Don't Ignore Personal Injury

Years ago I started having ankle and foot issues. They started as just basic sprains and breaks but over the years, this led to a whole new list of problems. After a couple more injuries due to my field of work, (bartending) and complete negligence in a couple of cases over the years, I ended up needing reconstructive foot and ankle surgeries. While I’m not sure whether there was much else I could have done that would have stopped everything from progressing or not, it is imperative that you not only seek medical advice, immediately after a personal injury of any kind but also seek help from a professional. Otherwise, you may end up where I am. Which is not necessarily a very fun place to be! 



From red, hot, burning welts to severe swelling to several pain layers to torn tendons, I deal with a great deal of symptoms and only seem to get progressively worse. On top of that, my surgeries were scheduled and only one was ever completed because that first one was a failure.

I was diagnosed with RSD (CRPS) shortly after my surgery. RSD is a progressive disease of the Autonomic Nervous System and more specifically, the Sympathetic Nervous System. Besides being extremely painful, this also ends up causing things such irreversible tissue, muscle, bone, and joint damage. This is just one of many problems you could end up with and this can stem from a very small injury as well.

Of course, I am more prone to breaks and sprains and they do happen often! Tendonitis is another disorder I struggle with that only started to be a problem after spending years wearing walking casts and working as many shifts as I could. (Even with an injury.)

I was always worried about losing my job if I would have attempted to apply for workers compensation or contact Tampa injury attorneys. I wish I had known then what this could turn into and I wish I would have known what options I had. Especially for my family. It is very hard to try to move each day and depending on the swelling, the weather, and what the activity is. I find myself rescheduling more often than anything and it definitely puts a strain on my husband and children. There are so many things I can’t do anymore and so many that it takes so much longer to do and most of the time, we just have to wait until the day of or at least the day before to even see if whatever it is will be possible or not.

If you are unsure about whether or not your personal injury is going to turn into a settlement of any kind, you could always call someone like personal injury lawyers Tampa. It’s best to check with a professional before ignoring something this important and before you end up hurting yourself even more in the long run.

Be sure to keep a record of any symptoms, injuries, medications, medical records, letters from a doctor, witness information, cause of personal injury, your attorney’s contact information, any friends, relatives or co-workers who can speak on your behalf, and anything else you might think is important to your case. Maintaining proper records and having good communication with everybody involved is an excellent way to make sure you have everything covered.

You can also find some more information about personal injury claims, here. There could be time limits in your state so, it is very important to check on things like this before you end up waiting to long! You don’t want to end up being completely immobile or having more diseases, injuries, or disorders piled on because you didn’t take care of things properly the first time around. If there is a chance for you to get the proper care right away and have these things resolved before ruining your credit, take it! You owe it to yourself and your family. Your health should always be top priority!

Dear Trump Administration, Signed, Chronic Pain Patients

** Credit for this letter and all information due to Joe Aquilino, a very helpful chronic pain activist. Ever since I have been diagnosed with RSD/CRPS and had a Facebook account, Joe Aquilino was one of my first chronic pain friends. If you are not familiar with him, check out his podcast! 


Here is a letter that you can copy and paste to the Presidents Commission for Opioids. We need everyone involved to fight to get the opioids back. You just need to put their name after the dear and after the sincerely your name and city and state 


Dear [Name],
The published schedule for the Commission calls for review of a draft report to the President just ten days after your first working meeting. This is not a substantial amount of time to review all of the public comments and emails in regards to this issue, nor is it enough time to fully consider the many intricacies of this issue and come up with a solution that does not adversely harm particular populations such as the 116 million Americans suffering from chronic pain (Institute of Medicine, 2011), or the 5-8 million receiving long-term opioid therapy (Kroenke and Cheville, 2017), the majority of whom reap greatly improved function, quality of life, and are even able to work a job and/or go to school. 

With no intention of discourtesy, I must seriously ask whether you wish to have your name associated with such a transparently political agenda that has the potential to harm and even kill 2millions of people if not executed in an extremely precise manner. If the "fix" involves the further restriction of when, where, or how doctors may prescribe pain medication, it will cause a multitude of unintended harm unless doctors who treat pain from a variety of chronic and painful conditions on a daily basis (such as Dr. Forrest Tennant who is also an expert in the treatment of addiction) are not actively involved in the effort to reduce overdose deaths. If people suffering from persistent pain are about to be disregarded and abused by their own government once again, in the name of trying to solve an opioid crisis that isn't their fault, it will result in more overdose deaths from people in pain left with no other options who turn to the black market, and the suicide rates of veterans (and people suffering from persistent pain more generally) will also sharply increase,–the reduction of which the commission discussed as a goal– and the problem of overdoses won't be helped in the least by denying people suffering from persistent pain effective pain management. 

Consider for a moment that many authors, including (Inturissi, 2002) (Fishbain et al., 2008) noted that the rates of addiction in chronic pain patients receiving long term opioid therapy were particularly low (below even the population average) because persistent pain seems to interfere with the intrinsically rewarding nature of opioids.

Much of the stigma against opioids that is driving restrictive prescribing policies is based in doctors’ lack of knowledge about pain (and subsequently the public’s misconceptions), about how to treat it, and about the difference between dependence and addiction (Rich, 2000). These issues can be resolved by simply educating doctors more effectively. 

Dependence is simply the presence of withdrawal symptoms upon the cessation of a drug, (Inturrisi, 2002) which happens every morning to much of America as they make coffee. The grogginess, headache, and nausea are withdrawal symptoms of caffeine, and these are ordinary citizens, not addicts–addiction, which is something that a person must be genetically predisposed to in order to develop–is an entirely different condition that is a neurological disease (Morgan and Christie, 2011) and requires considerations separate from the domain of doctors’ prescribing patterns. In order to have the capability of developing an addiction, a person must have disturbed caregiver attachment bonds, caused by trauma at an early age, and it involves widespread alterations to the reward system in the brain that you simply do not see in chronic pain patients, as well as continuing to obtain the drug despite harm to others, a hallmark of addiction (Flores, 2004).

On the other hand, in chronic pain, although the patients require their medication to avoid withdrawal (dependence) and to avoid severe pain, chronic pain interferes with the intrinsically rewarding tendencies of opioids (Inurrisi, 2002), meaning that because the medicine is being used properly under proper supervision, that in appx. 98% of chronic pain patients receiving opioids long-term, addiction doesn’t occur (Fishbain, et al., 2008) (Burgess et al., 2014). The last conflated term, tolerance simply means that the body is habituating to its environment, the way the human body is designed to (Inurrisi, 2002). There is nothing inherently wrong with this, as it is an important survival mechanism built into the human body.
Another author noted the usefulness of long term opioid therapy in chronic noncancer pain, and the outlandishness of using addiction as the rationale to not to treat pain: 

“A Cochrane Review on long-term opioid management for chronic noncancer pain published in 2010 reported similar findings, with an estimate of opioid addiction of 0.27%, leading the authors to conclude that the risk of iatrogenic opioid addiction is low. [Hojsted, 2007]” Burgess et al., 2014 went on to summarize Boscarino’s 2010 study stating: “One of the most consistent risk factors predicting opioid abuse/addiction, is a history of opioid abuse (odds ratio of 3.81).[Boscarino, 2010] Patients with a history of severe…abuse had an odds ratio of 56 for developing abuse/addiction. [Boscarino, 2010] Weisner et al surveyed patients receiving long-term opioids in two large group health plans and found that patients with a history of opioid abuse had a prevalence rate of opioid use approaching 50%, compared to patients without a prior opioid abuse history of 2–3%.” (Burgess et al., 2014)

The nature of the so called “opioid epidemic” has been misunderstood, and as a result the responses have been directed at the wrong targets. “Heroin and fentanyl have come to dominate an escalating epidemic of lethal opioid overdose, whereas opioids commonly obtained by prescription play a minor role, accounting for no more than 15% of reported deaths in 2015.” (Kertesz, 2016)

"It is commonly thought that opioid dependence often begins through an initial, possibly chance, exposure to a physician-prescribed opioid, although data from studies to empirically evaluate this claim are lacking." (Barnett et al., 2017) In other words, people do not simply become addicted by being exposed to opioids, and there is no evidence to support this claim. There is however limited evidence to suggest that chronic pain patients receiving long term opioid therapy have extremely low rates of addiction (Fishbain et al. 2008) (Burgess et al., 2014) (Hojsted, 2007) and many derive greatly enhanced health, wellness, quality of life, and function from long term opioid therapy (Furlan et al., 2006).

