August 25, 2009 - 8:10am
Hi folks, long time no post for me . . . I've been bedridden for too long but I think that's finally over with, thank God. I posted a Topic last July 22nd asking for advice on seeing a Rheumatologist and on RA in general. I sure got a wonderful bunch of replies and now I'd like to let you know how it turned out.
My initial diagnosis of RA was made by my oncologist around July 1st, 2007. He based his decision partially on an anomalous blood test as well as my self reported symptoms of acute joint pain. He had been tentatively treating me for RA with the most common drug approach of methetrexate and prednisone. The mtx made me violently nauseous and the prednisone didn't seem to do anything at all and yet the joint pain grew worse. After 2 years we simultaneously decided that I needed to see a specialist, ie. a Rheumatologist. This decision was put off for so long because I wasn't able to get Health Insurance until 08/01/08 and even then, I still had to wait another 6 months for the "pre-existing condition" clause to expire. A fine state of affairs when you are diagnosed with an uncurable/inoperable cancer that requires lifelong, regular, once every 4 months, $7,000 antiandrogen injections to keep you among the living.
I saw the rheumy on 07/24/09 for my initial exam which was inconclusive as she didn't think that I was displaying an adequate amount of RA symptoms. I was instructed to get a thorough RA type blood test as well as extensive X-Rays of my hands and had a follow up visit on 08/12/09. She showed me the results of the inflammation blood work as well as the lack of rh factors and there was Zero chance of RA. YAY ME!!! The hand X-rays showed that I most definitely do have Osteoarthritis. It's painful, yes, but the therapy doesn't compromise my immune system like RA therapies can. That is something that I must avoid in order to continue my very successful fight against cancer.
Well, that's my FYI on the Arthritis front. I just wanted to say that specialists are definitely worth the visit, I am now treated for the proper cause of my pain which is a combination of the Osteo and just plain old non-specific, hurts like Hades, cancer pain triggered by the hormone therapy. My oncologist and I have been treating this pain as though it was RA for over 2 years. This meant that I have been living with a lot more pain than I needed to. Now we can get more aggressive on the pain with things like Fentora for the severe and acute BTP that recently stuck me in bed in pain and severely depressed for the last 6 weeks.
The serious down-side of specialists is the cost. Right now my insurance has been charged almost $2,000 for one visit, blood work, and X-Rays and I still have more blood work, and 2 follow up visits that haven't shown up on the bill yet. I figure the final figure will be close to $3,500, who of us can afford a bill like that without insurance? That is why I had to spend 2 years in unneccessary major pain, I didn't have Health Insurance. I want to thank our wonderful Governor, Bill Richardson, who sponsored the bill that made health care affordable for New Mexico's middle class. Our Health Insurance Pool is privately run by Blue Cross Blue Shield and is subsidized by all the Health Insurance Companies (HICs) doing business in our state. Not one dime of taxpayer money funds this remarkable program that is only open to people that have been turned down for insurance by these same HICs and who do not already receive a govt. handout from medicaid. We pay a low premium, but we do pay one . . . I refuse to accept welfare. This program has allowed me to keep my pride and my health as well. Thanks for your attention, folks . . .
Q
August 25, 2009 - 9:12am
#2
Great news!
I hate to hear that you suffered unnecessarily for two years but awfully glad you and your docs got your diagnosis right.
I hope your governor has the president's ear as to health insurance reform! How ironic that the same co.'s that denied coverage to you have to contribute to the plan you're on now!
I hope your new meds will help you breakthrough this spell.
MissP
August 25, 2009 - 11:50am
#3
Quincy:
have Your Rhuremy check you for Gout, it can form in any joint, I have it in the knuckles of my hands, it leaves needle like crystals in your joints, it can be treated by 2 medications one is to neutralize hi amounts of uric acid, the other is for a chronic attack, just a thought.
My Mother was treated for RA for 2 years, her health gradually started getting worse until she could not walk, my brother took her to a different hospital, the next day, She was told she did nt have RA, she was transported to a specialized hospital, the next day, she was dianoised with Guiliann s berea (mis-spelled I know).
