Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@dawn_giacabazi
Hi Dawn
I like your response!
I have also had a wild journey through the healthcare system.
I think what you said is VERY IMPORTANT for all of use to remember....'one size does not fit all.'
As an educator, I said this all the time.
As a patient, I would like to hear the medical staff say the same thing.
In my opinion, a good education (no matter what area of study) teaches the student how to take the information taught, analyze it and use it as a tool, NOT as an answer written in stone.
I have so rarely seen this happen.
As I read the posts, it is evident that many of the doctors we are dealing with are not utilizing their thinking skills along with their book knowledge to solve a problem.
So, we are told nothing can be done or that they don't know what is wrong and their relationship with the patient is done.
I don't know if you have read my posts about my most best (lol) and recent problems with back. If you have, I apologize for the repetition.
I have just started using a new doctor (lol....new compared to my age).
He is a new area of need as well as a new doctor to me.
When I first started with him, I had a classic presentation of a cervical issue.
I had surgery and the problems I was having up above was gone.
Now, we are trying to deal with my lumbar (lower) spine.
Unexpectedly, for no reason, other issues started to appear.
He had me go for a mylogram CT.
Nothing was found to account for the new issues.
Previous tests were not helpful, either.
During out appointment, he checked the CT with a fine tooth comb, himself.
He found a dot.
He didn't know if it was a cyst, tumor or a blip on the film.
He said he wasn't 100%, not even 50% comfortable with the CT report, either.
He sent me for a MRI with contrast.
He was right. It was not a blip on the film. It is a cyst in my spinal canal.
What was bothering him all along was that I was presenting like I had spinal trama, which I jdidn't.
This doctor actually put away the books and used his experience and thinking skills to find an answer.
This has been a very unusual experience for me.

Sorry to be so wordy.
Have a pain free day,
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@oldkarl, EXCUSE ME? Your family and PC said WHAT? What a terrible thing to say. I'm so very sorry. I live alone, but at least my PC has done everything she can to stop the pain. She believes me when i say my pain leads to depression which leads to anxiety which leads to more pain. She has referred me to a Spine & Pain Clinic. Take care of yourself and please continue trying to get relief. Remember, you're worth it. @cognac

@cognac Well, I am old and tired. Very tired. And broke. And I made the mistake, unknowingly, of moving into a town where I would have to make use of a medical system that simply hires the least expensive workers they can find, regardless of quality. Some of them, particularly the nursing staff and the maternity care staff, are superb. And the clerks and cooks in the clinics and hospitals. And by and large the staff who do not speak much English are quite capable and caring. You are fortunate and blessed to found a gem.

@oldkarl, yes, I am fortunate. It took going to a lot of doctors, and trying a LOT of different Rx's. But at least I found someone who finally believed me. Take care, and good luck. @cognac

Just so you know, the system I get my care from is in a small town with nothing going on. As a result they have to pay their young doctors and nurses 20 to 30 % more than they do in the twin cities.

@gaznathan, If I may suggest, I think you would find the following discussion devoted entirely to CRPS worth your time, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/crps-anyone-suffering-with-chronic-repetative-pain-syndrome/. In that discussion, you will meet many members discussing how they deal with the pain.

Hello @thulbert0, I see you have found a pancreatitis discussion already as well. Here is a discussion that you may want to check out and meet the other members talking about Diverticulitis too, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diverticulitis-1/.

@gingere- Hi! Thank you so much for the reply! I don’t have a way to get to church so I don’t have a church yet, We just moved here. But the idea is a great one. I appreciate so much you taking the time to reply. I’m new to Connect. I’m unsure what to say or talk about! I’m sure I’ll learn with time. Again, thanks, hope to talk later!

@karen00 It is pretty much like sitting around the coffee table here and chatting. We say what is comfortable for us. We make all attempts to have no judgments. We are not medical people; we are sharing ideas and experiences from our lives, things that have worked and not worked for us. We seek a deeper understanding of our conditions and positions in life. Please feel free to jump in any time.
Ginger

Hello Chronic Pain group members. Get to know your fellow member Dawn in her Connect spotlight, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed/giving-back-meet-dawn_giacabazi/.