| Re: trying to stay positive
I've been in pain since 2003 and keep receiving differing diagnosis.
I was told in 2004 that I have buldging dics in my neck but they aren't causing problems. Uh, wrong! That's why I got the MRI, remember? Then in 2008 I finally received a diagnosis of cervical radiculapathy (along with shots in my neck). Pain and numbing keep getting worse. I 've had many MRIs, CT scans, xrays, EMGs, and pain medications. I've been told by 3 different neurosurgeons I'm not a surgical candidate for radiculapathy. This year I was told that again and he added why: because I have tennis elbow! I said wow, first I've heard of that. So I finally see an Orthopedic PA and he says i have cubital tunnel (huh?) which is ulnar damage...just as shown on the last EMG. So now its more pain meds, re-aligning my work station so i don't bend my arm as much, a brace for sleeping (so i can't bend my arm) and an appointment with a hand surgeon in two months.
I say all this to say that its hard to be positive, but by the grace of God, I'm still okay. I've been in non-stop pain for almost 10years. I've been on too many pain medications to mention, but I'm still here - taking it one day at a time.
When it gets too hard, I pray and read my bible. Then I make myself do something to take my mind off the pain - walk, read, cook, sleep. And I think about all the positive things I have to be thankful for - like that I have an arm to feel pain and fingers to hold something.
Okay...enough of my long winded-ness. I hope something in this post is helpful.
Me
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