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In need of treatment, but can it be in Wisconsin

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Apr 10, 2023 | Replies (23)
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@toddgalbrecht

You are correct and want help with depression as part of my treatment. To have doctors give up on you, to have your quality of life destroyed and they don't care has had a negative effect on me and my wife of 40 years. Then to have them flat out lie about tests, saying there were no more surgeons at the UW Madison hospital that perfoms "First Rib Resections" and making me suffer for 8 years until my stay in the hospital in last August. That really hurt and cause some permanent nerve damage. I have been in pain for 53 years. After my 2nd back surgery I was told I could no longer work, said screw that and went back to school and obtained my BSME and graduated with honors and worked for 26 years as a Sr. Design Engineer until my health forced me to retire. Now if you tell you deal with serious pain you are automatically branded a drug addict. I have never tried tobacco, nor drugs, don't drink and have never abused medications. I do use music for relaxing and self hypnosis, walks, fishing and my photography which a newspaper did a full page article on me. Yet the UW pain clinic told us that I have to give up wanting a quality of life and give up all that gives me happiness.

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Replies to "You are correct and want help with depression as part of my treatment. To have doctors..."
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Apr 3, 2023

Todd, I've scanned some of your posts and am choosing to reply here because I feel like I finally found a spot that I hopefully can make a positive impact. You've received many, many great, helpful, supportive, empathetic, encouraging replies. That's why you came to Connect, I'd imagine.

The way I see it is - YOU define what quality of life is. No one else, no hospital, no doctor. You become an active participant in your quality of life and care. Quality of life looks different for everyone. Yours may not be what you want or originally hoped for, but its your life to figure out and get over all the crap you don't like. We've all been there or are there now.

Here's a video by Mayo Clinic's Dr. Sletten about chronic pain and central sensitization. It's also about rehabilitation, and because you can't get to Mayo, I am attaching some valuable self-help info.

Dr. Christopher Sletten - Central Sensitization


I've got more to share if you think you can find value, focus on what is being presented and what positive tools you are willing to apply. If you stay stuck in your same mindset of blame, living in the past, mourning... nothing will change, Todd. None of us here can do it for you. We try to help but talking until we're blue in the face isn't going to change your mindset if you are not open to change. Your emotions are creating more pain and you are remaining in fight or flight. It sucks, but you can make changes.

My goodness, Todd, you CAN walk and fish, apparently. That's more than some children dying of cancer in our world can do. Appreciate what you CAN do. Relaxation with music is perfect. Walking, nature, the sun shining again after every storm. Find hope, find joy. Look for your positives! We are here to help you, but can't drain ourselves in doing so.

Please let me know if you'd like me to share more Mayo Clinic self-help videos with insight and tools from Dr. Sletten. I'd be glad to.

I hope you have a pleasant day, Todd.
Rachel

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