Glad to hear you feeling better,an know a little more of your health, WOODSTOCK
August 25, 2009 - 1:07pm
#4
Q glad you are on the right
Q glad you are on the right track!! Hope you get to feeling better so you can get back to doing the things that make you happy. Take care, htmom
August 25, 2009 - 2:54pm
#5
I resent you comment about
I resent you comment about taking a "hand out" quincy. If you have ever worked a day in your life on the "books" and paid your taxes, those programs are yours to take advantage of if you need them. Hopefully your one of the few lucky ones to be able to put enough money away and not have to accept Social Security when you deserve it, since as a working person you pay into it. But how will you be able to hold your head up high taking that government handout as well if you end up needing it if you are not able to put away an adequate amount of money to live after work isnt possible once your hands totally become unuseful? Programs like Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Food Stamps and WIC is your tax money really at work and helping some people who actually need and deserve it. Now I guess if youve never worked and paid taxes I can understand your unrest about taking a "hand out" since you dont deserve it. Social programs if you pay into them are great to fall back onto when and if you need them.
August 25, 2009 - 3:33pm
#6
Thanks folks . . .
My rheumy is way ahead of ya, Woodstock, no gout . . . just the calcium growths of Osteo. She's from Lithuania and like Lung Dr. says, the health care over there is so much better for the middle class. She told me that her country is very small and poor but they treat their hard working citizens so much better than our govt. does here. That's what frustrates me about all the arguements over universal health care (UHC). All of my middle class friends complain that UHC is going to provide a bunch of illegal immigrants and worthless layabouts with free health care on their tax dollars. Those illegals and the lazy welfare frauds already have a free medical ride, you can see them at every "La Familia" type clinic here in NM. UHC is supposed to help the middle class, though unfortunately, the current plans that I've seen do anything but.
The NM Health Insurance Pool is intended for us middle class, hard working taxpayers that aren't lucky enough to work for a company that offers health insurance or, God forbid, be self-employed like I was. Amazingly enough, it does exactly that. Miss P, I wish for the same thing, that Obama gets wind of this great plan. I have framed artwork for Govenor Richardson ever since he was an NM Representative. I framed all of the art that went into his office at the UN when he was the US Ambassador to the UN. He's quite a guy in my opinion though he is most definitely a Politician. At least he does look out for the forgotten middle class. I hope that Obama listens to him and does the same.
Thanks for the kind words Htmom, I'm slowly coming back to the cheerful person that I usually am. This bout has taken an awful lot out of me but I still have plenty of fight left in me. I'm going to the cancer clinic tomorrow to talk with the triage nurses about writing me an Rx for the 600 mcg Fentora to replace my current 30 mgs OxycodoneIR for BTP. Since I'm a cancer dude and have never even come close to any sort of "drug-seeking" behavior, I'm sure they will happily comply once they hear how awful it's been for me lately. That's one benefit of serious cancer, all of my medical caretakers are 1000% compassionate and understanding . . . I've never had a problem when I request a change in medication. Granted, I've never given them a reason not to trust me but from what I've read about the horrible experiences that almost every CP on this board has had to go through at their PMCs, trustworthy behavior from a CP isn't worth beans to some of these sadistic PMDs.
Well, it looks like I'm back to my old long-winded, rambling self so I must be getting better. A wonderful, pain reduced week to everyone on the board . . .
Q
August 25, 2009 - 4:08pm
#7
Please chill out a bit, Solo . . .
I think you have seriously misunderstood my comment as to my idea of a handout. I also detect a personal insult in your rather overheated reply. Perhaps I can provide you with some personal information about myself that will make you think twice before you insinuate that I have never "worked a day in my life".
The first time I punched a time clock was in 1966, I was 12 years old and had a job mowing lawns at an old folks home. The first job that the govt. took FICA taxes out of my paycheck was as a busboy at the age of 14. I left home at the age of 16, it wasn't a very happy childhood but I did manage to earn a 4 year full academic scholarship to a state university where I graduated c um laude with a major in both History and Psychology. Since the scholarship only paid for my tuition I had to work 2-3 jobs as well as earn those top marks in all of my classes.
Social Security is not a handout, as a self employed small businessman I had to pay 12.6% of my net profits into FICA taxes as well as matching my employees 6.3%. I'm really too tired to argue with someone that has displayed such ignorance of my well documented history Which is splashed all over this board. I wouldn't dream of flaming you without making sure that I knew what I was talking about by reading a lot of your past topics, posts and replies. If you had bothered you would know that I have PROUDLY stated that I receive SSDI payments and so does my wife. How dare you imply that I have never paid my taxes . . . federal, state, or Social Security? What is your problem with me? Look, Solo, if you get off on flaming people randomly without having a clue as to their history, please go to "My Space" or some other such puerile site and leave this board to people of integrity. I have terminal cancer, what's your bloody problem?