When addiction is looked at as an attachment disorder (that also happens to be neurological disease), it becomes much clearer why some people suffer from addiction upon exposure to drugs and others do not. Those that do are using a drug (it could be nearly any drug) to replace the comfort that social interaction and healthy peer bonding provides to non-addicted individuals (Flores, 2004), this is when addiction develops. This is markedly different from chronic pain patients who are able to socialize, function, and live a fulfilling life because of opioid medications. 

The Furlan et al. literature review on the efficacy and safety of long term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain concludes that while the studies are limited, there is sufficient evidence that opioids are beneficial for some individuals with chronic noncancer pain, and considering the complete lack of alternatives with similarly efficacy, there is no rational reason to deny treatment to these individuals, especially considering the deadly consequences of doing so. Leaving pain untreated, as restricting pain medication further tends to do, is condemning the well over 25 million people with severe and intractable chronic pain to a slow, agonizingly painful death, feeling betrayed by their government, their physicians, and life itself. (Grol-Prokopcyzk, 2016) (Epel, 2004) (Mcewen, 2004) (Lohman, 2010) (WHO, 2000)

Restricting opioid prescribing as the CDC recommended for primary care physicians only would have dire consequences if it were implemented as a policy of any kind. It would disable the 5-8 million people currently on long term opioid therapy who are able to live a normal life because of these medications. Those who are not currently on medication have either already been stripped of their dignity and quality of life by needless suffering, due to the immense difficulty involved in finding a physician who is willing to treat their pain, to the point where most are totally disabled (many of whom re receiving social security benefits, who could be made able to work again if they were given adequate treatment that such a policy would completely prevent) because of their pain, and are causing a totally unnecessary financial drain on the U.S. government in the order of $560-635 Billion per year (Institute of Medicine, 2011). The cost of this could be almost entirely eliminated (or at the least greatly reduced) if the availability of opioids were to increase substantially. (Seya et al., 2011) (Sessle, 2012)

Richard Lawhern writes as a non-physician writer, research analyst, patient advocate and website moderator for chronic pain patients, families, and physicians. My wife and daughter are chronic pain patients. His 20 years of volunteer experience has produced articles and critical commentaries at the US Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, Ben’s Friends online communities for patients with rare disorders, US National Institutes for Neurologic Disorder and Stroke, Wikipedia, WebMD, Mad in America, Psychiatric News, Pain News Network, National Pain Report, the American Council on Science and Health, the Global Summit for Diagnostic Alternatives of the Society for Humanistic Psychology, Psychiatric News and Psychology Today. He wrote a piece that is extremely relevant to this issue.

I urge you–indeed, I IMPLORE –to read the article in which this summary appeared. It is titled "Warning to the FDA - Beware of 'Simple' Solutions in Pain and Addiction." It may deserve to become a part of your report to President Trump. It demonstrates that the balance between concerns of people in agony and those of families who have lost children to opioid addiction have become seriously skewed in utterly unproductive and dangerous directions. It also demonstrates that the March 2016 CDC guidelines on the prescription of opioids to adult noncancer pain patients are seriously dangerous due to weak evidence, scientific errors and outright omissions of vital medical science. The guidelines are already killing patients across the U.S. (Webster, 2014). If enshrined as mandatory limits on opioid prescription, they will kill many thousands more.

Visit this link! 

Sincerely, [Your Name, City, and State]
Sources
Barnett, Michael L., Andrew R. Olenski, and Anupam B. Jena. "Opioid Prescribing by Emergency Physicians and Risk of Long-Term Use." New England Journal of Medicine 376.19 (2017): 1895-896. Web.
Bartleson, J. D. "Evidence For and Against the Use of Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Nonmalignant Low Back Pain: A Review: Table 1." Pain Medicine 3.3 (2002): 260-71. Web.
Baumeister, Roy F. "Suicide as Escape from Self." Psychological Review 97.1 (1990): 90-113. Web.
Boscarino, Joseph A., Margaret Rukstalis, Stuart N. Hoffman, John J. Han, Porat M. Erlich, Glenn S. Gerhard, and Walter F. Stewart. "Risk Factors for Drug Dependence among Out-patients on Opioid Therapy in a Large US Health-care System." Addiction 105.10 (2010): 1776-782. Web.
Burgess, Harrison J., Afreen Siddiqui, and Frederick W. Burgess. "Long-term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain and the Risk of Opioid Addiction." DRUG AND ALCOHOL DISORDERS AND TREATMENT (2014): n. pag. RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL. Web.
Epel, E. S., E. H. Blackburn, J. Lin, F. S. Dhabhar, N. E. Adler, J. D. Morrow, and R. M. Cawthon. "Accelerated Telomere Shortening in Response to Life Stress."
Fishbain, David A., Brandly Cole, John Lewis, Hubert L. Rosomoff, and R. Steele Rosomoff. "What Percentage of Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Patients Exposed to Chronic Opioid Analgesic Therapy Develop Abuse/Addiction And/or Aberrant Drug-Related Behaviors? A Structured Evidence-Based Review." Pain Medicine 9.4 (2008): 444-59. Web.
Flores, Philip J. "Addiction as an Attachment Disorder: Implications for Group Psychotherapy." Group Psychotherapy and Addiction (n.d.): 1-18. Web.
Furlan, Andrea D., Juan A. Sandoval, Angela Mailis-Gagnon, and Eldon Tunks. "Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain: A Meta-analysis of Effectiveness and Side Effects." Canadian Medical Association Journal 174.11 (2006): 1589-594. Web.
Grol-Prokopczyk, Hanna. "Sociodemographic Disparities in Chronic Pain, Based on 12-year Longitudinal Data." Pain 158.2 (2017): 313-22. Web.
Hojsted, Sjogren. "Addiction to Opioids in Chronic Pain Patients: A Literature Review." European Journal of Pain 11.5 (2007): 490-518. Web.
Institute of Medicine. "National Pain Strategy A Comprehensive Population Health-Level Strategy for Pain." National Pain Strategy. N.p., 2015. Web. 26 May 2017.
Institute of Medicine. Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research. Washington, D.C: National Academies, 2011. Print.
Inturrisi, Charles E. "Clinical Pharmacology of Opioids for Pain." The Clinical Journal of Pain 18.Supplement (2002): n. pag. Web.
Kertesz, Stefan G. "Turning the Tide or Riptide? The Changing Opioid Epidemic." Substance Abuse 38.1 (2016): 3-8. Web.
Kroenke, Kurt, and Andrea Cheville. "Management of Chronic Pain in the Aftermath of the Opioid Backlash." Jama (2017): n. pag. Web.
Lohman, Diederik, Rebecca Schleifer, and Joseph J. Amon. "Access to Pain Treatment as a Human Right." BMC Medicine 8.1 (2010): n. pag. Web.
Mcewen, Bruce S. "Protection and Damage from Acute and Chronic Stress: Allostasis and Allostatic Overload and Relevance to the Pathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1032.1 (2004): 1-7. Web
Morgan, Michael M., and Macdonald J. Christie. "Analysis of Opioid Efficacy, Tolerance, Addiction and Dependence from Cell Culture to Human." British Journal of Pharmacology 164.4 (2011): 1322-334. Web.
Rich, Ben A. "An Ethical Analysis of the Barriers to Effective Pain Management." Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics 9.01 (2000): n. pag. Web.
Sessle, Barry J. "The Pain Crisis: What It Is and What Can Be Done." Pain Research and Treatment 2012 (2012): 1-6. Web.
Seya, Marie-Josephine, Susanne F. A. M. Gelders, Obianuju Uzoma Achara, Barbara Milani, and Willem Karel Scholten. "A First Comparison Between the Consumption of and the Need for Opioid Analgesics at Country, Regional, and Global Levels." Journal of Pain & Palliative Care Pharmacotherapy 25.1 (2011): 6-18. Web.

Advil Film Coated Helps Me Have A Productive Life

** I received samples and coupons via Crowdtap and Advil, in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own. **


I know that most of you know by now that I suffer from a few disabilities and chronic pain disorders. So, I won't get to involved in that part of the story. Most recently, I tore another tendon, my Achilles tendon, in my left foot which was replaced once already. There was also a lot of damage to my ankle, joint, and of course, the infamous extra osteoarthritis that just keeps getting worse. If you ever tore or ruptured a tendon before, you are probably aware of the eye watering pain that goes along with this. and it never, ever goes away.

The bottom right photo shows how swelled up my legs and ankles get on bad days. Usually every night, days when it's cold, raining, snowing, or if bad weather is on the way, or if I am doing a lot around the house. I apologize for the icky picture lol! My skin is insanely dry and I have rashes and burns and blisters most of the time, so, it isn't the prettiest thing in the world. I have to wear non weight bearing walking boots to get around the house a little bit. As much as I try to do without these annoying robot boots, I can't go to long without them. If I stay still or sit or lay down for just a few minutes, my whole morning restarts and it takes a couple of hours, sometimes more, just to get moving again and reduce the swelling. 

I have been using Advil for several years. My husband also uses Advil for his headaches, migraines, and back issues. (We're like a chronic pain, arthritis, ortho problems couple lol!) and I have been using them as a part of my own pain regimen. I have to say that when I do have a headache, Advil is usually the only thing that works and they always worked fast. However, between the 2 newer Advil products that I have been using, Advil Film Coated and Advil Liqui Gels, I am thrilled with how quickly these start to kick in and get me back up and moving. Even if it is to just do the dishes or help one of my little ones get a shower or make dinner. 

I know that regular Advil has always helped me previously, when I wasn't in the shape I am in now. Whenever I had a break or a sprain in my feet or ankles, I would rely on Advil to help me get back moving and working long hours and late nights as a bartender for many years. As things progressed, it does get to be a  bit more of a project to try and find something that helps relieve pain. I don't expect 100% pain free days or anything like that! I am just content with a little bit of help. Seeing that Advil Film Coated helps with my severe swelling as much as it does, I can imagine that they would knock aches and pains right out of people who need them just some of the time and just for other types of pains. But for somebody with chronic pain and other disabilities, that little bit of relief is a blessing! 

What do you think of the new Advil Film Coated? What do you think? What kinds of aches and pains would they help keep under control for you? 

You can sign up to receive coupons and offers from Advil, here! 

** Please be careful and read the dosage! Of course, you should also always, always, always, discuss any medications with your doctor, FIRST! You should NOT take more then 6 200 mg Advil Film Coated or Advil Liqui Gels in a 24 hour time period. This is extremely important! The dosage is ONE 1 pill, not 2, or 3. (I knwo, sometimes it's easy to grab a couple or to not keep track.) But, you should keep a diary or a chart of some sort if you are taking these or any medication on a regular basis so that you can be sure to NOT overdose! (This benefits busy moms and dads when a child is sick also.) ALWAYS, write down the time and dose of any medication given. This is one of the leading causes of overdoses. **

Cortisone Injections Stole To Much Of My Time And Well Being

Recently I started having some strange symptoms that I don't recall having before. Except for this one time, a few months ago, when I suddenly came down with something and I wasn't sure what happened. Then, just like that, it all disappeared. Luckily, I keep a pain diary for my pain management doctors and for my own research. (Yes, I still firmly believe that RSD/CRPS will be cured by some "regular" person who can fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together.)

Sure, I am 41 but, would menopause be something I should be concerned with right now? I wasn't sure and assumed maybe that was my problem and I started to get a little more sad than I expected I would when this occurs. I am done having babies at this point. (Jeez ums I would like to be under 75 years old when they all move out!) Or do I? I don't know. This was an issue I struggled with over the past few weeks. Maybe just the thought that the decision is no longer mine? I don't know. Either way, it's been a little scary, to say the least.

I haven't said much about all of this to anybody, except for my doctor, finally. My husband probably just thought I was being an annoying girl all along and had no clue what was going on. (I planned on saying something soon at some point because I was having difficulty with regular housework, errands, everyday life.) But, I think it was a little embarrassing and then I thought, if it is something even more serious, I won't be putting that burden on anybody. Not around the holidays.

Hot flashes, night sweats, heavier periods that never stopped and then, just came to a halt this month.  (But not the cramps, bloating, headaches or any of the fun parts of periods!), heart palpitations, heart burn, nausea, more aches and pains than "normal", stress, tightness in my chest sometimes, a lot of scary stuff. Of course, Google is a help but you have to be very cautious and take into consideration that you must talk to your doctor rather than self diagnose and sit up all night, worrying until the stress causes even more problems. However, it can be a relief too.

I started to try to think back at the last time this happened. Why was it 3 months ago when this started? If it were menopause or peri menopause, wouldn't this be consistent? At least each month? Why were my periods such a mess a few months ago and then they came back to normal after a bit? Did I do anything different? If it were something very serious, I would think there would be more signs, more symptoms, and they wouldn't suddenly stop and get back on track. Would they?

I went through every day from August through last week. Nothing changed. Gosh, the weather is almost the same! (We hit 72 degrees on Christmas day and I'm in Pennsylvania!) Although, it just started getting a bit colder. Food, medication, everything is the same. Maybe even healthier since I have been making a lot of changes all year. I sat here for days, and tried to pinpoint why this happened twice and I noticed that at the beginning of the year, I had a few similar symptoms written down that didn't match my usual symptoms. The only difference between now and the first time and the second time that was not as bad as now, is that everybody came down with a cold/sinus/sore throat/stomach bug that seems to be staying through until the new year. UGH!

Then I noticed that I had cortisone injections a couple of weeks prior to every single time I started writing about interrupted, heavier, periods, hot flashes, palpitations, etc etc. I only started getting cortisone injections in January of this year and they seem to work a little bit for my ankles but, they don't help 100%. (Every little bit counts though..) I had a cortisone injection in August, before we went to Cedar Point and I just went in for another one about 3 weeks ago. I used to get lower lumbar sympathetic nerve blocks and they just stopped working after several years so, I stopped bothering with those. I don't recall any side effects from those injections but, again, I am still fairly new to cortisone.

Each time I go in for cortisone injections, they give me the paper that explains all of what could happen and then you sign it. The doctors go over everything again but, there isn't anything about any of my symptoms. So, I thought I must be mistaken. There has to be something else. But, something kept telling me that this was it. So, I Googled a bit more and found countless threads, posts, message boards, all about the exact same problems and all were related to cortisone injections. It seems that doctors either have no idea or care to tell you about the other side of these injections. They usually just concentrate on the "possible infected injection site" and "chance this won't work or you end up with more pain" blah blah blah blah. But, it has to be tied together if several, and I do mean, several, other females are going through the same thing.

