tomwiii
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posted on August 27, 2006 06:46:12 AM new
Ralphie (who is doing GREAT on his diet,btw) and I apologize for our recent silence...AND express GREAT GRATITUDE to those who sent emails of concern, such as Lady J & Cheryl & GG,etc
I'm fine now, but the last few weeks have been a mess with my medications & I've not had any interest what-so-ever in responding to the VD thread, much less even reading anything here for awhile...
If you are fortunate, you will never fall down the rabbit hole known in this country as CHRONIC PAIN MGMT -- it is a NIGHTMARE of medical incompetancey compounded by right-wing animosity against patients under the quise of the WAR ON DRUGS...
I'm constantly being "encouraged" to go on the DURAGESIC PATCH, which DOES kill pain, but makes me so sick that I'm worried I tore sumptin in me sewer system, I've been ralphing (sorry, Ralphie) so much...
Finally got back on my regular meds 2 days ago, & this am was the first time I've felt even remotely well enough to type anything hre...
Fortunately, Ralphie has been a real trooper throughout & has behaved as if he were in training for Westminister! Tis wierd how they can tell when yer low -- his behaviour always becomes exemplary the lousier I feel...Gonna buy him a new toy today as we really haven't done much playing the past 3 weeks...
OTOH: For some strange reason, last week was my BEST EBAY WEEK in months! Wierd...
Tom & Ralphie
[ edited by tomwiii on Aug 27, 2006 06:51 AM ]
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glassgrl
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posted on August 27, 2006 07:08:30 AM new
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pat1959
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posted on August 27, 2006 07:13:22 AM new
Welcome back, Tom & Ralpie. You've been missed!
Somewhere along the line I missed what was happening in your life. An accident?
I understand chronic pain. Medications give relief, but it messes up the brain. It is a trial and error process to find an acceptable midground between the two.
Hang in there!
Not pat1959 on eBay
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iceicepenguin
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posted on August 27, 2006 07:46:26 AM new
Welcome back, Tom and Ralphie! (Scratch on the belly for Ralphie and a feel better hug for Tom).
Sometimes the emotional aspect of chronic pain is worse than the pain itself...Don't let it get you down.
Another hug for good measure.
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amber
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posted on August 27, 2006 07:51:37 AM new
It was good to see you back Tom. Sorry about your problems with chronic pain and meds. It's good to hear that you are feeling a bit better. Medications really can make you feel worse than you did before you took them. I hope you can get some good pain medications that don't have such a bad effect on the way you feel.
Good to hear that Ralphie is doing well. It sound like my Buddy (cat), if I am sick in bed with a migraine or something, he doesn't even jump up on the bed, which really does feel like an earthquake with his 20lb plus body!!
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minniestuff
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posted on August 27, 2006 08:39:46 AM new
Glad you are feeling better Tom! Give Ralphie a big kiss from all of us here at Vendio!
I know all too well that chronic pain mgmt is hampered by doctors that feel we are all drug addicts. After the doc had me trying different combinations of meds until I found relief, another doc came in to take his place and was an idiot--wouldn't keep me on the same pills and dosage (that had worked for 8 months) so I had to really push for the same things I had been taking.
If the pain keeps a person from a normal life, why do the doctors fight tooth and nail NOT to give us the pain meds that we know work for us?
I hope you and Ralphie get some quality time together in the next few days. Animals are sensitive to our needs and I'm glad Ralphie helped you by being a "perfect angel". (But then with a face like Ralphie has, how could one think anything different?)
Congrats on your great Ebay week, too!
(edited cuz Ralphie would be offended if I spelled his name wrong)
[ edited by minniestuff on Aug 27, 2006 08:41 AM ]
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cblev65252
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posted on August 27, 2006 08:40:18 AM new
Tom - So glad to see you back. Too bad you live all the way in FLA. Pain management (no - not giving it, LOL) is what I do at CFIT. We've been quite successful at it and most patients are now living drug free!
Ralphie - What a guy! Maybe someday my Buddie will become as well behaved and cooperative as you are, although somehow I doubt that!
Cheryl
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irked
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posted on August 27, 2006 08:55:10 AM new
Yeah! Glad you're back, been missing your post. I know all about that patch as it made my wife so sick on her pain mngt program we thought her toes would come out her mouth at any moment. The old foot in mouth syndrome. Isn't it great how our most beloved pets help us through these things.
Welcome back, hope your medications are helping now. Give the Ralphmaster a big pat for me and one for yourself too.
**************
Well, aren't we a ray of sunshine.
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niel35
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posted on August 27, 2006 09:04:08 AM new
Glad you two are back. We missed hearing from you on a daily basis. Hope you keep feeling better but then with a roomie like Ralphie how can you not.
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roadsmith
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posted on August 27, 2006 09:34:39 AM new
Tom: Welcome back. And I know you haven't asked for medical advice here, but I do need to ask if you know the cause of your pain.
I ask because a little-diagnosed, easily managed condition called hemochromatosis (iron overload) sometimes manifests itself in joint problems mimicking normal arthritis, as in my case. The older we are, the more damage the iron overload has done.
IF THIS IS CHRONIC PAIN you've had for a while, looking and feeling like some form of arthritis, there's a simple blood panel your dr. can order for you, not usually included in routine CBC-type blood tests. It's the "ferritin panel," and it shows with 4 results whether you have iron overload--which can be treated.
If left untreated, iron overload can deposit iron in all your internal organs plus your joints, leading to terrible problems. Just a word, in case. . . . because I care about you.
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paloma91
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posted on August 27, 2006 09:53:49 AM new
Tom, Tell me about pain management. I have been suffering with pain for over 20 years. Only one doctor has come close helping me with this thing. Unfortunately, he is over 20 miles away and is about to retire.
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GeneralFunds
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posted on August 27, 2006 10:57:07 AM new
Welcome back Tom & Ralphie!
Even though I'm not a real vocal participant on the board, I've missed you and been wondering what was up.
I have a friend who battles that pain deal too. As others have said, the balance is hard to find sometimes.
It seems some of our docs here in CA are quick to give another drug until you're taking so many you only want to sleep all the time.
Anyway, glad you're back and I'm sending good "juju" your way!
Sharon
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NEGLUS
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posted on August 27, 2006 11:42:14 AM new
Glad you are "back" Tom and sorry to hear about your pain problems. I am glad you had a stellar eBay week!
-------------------------------------
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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mikes4x4andtruckrepair
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posted on August 27, 2006 11:48:21 AM new
Glad to see you back Tom and that Ralphie's been on his best behaviour. My sister inlaw lived with chronic back pain for years after a accident she received at work. Her back pain was so bad that she could barely stand up and walk and the drug's they had her on kept her in more or less a daze full time. 2 years ago they installed a hockey puck size morphine pump in her back on the right side. It dispenses a minute dose of morphine directly to her back where the pain originates from. She sais it has been a life changing operation for her. No more pain, no more pills with side effects and best of all she has her life back now. Now all she has to do 3 times a year is go to the hospitol and they fill the pump through a external port and she's good for another 4 months.
 1 out of 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Take a look at your 3 closest friends. If they seem alright, you're the one! - Kyle Stubbins, CMS
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classicrock000
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posted on August 27, 2006 01:25:06 PM new
Tommy-glad to see ya back my man-thought someone in here pissed ya off and you deceided not to come back,or you were recovering from the Red Sox-Yankee debcacle LOL.
I know you've been on pain meds for sometime.I cant imagine what that must be like,and like most of us,probably take it for granted we wake up pain free everyday.Im glad you're doing well on Ebay,but I bet a years paycheck you'd give Ebay up just to be pain free the rest of your life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you dont want to hear the truth....dont ask the question.
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ewora
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posted on August 27, 2006 03:18:12 PM new
Being in pain really does suck all of the energy right out of you. I know when my fibromyalgia flares up I don't want to do anything as even the smallest movements hurt.
I'm glad to hear that you are back on your medication. Hopefully everything will normalize for you soon and you will get your life back.
How wonderful that you had a good eBay week last week. Did you take advantage of their stores to core listing special?
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tomwiii
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posted on August 27, 2006 06:36:53 PM new
Just got in from a GREAT day with my "family" -- took my "son" and his daughter (my bestest buddy in da world -- can't believe she's 13 now! She's the cutie I took to London a few years back if ya look at my ME page) out to dinner & then we saw: "Snakes On A Plane" WHAT A HOOT!