August 26, 2009 - 12:41am
#8
No RA
I am thrilled to know you do not have RA; biologicals are no fun.....and ditto on all of the above.
August 26, 2009 - 10:52am
#9
Now boys lets settle down
Shall we? No need for this back and forth banter. I think Quincy made himself clear in his reply to Solo and that should do it. Lets not get this all heated up like I've seen in other threads. PLEASE???
THANK YOU
August 26, 2009 - 1:09pm
#10
Ain't it da troot, Herrball . . .
I read Solo's reply about 6 times before I finally understood what he was trying to say . . . or at least I hope that I'm right this time. Solo, are you trying to tell me that it's OK if I need to call on govt. programs to help me through this awful cancer fight? If so, I thank you from my heart. I realize that there are a lot of folks out there that are too prideful to ask the govt. to allow them to access their self paid Social Security accounts in order to get adequate health care for their disability. I guess that you weren't aware of my past posts that have not only urged our fellow CPs to apply for SSDI but have also offered to assist them with their appeals.
Solo, I am so sorry that I didn't understand what you were trying to say. I guess that your opening sentence," I resent you comment about taking a "handout" quincy." made me think that you were angry at me right out of the gate. I do believe that this country does offer undeserved "free" handouts to people that have never paid a dime in federal or state income taxes. Unfortunately, I know a few of them myself. I couldn't tell at first if you were referring to me as if I was one of those people. As you can tell by my angry response, I am most certainly not a freeloader on the govt.'s teat. I am also not in the least ashamed of my successful efforts to be paid back the $s that I have always paid into my SSA account.
I think that SSDI is the right of every disabled, tax-paying American citizen. I also think that it is unfortunate that there are so many fraudulent claims made to the SSA for the SSDI program that getting certified for it has necessarily become a tortuous obstacle course. I naively thought that when I applied for SSDI that, since I have an uncurable/inoperable and very painful cancer, I would be immediately approved . . . no sweat. In my innocence I was unaware that there are so many fraudulent claims made by would be freeloaders that they have forced this program to subject each and every claimant to a certification process of which the Marquis 'de Sade would be rightfully proud.
I am totally ignorant of your condition and current health status, Solo. I sincerely hope that you are well and are able both physically and financially to lead a happy and rewarding life. Once again, I am so sorry that it took me a while to understand your reply. Please feel free to p.m. me to let me know if this apology is accepted and also if I have truly understood your point of view . . .
Q
PS: How's that for burying the hatchet, Herrball, good buddy?
August 26, 2009 - 4:01pm
#11
I was simply trying to point
I was simply trying to point out that medicaid is a federally funded program with peoples tax money and if youve ever paid into it (the tax pool) its yours when or if you need it. Now i know there are some people who are physically unable to ever work and pay taxes and as a civilized society its our responsibility to help take care of our fellow man. My wife being self employeed I understand how much extra self employeed people pay into FICA and Medicare. I was not specifaclly targeting you personally or ethically just your comment that medicaid in general is a handout. Im pretty sure after you reread my post a few times you could see that I wasnt trying to flame you I was just trying to point out in a rather elaborate way that not all people who accept medcaid are freeloading hand out seekers. Im sure if I was known to flame or entagonize I wouldnt have been allowed to stay around for as long as I have been. Take Care.
August 26, 2009 - 5:14pm
#12
Q here . . .
Thanks for the reply, Solo. I agree that there are many worthy people on Medicaid, Welfare, Food Stamps, and all of the other govt. aid programs. I have been a diligent and honest taxpayer since the age of 14 and I have never begrudged one single cent of the money that I have paid in over the last 40 years. I used the word handout in it's strictly defined meaning, which is: handout a portion handed out, esp. to the needy. I did not intend for anyone to take it in any other way, that is, in a pejoritive or derogatory sense. I only wanted to make it clear that the program that I was talking about is intended for all of the middle class people that seem to feel left out of govt. programs that are tailored for the needy.
I'm not the sort of narrow minded person that believes that every poor or "needy" person is poor because they are lazy and don't want to work. I hope that you haven't jumped to any conclusions and painted me with that brush of outright ignorance. There are lots of deserving needy people in this country, the handicapped and elderly especially. You mentioned what it would be like to no longer be able to work if I suddenly lost the use of my hands. That and a whole lot more is what happened to me when I found out that I have an incurable/unoperable cancer. I went through my life savings while I waited for the SSA to approve my SSDI appeal. My wealthy father more or less disowned me and my disabled wife and I were as close as you can get to being homeless. If it wasn't for the help of an old and dear friend , we would have been out on the streets. We were most definitely "needy" . . . however, due to my past tax returns, I wasn't qualified for any of the aforementioned govt. programs that are tailored for the needy. Ironic, isn't it? So let's let bygones be bygones and all of us pharmer pholks should always try to remember not to judge another poster too quickly nor too harshly, OK, Solo?
