Thanks for the nice messages last night, guys. The crisis has passed, this time.

[Redstone]

I owe it to you to tell you: It was just another one of those days of massive and unremitting pain (to the point where I got ZERO work done, and I have a $37,000 project that's getting critically close to deadline, so there was the frustration factor as well), this day following a virtually sleepless night Thursday night...just the same old shit, in other words.

DU ladies, aren't you glad that you're not Mrs R? (Not that I complain or whine; she just is unhappy seeing me go through that, and not being able to do anything to help.)

And I'm sorry for whining here last night; but Christ, I feel like I'm being lazy and letting my family down when I let the pain keep me from working. I did try though, six or seven times when Mrs R was out or not watching.

I think it's time to go for the cryoblock. It'll only work for a year or two each time, and I can only have it done twice, but what the hell; that's two to four years I'll have.

Thanks again for being such good friends.

Redstone

[KitchenWitch]

1. I am sorry you are in such pain.

I figured that was what was going on last night. Please PM me if you ever need anything. I am here for you.

:hug::pals:

[LynzM]

2. Anytime... I wish there were more I could do to help.

Lots of love and gentle hugs coming your way... :hug: Cryoblock sounds like a good plan, if you're in that kind of pain. :hug:

[Radio_Lady]

3. Redstone, I'm here adjusting my TENS unit to try and suffer through another night

with back pain.

Some days it's better, some days, it's worse. At least, I've had a little relief (went into a swimming pool heated to 90 degrees F. with my grandson today).

Also, I had a BIG piece of chocolate and let it melt on my tongue. Yummy!

I hope you find some relief soon. Sometimes it's one day or one hour at a time.

I took my first Roxicet this morning. I'm convinced my mattress HAS TO GO! I do better on a firm mattress, and this one is TOO SOFT. I'm trying to convince Gramps to spend a bundle on a new bed. He's kind of frugal, to say the least. "What's wrong with my bed?" he asks. "Your bed is fine, stupid. It's MY bed that's lousy. We tried to save a couple of hundred dollars eight years ago, and it didn't work."

Anyway...

Good night and good luck.

In peace,

Radio Lady

[redwitch]

4. Hubby has a tens unit too.

It has been a rough week for his back and tomorrow he has a long flight. I hope it doesn't do him in. Chronic pain is horrible, I wish everyone a pain free night and peaceful dreams.

[Redstone]

7. So, you have an idea of what life is like for the Pain People. It just isn't the same when

you know it's never going to go away, is it?

And thanks again for the nice note.

Redstone

[redwitch]

9. You are more than welcome.

We need a new mattress I am thinking. Hopefully soon. I think that will help some. He had a great physical therapist who helped a lot but she is very ill now and can no longer work. He keeps on keeping on though and good days are wonderful.

[LynzM]

10. Dealing with chronic shit sucks.

I cannot fathom what chronic pain is like... I have such respect that you choose to continue to live, every day. :hug:

[Redstone]

14. Thank you. See why I'm so bad about scheduling a lunch date? I never know when

the thousand-pound shithammer is going to fall upon me, and I'd hate to cancel in the morning of the day.

Redstone

[LynzM]

16. You're welcome.

No worries about the lunch date, ever, my friend. I keep a lunch in the freezer, and I'd rather have the chance to see you, even if it's a 25-75 bet against. :hug:

[Redstone]

18. Gotcha.

Redstone

[WCGreen]

38. Damn, great way to describe it.....

I have the back pain as well as my lung troubles...

People say they understand but they really don't...

although I must say, most of what is left of my clients are very understanding...

[Redstone]

5. Get a Tempurpedic mattress RIGHT NOW!! Even if you have to re-mortgage your house.

It'll take you four or five nights to get used to it, but it'll be the best money you EVER spent for your back.

I guar-on-TEE it, as the Cajuns say.

How's that TENS machine working out for you? Some people say they're miraculus.

Redstone

[havocmom]

11. Redstone, are those beds warm to sleep on?

Pain is horrible but dealing with hot flashes from hell too. A too warm bed will trigger those nasty things. I do sleep (well, TRY to sleep) with an ice bag against the back of my head and neck. Seems to help with the killer flashes (also sleeping with a fan on... in winter... in Montana- so you see, heat is a problem)

Have wondered if tempurpedic mattress would help with back/hip joint pain that keeps me awake most nights.

If I could manage sleeping while standing up, life would get better in a hurry. Thinking of having a loop installed on the back of my neck so Havocdad could just hang me up on a hook on the back of the door ;)

[Redstone]

13. Absolutely not. They're NOT foam rubber. They're an open-cell, viscoelastic foam.

I've used ours through two summers now, and I'm VERY heat-intolerant, and have not found it to be any warmer than a regular mattress.

My customers think it'd a bit strange when I come to a meeting with a small battery-operated fan to put on the table. Until I tell them why I'm heat-intolerant, then they don't mind.

Redstone

[havocmom]

17. Thanks for that. I just worried that the molding around the body thing would be warm

Understand about the fan. Havocdad/Santa got me a dozen folding, painted oriental fans so I can have them all over the house for those sudden emergencies.

Observing me on the front steps at 11 PM in shorts and tank top, fanning myself furiously, he came up with a theory about global warming: Besides all the bad gasses and dirt we humans pump into the air, there is a HUGE population of Boomer females all hitting menopause. If just half of us are outside in shorts in winter, we might have an impact too ;)

About heat intolerance, a question: Do you think the chronic pain is a factor in the heat problem? I have ALWAYS had terrible problems with heat, but it has become much worse since the constant pain has been stalking me. Just seems like the nerves all are hyper-active and any irritant is magnified.

Sometimes I just want to wander off alone, lay down in the snow and wait for the dark angel to come. I get so damned tired of the pain.

[Redstone]

19. Yes, the pain is a factor, especially because part of it is from RDS. Also, the MS, and also

the narcotics that I take.

Boy, do you know how to write:

"Sometimes I just want to wander off alone, lay down in the snow and wait for the dark angel to come. I get so damned tired of the pain."

Yes, I understand. The fact that I have a family is the ONLY thing that's kept me away from the bridge.

Redstone

[KitchenWitch]

27. You are onto something there

I am also very heat intolerant, and I think my chronic pain has a lot to do with my being less tolerant. Also, any time I take an opioid pain medication, I get the terrible sweats, so the combination of heat intolerance, pain and pain medication is enough to send me over the edge.

[Radio_Lady]

35. So far, the TENS unit is working, but the adhesive they put on the electrodes is peeling off.

I've only had the damned thing for a week, and I'm using it every other day.

Can't bear to ask hubby to put it on every day.

I contacted the company and got voice mail -- tomorrow's a holiday and I won't get an answer.

Have been thinking about the THERMOPEDIC, but afraid to bring up the subject of HOW MUCH IT COSTS!

[conscious evolution]

33. Temporary fix

that helped with my matress is to put plywood(or any type of wood sheets) between the mattress and box springs.It helped make the matress a little more firmer.

[reyd reid reed]

6. Wasn't there a week or two recently

when you were relatively pain-free? What precipitated that? Anything in particular? Anything worth trying again?

I hate to think of you in that kind of pain.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Redstone]

8. It was three days. But it was a miracle. Don't know if I ccould have it work again.

Redstone

[reyd reid reed]

28. That's the thing about miracles, darlin'...

they always come out of the blue when we think things are impossible. Insurmountable. Intolerable.

That's what makes 'em miracles.

And you deserve a whole fistful of 'em.

:hug::loveya::hug:

Feel better.

[bicentennial_baby]

12. dOOd, teach me to be your remote assistant!!

:bounce:

c'mon, you know it's a solid gold idea :D

[Redstone]

15. How are you with JavaScript and PHP?

That's what I'm rassling with now. to see a demo, go to http://www.onlineassembler.com/MWJdrawdemo/mwjdraw1.html

Pick either cable type, then play with it to your heart's content.

What I'm working on now is a new iteration of the software for a different kind of product.

Redstone

[lavenderdiva]

20. I'm so sorry Redstone that you are hurting

I do so hope you find some relief, and soon. You are in my prayers :hug:

[Redstone]

22. I'm not religious, but I'll never discount the power of prayer. Thank you. for them.

Redstone

[idgiehkt]

21. I'm glad to know that it is better today

It is not whining to talk about it if you are feeling down or hurting. I wish I knew of something that could help take the pain away. I don't know what a cryoblock is but if it works I say go for it, and I hope it works to take the pain away. :hug:

[Redstone]

25. A cryoblock is when they kill a nerve by injecting liquid nitrogen into it and

freezing it to death. But it only works until your body grows new nerve pathways past the dead area.

And you? Are the clouds lifting for you? I do hope they are.

Redstone

[idgiehkt]

36. Wow, that procedure in itself sounds painful

I hope that it brings you relief though. I wonder why they only let you do it a couple of times.

I am doing well, thanks for all your wisdom, especially the last bit, it has proven to be very true.

idg

[graywarrior]

23. Phew. I thought you left for good.

[Whoa_Nelly]

24. Dammit, Redstone!

I want to infuse with Pain-Be-Gone! (big) :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

26. Aw, Redstone

I'm so sorry you are going through this. :hug:

[hippywife]

29. Welcome back!

I'm so glad you got some little ways past what was ailing you Friday night. I'm so sorry you have to deal with so much pain.

[haf216]

30. I'm sorry you are hurting,

but I'm glad you did not leave for good. You would be missed. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Redstone]

34. Nah, it would take a LOT more than that to make me go away for good. I did say I'd

be back in a day or two.

Thanks.

Redstone

[Callalily]

31. Glad to hear

that the crisis has passed, albeit temporary I gather. Sending strength and healing light, and of course lots and lots of

[LaraMN]

32. Sweetie...

:hug: :hug: :hug:
I hate to hear you're in pain. The cryoblock sounds like a good thing, at this point. Much love and many good vibes to you.

[NewWaveChick1981]

37. I missed the thread last night, Redstone, but....

...I still wanted to give you a hug. :hug: :hug: You are NOT being lazy when you have to handle your pain. :pals:

[merh]

39. gentle hugs

and prayers and love sent out to you and for you. :hug:

And for MrsR. :hug:

:loveya: