Yes, Bobbie..it is hard for an able bodied OR even a Doctor to completely understand all the pain/pains-- that are part of spine and nerve related issues we quads can have--- And some of us ( like me ) ( perhaps you also ) have progressing Syringomyelia. I have had increasing pain and problems since I turned age 50, I am 53 now.. My syrinx began to really expand at around age 50 causing way more pain and problems than I ever had since I became paralyzed at age 40. I need pain meds every day now--- the 1st 10 years or so I rarely needed them. Even with pain meds the pain never stops, it can just help deal with it. At times it increases and gets so bad, I can hardly stand it and my wife puts me in bed and after about an hour it subsides somewhat. It is hard for able bodied folks to understand......( my own mother, told my sister that i'm a hypocondriac ) I deeply resented that and still feel anger towards her for saying that ) I am like my dad was... and have a very high pain tollerance level--even before my injury, I could take pain/injuries better than the average human. Any way--good luck-hope you get any help possible. Dan H. * (near 13 years post ) St.Louis, Mo. Area
________________________________ From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tue, June 22, 2010 12:52:38 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Pain management & pain in the a** psychologist Hi All, I saw a psychologist last week, it was the first part before going to see the pain Doctor who will prescribe my new and improved pain meds. I thought it was a JOKE! They, Kessler, had mailed me a 15 page form to fill out regarding my pain - where is it, what meds am I on now and on a scale of 1 to 10 how do I rate my pain. OK, so I filled it out then went to see the physiologist who had the personality of a blank piece of paper, he sat behind his desk in front of his computer and asked me ALL the questions that I filled out the day before. He ONLY asked me "Where is you pain"? "How long have you had pain"? "On a scale of 1 to 10 how is your pain now"? Then he said "OK, you can go now" I got a little miffed and said "You didn't ask me about what I do and now can't do because of my pain, you never asked if I was ever suicidal or depressed or if the pain interfered with my every day life, you didn't ask what do I do on a daily basis - hobbies or interests. I told him that I thought all those things were just as important. He said nothing AT ALL. The next day I wrote down on a piece of paper what I wanted to tell him, then I called and left him this looooong message. Something like this; "I think it is important that you realize that there is more to me than my pain. I use to drive but cannot because of my pain, I can't type as long, stay in my chair as long as before. I use to be very active in my community now I cannot." Tomorrow, I'll see what happens. Bobbie