Q
August 26, 2009 - 7:01pm
#13
Q, it takes a great man to
Q, it takes a great man to admit he was wrong. Nice work. I was wondering if you had missed something after that 1st reply because I too read it as you paid into it therefore deserve to benefit from it in your time of need.
August 27, 2009 - 9:50am
#14
Thanks mrbrandman, flattery
Thanks mrbrandman, flattery will get you everywhere with the Q. LOL
August 27, 2009 - 11:36am
#15
Nice, very nice indeed
Excellent job of hatchet burial. Well done mi amigo!!!
August 29, 2009 - 10:35am
#16
Thank goodness I saw you were around before leaving!
Quincy my friend,
Good to see you back! I messaged you worried about ya as I saw you hadn't been on in awhile. I've been packing so haven't checked past few days. We're headed out this morning and I checked one last time (will be down with no internet for a couple of weeks) again and am thrilled to see ya back.
I know it's unrelated but just glad to see ya friend. Have an appt. with old doc in La. Friday so all that will finally be straightened out.
Take care of yourself and the wife. See all you pharmer pholks in a couple of weeks.
QP
August 29, 2009 - 10:42am
#17
Voltaren (pretty sure that's how it's spelled..it's packed lol)
I was writing real quick on the other post as I didn't think I had time to read but I did.
The only thing the person here did that was great was gave me a sample tube of Voltaren to try for my knee and arthritis in my hands. It's only for major joints but it works wonders! The cream worked wonders! The pain was relieved immediately where my pain medications weren't working on the knee. It might be worth asking if they have samples for you to try. She DID tell me it was expensive. They have coupons on the site for 6 tubes of it if it works. Might be worth it to try it at least.
QP
August 29, 2009 - 12:23pm
#18
Hi, QP! I have to agree with
Hi, QP! I have to agree with you about the Voltaren gel. We get samples of it at work and as a CP, I try pretty much any new samples that come down the pipe. Most don't really help me. I wish they would come out with a new NSAID sometime soon. I use Mobic now, which is about the only one I can take. Most of the other old ones either cause intestinal distress or don't help at all. I loved the Vioxx when it was out, but we all know what happened about that. I had no idea that NSAID's can raise your blood pressure. And I'm in the medical field! A patient mentioned to me one day that she had to d/c Vioxx due to her blood pressure. I checked mine for the heck of it and it was 180/110! So I had to go off of it. I've noticed that even Motrin will do it, if I take 800 mg three times a day.
About the Voltaren gel. It doesn't really help my neck or back pain. As you said it is more for major joints. I also asked one of our drug reps about it and mentioned that it doesn't help me and he told me it is more for acute rather than chronic pain. I love gardening and if I am in the yard for a long time, my hands and forearms get very sore and tender. And that is not even joint pain. But I'll use the Voltaren gel at night before bed, put on my wrist splints and elbow pads and in the morning the pain is GONE! Without it, that pain will last for a few days.
August 29, 2009 - 5:53pm
#19
Voltaren Gel Rules!!!
Hey you two, you sure nailed that hammer about Voltaren gel. My Lithuanian Rheumy gave me an Rx for a 100 g tube of the 1% gel (it cost about $30, w/out ins.) and I agree with you kids 100%. After one application I became a true believer . . . I even gave my Mom a call and told her to try it. That takes some guts 'cause she's no fun when someone gives her a #&# steer. LOL BvMom62, have you given Celebrex a try? I like it way better than Mobic, it upsets my stomach a bit too much. It hasn't done a thing to my b/p or GI tract but it is kinda pricey, about $100 for 30 at Sam's Club w/out ins. but I only need one a day so it's well worth the $1.00 a day that I pay.
QP, I'm soooo glad that you're headed back to La, I sure am happy to be in my home state after spending 20 years in exile. There's nothing quite like being back in the land that you were born 'n raised in. Not to mention returning to familiar Docs and other trusting people like that. I'm sure that all the Mormons feel like that about Utah, too, which is great 'cause they can have it. LOL Have a wonderful weekend everybody . . .
Q
August 29, 2009 - 8:42pm
#20
Sarge here, about that Voltaren.......
