What ID give to be pain free

Being still pre - op, better yet working on my appeal for my insurance company...Im going NUTS! I cant take these pains anymore. I am a full time hairstylist and after a few hours at work I begin to hurt so badly that I want to cry. I hide in the skin care room and sit on the bed nearly in tears. I get in my car at the end of the day and just want to scream. My lower back, my knees, my poor ankles, and my feet are all hurting me wicked badly. I am waiting so patiently for this approval! The pain after surgery scares me a bit - and the head hunger will be a batlle for me - but at this point...Ill take it, Ill take it all. Anything to come home pain free - or at least with a smile rather then a tear. It hurts me so much at work that god forbid I drop somehting on the floor - I leave it there b/c it just hurts all too much to pick it up - please pray for me to have this surgery - For the pain is a battle in itself - yet only the beginging of why I need this surgery!!!!

Gina, I empathize with you, I am a waitress and I run around all day. The first chance I get to sit is in my car on the way home. When it is time to get out of the car everything hurts so bad especially my lower back, thighs, feet and knees. I too can't wait till I have surgery. I dread the days when I drop something at work because when I bend to get it I feel like My back may not come up with the rest of me OUCH! We must keep the faith though because soon we too will be on the losing side - healthier and happier for it In the meantime there is always a great hot Godbless Annamarie

Gina, I asure you the pain after the surgery is something you won't even remember! I had thought it would be much worse than it really was. I used my pain pump a few times, mainly before I would go walking. You'd be amazed at the difference in the way you feel after just 20 pounds are gone. I will keep you in my prayers!! HUGS Kim

Gina, Can your doctor give you a referral to an orthopedist about your joint issues? I had undiagnosed osteoarthritis because of my excess weight. I read your profile and see you have an appeal in July. Try to get into an orthopedic doctor and have them check you for rheumatoid arthritis (doubtful you have that) and especially osteoarthritis. Either one of those is considered a co-morbid condition. You sound like me, the pain in my lower back and hips was beyond excrutiating if I had to stand or walk or exercise. I would lay in bed in the morning so stiff and in so much pain, I could hardly move for the first thirty minutes or so. The ortho can also give you something to alleviate the pain and swelling if you do have a form of arthritis. Your painful joints (lower back, hips and knees are all weight bearing joints, they support the majority of our body weight moreso than any other bones) and how it is effecting your ability to function and work needs to be medically documented and submitted with your appeal. Osteoarthritis is degenerative, any excess weight only makes it worse -- one of the best things to do for osteoarthritis if you are overweight is to lose weight. Osteoarthritis can happen at any age as well. Good luck and keep us posted. Try some Advil or Tylenol Arthritis for the pain and see if offers you any relief. Pre-op, I took prescription Ibuprofen, Mobic and Flexeril. After losing almost 80 pounds, I am mostly pain free! I can get right up out of bed in the mornings without all the pain I had pre-op. ~ Trish

Gina- I am sorry you are having such a rough time with this. I hope it goes well with your appeal. However, if it does not -- you may wish to consider talking to Voc Rehab. Because your medical problems are impacting your work-- (or your work is impacting your medical problems) you may qualify for their help not only for the surgery but for training for a new career. I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but this is the sort of thing that Voc Rehab does. Just one of those random thoughts floating around in my pea brain that I thought I would pass along.

Gina, my mother was a hairstylist for many years, she is now a manager. Anyway, something that might help some, till you can get surgery. Does your work have the nice rubber mats too stand on while you cut hair? My mother had the same problem, when enough of the girls complained her company got the good rubber mats and that made a world of difference. She also changed her shoes to a better brand and that helped too. Remember your feet are like shock absorbers, the better the cusion the better its on your joints. Good luck

Thank you all for your adice and support!