Chronic Pain & Hopefullness

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you have probably heard me talk about my chronic pain. For years I've had pain in my neck/ear/shoulder that flares up at times to the point where it consumes my thoughts, ruins my sleep and generally makes me miserable (and miserable to be around, I'm sure).

If you have chronic pain too, I'm sure you've dealt with the endless cycle of going to a new doctor, getting a new diagnosis, trying a new treatment and then being disappointed when the pain persists. Hope, disappointment, hope, disappointment. . .

After 5-6 years of this, I had really given up hope. I take a lot of Advil and try to remain healthy (working out and eating right) so my body can do as much as it can to help me keep the pain at bay.

Last week I went to the dentist and he took one look at me, did a little test and he thinks he knows the problem. He thinks a disc may have slid out of place in my jaw. I go for an MRI today.

I'm not happy -- just nervous. I refuse to let myself believe that he may have found the source of the pain because I've been in this place before -- too many times. I'm trying to be hopeful, but I just can't be at this point.

Wish me luck in the MRI -- I'm a little nervous about it because I'm quite claustrophobic and need 4 different scans of my jaw. If this shows the doctor what he needs in order to treat me though, I'm willing to try once again.

Comments

[Lemon Tree Tami]

Fingers crossed that this will indeed solve the problem. Wishing you lots of luck!!!! :-)

[Bonney]

Lemon Tree Tami said it all!

[nicole]

Lots of luck and remember, you can ask for a light sedative or something to calm you down. They may or may not refuse to give that to you, but I would totally ask about that.
I've got my fingers crossed that it ends up an easy thing to fix.

[--Deb]

Good luck!!!

[leslie]

Maybe you will be cured just going through the process. Good luck!

[Michelle]

Oh, Julie. Thinking every good thought possible for you, I'll do all the hoping for you, okay? Sending you well wishes for a smooth, quick scan and the results you need to get pain-free!

[Knitnana]

I'm sending lots of good-luck vibes and wishes your way. There is nothing worse than chronic pain. I hope you've found a solution!!
(((hugs)))

[India]

Best wishes. I've lived with chronic pain, what you have said really resonates.

[mwknitter]

I have my fingers crossed for you. As someone with RA & FMS, I have been in pain to one degree or another for most of the past 35 years. I have learned over the past few years to never schedule anything before about 1 pm even though I have a good bit of relief from meds & exercise.

[Janice]

Best wishes--I hope he's able to provide you some relief.

[Juliann]

I do send vibes filled with hope. Chronic pain is a hard path.

[jane]

Oh, I wish you great luck. My two oldest children have Crohn's Disease and suffer with chronic pain so I know some relief would be fantastic!

[Sarah]

Hopefully this time will be the right time!

[Michele]

Wow, if this is the cause, and it can be resolved, that would be awesome! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[lorili]

Just Curious - what was the verdict?