So.....I don't know what to think (long)

[Pamela H in Texas]

So I had the appointment.

 

First off, it was easy to get to, an easy beautiful mountain drive (daughter drove me). We get to the office and it's a bit warm (shhhh), but it's nice inside, water fountains, birds chirping. Very relaxing if I wasn't feeling so sick.

 

Anyway, so I go back in the back and she can't get my blood pressure. I was praying that whatever that meant, they'd figure it out. I told her she's probably just going to fast on the really low end, that I *really* wasn't feeling well and my bp probably was way low (like under 90/60 for sure, if not under 80/50). Anyway, 6 tries, she gave up, said they knew I was alive. Tis true since I'm writing this a couple hours later :tongue_smilie:

 

So the doctor comes in and I start with 6 key pains and the dizziness. I told him that I would be MORE than thrilled if he could help with that. Anything more and I'd consider it gravy :) So I tell him what I can think to tell him and he asks a few more questions and I explain which leads to more....and so on.

 

After awhile, I was almost in tears. I thanked him so much for listening! I told him I feel like people just blow me off. I'm in so much pain. I have so many diagnoses. I can't work, drive, even make supper or take a shower by myself anymore! It's plain maddening! He says he hears stories like that and doctors telling people it's this or that or nothing or in their heads. I guess I'm fortunate to have had a few doctors who were determined to get to the bottom of it, just hadn't been able to do so yet. But still!

 

Anyway, so we continue along the same and then I told him that I was glad he was asking so many questions because no way would I have remember all that or even known it mattered!

 

Oh, at some point, he mentions that there have been about 5% of his patients he hasn't been able to help like he would have liked. He said that those are pretty good odds, but he wanted to be upfront. He said most people see him 4-6 times, but some need more and some need fewer visits.

 

So he does a basic doctor look over and we go into another room and he does what you'd expect a doctor consider joint, muscle and neuro issues to check. He points out a few things, but I wasn't so sure.

 

And then he does the treatment. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical. In fact, at one point, almost in tears that I had spent $200 and yeah, he had listened, but THIS? I was wondering what I would tell my husband. I was wondering what I would tell y'all. I was worried what I could do next! :confused:

 

Anyway, but he finished up and then rechecked some things. Then he had me walk. It was SO different! He warned me that though I probably felt better then that I may have some additional pains, but that every few days I should feel better. My daughter was amazed to see me walk, guardedly, rather than limp out of the office. I still wasn't sure, but I was noticing differences...And then we're in the car and I was looking around and I *could* look around. I can turn my head both directions! I can look straight up!

 

Soooooooo...I'm still kinda "huh?" about it. But fact of the matter is that I was about to scream in pain (outer thigh primarily) before he started and now I'm not. I was so sick before and now I'm not. I couldn't drive (still haven't) because the dizziness was so bad, but I'm not dizzy! I do have some extra pain primarily in one location, but it's similar to what he led me to believe would be normal. And certainly I can handle a little extra pain temporarily if it gets rid of all the rest of it a little at a time! :D

 

I go back on the 2nd.

[Parrothead]

:grouphug::party::thumbup:

[dirty ethel rackham]

Oh, Pamela, I am so happy for you to have found some relief. I hope and pray that you can continue to get relief!

[Tree House Academy]

WOW! That is wonderful!!!

[mom4him]

:hurray::hurray::hurray::hurray::hurray: That is such good news! I pray you keep making good progress.

[Kim in Appalachia]

:party:

 

That is great!! I'm glad you have found help. I'm glad he listened and what he did worked!

 

I hope all of the visits go just as well, and you see even more improvement.

[Ellie]

:party::party::party:

 

So, remind me: what kind of doctor is this?

[jenL]

Oh, that's wonderful news! :D I'm so happy for you! Please continue to keep us posted!

[Pamela H in Texas]

Have you ever gone to a doctor and thought (before, during, after), "I'm not gonna have a placebo effect!" I wasn't going to fall for anything. I'm still SO guarded. I don't wanna believe though I want to so bad at the same time. I think I'm afraid of not only hurting forever, but being duped or it being temporary. I just can't trust. I have lived in significant pain all of my adult life. And yet a few good thoughts have crept in. What if....what if it does work? What can I do then? And what other things can be reversed? Could I be active? Could I do The X with y'all?

 

Oh, that was one thing I didn't mention in the original post. I have decreased lung volume. He showed me the difference before (he was good about showing me certain limitations on the before checks) and after! It might not have been normal, but it was better! Weird, huh?

 

Ellie, he's a doctor of osteopathic medicine. His practice focuses on his second board certification, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. He uses Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

[Heatherwith4]

I'm glad you got some relief, and I hope and pray it continues! :)

[*********]

Oh, Pamela, I am so happy for you to have found some relief. I hope and pray that you can continue to get relief!

 

This. Oh this!

[Impish]

I'm so happy for you! I hope it is lasting, and each treatment brings more positive effects! :grouphug:

[Tammyla]

I'm happy for you, and hope the relief lasts and increases for you. :grouphug:

[justamouse]

Ohh that's wonderful!! Even though I'm a Christian, I totally believe in Chi energy balances and he sounds like he got you flowing right!

[joannqn]

That's awesome!

 

I'm a believer of chiropractic. I'm sure people think I'm crazy when ours cured my chronic stomach pain and my daughter's colic. The latter was cured in one visit.

[Pamela H in Texas]

Well, I'm kinda iffy on chiropractic considering my experience with it. And I think that is what made me even more upset when he did what he did which was much LESS in EVERY way than what my chiropractor has done.

 

But I just walked over to my neighbor's to pay the rent and electric. To do so, I have to go a little uphill and then back down. I sat there wowwing the WHOLE walk there and back. THEN, I sat there for a good 30 minutes chatting (she's an older lady forced to sit in a chair day and night currently). That usually would have caused me trouble though I would have grinned and bore it. Then I ended up standing there a good 10 minutes "leaving." Yesterday I couldn't stand long enough for a quick shower or fix a meal...

 

I've lived outside of Houston, Dallas, and Baton Rouge. I've been to the hospital multiple times. I've seen specialists in each. And for what? More dxes and some pills to try to no avail? I come to some teeny tiny town in the mountains of SW Virginia and within two months find an amazing doctor with REAL hope to give! Who would have thought?

 

I am beside myself with disbelief and awe and thankfulness!

 

ETA: I'm so happy I'm ready to burst....Please don't let this end...Please...

(btw, teen boys do not understand people crying while claiming happiness)

Edited October 22, 2010 by 2J5M9K

[NanceXToo]

That sounds so promising!! I'm glad that you had such good initial results and hope that things continue to improve!

 

I remember one time I went to a chiropractor for the first time ever. I had always thought chiropractors were kind of a crock lol. I don't know why I thought that, but I just kind of did. And I'd been having an outbreak of sciatica, only this time, it wasn't going away, it was lasting for WEEKS, it was getting worse. It went from pain to numbness in one leg and foot after a while. And the regular doctor hadn't been able to do anything for me. The meds they had given me hadn't done a thing. And then I read online that some people recommended a chiropractor for that.

 

I was desperate enough to make an appointment with one, and let me tell you- I was glad I did. That numbness never fully went away, I think I waited too long- but the pain? That was GONE... and it didn't come back for a LONG, LONG time after just one visit! (And that visit was cheaper than a visit to the family physician was).

 

(And when it did come back, much later, I think it was because I had exacerbated my condition by the weight gain. Blah.)

 

ETA: my point is not that you should see a chiropractor lol. It's that you shouldn't doubt somebody just because they're not your garden variety regular doctor. :)

[KidsHappen]

So what is this dr.'s name and where is he?

[Pamela H in Texas]

Dr. Dalton - Appalachian Osteopathy

Big Stone Gap, VA

[Susan in KY]

... he's a doctor of osteopathic medicine. His practice focuses on his second board certification, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. He uses Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

 

 

D.O.'s are the best for listening to you and really hearing what you're telling them. My ds goes to one and it has really helped him.

 

Susan

[datgh]

My Mom swears by her osteopath. He has put her back together more times. I think he's the reason she is in such good shape for her 70's. I hope the improvements continue so you can lead a normal happy life.

[MariannNOVA]

I have been thinking of you and praying for you - I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to read what you have written.:)

[Hedgehog]

That's amazing! I am so pleased for you - how freeing to have much less pain!

 

I'm a great believer in alternative medicine these days - I didn't used to be though. The first time I saw my naturopath, I told him I had no clue about what he did and didn't know whether I believed in it anyway, but I was sick of the steroids and painkillers I had to take all the time (pumpkin face is not a good look). He just smiled and said he would see what he could suggest for me. 2.5yrs on I'd now go to him before I went to my local Dr, either for me or my dc.

 

A friend of mine is an Osteopath and he's helped many people from church and they can't speak highly enough of him or the treatment.

 

I hope you continue to feel better! :001_smile:

[vonfirmath]

Have you ever gone to a doctor and thought (before, during, after), "I'm not gonna have a placebo effect!" I wasn't going to fall for anything. I'm still SO guarded. I don't wanna believe though I want to so bad at the same time. I think I'm afraid of not only hurting forever, but being duped or it being temporary. I just can't trust. I have lived in significant pain all of my adult life. And yet a few good thoughts have crept in. What if....what if it does work? What can I do then? And what other things can be reversed? Could I be active? Could I do The X with y'all?

 

If the main problem you want dealt with symptoms and it is a placebo and it works (gets rid of the symptoms) and it works for a long time -- why does it matter if it was originally a placebo effect or not if it just helped you get into the place where you could stop hurting and start living?

[Jean in Newcastle]

That's wonderful, Pamela! Remember how worried you were about if you would feel a benefit at all? Well, you are showing that your body does respond to this kind of treatment. Of course, you don't know how long it will respond before it starts to regress, but the fact that it is responding is really good.

[Pamela H in Texas]

removed by me :)

Edited October 23, 2010 by 2J5M9K

[Denisemomof4]

Pam, I was a TOTAL skeptic. In fact, I almost walked out of the office. The dr. I saw was a JERK with NO bedside manner AT ALL. I really didn't like him and thought he was a con artist. He just rubbed me the wrong way. BUT, he took away my severe pain! I was better from the moment I walked out of his office!

 

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!! I felt SO good that when I left for a trip to DC with my son, I forgot to bring my crutches. I had a sprained ankle and was in SEVERE pain. When I got to DC, I reinjured myself so I did see him one more time.

 

Even though you feel better, PLEASE be VERY careful!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm SO happy for you, Pam, and I was just as shocked as you appear to be!

[asta]

D.O.'s are the best for listening to you and really hearing what you're telling them. My ds goes to one and it has really helped him.

 

Susan

 

Regardless of what happens with the treatments in the longterm, never underestimate the power of talking to someone who really (and I mean really) listens to your concerns.

 

It can be a tremendous burden (as well as pain) lifter. Our mind is an incredible healer.

[Tress]

Pamela, congratulations!

I'm sitting here with a big smile at my computer, because I can feel your happiness :party:

Praying that things keep improving!

[Mrs Mungo]

Great news!

[Pamela H in Texas]

Thanks Denise, I can't tell whether you saw the post I got rid of, but....

 

I know I need to watch myself. I know I overdid it yesterday. I would hop on my laptop, check the board and facebook, then walk around outside enjoying every bit of freedom. I was so high I was crying for joy every few minutes. Well, except that my body isn't used to it! I started feeling it and got a bit worried. I went to bed a little early (btw, fell asleep quickly!).

 

So I got on the Wii Fit as I'm on this diet so weigh daily. You know how it does the balance thing? Well, today he says eyes closed. I would never close my eyes for real usually because...well, I'd like to not bust my head on the coffee table. Anyway, but I did it. And there was barely ANY red outside the red dot!

Edited October 23, 2010 by 2J5M9K

[Pamela H in Texas]

I want to thank you all for all of your support! It was because of y'all I went ahead and set up the appointment. It was because of y'all I went through with it. And I'm so thankful to get to share my joy with y'all though I know by now some of y'all have to be rolling your eyes. I'm kinda trying to tell myself to calm down a little too! LOL

 

Really, Thanks!

[grace'smom]

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Congratulations!!!!

[kamom]

That's great! I have three close friends that suffer from constant pain,so I feel your joy!

[KC in KS]

Ellie, he's a doctor of osteopathic medicine. His practice focuses on his second board certification, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. He uses Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

 

Ah, that explains a lot about what you were describing about the office/treatment. My DH has used an osteopath off and on for years, and it's amazing how little "obvious" treatment goes on. But there's no doubt as to the results he feels!

[MariannNOVA]

I want to thank you all for all of your support! It was because of y'all I went ahead and set up the appointment. It was because of y'all I went through with it. And I'm so thankful to get to share my joy with y'all though I know by now some of y'all have to be rolling your eyes. I'm kinda trying to tell myself to calm down a little too! LOL

 

Really, Thanks!

 

I was telling my daughter how well your experience went and she is so happy for you -- it motivates her to find a residency in osteopathic medicine and finish her schooling.

 

Please (and I know it is difficult) take it easy -- when ds9 (he will be 10 tomorrow) has his d.o. visit, I have to watch him like a hawk as he wants to be skateboarding and climbing trees - so, Pam, no skateboarding and climbing trees this weekend.:D Rest as much as you can, continue to drink gallons of water, and rest, rest, rest. And don't panic if some of the effects appear to be waning -- it is natural for things to return to the position where they have spent the most time, but over time (and typically not a very long time) things will go back to where they should be and stay there.

 

So happy for you!:grouphug:

[Pamela H in Texas]

Thanks Mariann,

 

This morning, when I first got up, I just had a little "off." But I still felt really pretty good.

 

But as I was sitting here and then when I started trying to do some chores I just had more and more muscle fatigue. It just ended up hurting. In 3 hours I went from "pretty good" to "oh NO!" I laid back on my bed in tears.

 

I keep holding onto what I have: I can walk. I can turn my head. I can look up. I have not fallen. Not all pains are back or as bad.

 

I think I'm a little more emotional anyway: TOM, the dog lost her mind for a minute earlier, we didn't get ready to leave the house in time for volunteer work this morning. So it's just a little off this morning anyway. So I keep telling myself to "accept and move on."

 

So I'm gonna run and get some water. I was going to use a temporary color in my hair which means taking a shower. That should be relaxing :) I can work on a paper which will make me rest a little. Then maybe some light chores.

 

We may be getting a visitor. The man next door had a stroke the other day and so he and his wife are down in TN at the hospital. The man's elderly sister can handle the 15yo, but is struggling with the 10yo (the family has only had her a couple months) so we offered to take her til her foster parents get back. Some board games, a movie, watching them play Wii. Mostly, I'm sure she'll play outside.

 

I guess it's just hard because yesterday I felt like climbing mountains and doing cartwheels (I *was* smart enough to not actually do either of those!). I want to feel like LIVING every day!

Edited October 23, 2010 by 2J5M9K

[MariannNOVA]

Thanks Mariann,

 

This morning, when I first got up, I just had a little "off." But I still felt really pretty good.

 

But as I was sitting here and then when I started trying to do some chores I just had more and more muscle fatigue. It just ended up hurting. In 3 hours I went from "pretty good" to "oh NO!" I laid back on my bed in tears.

 

I keep holding onto what I have: I can walk. I can turn my head. I can look up. I have not fallen. Not all pains are back or as bad.

 

I think I'm a little more emotional anyway: TOM, the dog lost her mind for a minute earlier, we didn't get ready to leave the house in time for volunteer work this morning. So it's just a little off this morning anyway. So I keep telling myself to "accept and move on."

 

So I'm gonna run and get some water. I was going to use a temporary color in my hair which means taking a shower. That should be relaxing :) I can work on a paper which will make me rest a little. Then maybe some light chores.

 

We may be getting a visitor. The man next door had a stroke the other day and so he and his wife are down in TN at the hospital. The man's elderly sister can handle the 15yo, but is struggling with the 10yo (the family has only had her a couple months) so we offered to take her til her foster parents get back. Some board games, a movie, watching them play Wii. Mostly, I'm sure she'll play outside.

 

I guess it's just hard because yesterday I felt like climbing mountains and doing cartwheels (I *was* smart enough to not actually do either of those!). I want to feel like LIVING every day!

 

We are rushing to go out of town for the weekend, but I wanted to tell you that you have described the quintessential OMT experience - EVERYTHING you have written about is SO the way it is. When my dd30 has her visits, as I've told you, she sometimes spends three or four days in bed sleeping afterwards - of course, she has no children, no other responsibilities other than getting herself well, and being trained in that field, she has learned to give in to that need for rest. Even I gave into it when I saw the D.O. in the winter -- I was amazed at how wiped I felt. I see my ds have to give in to it too. Don't be discouraged -- I think you have every reason to be SO amazingly hopeful -- your results with one visit were just the ultimate. Bless you this weekend!:grouphug:

[JVA]

Pamela-

 

I'm so happy for you to have found this doctor. I hope his treatments will bring you sustained improvements. How we feel physically REALLY affects our disposition, doesn't it? Many blessings on you! :)

[Susan in KY]

Thanks Mariann,

 

This morning, when I first got up, I just had a little "off." But I still felt really pretty good.

...

But as I was sitting here and then when I started trying to do some chores I just had more and more muscle fatigue. It just ended up hurting. In 3 hours I went from "pretty good" to "oh NO!" I laid back on my bed in tears.

 

I guess it's just hard because yesterday I felt like climbing mountains and doing cartwheels.... I want to feel like LIVING every day!

 

Based on my observations, you will keep your gains after a treatment for longer and longer over the course of time, until eventually you feel well most of the time. Don't be discouraged!

 

Also. like a pp said, drink loads of water and do some walking to get your circulation going, but don't over do it. (For a while there, my son always seemed to either fall down on his rump or fall out of a tree right after his appointments. :glare:)

 

:grouphug:

[Pamela H in Texas]

Thanks again y'all.

 

This morning, I was an emotional wreck, but physically, I'm doing a bit better today than yesterday THANKFULLY.

 

I tell you, that was THE best (christian) meeting I've been to in terms of how I felt there. I could sit still, not feel on the verge of screaming in pain, etc. After the meeting, I ran up to the woman who told me about this doctor and just hugged her. Of course, she asked questions, but....And then, I was speaking to another lady and she was amazed too (and might consider seeing him herself!).

 

Anyway, so I'm drinking some water and resting before we go to the town hubby works in to get some winter clothing (Carharts and such).

[freerange]

:grouphug: thanks for such an uplifting thread. I hope your recovery continues. Nice avatar pic;)