Personal Stories

my so called life

I am a 34 year old married mum of 3 children. I have suffered depression and pain for as long as i can remember. About six months ago i was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I honestly wish i still didnt have a name to put to my condition. It's like i've hit a brick wall i know what is wrong with me but none of my health workers can give me any advice on how to manage.

Chronic pain for almost 2yrs and still struggling through life......

Well here is my personal story. Im 36 and a single mother. I was in a car accident back in august 2008. Ever since then it has been down hill. Well after the accident i seen my family doctor n she said i just had soft body tissue bruising or something like that. She prescribed me some vicodin.

Answers to my questions...do you have any?

About six weeks ago, I found this wonderful site, it was and is still so very helpful to me. I've read so many of your story's, if not all, of what you have said about LPHS. I was diagnosed almost 2 months ago. I'm 58, but now have realized that I have had this disease for many many years. I can't count how many doctors have told me "there's nothing I can do for you." Or MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE "Maybe you should seek some phychiatric help." Knowing now that I actually have something wrong with me is a relief, but for it to be a rare kidney disease, only confuses me more.

My name is Tania, I am 16 yrs old and my doctors believe I have LHPS

My name is Tania, I am 16 yrs old and my doctors believe I have LHPS (although they are still checking for other possible diseases). I live in a private athletic boarding school miles away from my family and am finding it extremely difficult to get through this health issue by myself. Although I know my parents don’t know what I'm going through neither does anyone at my school, my friends, my roommate, or any of the staff members. I feel very lonely and alone at school. The pain is so unbearable and I am always scared for it to return.

Do Not Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won, had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Afraid of pain

My name is Tara and I am from Ohio. I am 29 years old. I have a daughter that is 8. Everything she knows is mommy being sick.

I have Lupus and Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome. It struck me in 2000. I had several kidney stones and had to have surgery to remove them. Ever since I have had dibilitating pain. I went to many urologist and they all told me the pain was in my head. went on antidepressants and began thinking maybe it was me! I met a wonderful urologist who said I was the first patient he had diagnosed with LPHS. That's when all my medications started being prescribed. The pain was not being taken care of. I could barely get out of bed. I was vomitting every other day. I had lost 30 pounds in 4 weeks. I slept 20 hours out of everyday. How could I take care of my daughter? My pain was not my first worry but my daughter seeing me that way and worrying what kind of chances she will have in getting these diseases. That thought just killed me. My depression sunk even lower and I was going through a divorce. I noticed I was a totally different person and hated it.

I am not giving up in the least. I will always fight this. I will fight it until I get better.

I started physical therpay Monday. They showed me them exercises. I have alot of pain when doing them. More on the right side. Its always the right side. I can do them. I have been told at this time, chiro care is not good. Until I get a MRI.

I was in a serious car accident 10 years ago. Shattered the bone in my right arm. Had a rod, pins, wire put into the arm for six months. For bone to grow back. Took a year to get use of the arm back. Since then, downhill. Not the same since. I am lopsided in posture. The right side of my body is taller by 2 inches. Chiroprators have tried to straighten it. My hip is also not right. I most likely got a pinched nerve. I have also scars that took quite a time to accept, but have now.

No More secrets

Banker hopes to help others get off drugs

Kristi Metzger had it all: a job she loved as a bank vice president, loving family and friends, community activities, a house to shelter her at the end of a productive day.

And a secret.

Metzger was addicted to the prescription pain reliever Vicodin.

After 10 surgeries in 15 years in a fruitless effort to relieve chronic pain caused by endometriosis, Metzger had almost quadrupled the maximum number of Vicodin she was allowed. And to keep her secret, she had turned into a liar.

Now, after two stays in chemical dependency treatment centers, Metzger, 31, has decided to keep that secret no longer. She has begun talking to civic groups about her addiction to painkillers and the resources available.

Brothers sue local physician, claiming drug addiction.

Two men suing physician Dr. Robert Harned, claiming he over-prescribed painkillers, causing them to become addicted. Each suit seeks $1.5 million for the plaintiffsí pain and suffering. Also named in the suit are Chatham Medical Associates, where Harned practiced, and Stop & Shop Pharmacy, which filled some of the prescriptions.

Paula Kamen's "All in My Head"

This review is by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper

The most frightening thing about Paula Kamen's "All in My Head" (Da Capo, $25) is that what happened to her could happen to any one of us. While putting in a contact lens one day, she was suddenly stricken with a horrible pain, worse than any headache she'd ever had. More than 10 years later, she still suffers from that very same headache.