I am 32 years old and in the past felt twice that. I have recently been put on a duragesic patch 50 by one of the doctors i ran into last year who told me it was all in my head. I guess he changed his mind! Surprising but true. My pain has been there for six years and the surgeries uncountable. I too had a partial hysterectomy and two years later a complete with ovary removal. Totally unneccessary, completely turned my life upside down and low and behold the pain was there with a vengeance when they were done. I have taken antidepressants, nsaids, lupron, and multiple types of narcotics over the years. I understand that poked, prodded and humiliated feeling but through all the ups and downs come back fighting. It is hard on the family to see you suffering and the one thing i have learned(not until this year, mind you) is to quit worrying about "addiction"(which is not a factor if you are experiencing real pain) and worry more about keeping the pain under control so that i can have my life back. The duragesic patch has been a blessing, i started out on the lowest and breakthrough pain was constant so was bumped up to the next level. For the first time in six years i am truly enjoying everyday life again. I go for walks, physio is not torture anymore, i sleep through the night and wake up with my kids again. I still have the breakthrough pain if i overdo it but i am smiling and happy that my life isn't so limited. I still find I am angry at all the unneccesary procedures and tests and even some of the doctors opinions that have happened over the years. PLease don't feel you have to get off the narcotics if they are making your every day life tolerable. I felt that way for a long time too and still struggle at times the stuff i am on is quite strong yet i feel clear-minded for the first time in a very long time. I have a family of three, a fiance, who has stuck by me through thick and thin and they are so happy that i am able to participate more in their lives. I hop this helps in some way, just remember addiction applys to those who fake pain to get narcotics and those who are looking for a high. I would love to hear the rest of your story, don't give up, there are lots of us like you and different methods work for each of us. I pray you find your answers soon. Lots of Love Wendy Saskatchewan, Canada
At Wed, 28 Aug 2002, MeGaaA wrote:
>
>I am 41 years young, at least I use to feel that way. But with God's
>help & the right tools I will again. I live in Ontario, Canada.
>Since 1992 till 2000 I have had about 17 surgeries. Over 3/4's of them
>were unnessary. For many years now I have been existing in a nightmare
>of chronic pain, caused by all these surgeries. My doctors "THINK" that
>one of the reasons I have chronic pain is due to scar tissue &
>adhesions. I have been poked & prodded, humiliated & have very little
>self worth or self-esteem. I've had more tests then you can possibly
>imagine. Most of these tests have left me feeling vulnerable, naked,
>degraded & humiliated. I've had surgeries that starts with Tubal
>Occlusion, to Tubal Reversal, Laparoscopys, Laparatomys, ectopic
>pregnancies, hysterectomy (which I still have my right ovary and tube
>left). I recently found out that I not only didn't need to go through
>these unnessary surgeries, but that my hysterectomy could have been
>avoided altogether. The anesthetic alone is very harmful. All of these
>procedures have left me with emotional, mental & physical scars. I have
>2 beautiful boys & I thank God for that. But now I cannot have anymore
>children, & I feel the doctors took away that choice from me. Especially
>when I did not want the hysterectomy to begin with, and I had to make up
>my mind there and then. The reason they gave me to have a hysterectomy
>was that it would take away my chronic pain, which it did not do, but it
>did add to the already chronic pain. I am on a prescribed narcotic
>which is also causing me alot of problems. I have tried to get off of
>them but it really does a number on my chronic pain & I go through
>horrible withdrawl symptoms. Not only am I suffering, but so have my
>two sons & husband & my family. It is very hard for me to see my family
>see me this way. I use to be a happy go lucky, go-getter type women. I
>now feel like a hollow, I wanted to say women, but that is something I
>don't feel like. I am in the process of going into a treatment centre &
>taking care of other legal matters. My story could go on & on, but by
>the time I was finished you'd feel like half your life had gone by. I
>do feel scared, alone, confused, and have some anger issues to deal with
>because of the doctors & other issues.
>I would welcome and greatly appreciate anyone's feedback and help on
>this matter.
>Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope and pray that we all
>get the help and answers we need.
>" HERE IS TO LIVING A LIFE."
>
>Hope to hear from you soon.
>Bye for now,
>MeGaaA
>mega10@rogers.com
>
>--
>MeGaaA
>