my peripheral neuropathy
and occipital neuralgia both of which are very painful.

Because I’m on a blood thinner I can only take Tylenol.

I hope you start feeling better soon.

If u live in a state where Medical Cannabis is legal, find a Cannabis Dr who will qualify you for it for pain control. It helps immensely.

I will likely be doing PT the rest of my life to avoid back surgery. Spinal stenosis, scoliosis, etc. and compress disks not a good situation. Add arthritis to it and the situation is worse.

@laelh I agree that PT can help a lot, but it can't cure spinal stenosis. It helps by building strength and hopefully helping to maintain better alignment. I wanted to let you know that not all spine procedures are huge surgeries with months of recovery. If you have central canal stenosis in the lumbar spine, a surgery that could address this is a laminectomy. Essentially, they make more room for the spinal cord by cutting through the bone and raising it up, kind of like adding a second floor to a house and raising the roof up to accommodate. My 80 year old cousin just had this done, and he only had 2 weeks of using pain meds, and was able to walk right away. He was back to his usual activities in about 4 weeks, so that is not a long difficult recovery.

If you have collapsing discs in your spine, your spine could start fusing itself by growing bone around it to stabilize it. That may not be a good situation if it causes compression of nerves.

If you have more specific questions about spine care, perhaps I can help. I have cervical spine surgery at Mayo that changed my life for the better. It's always good to have information so you know what choices are possible.

Thank you for this information. I will discuss this with my doctor.

I’ve had over 40 surgeries in my life for Ehlers Danlos so I have learned all about the domino affect that you are experiencing…..I would highly!!! Suggest to you to go on a LOW or NO Oxalate diet to reduce your bodies inflammation. Oxalates are the leading cause of passive inflammation…..it’s all in what we eat but some of us are in a more dire situation than others….like you and like me. This includes not just your food, but drink, condiments, and to know your allergy triggers in every category. Organize your positives because every time you eat say almonds, or spinach, you are blasting oxalates into every part of your body. Best tool is Toxic Superfoods by Sally Norton…….all of the charts are in there for you to learn and shop and move forward. go for it! I just have to eat or prepare!! One food incorrectly and I have a flare. My Dad had stenosis and he told me the best thing I gave him was a donut ring to sit on….absorbed the shock of sitting and was a blessing he took everywhere. Just a thought…..God Bless