Hi Lizardlady ...

First a great big, warm and compassionate hug from me to you. Living with chronic pain IS the pits ... I know, I've lived with it for almost 22 years! Then 2 years ago, after MUCH pushing and shoving from another friend with such pain I can't even comprehend it, I started at the local pain clinic in the hospital here.

Liz ... it SAVED MY LIFE and it MADE ME A FUNCTIONING HUMAN BEING AGAIN! Yes, it took 2 years to find the right combo of pain meds, nerve meds, depression meds, etc., but it was SOOOOO worth the time and effort we (my Angel, Suzie, a Certified Nursing Assistant, and I) made!!! Many didn't work ... Cymbalta for one. But many did!

I'd gotten to the point where I figured a pain level between 5 and 6 was NORMAL! I don't remember many days I could honestly say my pain level was below 4. But I didn't want to go to a pain clinic! NOT because I was going to get "better" by myself ... just the opposite! ... but because I didn't want anyone thinking I was just there for the PILLS!

After x-rays of my bad leg, an MRI of my back, and lots of PT, we determined I am NOT a good candidate for surgery ... so pills were going to be what I needed. I can't tell you how many combinations we tried but it was a LOT ... but finally, after almost 2 years, we found it!

Now I take anywhere from 3 to 5 Oxycodone, PLUS 3 low dose Methadone, and 3 generic Flexeril, and 3 generic Neurontin ... every day! It took awhile to get used to things like driving, selling on eBay again, even writing emails ... because there is definitely a FOG from the drugs that I had to work through. (It took about 2 weeks)

My pain is just about everywhere, too, Liz ... not from Fibro, but from severe arthritis and the metal in my leg, as well as a really BIG dose of that catch-all, peripheral neuropathy! I think you and I have similar pain ... though we both know there's no such thing as comparing pain because it's too personal.

BOTTOM LINE:

If you haven't already done so, FIND A PAIN CLINIC NEAR YOU ... AND GO!

You deserve to be a functioning human being, Liz!

Don't let yourself suffer! When YOU suffer, your family and friends suffer, too. PLEASE ... go to a pain clinic and let them help you!

Truly, I understand how you feel ... pain is so DAILY ... but it doesn't have to be. Wouldn't you like to wake up with a pain level of about 2 most days ... and know, as soon as you take your pills, have it go down to practically NOTHING? Sure you would! And you can!

GoodMama