[winkynjr]

new to this forum! I have constant physical pain besides being PTSD, bipolar,recovering alcoholic and drug addict......I have had 2 knee replacements, rotator cuff and bicep surgery, foot surgery, spent over 2 years in a wheelchair! All of this has been going on since 2007 and continues!!! now I am going through a pinched nerve in my back which sends pain etc down my hip and leg plus possibly a pinched nerve in my neck which is sending pain down my right arm and makes my hand go numb. I am now getting ready for another MRI next week. I am once again in physical torture!!!!! I am so tired of pain!!!!!

[Leed]

Believe me I know what you're going thru, because I've been going thru the same thing for 27 years. I've had 2 open spinal surgeries (not the micro surgeries they do now), plus a spinal cord stimulator implant and later removal, I have 3 more herniations, severe sciatica, spinal stenosis, thoracic pain, a herniation in the neck, I've had every single procedure that a pain clinic can do, plus i've had a heart attack, plus I'm a recovering alcoholic too!

It's miserable -- my doctor has tried hard to find some meds to make me comfortable -- but that's been difficult to do. The DEA sticks their noses into doctors practices, and the docs don't dare prescribe the dosages that they should!!! But my doc has been pretty "gutty" and has prescribed OpanaER 40mg; Lyrica 75mg; Topamax 200mg per day; Prozac 20mg per day and Norco (I can't remember the dosage) but that's for breakthru pain.

I can still walk, but it's very difficult. I don't go anywhere much, unless it's to the local store. I live in a tiny village and grocery shopping is very difficult cause I have to go 25 miles away - and the drive plus walking on those cement floors totally cripples me, so my son has to do the shopping for me.

Oh well! It could be worse!

I hope you get some pain relief. I hope your doctor gives you some medication to relieve your pain. Be your own advocate! Make SURE you get proper care! God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee