risingsun
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
- Messages
- 5,549
Several of my PS friends have noticed that I have alluded to having some health problems. They have asked me if I would be more open about what is happening. I am a very private person, but since my concerns have been coming out in my posts, I have decided to let you know what has been going on. I have a number of medical problems, which have affected my ability to work and my quality of life on a daily basis. It is complicated, but I will try to make some sense of it for you. I have chronic problems, which must be managed. My doctors have told me these are not going away. I have spasms throughout my GI system. I have esophogeal spasms, which make it difficult to eat properly and food can become "stuck" and not want to move down my esophagas. I have stomach spasms. These are the worst. They feel like a gall bladder attack. They are not, because my gall bladder was removed in my 20's. When I'm not having spasms, I have pain. I also have IBS. I have TMJ, which makes the whole thing more difficult. The TMJ, periodically goes into spasms, as well. I am in chronic pain from fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, herniated discs in my lumbar back, and a torn rotator cuff in my shoulder. I was in the hospital twice last year for severe chest wall pain that presented as cardiac distress. Come to find out, it's part of the fibro syndorme. I have recurrent skin CA and have had numerous surgeries. I had a melanoma removed about six weeks ago. My risk for more skin CA is very high. I will be examined every three months for the next three years, which is an increase from my twice a year schedule. My first bout with skin CA in early 2001, resulted in numerous reconstructive surgeries on my face. Fortunately, they were successful!! I have a condition called Monoclonal Gammopathy. When the tests turned up positive for this condition, my PCP referred me to an oncologist/hematologist for evaluation and care. She said that my condition would be monitored by the regional cancer center from that point on. At our last appointment, she said that this condition is now considered to be precancerous. People with MGUS, as it is called, are at a greater risk for developing multiple myeloma. The risk, while not statistically great, increases at ~2% per year. I have had a bone marrow biopsy, complete skeletel survey and extensive blood work. I am seen every six months. While there are not supposed to be any symptoms at this point, this has been somewhat controversial, with numerous patients reporting neurological pain.
One of the reasons my symptoms have been so difficult to manage is that I cannot tolerate most pain medications. They trigger my stomach spasms. So here I am in chronic pain without many options. I do go to a pain clinic for injections and recently had a procedure on my back called Radiofrequency Neuralysis. I have cortisone injections in my shoulder every 3-4 months. I also have injections in my jaws...not pleasant!
Due to being in chronic pain and having unanticipated stomach, jaw, migraine or other pain, I missed a lot of work. It got to the point where I asked for a medical leave. My employer [I worked in a hospital based mental health practice as therapist], has been wonderful throughout all of this. My clients were very understanding and wanted to wait until I returned to work to resume treatment. I couldn't let them do that and referred them to other therapists. Two weeks became three months and became nine months. We finally agreed that I should resign my position. While I am welcome to return at any time, that will not be happening. I simply do not feel well enough to resume my position. I have other options with another practice, but the pain and fatigue don't make it possible at this time.
I have never written so much about myself and my personal concerns before. I hope I have not overshared, but I didn't know how else to tell you what has been happening over the past few years. My health took a deep decline in August 2008 and this is where I am now. I've been told I need to manage my symptoms, which hasn't been easy to do. Rest helps more than anything. I don't get out much, but I'm on PS a lot! Thank you for listening and caring.
One of the reasons my symptoms have been so difficult to manage is that I cannot tolerate most pain medications. They trigger my stomach spasms. So here I am in chronic pain without many options. I do go to a pain clinic for injections and recently had a procedure on my back called Radiofrequency Neuralysis. I have cortisone injections in my shoulder every 3-4 months. I also have injections in my jaws...not pleasant!
Due to being in chronic pain and having unanticipated stomach, jaw, migraine or other pain, I missed a lot of work. It got to the point where I asked for a medical leave. My employer [I worked in a hospital based mental health practice as therapist], has been wonderful throughout all of this. My clients were very understanding and wanted to wait until I returned to work to resume treatment. I couldn't let them do that and referred them to other therapists. Two weeks became three months and became nine months. We finally agreed that I should resign my position. While I am welcome to return at any time, that will not be happening. I simply do not feel well enough to resume my position. I have other options with another practice, but the pain and fatigue don't make it possible at this time.
I have never written so much about myself and my personal concerns before. I hope I have not overshared, but I didn't know how else to tell you what has been happening over the past few years. My health took a deep decline in August 2008 and this is where I am now. I've been told I need to manage my symptoms, which hasn't been easy to do. Rest helps more than anything. I don't get out much, but I'm on PS a lot! Thank you for listening and caring.
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