Quincy/Beavismom62,
Ya'll have my curiosity piqued now. 
I have a "bump" on the outside of my right knee (the bone below the kneecap), that is 3 times larger than the one on the outside of my left knee. My PCP/PM told me it's [bony arthritis] - Rheumatoid Arthritis which is rotten news as I have that in my fingers pretty bad especially on the dominant right hand as well as my neck. But the knee really only pains me when kneeling for say; cleaning the floors, gardening, or when on my feet for any length of time. Do you think this gel will ease the pain for me in an acute situation or for my hands? Maybe there's something over-the-counter that will work also. Would appreciate any insight..... These pains are fairly recent, Oooooh how I hate Mr. Arthur.
What my doctor did, is he upped my Norco to 10/325 which is for my ongoing neck pain from Spondylosis/Arthritis/pinched nerve/bulging discs due to getting hit by a gladhand on the brakeline hoses between boxcars on a train. I am a retired Conductor/brakeman. This medicine doesn't address the knee or help at all with my poor fingers: wonder why our knees hurt more than other places; is it because the medicine had a hard time getting in there? I cannot think of any other reason.
Quincy, sorry to ^*#% in on your great - news thread, just interested in that voltaren gel thing. And, I haven't been on in awhile so this posting was interesting to me. I really care about pholks on this site and usually am a bystander, not a frequent poster. Thanks for any light you can shed. And, as always; have a pain free evening. ~Sarge (Rena)
August 29, 2009 - 10:05pm
#21
Hey Sarge, long time no type . . .
Good to hear from you Rena, I've been wondering where you were . . . lurking 'bout the phringes of the pharm, huh? I'm a true believer in that Voltaren gel, no doubts about it. I'm a fine art picture framer which is really intense on the hands and the feet too, believe it or not. I put the gel on at the end of the day, after all my various chores and whatnot are over 'n done with. That way I can sit back and enjoy the relief! My wife, A5, has knee problems that sound like yours and she says it works great. It's one of those things that I only use when I'm relaxing, it seems to have less effect if I put in on and then go back to my saws, mat cutter, nail guns and vices, I mean vises. There's a funny little folder of wax paper strips that are marked for supposedly proper 2 and 4 gram dosages but I've found that you don't need nearly as much as they want you to use. The PI says to use 4g on each foot, ankle, knee and 2g on each hand, wrist, elbow . . . I use about a 1/4 of that amount and get great results. I think that they just want you to use it up faster so's you'll have to buy more. Nah, a nice pharmaceutical co. wouldn't do something like that, would they?
It drys in about 3-7 minutes and there's no greasy residue which I really appreciate 'cause I spend my evenings reading and I hate it when I get lotion on my books. It lasts for 3-5 hours for me and A5, you can even wash your hands or shower after about an hour and you can get dressed after about 10 minutes. It's definitely inexpensive, $30 for 100g tube w/out ins. at Sam's Club. Give it a try, Sarge, I bet you'll like it . . .
Q
PS: You can bust into my topics any time you like, Rena!
September 1, 2009 - 8:27pm
#22
Ahhhhhh Sam's club!
Hello "Q". Thanks for the info. I looked at my usual pharmacy and didn't see it anywhere. D ang Windows updates, had to re'install my air card after, but took me two days to do it. I will get that stuff next payday fer sure! I would like some relief in the evenings when relaxed. What is A5? Gosh I'm a newbie, huh? ~Rena
September 1, 2009 - 8:30pm
#23
rena
a5 is Q's wife.....Q....where are you?
September 1, 2009 - 8:40pm
#24
Man, I knew that
Just went back to the Flexeril thread I started and talk there was for Voltaren gel. Duh! But I haven't been able to get here a lot lately. Need to pay more attention when people give advice, it is usually very good. Also Q mentioned A5 so there I am. I repeat, DUH. Rena
September 18, 2009 - 9:58am
#25
I'm sort of back, Goat, thanks fer askin'.
My vision is all messed up from too much pain and, perhaps,medication. My oncologist told me to cut out the OxycodoneIR 30 mg 5-7 prn total p/d for BTP and go to 2 of the 100 mcg p/h Fentanyl 72 hr patches instead of just one like I've been using for 5-6 months now. I started that about 18 hrs ago . . . it takes 24 hrs for the transdermal to take full effect but I'm "seeing" some improvement already! I also finally got approved for Fentura by my HI Co. I guess when my Doc told them that the pain/OxycodoneIR was blinding me they decided that they could cough up the $1,600 p/m price for #100 100 mcg Fentanyl transbuccal effervescent "candies". They had to special order them so I'll start on those for BTP in a week. I'll be titrating up with my dose until I find the proper amount, they come in different strengths, up to 800 mcg. It seems that the OxycodoneIR has really messed up my optic nerves and their related sites in my brain. I haven't been able to focus my eyes on anything directly for almost a month now. Anything in the center of my field of vision has this weird flashing aura around it that gives me a mean headache to go with the cancer pain. YUCK!!! This is the longest I've been able to type in 3 weeks. YAY!!!
My oncologist is gonna be sooo happy when I call him at 10:00 with the good news. This seems to be another example of the discouraging disparity between both the treatment and the public's perception of a supposed difference between cancer pain and chronic pain. That's a rather clumsy sentence, but my darling wife, A5, has to practically beg to receive the proper amount of medication and treatment for her CP caused by DDD, Fibro, foraminal stenosis, etc. while I simply call the Cancer Care Center and talk to one of their wonderfully compassionate triage nurses and they fall all over themselves to help me. It's true that I try to bring them some of my home baked goodies when I come in to pick up my Rxs, but it's also true that cancer patients are always treated with more compassion and trust (medication-wise) than the average CP.
Don't get me wrong, I love the elevated level of attention and compassion that I receive from everyone, from the PA's and Pharm. Techs to the Drs. and Pharmacologists, but I sure wish that they would treat CPs just as nicely. Oh well, I'll ride that train to the last stop every time . . . thanks again for your concern, Goat, good buddy. You and everyone else have a wonderful pain-reduced weekend . . .
Q
PS: Rena, let me know how the Voltaren Gel worked for you, please. If it does half of what it does for my osteo-arthritis you will have a most relaxing and pain-reduced weekend indeed!
September 18, 2009 - 10:25am
#26
hey Q
I have tried the voltaren gel and it works very well for me...did i say that already?
September 28, 2009 - 9:03pm
#27
Ohhh, stuff works gooooood
I get a bad "burn" in my upper shoulders between the blades and it's hard to get the gel there but I twisted me up and viola' the burn cooled right nice for awhile! I am in very ugly pain this evening tho, have been working 10-11 hours a day and in one position - typing on computer and bending head down to read small print. My neck/shoulders are in a burn bad tonight. My PCP upped me to Norco 10/325 but they only tire me out during the day, weird, so I cut the dose in half till I get home which is getting later and later. Even the gel ain't cuttin' it so off to sleep. night all ~Sarge
September 28, 2009 - 9:07pm
#28
same pain here
sarge...had it for about a week now...found my tube of voltaren and will give it a try back there
September 28, 2009 - 10:08pm
#29
If you can get to a GNC or
If you can get to a GNC or Vitamin Shoppe, try Arnicare gel (pronounced arnica). It works instantly on alot of my nerve and joint pain. It is short acting but what I do is put the voltaren gel on wait till it's good and soaked in so it can start working and then apply the arnicare to kill it while the voltaren works. If it's too bad, I do the Arnicare first, wait for it to soak, then voltaren, soak, then arnicare again. It costs between $11 - $13 for a twin pack and also helps for BT Pain while waiting for BT Meds to kick in. Doesn't help everything, but alot of things and is all natural. Not a numbing agent like flector patches and the like, it's wierd, the pain just disappears and it's almost instant!! I use it on my hands for the Arthritis and nerve pain ALOT! Hope this helps.
September 28, 2009 - 10:36pm
#30
since i put some on
a hour and a half ago..with a ice pack i do feel better but i have my lower back pulling the back of my neck pretty hard...will reapply then break out the heating pad before bed.
Man, I really feel for u. Keep up the good fight, buddy. Be thankful your state has that. California has nothing like it. Remember, if it comes down to it, medical bills are able to be written off with bankruptcy. Not that I wish that on u or anyone else, but just so ppl know. A real shame ppl are forced into that situation. I was paying 4,000 dollars in medical bills in USA per MONTH! Then I moved to Europe, and became a citizen of an EU country, and now, I pay almost nothing for prescriptions, no matter how much they cost, and health care is FREE!
Why, oh why won't Americans let other Americans have government sponsored healthcare paid for by tax-payers? They are the only western, industrialized country in the world that does not have it. Seems so sad.
I wish best of luck 2 u and all other pain sufferers to suffer minimum pain and minimum medical debt due to pain.
Best of luck