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Posted 11/5/2012 6:50 AM (GMT 0)
I wanted this introduction to be upbeat and inspirational, but all I can do is cry as I think about everything that I'm going through. My name is Luna, I'm 25, and and my main cause of pain is osteoarthritis. There is not a minute of the day when my neck/right shoulder/right wrist isn't hurting, most of the time to the point where all I can do is lay on the cold floor and beg for relief. I swear, when I went to the doctor a few months ago, I thought I would just get sent home with some Tylenol or something. Prior to being diagnosed I had some very hardcore child-free ideals, but as I face my limitations, I mourn the fact that maybe my "secret" desire to raise a large family and maintain a farm will remain that, a secret, and a pipe dream to boot. Funny how things float into perspective when your options dwindle.

Anyway, all in all I've tried to be optimistic through most of my hardships, but I don't know how to cope anymore. I am a recovering anorexic with a tendency to binge and purge when I'm extremely stressed out. I've been fighting the urge to throw up because I don't want provoke my ulcers or painful heartburn, but the only way I know how to fight is to not eat so I've been restricting food.

As a result of all this stress, my bruxism(teeth grinding) has been aggravated and I have terrible headaches and jaw pain.

Last but not least is my battle to accept that I'm rapidly losing my vision because of retinitis pigmentosa. My fading sight has been adding to my chronic depression over the years despite all of my suppression tactics. I'm afraid that all the previous stress on my body is only giving the arthritis an ideal environment to wreak havoc.
Posted 11/5/2012 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
So very sorry your having so much pain, nice to meet you but wish it was under better circumstances than chronic pain!
Have you had any x-rays or mri's with and without contrast? Seems to me you need more testing done, maybe even emg. For the level of pain your having, so maybe talk to your doctor.
Hope you can get a low pain day soon, many well wishes.
Posted 11/5/2012 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Luna and welcome to the chronic pain forum. I am sorry to read that you are having such difficulty with health issues.

You did not mention what kind of a dr you saw a few months ago, was it your PCP or a specialist? There is a lot of different treatments available to treat your arthritis condition. What kind of xrays have been done to see the extent of the arthritis? If you are seeing a PCP and he is not acting all that interested in helping you,the perhaps its time for a new one to enter the picture. You probably already know osteoarthritis is very common in people and with proper treatment it can be managed.

At 25 you are far too young to just throw in the towel and accept things as they are because you can still have a very full life. Many times we have to advocate for our self in getting proper medical care and there is nothing wrong with that. You may want to consider getting a consult with a rheumatologist to get evaluated. Staying active is a must with this type of arthritis.

Since you are a recovering anorexic I urge you to get back in with the dr that has been helping you with this ASAP. I am guessing that you are somewhat depressed and you need to let the dr know about this. It is too hard to get depression under control once it gets out of control, so try to head it off before it gets out of hand.

Don't give up the dreams of a farm and a family. Like I said with proper medical care you are just beginning your life. Please keep us posted on how you are getting along. Take care....Susie
Posted 11/6/2012 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Luna,

Welcome to HW! I'm sorry to hear about your pain, but do know that you've come to a wonderfully supportive, caring forum, and everyone will do their best to help you! The amazing people here have helped me through so much over the past few years. While we all have different pains, everyone here understands pain and how it effects every aspect of our lives.

I particularly can relate to your story, as I'm only 24, and have been dealing with chronic pain since I was 15 (although my big issues didn't start until I was 18). I also have major eye issues, and my eye is my major source of chronic pain. I know all too well how hard it is to be a young adult pursuing a dream and dealing with CP. Whatever you do don't give up. You might have to make some modifications to your goals and dreams, but keep fighting. I won't take over your entire thread with my story, but I am pursuing a veterinary degree (I actually want to work with large animals, so we have that in common as well). It was a very tough road to get into vet school, and is even harder now that I'm there. Things have definitely not gone as I planned (I'm actually on the tail end of a year long medical leave), but I'm doing the best that I can do, and taking things one day at a time. That's all you can do.

I know that even when you are in remission from your anorexia, it is still not easy. My sister is a recovered anorexic, and although she is doing well now, and has been for several years, her food issues are something that will always be a part of her. It's not something that you can just "get over." However, I would encourage you to seek help. If you aren't getting the care you need from one doctor, find another one. Sometimes good doctors are hard to find, but they are out there, and they can help you.

I really hope that you are able to find the help that you need. Please keep us posted. We may be strangers, but everyone here really does care!

Skeye
Posted 11/6/2012 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi BrokenBird, and Welcome to the forum, you have been given some extremely good advice by the folks here on this forum, I think if you stick around long enough, that you will find that we are kind of like family, and we all care about each other allot! And we all have chronic pain and we all live with it, so we all understand what each other is going through. We really can empathize with each other!

You have really had some rough times for being so young, but do not give up your dreams, later on you might have to modify them a bit, but it is way to early to even think about that. I am familar with anorexia, my oldest daughter has it, or had it, it is something that you never really get over, but you can control it. And you can be successful and attain your dreams with it. I know that you have so many other issues to confront and over come. But you can do that too! Please get the help that you need, go and see your doctor that treated your anorexia, and any other doctors that you need to see! Know that you are not alone, and we are all here for you. We will listen to you and give you what advice that we can, and compassionate caring support. You are not the only young person that has came here, with problems, so you do have some folks here that are your age, and you might be better able to identify with them. But there are also some old foggies like me, and a few others, that also have some experiences, that might prove helpful too.

Just know your not alone with your pain, and you now have friends here, that care about you and only want the best for you!

White Beard
Posted 11/6/2012 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Luna, I've been dealing with advanced early onset osteoarthristis for many years now. I've also had severe nearsightedness since I was 6, and just got diagnosed with macular degeneration. I know where that's heading. Can't change it, gotta learn how to live with it some day. Key word being LIVE. People don't believe things like this can happen to someone in their 20's or 30's, or even their 40's. I may not feel your exact pain, but I can empathize. I'm sorry we had to meet like this, but I am glad you are here.

I can tell you this about doctors in general. They are taught an old adage "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras", meaning, the vast majority of the time, if someone has an issue, it's something very common. And given time, the body will heal on it's own. Which, in the case most otherwise healthy people, is the case, unless we're talking about trauma, that does require intervention.

But this tends to lull them into a false sense of security. An infection may need a dose of antibiotics to help the body fight off an infection, most people may need temporary pain meds to get them through a few days until say, a sprained ankle heals enough for them to be mobile again. The body, in general heals itself, sometimes, with a little help.

Unless there is something wrong. And unless it can be pointed at on a lab test, or an x-ray, or cut on by a surgeon, many times, most doctors, unless they are specialists, are grasping at straws.

Pain management, and I mean professional, proper, board certified, pain management can go a long way toward giving you your lifestyle back. Find it. And when you find a good one, hold on tight, cultivate the relationship. Because even among pain specialists, the really good ones can be hard to find. Get one that will listen and understand YOUR pain, and YOUR goals. And one who is not afraid to refer you to other doctors when needed, is a major plus.

Here's hoping those dreams are still there. Anyone who reads your post here will be pulling for you. I know I am, and will continue to be.
LC
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