My story is a long one. I have been plagued my severe pain for 11+ years. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, costocondrytitis, thyroid issues, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, stomach problems, bladder issues, sleep issues, TMJ and jaw pain, wrist spasms, peripheral neuropathy, hyper mobility syndrome (she calls me Elasta Girl), Chronic fatigue, and a boatload of other issues. My main problems being chronic pain, chronic fatigue, inflammation and mobility issues. I have had 4 treatments to date. My jaw pain is pretty much gone. I can open my mouth! My headaches are resolving and I can turn my head and I'm not bothered by my neck pain keeping me up at night. My shoulder pain and numbness and tingling in my arms is resolving. I no longer have pain in my clavicle area and the pain in my sternum and ribs is greatly improving. I can breathe! She treats my elbows and wrists (yup, inflammation there too!) And the spasms have stopped. I haven't noticed a change in the pain and swelling in my hands, yet. The pain in the back of my shoulders and upper back is pretty much gone. My lower back is a huge source of pain for me. I have severe pain and immobility due to the fusion caused by ankylosing spondylitis. She's treating this area very aggressively (after lots of testing and it was cleared by my rheumatologist). This isn't going to go away. What's done is done. But...(pun intended) it's improving! The numbness and tingling in my upper thigh is shrinking. It was from my hip to my knee (remember, 4 treatments in). It's now about 6-8 inches long. Woah. I was told these nerves were dead. Maybe they were just in a coma? The pain in my tailbone is gone. I can sit! The pain in my hips and pelvic area is improving. My bladder problems are resolving. My abdominal pain is improving. My knee pain is improving as well. I also had a fall about 2 years ago. I tore my Achilles tendon and ruptured 2 ligaments requiring a reconstruction. So this also increased most of my symptoms. She hasn't treated my ankle yet but she will eventually.
So, I'm a mess. RA has damaged my joints and connective tissue. Chronic wide spread pain and inflammation. Lower spine partially fused. Spinal stenosis. Peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage. My tests were pretty impressive. I have tried every type of therapy possible from medication (pills, injections and infusion), PT, everything. I figured, what did I have to lose by seeing what Dr. Tracy could do. To say I'm blown away would be a gross understatement. The level of my pain has me bed ridden. Not being able to stand or sit for any period of time, I was left to laying flat. Add in chronic fatigue, well, it's just a recipe for a life not lived and I'm not even 40! My children are in middle and high school and I've been left to cheer from the sidelines. I do volunteer and help them in any way I possibly can but to say I'm limited doesn't begin to describe it.
Before I came to see Dr Tracy, I felt trapped in a body that basically gave up on me. I was dying and crumbling from the inside. I am on a lot of medicine and heavy pain killers. None of that has changed yet (again, 4 visits in!), but I'm hopeful it can start to be lowered soon. Am I ready to run a marathon, God no but check back with me in a year!
Thank you Dr Tracy for restoring my faith in my body (and in doctors!) And for holding my hand through this. Is this going to be quick and easy? No. But nothing worth it ever is. I hope I have amazing things to say in a few months. I know I will never be completely pain free. She hasn't given me false hope. But no one in 11 years, has given me any hope at all. Any amount of pain reduction is astounding to someone like me. It just has never happened. Ever. 11 years ago I was told I had thyroid cancer and MS. Thankfully it didn't end up being cancer just a severe case of hashimoto's thyroiditis. And we don't think it's MS. And I was devastated to learn I had RA with a toddler and a newborn at home. Unfortunately it took me until they are almost grown to find Dr Tracy. But if she can give me what she has in 4 treatments, imagine where I can be in another 11 years! read more