Dedicating my 16,000th post at Healing Well to my friends here at Chronic Pain community

This is my 16,000^th post written at Healing Well.  I have been at HW since October of 2008.  Every time in the past, when I would cross another thousand mark, I would always dedicate the milestone post to a particular person or cause.  So far, all my dedications have been given in the Prostate Cancer group at HW.

However, I wish to dedicate this 16,000^th post, to all the members here at the Chronic Pain Group & Community, as well as to all the good moderators here, and as always, to Peter, for founding such a wonderful support tool as is Healing Well truly deserves.

I have begun to become friends with most everyone here now over the past few months.  You have made me feel welcome in every possible way.  In the Prostate Cancer group, there aren’t many like myself that are dealing with constant and severe pain, but here, we are all of one accord.  We live with pain every day, we fight our pain, we have our ups and downs, and all the struggles along the way.  We may be here because of different medical reasons, but we share that common denominator, pain.

This is what ties our community here together.  I have read some inspiring stories here and some horrific ones too, no one that is a member here has an easy ride, and we all have our own battles and our own demons to fight.

But here, there is true heartfelt concern and care for one another.  And for some, there is nowhere else they can come to – and truly be understood and respected.

My hat is off to each and every member here at HW Chronic Pain, and to the moderators who keep the peace.  For many of us, the pain will never be eliminated, but it can be controlled, so that we at least have some semblance of a normal life.  Together, we are strong.

To all of us here, I hereby dedicate this 16,000^th post.  Peace be with you.

David in S.C.

I don't know whether congtatulations would be appropriate under the circumstances(ie, we are a group that suffers from incomperable pain), but the fact that you have had the opportunity to share or reach out to people who understand and support you so many times is truly significant!  I'm still a new member, but I feel completely at home here.

I have a problem I'd like to ask you about.  My PM doc just turned in his resignation effective 10/31. He's affiliated with a major medical center, so they do plan to replace him. They are interviewing, but don't know when they'll have a new doc. Then, they sent a letter telling us to check with our insurance co's. to try to locate a new doc, and how to transfer our medical records.  Then they tell us they look forward to working with us and their new physician.

I don't know what to do. There are, at best, 2 other docs in this area that practice PM. I'd rather be hospitalized and cope with withdrawal than see one of them, and I don't know anything about the other. I know the practice I'm in sees hundreds of patients so getting in to see one of these docs is going to be next to impossible, even on a temporary basis, and I am taking such heavy doses of narcotics, I don't know if anyone would just take over writing my scripts. I'm frankly scared to death.  Do you think the hospital has any responsibility to continue providing my medications if I can't find a doctor?

I can't function without my meds. Do you think I should try to get my records transferred if I can find someone temporiarily only to transfer them right back when they find a new doc?

I've got adhesive arachnoiditis, fibromyalgia, and severe arthritis in all of my major joints. My right hip was replaced 2 years ago, and now my left one needs to be replaced. I was planning to do it this summer.

 I teach school from a motorized scooter, and can't make it out of bed without my meds.  Do you have any suggestions? I'm afraid I'm going to have to start weaning myself off my meds and plan to take vacation, short term disabilty, etc....Has anything like this ever happened to anyone you've spoken to?

I'd really appreciate any advice you could offer.

Thanks,

Lizabeth aka Spiderwoman

I've been thinking about applying for permanant disibility, but can't do it until my husband finds a job. He's been unemployed for the past 3 1/2 years, and we've been living off my meager salary and his retirement