@aernst , I just saw this and just had to respond. Hi, I'm mamacita, a fairly new Volunteer Mentor here on Mayo Clinic Connect. What struck me the most was your comment about not having many friends. I know it doesn't help much, but you are not alone. I have lost so many friends because of all my illnesses. One of my best friends, or so I thought, of over thirty years, hasn't laid eyes on me since January. Looking back, I can see now that everything was all about her. Always was. The friends I have now understand my limitations. They like me for who I really am, not for what I can do for them. I hope that you can find friendship and comfort hete. We can all learn from each other and we don't judge. I pray you find some answers and have a pain free day tomorrow! We really are better together!

How do I find the latest comments? all I see are dated in 2016

I would like to introduce myself. I have 4 family members with 4 legs each. 2 dogs, 2 rare Savannah cats, 2 sisters who were given to us at 7 weeks old. Does anyone have that breed? Dog rescues, male Mastiff/ Black Lab mix. He's a big boy. than Bella is a Mountain Cur. I mention them because they know when I need them. Their love helps me. 2008 I had a 'Failed Laminectomy," The more I researched the more I realized that those 2 words may mean, something else as in my case. removed was S-1 L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 No fusion. I did not realize I was going down the road to a life of pain, severe nerve damage, scar tissue wrapped stuck to the nerves. As an uneducated Lay person in the medical field I trusted the Neurosurgeons, Pain Management drs. Ablations, 2 implanted stimulators. 1 had to be removed due to pain, battery put in the wrong place, frayed leads AND more Lamina removed. I asked him to remove the Stim he refused. 2nd stimulators. different dr. he found blood clots around the battery. As pain worsened, searching for answers. Fusion 2016. that failed. that same week I had a fractured vertebrae while in rehab? Emergency surgery. More medical failures after that. My condition is getting worse. Diagnosis, Adhesive Arachnoiditis, Most have never heard it because it may have another word for it as I mentioned it before. Cause, Neurosurgeons, Pain Management DRS. Positive note, I now have a Doctor that knows why I have this pain, and who caused it. And is doing everything he can to make me comfortable. He is also an Anesthesiologist who has expertise in chronic pain. I would like to help if I can. Thank You

Hi I’m Lara a chronic pain patient had 12 surgeries on my chest, my neck has no sponges in to my vertebrae, my back has L2 and three sitting on a nerve. All disc herniated and my lower 6 and 7 out , I also have a chronic illness that causes bone pain, fibro and finally have a doctor that treats me with pain meds. I hare if you go to the ER why are you on this? None of your business. I was at a walk in for back, and this guy goes I have sitaca and was standing fine and saw him stretch his back back wards. I’m like this is unreal , when my sicata goes I can not walk and puss my pants.

Thank you Colleen. I am excited to join this group and share what I have started taking that has totally eliminated my chronic pain that I suffered with for way too many years. Vitamin B6. I take 100 mg/day, and started it about 6 months ago. I just realized that I no longer have any need for my high powered pain pills, CBD oil and any other topical rubs. I have moved from pain at 5-10+ to "0" now. I have been diagnosed with chronic low back pain, osteoarthritis, etc. I've been treated at the Mayo Pain Clinic but the results were not long lasting. Apparently my pain was due to inflammation, and B6 has alleviated it down. Life is totally better now! Do ask your doctor about this before starting it, and once you do start taking this wonder vitamin, be patient...it doesn't work overnight. It took about 4-5 months (maybe) before I noticed that I wasn't hurting anymore. Good luck!!

Snuffy

how do I join this group.

Cori Connett

Hi Colleen: My name is Shirley. I'm usually on the COPD group but this time I'm inquiring for my daughter, Kim, and I may not be in the right group so I'll just begin with telling you her symptoms and maybe you or someone out there can direct me or perhaps even help me.

My daughter is 53 years old. About 4 years ago she had a headache that brought her to the ER. She was put in a medically induced coma because the pain was so severe and was in ICU. She developed Sepsis which only worsend everything. Long story short, after many tests they found that her spinal fluid was leaking into her brain so she had to have her spinal fluid drained. She's now on medication for that and has been stable. Last week, very suddenly she was in excruiating pain in the right side of her head, face and neck and she was dizzy. This was very different than the pain she experienced 4 years ago. She went to Urgent Care thinking she was having a stoke. All her vitals were fine so the doctor ruled out a stroke. She's having a brain and head scan this week. So I guess my question is has anyone out there reading this ever experienced anything like this? Her symptoms are all on her right side and they include severe headache, sore throat, neck pain, jaw pain, ear pain, trouble swallowing food and liquids and dizziness. At Christmas last year she suddenly had severe pain in her right side that radiated from the right side of her ribs to underneath her right arm. I don't know if this is related but thought I add that also. She was diagnosed with gout about 2 weeks ago but that was in her left foot. Basically all her pain is in the head and neck area all on the right side. She was given muscle relaxers but they have done nothing to help her pain. She's not one to take the strong pain medication so all she's taking is Ibuprophen and keeping ice packs on her face. The ice packs give her some relief but only for a few minutes. She has a high tolerance for pain but this has brought her to tears. Her doctor is concerned but doesn't seem concerned enough to hospitalize her, especially knowing her background with the spinal cord leakage. Anyway, I told her about the group I follow and how wonderful they are and asked her if she minded if I put her symptoms out there and see f anyone has experienced anything similar.

So thank you all in advance for any information you can share. God bless you all and I pray you all are living a pain-free life right now.

Shirley, from Ohio

Hi I'm Kathleen. I am pushing 85 yo in a few months. I have a lengthy list of traumas and conditions starting with an FMS diagnosis and from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. The results of my three head traumas include old age memory decline, Optic Neuritis,
PN is worsening especially in the mornings DDD and four back surgeries plus surgery to place a plate and six screws to fix my shattered calcaneus, I have COPD with Oxygen 24/7 AFib was discovered during Pneumonia Menieres disease recent correction 3 daily injections into inner ear,- I've had tinnitus in right ear static sound now after the left ear it sounds like a church bell in the distance each time I swallow. I have lost all interest in my many pursuits an now it appear my income is dwindling and have cut spending with the exception os necessities.