Last night I used AMBIEN for the first time & got 6 HOURS OF SLEEP! AMAZING! This could really be a big deal for me as sleep deprivation has been one of my major problems since my injury way back in 1997; not to mention the subsequent FOUR shoulder surgeries that progressively made me WORSE...
roadsmith: I see my PCP every 3 mos & will ask him about this when next I go -- THANKS!
ewora: no, I didn't participate in THAT promotion as it seemed pretty bogus to MOI...
THANKS to all our friends here...
Tom & Ralphie
[ edited by tomwiii on Aug 27, 2006 06:38 PM ]
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roadsmith
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posted on August 27, 2006 07:53:52 PM new
Tom: I hadn't realized your back pain was from an injury. Unless you have lots more joint pain here and there, it may not be necessary to get the ferritin tests.
I read messages here from people who suffer from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. These are frequently symptoms of iron overload, rather than the primary disorder. Some people in the world suffered from those things for years before being properly diagnosed.
Iron overload is the most common inherited disorder in the world, 1 in 200 carry the genes, 1 in about 100 have it to one degree or another. But it's just getting discovered.
Well, end of my soapbox now. 
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pixiamom
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posted on August 27, 2006 08:15:49 PM new
So glad Tom & Ralphie are back & that Ralphie's been behavin himself - throw him an extra milkbone for me. I am absolutely seething that anyone has to suffer pain that can be managed by legitimate drugs that are on the controlled substance list - and the wussy MDs that are cowed into prescribing less appropriate alternatives. One of my friends, also an MD, bravely prescibed a controlled substance for me for what she considered a chronic condition. She finally couldn't take the heat and pointed me to a Florida internet source where Doctors (?) conduct online examinations and then prescribe what you want. What a racket! I tried them for a while- then decided to go without - they still call me every week!
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capolady
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posted on August 28, 2006 03:04:23 AM new
Tom - Sorry about your pain and problems - if I had been aware I certainly would have sent my regards as well. I know what you're suffering as my Mom is going through something very similar. At 79 she has developed Spinal Stenosis in her lower back and is in constant pain. Fortunately for her, she and I have been involved with doctors who have no problem writing scripts for top level pain meds to attempt to control her pain and keep her out of surgery. At her age no one including the drs. want to cut on her spine and are willing to try all alternatives.
I feel for you as I am watching the agony she is going through and it is miserable.
Thank goodness you have Ralphie who I'm certain is a major source of comfort. Somehow they know when you're down and just stick close.
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pmelcher
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posted on August 28, 2006 03:48:54 AM new
So glad you are up and around again. I am sorry you are in such pain and hope the Doctors see the light of day and HELP you! I have missed you here.
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twig125silver
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posted on August 28, 2006 05:11:06 AM new
Welcome Back!
We were starting to get more than a little concerned around here!
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on August 28, 2006 06:47:06 AM new
I'm so relieved to hear that you & Ralphie are OK - we all could not image what had happen to you.
My husband lives with pain as well. He has PN. The summers are the worst for him and thank goodness this summer is almost over.
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deur1
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posted on August 28, 2006 06:55:50 PM new
Tom, I did not realize you suffered with chronic pain.
I was getting concern and would have emailed, if I knew you were sick.
I am not very brave when it comes to pain. I do not have a high tolerance for pain .... very wimpy.
I thought perhaps you were just laying low or maybe took a trip up north.
I do suffered from severe insomnia, have most of my life. Everyone used to say I was just hyper. I seldom sleep over 4 to 5 hours a night. I am very active so it is not like I am not tired.
I started taking Lunesta (very expensive) in January . I do not take it every night, just 2 or 3 times a week. I have had no problems with taking it.
It has helped. I do not hurt, I just cannot wind down! I used to think I must be wacko. My doctor told me that it has been documented that many very intelligent people such as Thomas Edison and others slept less than 5 hours a night.
Hope you can get yourself stabilized. And back at the PC.
At least , you are selling , that is one bright spot :>
BTW – hope Ernesto does not bother JAX..
Take care and hunker down.
[ edited by deur1 on Aug 28, 2006 06:56 PM ]
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kiara
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posted on August 29, 2006 08:49:58 AM new
Sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well, Tom. Sending good wishes your way and hope you feel better soon. Take care!
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