Have you Dr's checked you for fibromyalgia? How about Parkison disease? Some of the symptoms you describe fit both of those disorders. I to suffer from long term pain, for the past 24 years i've suffered from sever migraines. So I know the depression you feel, because I too suffer from it. I feel bad because I have a 15 yr old son and most days I am bed ridden in pain. So my son has basically grown up with little interaction with me. I feel horrible about that, I do things with him when I can, but when I am in pain there is nothing that helps take it away.

You should read about Lymes Disease......maybe try Cats Claw

Dear Sheyenne, you are not alone. I just turned 55 and I began having having some vague intgermittent symptoms in my thirties, but noticed an increase in both episodes and intensity since fall of 2004. Kept getting worse. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005, and serum negative rheumatoid arthritis early 2006. By Sept 2006 I was no longer able to work and have been on disability since then. Despite numbness, tingling, electric shock like pains no other cause of symptoms was explored. Only treated for symptoms as they came up. I had been seeing rheumatologist for RA and Fibro but I couldn't take it anymore and went to my PCP and requested MRI of cervical and lumbar area to make sure nothing more serious was going on. MRI showed many abnormalities that I won't get into right now. Saw spine specialist I also have cervical radiculopathy and was told that surgery at this point might not reverse the weakness in arms and legs due to prolonged nerve compression. I also need complete neuro workup, and surgery within the next few months to avoid further damage and attempt to relieve the pain. It is important that you find out what is going on with you. What type of doctor are you seeing? What meds are you on? I was a RN for 17 years (psychiatric) and will try to offer support both from a personal and professional point of view. I am in constant moderate to severe pain 24 hours a day. Can not walk for long periods or do most of the things we all too readily take for granted. What city do you live in? Take care and let us all know how you are doing. Remember no one knows your body like you. What tests have you had done so far? Do not be afraid of taking pain meds if you really need them to help you function. If you develop physical tolerance there are many other pain meds to use if something else serious and painful happens to you.

!turkey1 is right...also, try to focus on each day as it comes, not 20 years from now (take one day at a time).  Looking that far ahead can be stressful and scary.  It isn't all in your head either.  There is something causing it.  I mean, why would the doctors be prescribing meds if there was nothing wrong?  Keep trying to find someone who will listen.  There is someone who can.

Melissa.

I am glad you found this website and I too suffer from this pain starting in my back and my doctor takes alot of blood and he is still tryiny to figure out what is wrong with me.

I dont take muscle relaxers and rarely the pain meds because some Dr's assiatant said something to me which stuck in my brain.  I am 46 and she said what happens if you keep taking all these pain meds and like in 10 years you fall down and break your hip THAN those pain meds wont work!

I am now focusing on my husbands health and our diet and I actually have done this year 2010 POSITIVE CHANGES IN MY HEALTH LIKE WE together have actually quit smokin too.

Please come back and write and tell us how your doing ok?  I think it sure helps me so much!

xox

You do have every right to be depressed. Are you on any antidepressants? I ask because some antidepressants also help with pain. Might be worth asking about. Sorry you are going through this. There are many people here going through the same thing. I hope you will find some good information that can help you.