I emailed my doctor about this and heard back from a nurse who said that, "yes, yes indeed, this could all be related to the cortisone injections" But, I am to decide if it's worth the 20% relief from some of my ankle pain, (Again, this doesn't help RSD in any way.) It just helps arthritis and tarsal tunnel and bone and joint problems. and even then, it isn't enough that I want to sit here and waste yet another entire month of my life that I could be spending with my children, my husband, getting work done, and everything else moms do. I am annoyed, no, I am actually furious, that these side effects weren't explained to me and I wonder how many other females go through this, never knowing that it could be something as simple as a cortisone injection that is to help them. Not hurt them even more.
(Apparently there are a lot.) Which makes me then wonder, why aren't doctors telling their patients about these side effects??

So, I am almost back to "normal" since these hot flashes, palpitations, and just downright icky, scary, night sweats, menopause symptoms, or even pregnancy type symptoms at times, have subsided. I still don't feel like I'm back to my usual self but, I still have this stupid cold we have been passing back and forth for weeks. The only other problem is this period dilemma. I never thought I would ever in my life, say that I am anxious for my period! After a couple of weeks of a delay, I am hoping for it to just hurry along and get here so these nasty PMS symptoms can disappear with it!

Have you ever had a cortisone injection of any kind? I would love to read comments from anybody who has any advice or can share a similar story!

No Pain No Gain?

It's funny how pan/chronic pain works. Sometimes, a new layer of pain just hits you out of nowhere and you wish for it to subside a bit or just go away for good but it usually always just sneaks up on you again. (If it disappears.) It's like having a new "demon" and just when you think you can not handle anymore, BOOM! Here comes more pain layers, just to prove you wrong unsure emoticon
Your first thoughts are, "When will this go away?", "Why is this happening?", "I can't live like this!"
and then, you go to get your xrays, mri's, ct scans... sometimes they come back and say maybe it's just getting worse. Maybe it's just hitting the next level. Or, oh, there seems to be more going on in there. Your plantar fasciia ruptured, (or fill in the blank with whatever bone/tendon/joint/tissue).... and the horrific words, "There really isn't anything we can do but help manage the pain."
Depression sets in and you hate yourself and everything makes you sad. Your kids say, "Mommy, I thought they were going to fix your ankles and feet so you can run again?" and you just collapse and hobble to the bathroom to cry without anybody looking.
That typically lasts for a few days, maybe a week.
Then you start to get stubborn and refuse to accept it. You Google search as much as you can, is there anybody out there who can fix me?
You laugh and say it doesn't matter because it isn't going to hold you down and you refuse to accept that this is just the way it will be.
Then, you try and focus on the fact that, "Somebody is always worse off." and you even see FB posts of those who are worse off. It's not that it helps you feel better. I don't wish for anybody to suffer. But, it puts my life into perspective and reminds me to stay strong.
So, you end up realizing finally, that you're not going to get better. This is it. Meet the new you.

 "Hello, new pain. It's nice to meet you. I hope to gain something out of our time together. Possibly you will teach me new things or make me aware of something I never knew?"
No, usually the new pain doesn't answer. But, it'll always let you know it's there. The throbbing, burning, searing, electrical shock, stinging, cramping, cracking, popping, pounding signals that always lets you know, "You're still alive!"
Sure, there will be days when you just want to sit and cry. There will be days you wish you could wear shoes, take your kids to the playground, play soccer in the yard with your kids, walk through a store without needing a cart or shelves to keep your balance and all of those other fun things other people get to do.
There will be days when you just want to hide and not have to go outside only to be stared at because of your enormous, elephant legs, or your huge ankles or the stupid clothing you have to wear because everything hurts when it touches your skin.
Then you start wishing you could buy the newest, brightest sneakers that came out, shave your legs regularly and maybe walk like a regular person does.
But, after a few bouts of crying, wishing, hoping, praying, you have no choice but to get right back up and fight.
There aren't any choices anymore. You just HAVE to deal with it and there isn't anything anybody can do to take it away.
Just accept that this is you and count your blessings now.
It makes me laugh when people ask, "Why would you get such a stupid tattoo? Why on earth would anybody want Pinhead on their back?" LOL well, after laughing and replying with some smartass comment about how it is none of their business, if the person is still listening or shows some kind of interest...(this maybe happened 3 times LOL) then, i'll start to explain the reason. (Not that it's any of their business, but sometimes people are just curious.)
 I always did love horror movies, especially Hellraiser. Pinhead has always been the coolest horror dude out there lol, (to me at least.)
I always thought it would be the neatest tattoo ever, (and I can't wait to be able to get finished!) but, since my dilemma with chronic pain/RSD/bones/tendons whatever else is on my "list" on my medical papers, the movies, the story, the meanings behind some of my favorite Pinhead quotes, lol, made more sense. Maybe they are just my meanings, since some of the meanings seem to have changed to more inspiring things, that fit my battle to a T.
As stupid as it sounds to people, it has helped to inspire me and helps my outlook on life and where I am and who I am today.
I used to laugh at the Nike quote, "No pain, no gain" but over the past 10 years, I've found that to also have new meaning too. I don't know if Nike meant to do that. But they did. Even if I can't wear their sneakers lol.
So, now, I'm in this place, sure it's very painful and it hurts in more ways than one. But, I accepted it and will focus on gaining more strength, mentally and physically. I found new hope, maybe it's ridiculous.But, I will be focusing more on my left side, hoping for some surgical procedures, injections, etc and the left can be my crutch for now. Well, when and if I can manage to get it on track.
I will not sit in a wheelchair just yet. I firmly believe I have millions more steps to take and I won't give in to these disorders/ortho issues, at all.
I know there are many, many people who have no choice and I also know there are people who are bed ridden and I am very sorry for them. I wouldn't wish any of this on my worst enemy.
All I know, is that for me, I won't go down without a fight and I will continue to make whoever it is who keeps throwing these hurdles at me, really angry.
I also won't let sadness and depression get the best of me. I just don't even have time for that, at all. Sure, I am sad quite a few times a day and some days are better then others but, I can't let go of that thread of sanity that connects me to the rest of the universe.

Knock Me Down I'll Just Come Back Running...

That has been my motto for many years, well, as long as Tool has been around ;)
I try my best to live by this, no matter how hard it gets and it really does get hard some days. Being positive and grateful for what you have, is just one of those little things I learned as a child. I try to teach my children the same, I think I'm doing ok...

I recently started a couple of other blogs so I could use one as my "pain diary" and maybe use the other as an extension of this blog but maybe slightly different, more for personal opinion about current events and such. I have so many notebooks, filled with thoughts, opinions, viewpoints, dated with notes on specific events, anything and everything that pops into my head. But, this pain diary blog is constantly trying to get into 1st place lol.

I keep putting it off, I don't like to dwell on negative things. Especially when I feel like I am dwelling on my own problems and drama and I know so many people are going through so much.

There is always somebody worse off than you... (That is just another one that keeps me going.) Even though it makes me more sad than anything. I don't like to see or hear that anybody is suffering, it is to depressing. But, it also sure puts your own life into perspective.

The ups and downs are usually evened out but it seems some days that everything just goes downhill. Yep, and it also seems to hit all at once! I swear, when to many things are going right, I am just sitting on edge, waiting for that one "bad" thing to happen and like dominoes, everything will start to topple over. It doesn't have to be that way though, right? There is always that silver lining?

Friends and family are often rolling their eyes at me because I am always able to find one thing, even if it is super tiny, there is always something that we gain from everything that happens to us through our lives.

I know, this post is kind of all over the place, lol, but I have a point somewhere, I think. Maybe I'm just trying to find that silver lining right now and writing helps me with that. If I put my thoughts on paper or draw an outline or type, something comes up and my mind starts going towards the "good side". I guess I am trying to find that right now.

Ok, so, I recently found out that I have a tendon issue, again. That icky, stretchy rubber band like thing that connects your heel to the rest of your foot, the "Plantar Fascia" is the medical term for it. Well, it ruptured and I live with chronic pain/nerve pain/bone/joint/everything pain on a regular basis. This new pain, is a bit above what I have had to deal with so far. I'm shocked to be honest. I mean, I have counted now, about 56 different layers of pain with all of my ailments and all of a sudden, here comes something new and something I haven't experienced yet. I have had a ruptured achilles tendon in my left foot and that was eye watering and was enough to knock me down. BUT, I got back up.

