Where The Journey Began

My journey for a pain free life started in May of 2004. The day started out as any normal day would, getting the kids off to school and getting ready for work. (Let's back up a little. I am a hairstylist and have been for 20 years. I owned my own salon at the time and was a busy mom and wife.) I went off to work and as the day progressed I began to have bouts of dizziness and just not feeling myself, even the girls at the salon noticed this. I came home got the kids to bed and decided to do the same. My husband was out of town, but would be in late that night so I went on to sleep taking some decongestant thinking the dizziness might be from my allergies. I woke up when my husband came in and when I did the dizziness was worse and now my left arm was numb and my chest was so heavy it felt like there were bricks on it. He quickly decided we should go to the emergency room and I was not going to argue I was SCARED! When I arrived at the emergency room they treated me as if I was having a heart attack, I kept thinking this can't be happening to me I am only 37 and am healthy!! When the doctor came in and was telling my husband that my EKG was abnormal and they were going to give me an aspirin and place a nitro patch on my chest I couldn't believe what I was hearing, this can't be real. After blood work came back somewhat normal they decided to go ahead and keep me overnight for observation.

After being admitted and taken to a room I got the worst headache I think I have ever had in my life. The nurse said it was from the nitro patch. Wow I hope I never have to have another one of those in my life.

The next morning they did another EKG and decided that what seemed abnormal the night before was normal for me. The on call Doctor came in and told me that I probably had acid reflux and vertigo. Told me to contact my family doctor for a follow up and if it didn't get better to let him know. So began 5 years of a million tests and several misdiagnosis! It would take me a book to let to tell you all I have had done to me. Lets just say if you have to have some kind of test done I have probably had it and can tell you what it involves:).

Last month I decided, with the help of my Neurologist to make a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. I had seen this Neurologist 3 times and he felt I had some kind of Central Pain Disorder, but wasn't sure where it was coming from. Instead of starting all over here and going down a bunch of rabbit trails I should go there. What an experience! I won't go into long detail, but they give excellent care and are very efficiant. I was there for 10 days and by the time I left they new what was wrong! I have Thalamic Pain Syndrome, which falls under the Central Pain disorder umbrella. Unfortunately there are not many treatments for this. The meds they gave me made me so sleepy that I couldn't function. Their advise there was try these for 6 weeks and if that doesn't help come back down for a consult to have a deep brain stimulator implanted! What?!! Brain surgery!! I have done a bit of research and I don't feel that is an option right now. Any of you out there be given that option? Please let me know what things you all are doing to help manage your pain.

As of right now I am only working part time. This way I can control my enviroment and rest when needed. I try to stay as active as possible, but as many of you know excersise causes pain! I just try to write everything down and remember what triggers it and how bad the outcome!

I am so excited to get this blog up and running! Let's be on this "Pain Free Journey" together and help to encourge one another! It is tough to have a illness that no one can see and if they do not suffer from it, can't imagine its effects on ones life!

Blessings,
Keri