I can't see it this time, I don't know why. Maybe because this rupture is in my "crutch", my "better foot". Now, I don't have a crutch. (Unless there are walls around.) I feel so sorry for anybody who has to endure any amount of pain and I wish there was enough information out there to maybe help chronic pain patients. It seems it is easier for doctors to give us a whole new face and body then it is to treat chronic pain, successfully. Sometimes, I wonder if maybe somebody who isn't a doctor has the ultimate answer to this pain dilemma.

Originally, when all of this started happening to me, I thought it was to slow me down, force me to spend more time with my family and make me stop working all of the time and just rest and relax and stop moving 24/7. I am still a very busy person, even busier then before. But, I am at home with my family a lot more and able to do a lot more with them. I have been blessed with a pretty sweet husband who helps a ton and also is able to provide for all of us so that I am able to work online and grown my business and work just once a week at my job. Or vacation as I call it :D I do get out of the house once a week and work and it is a bonus since I don't have laundry, dishes, cooking, kids screaming, fighting with each other, or 3000 things to do al at once. I do like that though, it's my "normal" and if 3000 things aren't happening all at once, I start to go crazy.

Every time I start to accept my new "normal", something else starts or something goes wrong or something breaks, tears, rips, ruptures, spreads, but, after it's all said and done, I end up enjoying my new "normal" and I find a way to figure it out. We find a way to figure it out. 

I have been learning so much, maybe that's the goal here? I'm not sure. But, if so, I am actually anxious to see what I am going to learn next! I spent the last decade, learning and researching and studying so many things! Everything from weather, to making a lot of our products, blogging, social media to organic and all natural lifestyles, to new cooking and baking tips and tricks to reading lots and lots and lots of good books! We make so many crafts and so much of "our own" everything at home and we have a lot of fun doing it. Maybe something else will pop up and end up being my new hobby or my new project that I try to turn to my new "expertise"?

Accepting the pain, no matter how bad it is, seems to be the way I can manage to live with it. Unfortunately, I have lost faith in anybody helping me to alleviate any of the pain, at least any more then it is already managed right now.

While I would give anything to get rid of some of this pain, I would never, never trade anything in the world, for what I have learned over the past 10 years.

Update On My RSD And Bone And Joint Debacle

I spent the day at Hershey Med Center and got some good news!!
 I have an awesome surgeon who will schedule surgeries, whenever I want them. But, only surgeries to cut scar tissue out, remove some metal and somehow take some rheumatoid arthritis out so that I can have a little pain relief from injections.
I can get a series of 3 injections, 3 times per year and they actually help the top of my left foot and I'll be able to move it a bit better, just for a month, so, I have to schedule them for the best times. The first few days are way more intense then my regular eye watering, ear piercing pain levels, but, it subsides and helps that 1 section. (which is 1 of the worst, because, I can't lift my left foot up and it always feels like there are cinder blocks on the top of my foot.)
I still won't be able to wear shoes BUT once neurology, rheumatology and pain management give him the go ahead, he can start more bone fusions and fix the distorted fusion I had done on the top of my foot.
I just have to go into some sort of remission before he even thinks of scheduling those surgeries, but, at least I can have the others for now
It wasn't more than 2 months since my last emg, mri and blood work, but at least nothing went downhill as of today's tests, so, that's also kinda cool. 

This winter has been crazy for pain! Well, this winter has been horrible for many things! No internet service, ice storms, snow storms, high winds, wind gusts, below 0 temperatures, it has been freezing cold! There are days that Alaska was much warmer than Pennsylvania and I just can't believe that, lol. I can only hope that this is soon over and spring is almost here. I just want to open the windows, go outside without having to ice skate, start our garden and pick strawberries and chase the kids out the door everyday so they can play and get fresh air!! 

We have had a storm almost every 3 days since the beginning of the year. I know there are other areas that have had much worse conditions and some areas who have been getting hit with strange weather that they aren't really used too. Fortunately, we are used to this in PA. Well, maybe not the extreme cold and having ice storms so often, but the snow is pretty typical here. 

I believe the weather has a lot to do with my pain levels and on many different levels. Rain, snow, cold, humidity, wind, thunderstorms, snowstorms, ice storms, you name it. But, if I could just get outside, I would be so much happier!! 

I am looking forward to meeting with a fresh, new team of doctors once in awhile and getting some new brains in there to help try and figure out what we can do here. Hopefully, these injections will help for a little while, until I can get into a remission of sorts so that I can hit my new surgeon up for some, well, surgery. Not that I want any more surgery, but, some of this has to be fixed so I can get around a bit better. 

If you are a fellow chronic pain/auto immune/obscure disorder, neurological disorder patient, please comment and find me online! I always love to chat and sign up with support groups and meet new people. Sometimes just talking helps ;)

My Chronic Pain is a Blessing in Disguise

I keep thinking I should stop with this nonsense that I am going to find somebody to fix my weirdo problems with these obscure neurological disorders, bones, joints, tissue damage, missing tendons, LOL and whatever else I forgot to list. (I'm sure you get the picture.)
I've tried, for years, to find a doctor who would be confident and successful in trying to repair, even the slightest parts. (Since it requires a team due to so much going on.)
I feel bad a lot, because I am blessed. Believe me, even this chronic pain/neuro issues, have been a blessing in disguise. (In some ways.) 
When I think about whether I would trade in my ailments for my super hectic, fast paced, workaholic life again, I think I'd stick with this, since it has slowed me down a bit and has allowed me to work from home and spend more time with my family.
But, I feel bad a lot since I keep trying different doctors & specialists, thinking somebody, somewhere, one day, will have a solution for even 10% of this. There are people who have much, much worse going on and I know it could be worse and even though, living with serious pain, several layers of pain, not being able to do normal things, like, walk, run, jump, lift my foot off the ground, vacuum or use a hair dryer without electrical zaps going through my body for 3 days straight, certain sounds set off so much pain, (it's unreal!), not being able to shave my legs, wear jeans, shoes, walk uphill or downhill, up or down steps without it taking an hour, etc etc, is a bad place, it could always be worse.
I'm very stubborn and I believe that sometimes when you're fighting for something constantly, maybe you are a bit blinded to the consequences. I wonder if running to doctors, researching, trying to fix 1 part so that more can be fixed, etc etc, maybe will end up causing more problems in the long run? 
I took a big hit today. I had super, duper high hopes for this and it ended up being much worse then I was, (yes, it's temporary.) but, again, I'm told, "Well, this is last resort." Uh, how many times will I be told that? Lol! It's always, "this or that" "no more solutions", "this won't work", "this is it.", OK, SHUT UP! I don't believe it because I have been told this for a decade and they still say it and still come up with something.
I think the second I give up, it will consume me and I will end up in a wheelchair or the RSD will cover my body completely and I'll be in my house, 24/7  That's why I keep fighting and I'm getting worried I'm running out of options.
At the same time, I also believe that the more I fight, the more I push, the more problems can pop up. 
Yes, I try and use several all natural options but a lot of my issues are actually bone and joint issues, like, real ones that actually need fixed and nobody can fix it, yet.
Natural remedies help a little with MS & RSD but they to are temporary and also help a little, not a ton. (Which is fine and I'm grateful) but there are some layers of pain that NOTHING touches.
Those are the layers that I have a 50/50 shot with getting worse if I continue to fight. and every time I feel I'm getting closer, something comes and knocks me down further and adds even more of a dilemma.
Back to square one again  Completely unravel all I thought and did and start back at the beginning and add more drama to the twisted outline of things that need fixed before attempting a shot at remission so that more can be fixed so that more can be fixed so that more can be fixed, etc etc etc etc etc. It sometimes feels like a never ending road of insanity and it becomes so overwhelming that it takes over my regular, every day to day activities. (along with the pain, old and new.)
So, do I take a break?
Do I keep up being a stubborn, rebellious, hopeful person?
Or do I keep fighting and reading and researching and trying new things?

In Search of Fellow RSD Survivors

I don't know how many years I have to have this very strange disorder before any of it makes any kind of sense to me. Although, from what I understand, it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to a lot of people, including many of our doctors and specialists.
Sometimes I feel like an alien from outer space, (It would be kind of cool to be a one eyed, mini, glowing, green martian!) but, really, most people tend to stop paying attention or even caring, after saying, "So, what is RSD?"
I know, it isn't the easiest thing to describe or explain, every day is different and I don't believe I have ever had 2 days that were the same, yet.
I keep a pain diary and try to find some sort of cause, solution, reasoning, anything but every time I think I am getting close to the culprit, it gets even more mysterious.
I wouldn't say I'm Horatio Caine or anything but I feel pretty close to a CSI. Maybe, if Horatio reads this, he can get down to the bottom of this within the hour?
What is my goal with this post? I'm not to sure just yet, I just feel the more I write about my struggles maybe somebody, somewhere will read this and say, "OMG! I know exactly what she means!!" Anybody, I don't care ;)
I have been blessed with friends, (online mainly.) I have found quite a few beautiful people who have big hearts and are fighting the same fight as me. The odd thing is, we aren't the same. None of our cases are the same. We may share some similar symptoms but something that causes a flare up in my friend, Mindi, won't cause one for me and vice versa.
Ok, so, maybe that is the point? Here I am!! Screaming across the internet for any sort of help, maybe advice, maybe let me hear your story and maybe hear mine? As interesting as this disorder is, (don't ask me why, maybe I am a nerd but science and the most peculiar things in the universe are some of my favorite things!)
I'm thinking of publishing my pain diaries on one of my new blogs, I think that will benefit me and more importantly, will help somebody else.
I write and write and write until I get these annoying lumps on my fingers, where the pen sits. Often, I do find that just getting frustrations out helps a lot but, the physical pain is still there. I think I have lost hope of being pain free at any point in my life but at the same time, this disorder has been nothing but a magical blessing in disguise.
If you are somebody who deals with chronic pain or neurological pain, please leave me a comment! If you have a blog, a Twitter, anything, I would love to follow you there and read what you are going through.
I truly believe that the cure for this is quite simple. I don't know what it is just yet but I assure you, it is on the tip of somebody's tongue and I won't lose hope.

Ateevia Botanica PRIME Daily Pain Defense Cream Review

I have been diagnosed with RSD for about 7 years now, and I have been suffering from chronic pain for several years before this.
 Since my teen years, I had several sprains, and breaks in my feet and ankles, which I later learned, never healed properly. I was actually born with some foot problems, and even though I was in braces for a while when I was a baby, and a toddler, my feet still turned in quite a bit and I was diagnosed with "weak ankles".
When I was a teenager, I started waitressing at local pizza shops, and then a sports bar, which later led to my bartending career. (20+ years of being on my feet and usually always on cold concrete floors)
 Anybody who has ever bartended, know that this can be a very brutal job, long hours, no breaks, and very rarely sitting down!
 I found a surgeon after a few years off searching, to help me with a reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. She finished the left foot and ankle first and scheduled me for the right foot and ankle to be done 6 months later. Well, after a year, I was still stuck in a wheelchair, and in much worse pain then I ever was in my life.
 I ended up leaving several messages, asking what I am supposed to do, no answers, I went back to my family doctor and he sent me to physical therapy, and more orthopedic surgeons, and they just continued to refer me elsewhere and send me away after apologizing and admitting there was nothing they could do.
 I have been to several different doctors, surgeons, neurologists, pain management, and nobody can do much of anything for me, except "treat" my RSD.
 So, after all of my injuries, torn tendons, failed surgery, heel spurs, drop foot on both feet, and many fractures that made my feet and ankles even more weak, I ended up with RSD, a neurological chronic pain disorder.
 I have also been diagnosed with all kinds of arthritis, and most recently, MS. On top of this, the tendons that my original surgeon "repaired" have since re torn, and my heel spurs are back, and the hardware that was put inside my heel, foot and ankle, are supposed to be removed, except, I can't find a doctor brave enough to attempt this crazy mess I'm in!
This has affected my life immensely! My family has suffered a great deal because of this and I'm not always able to help or do as I used too. I still bartend pt on the weekends, even though it is getting much harder and it takes the whole week just to get back to "normal". There are days I can barely move, and there are days I just get terribly sick from medications, and from being in constant pain. I get very little sleep, and it takes an average of about 4 hours to just get into an ok enough state just so I can go about my day here with my little ones.
 I keep a diary of my pain for my pain management doctors and especially since RSD is such a weird disorder, something new seems to happen each day, as well as spread like wildfire throughout your body.
Pain management is something I can not always even get much relief from, if at all. On top of it being expensive, and after so many treatments, certain things just don't work anymore. I have had so many nerve blocks, and injections, and different prescriptions. If insurance would cover some better treatments for RSD, I could possibly take advantage of Calmare Therapy, Hyperbarrick Oxygen Chambers, and my newest referral is for nerve cutting surgery, which I really don't want. However I don't think this is getting any better, it continues to go downhill.
I have been going back and forth with different pain relief treatments, creams, vitamins, capsules, and I have tried so many different products over the years and have had some of the worst experiences and some that were not as bad but didn't help much of anything.
I recently had the opportunity to try, Ateevia Botanica PRIME Daily Pain Defense Cream, and I can really attest to the fact that this has provided me with a great deal of pain relief! (and it came at just the right time of year!!)
Ateevia Botanica, is formulated to alleviate inflammatory pain, such as: Arthritic Joints Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Tennis Elbow Tendonitis Lower back pain Heel pain and Sports bruises.
 Another reason I was interested in this product is because it is made in the USA!!
 Some of the other reasons: because Ateevia is an all natural formula that is one of the most therapeutic topical analgesics that are out there today. PRIME stands for, Phytonutrient Rich Inflammation Minimizing Extract.
 We've been trying to convert to all natural and organic in our home, and this is something I would love to focus on this year and hope to replace even medications that I am prescribed. Ateevia, is a good start!
 While my chronic pain disorder may be a little different then others, I do also suffer from a few other chronic pain disorders as I mentioned above. The arthritis, and constant, achy, soreness around my ankles and heels is what bothers me most mornings. It seems my doctors steer clear of treating this, even though I think and wish it could be treated separately because whenever I do have a little relief, I can get around a little better. It all kind of depends on the day and what hurts and bothers me most when I wake up.
So, anyway, I started using Ateevia on my ankles and heels, in the morning. I didn't notice a difference right away, (Ateevia doesn't claim that results will be instant, it of course will depend on amount of pain, type of pain, etc. You can refer to their website to read more testimonials about their product and more about how you may need to apply more then once a day, or even several times a day) I did notice my skin around my ankles was quite a bit softer, and that was instant! That was enough to keep me content! I have such bad swelling some days, and super dry skin. I try so many kinds of lotions, body butters and creams and they seem to soak right in and disappear. Ateevia, is much different and I am more then pleased with this. It's rare I can not be so embarrassed with my giant ankles, legs and feet;)
 The scent is also pleasant and I even received compliments on this. Oh, and it makes my hands very soft. Most creams and topical ointments I tried in the past have a very mediciny type smell to them, and they are pretty greasy. It seems to be, "just right" with Ateevia Botanica, because it does soak in and I firmly believe has actually started to heal my extremely dry skin from the inside out. (at least the dryness, but this is the worst of all of it with me.)
After a few more applications on the first day, I could actually notice a difference in the layers of pain that this cream helped! (The achy, bone, sore, beaten up kind of pain.) It has also helped with some newer pain I acquired since my accident a few months ago.
 Nothing ever will take chronic pain away 100%, but when you find another piece to the puzzle and you can get just one step closer to having lower levels of pain each day with a specific product combination, or even just by itself, your life becomes just a bit more bearable.
 I do recommend this for people who are struggling with various types of pain and inflammation. I will be adding this in the mix on a regular basis for my pain days!
You can also find Ateevia on Facebook!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I am Fine, Thank You! (Not Really) How are You??

I have been going a bit nutty lately, (nothing really new, lol, but more so then normal).
I apologize beforehand if you are reading this and maybe are sick of hearing about RSD or CRPS or about how I am in constant, real pain, but I can't sleep right now, and I haven't been able to catch up very good lately on anything with this blog, because of this awful disease. I am never, ever the type to sit here and wallow and think that I am worse off then anybody else, I am the opposite, but I do have days when I am in pretty bad shape. That has been pretty often lately...
I am actually anxious to be going to my family doctor first thing in the morning because even if I don't have health insurance right now, I need a trustworthy person to talk too, and hopefully re evaluate and re structure my pain management. I also like to hear from time to time that I am not crazy, because sometimes I wonder how this is possible and how can I be in this kind of shape, I mean, I don't "look" disabled, and my life isn't threatened in any way, I am just in constant, consistent, pain.
So, I wrote up my pain diary, 5 pages, both sides, covers the last week or so, and i am hoping he has the time to listen to the newer additions to the now, 40 layers of pain that I go through at any time. I need a new plan or some sort of hope, something to look forward to, I need to be able to catch up with books, book reviews, and housework, coupons, my little ones, and get back in the swing of things. But the newest symptoms have led to some rather horrible days and nights, some where I can barely move and I have to at the least, have some sort of way to get the newer pain, to come to a halt. I am planning on soon raising enough money for Calmare therapy, which isn't covered by insurance anyway, and is going to cost a little, and some travel. But not to much, and I am able to see the light;)
Instead of being "hit" with pain episodes, I am "hit" with small, short fragments of bearable pain, or enough strength to force myself to do what a mom, or a wife, or a human, or a blogger has to do, and wants to do. When I am "hit" with these good times, I spend most of the time, frantically trying to figure out what in the world I can quickly accomplish, often times, I only figure it out by the time the burning, or the tingly, electric shock pain start. Then I am back to being "me' again.
If you ask me what RSD is, I would have to say I don't really know! Other then the R standing for REFLEX and the S for SYMPATHETIC and the D for DISORDER, I have been diagnosed 6 years ago with this, and still have no idea what to do or what to expect. I have no clue as to what is normal, I don't know really anybody to communicate with who knows exactly what I am going through. I have some friends online, but this disease seems to be very different in all of us.
What I do know, is:
I have dealt with chronic pain for several years. I finally gave in and had reconstructive foot and ankle surgery about 6 years ago, it failed miserably, and the surgeon kinda just shooed me away and referred me to pain management. They basically said, "You have RSD, physical therapy, medications, injections, nerve blocks, blah blah blah" Well, I got nerve blocks, epidurals, they helped a little at first, then gradually stopped helping at all. (Sorry!! I am trying to make this as short as possible, I don't want to bore anybody!! Lol!!)
What I make of this 'disorder" is, it seems that any type of trauma, pain, injuries, pregnancies even, even bug bites, sunburn, anything that maybe caused any type of pain, on any level, is repeated over and over and magnified on so many levels.
My RSD started in my feet and ankles, and started to spread to my legs, my knees, then to my hips, then my back, jumped to my right eye, now my whole back, and the limping causes more issues, and I still have tendons that are torn, bones that are crushed, and metal that needs taken out of my ankles.
Each part of the affected parts have had some sort of trauma, and I started to realize this when I started getting a piercing, sharp, burning pain in my right eyeball. The ankle, feet and leg thing was going on for a while before my RSD set in, so that was pretty understandable. But my back, apparently just spreading??
Then I finally got a tattoo I always wanted, which is on the top of my back, I absolutely love it!! It really didn't hurt when I got it, but now, I am ALWAYS being tattooed! Crazy!! It hurts very much, always burns, always sharp, razor type slicing in my skin, and nothing seems to help.
The most recent of my pain, just the last few months, I thought I was going insane, for real this time.
I have 4 children, 2 boys, and 2 girls, ages 20, 9, 5, and 2. My pregnancies with the little women weren't bad at all, a breeze actually! The boys, way different story! Twice as much weight gain, and twice the cramps, and the contractions!! OMG!!! My 9 year old, caused some pretty intense back labor, not long, (all of my babies were born within 3 hours, and got less time with each one), but the intensity was terrible and even though it immediately stopped the second he was born, it left lots of achy, dull pain behind! My 2 year old, yikes! I had this horrifying squeezing, like a snake, squeezing my insides and letting go every few minutes, both of these contraction types are now happening on a regular, daily basis today. (NO!! I'm not pregnant;)
I guess one of the points I am trying to convey here is, I have no idea what is happening to me!! I have found that everyday is different! Odd things like certain noises really hurt and radiate on so many levels! I have hot, burning welts that appear out of nowhere on my legs! Contractions every morning for a few hours, and sometimes they last all day, and I really need them to stop!! I need some answers, some sort of light at the end of the tunnel, and I would love if any of you have any advice or tips or know anybody with this disorder that maybe has had any relief from anything.
I have to get it back under control, it seems I had it under control, it didn't fade, but I was used to it. But, everytime something new starts, it takes a while to understand what is happening, and well, to get used to it. I really miss my normal life, and I hate that some of my children never really knew the real me. They only know me as this mom who limps around, and can't take them to the park, and can't get up and down steps, and can't get everything done.

Noxicare Natural Pain Relief Cream Review and Giveaway

Some of you might know a little about me, and my diagnosis with RSD about 6 years ago, (among other chronic pain issues), so I guess it wouldn't come as a surprise that I would have a review and giveaway for some pain relief cream;P
I have to be honest, I haven't heard of Noxicare natural pain relief cream until this review opportunity, but I will say that out of all of the ointments, creams, roll ons, and all these supposed topical pain relief products, I certainly will be adding Noxicare to my mix of RSD HELP!! I also am not so sure that I ever really seen any other brand claim they would help RSD type pain, but I asked them and they said yes indeed, and they are right...I actually started this review, with an attitude, I really never would have imagined that a cream would provide any amount of relief whatsoever. Of course I will never find a cream, a pill, anything, that will take all of the pain away! It unfortunately is not possible. But, when a few things are taken, done, together, and they all add a little bit of actual relief for chronic pain/RSD/CRPS, you will be certain to keep those items as close to you as possible;)
Noxicare is an all natural pain relief cream that can be used for several types of pain. Tension headaches, neuropathy, arthritis, athletes, Musculoskeletal Pain,and fibromyalgia. I have quite a few things going on, which leads to a lot of problems, since there is always something that something is for, and then I have to take a different pill, or get another procedure, for the next pain dilemma. Noxicare actually just about covers all of it, with just this one cream.

These videos will have plenty of information for you, and there are many more on their site. You can check them out here!
One of the things that fascinated me the most about Noxicare, (of course the fact that it really did help me with my own pain), is what is actually in the stuff!
Turmeric ( root ) Turmeric has antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.
Willow Bark ( bark ) Willow bark has antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties.
Ginger ( root ) Ginger has digestive aid and herbal catalyst properties.
Holy Basil ( root ) Holy Basil has anti viral and anti microbial properties.
Rosemary ( leaves ) Rosemary has pain reliever properties.
Alpha Lipoic Acid ( found in vegetables and animal protein ) ALA has antioxidant properties.
Boswellia ( leaves ) Boswellia has anti inflammatory properties.
taken from Noxicare's site:
Noxicare is based on 7 proven natural remedies that have been used for centuries. Founder Dr. Reza Ghorbani chose each centuries-old ingredient not only because of its proven singular effectiveness for different types of pain, but understanding that each ingredient served as a catalyst to the other ingredients to boost the effectiveness of the formulation as a whole.
Well, makes perfect sense to me, and anything is better then most of what a chronic pain patients options are, so....
Again, I can not say that this cream took away all of my pain, and I was able to run and walk and skip and jump! Noxicare doesn't make that claim anyway, but what this product will possibly do for you, is together, with any other pain remedies, work together, much like the ingredients in Noxicare, when combined, and provide you with a much more painless day.
My other favorite points about Noxicare, it is NOT greasy, it does NOT smell bad at all, matter of fact, the cream is pleasant smelling and very light, definitely not what I was expecting. (Considering others I have previously tried)
I noticed they also have capsules on the way, the website says summer of 2012, so I am going to be checking back for those!!
of course there won't be enough to cover half of my body, or anybody who has full body RSD or any kind of pain, but I use this mainly while on the computer, after working at the bar, or when I will be doing housework and things. I use it for the tops of my feet, which are typically the worst pain, and my ankles. It would cost a fortune to get enough of this to cover both legs, and feet and ankles and my lower back, lol, so maybe we can talk Noxicare into selling vats at a discounted rate?
I am pleased with this product, and the fact that I will get relief from some of my sharp pains, sudden stabbing pains, and even a little of the electrical shock and fire, burning pain, when in my ankles or feet, have been letting up a bit when I apply this cream!! (Thank you!!!!)



I don't have an issue with the price, ($19.95 for a 3.5 oz tube) although, I wish it were a little cheaper but compared to others, this is more then reasonable.
Plus, I did notice that they have a Facebook page, and a Twitter page, and I was happy to see an active giveaway and a tab for savings, so.... I will just be sure to grab when I see deals;)
I would be very interested in any ideas, thoughts, your reviews, what do you use for pain relief? What have you tried? What pain syndrome have you been diagnosed with? (if diagnosed at all)
I know it sometimes, like in my case, takes several years, before you can find a dr you can trust and who knows what is going on. I am very content with my current doctor and my pain management team. Although, there are a few things I wish I could try, but with no referral, approval, or even insurance payments, some "experimental" type procedures are not acceptable. I am thinking very hard about doing something about Calmare Therapy, which is not covered by insurance and not well recognized. But I have been seeing and hearing many good things about this!
ONTO THE GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dear RSD,

I am not sure if you know who I am, or who my family is, and I was wondering if you knew how our lives have changed since you decided to take over.
I don't appreciate the sleepless nights, or the arguments it causes, or the missed free time I have for errands, grocery shopping, or time with my children. I also don't appreciate the many different layers and types of pain and no matter the weather, the severity of the pain, and my children don't care for it either, especially since we can't go for walks, since I can't walk on uneven surfaces, up or down hills or steps, or even for a half block. And that's if I can lift my feet up at all. Thanks by the way, for the enormous amount of pain and crushing feeling on the tops of my feet and ankles, and the forceful pain that makes it impossible to lift my feet to take a step!
My children and I also don't particularly care very much for the fact that I can't coach a soccer team anymore, or help out with different activities for school. And although we do enjoy shopping online, it would be nice to shop at a mall, and be able to get through the mall, and even a grocery store, the whole way through without having to pay for the walk later.
We also aren't real thrilled about the missed work, and income, and the medical bills. My husband and I especially thank you for all of this! I am disappointed with lots of different parts of my life since you forced yourself here, and turned our house upside down. Everything from my job, our income, our children, medical expenses, medications, some that have made me ill, most that make me tired, groggy,unable to do things with my family as often as a mom should be able too.
You have made it impossible for me to walk through an amusement park, which by the way, was one of my favorite things to do, and I had fun with Bethany, our oldest daughter, going on all the roller coasters. I also looked forward to Aaron, Genevive, and Deegan, to grow up, and go with me to places like Hersheypark, and we always plan on taking small field trips to museums and fun places the kids would have so much fun at, but can't until Deegan is a little bigger and can walk around places like that all on his own, without wanting to be held, since I can no longer carry a child and walk more then a few steps at a time.
I miss wearing regular clothes all the time, and I do miss shoes a great deal! I miss being able to shave my legs, and not "prepare" to shave for 3 hours beforehand, with very hot water and 9 times out of 10, I can't shave anyway. I miss not having to be embarrassed when I at least can wear capris, and have to have slippers on and not be able to cover up my giant swelled up legs, especially my ankles. Why doesn't the swelling ever go down???
I miss not having to take tons of pills, I am happy that I don't take all of them, even with half, I have no idea most days, how I will get through the day without them and I hate the headaches that come from some.
I miss being able to drive for long periods of time, and drive without pain, I miss being able to sit without having to shake my legs around and have to take a few minutes each time I get in and out of the truck and having to prepare myself for the brutal pain that's coming after I get in or out! I miss working without pain, well, at least half the pain would have been ok, but you had to come and take over my entire body.
I miss my shopping and coupon trips with my mom, pain free days, walking with my children, Deegan has very rarely been in his stroller, I miss being able to go out for a few drinks with my husband and I miss having family and friends over for drinks and food and boxing matches. I miss the way I was once able to live and I would appreciate it if you would please give it all back.
I am sick and tired of the embarrassment, the swelling, the red welts that burn like fire that appear and disappear on my legs, my giant ankles, the electric shock pain, the feeling that my legs are on fire, the tingly pain that never ever goes away, the crushing pain on the tops of my feet, the crunching pain in my ankles, the numbness in parts of my feet, my ankles and my legs, the part when it feels like cinder blocks are on top of my feet,making it hard to walk or even limp and I have to then drag my feet behind me in order to move, the goofy colors and changes in my skin and nails, the bruises and discolorations on my legs and ankles and feet and how the burn blisters that I get from time to time when I didn't burn myself, and how they take months to heal. I hate feeling like I am burning from the inside out, and the prickly, stinging feeling that travels up and down my legs, all day and night. I can't stand the part where if I get sunburn on my legs, the pain from it is magnified a million times, and Noxema doesn't work anymore. The same thing with mosquito bites, every time we go camping, I am stuck with giant, ridiculous mosquito bites that burn and hurt a thousand times more then normal, and they never go away and nothing not even Bactine helps! I am sick of how the bug bites and sunburn come back to haunt me, it seems, throughout the year, as if you are just reminding me of the pain again and again. I hate the ice cold and bluish purple bruises on my right leg and how it gets ice cold, Sometimes when it hurts to wear anything, socks, slippers, pants, I just want to scream!! I have been trying to find relief and it doesn't seem possible.
And when will you seriously stop spreading? I really hope I don't find out at the eye doctor today, that you indeed did spread to my eyes. What happens then? Where will you show up next?
I do have to thank you at the same time, although I am disgusted and in horrible pain this morning, I must say that thanks to you, there have been some positive things happen due to this mess you have put me in.
I have had quality time with my children and husband, with all of the missed work, we have had to find more frugal ways to live, and that is a very valuable lesson to learn, and we have relearned a few things. I do believe everybody needs to re learn some of these types of lessons several times throughout their lives, just so they aren't forgotten. I have also found a neat outlet online with blogs and social media, and I have learned a lot of new things about all of this. I also met a lot of wonderful people online, and I do still have my legs, whether they work or not, they are still there.
But please all I seriously want is some relief, and if I can't have that, can you just please not spread anywhere else? I don't believe our family can take anymore, and I really hope you will just leave my eyes alone.
I would appreciate it! Thank you for your consideration.
I wish I could say it has been my pleasure, but it hasn't.

Brandy Oliver