OPIOD MEDICATIONS vs MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Just received a call to verify my appt this month with Arkansas Progressive Medicine. By now, I'm sure that you've heard of Arkansas legalizing Medical Marijuana(MM). This clinic specifically prescribes medical marijuana and will give a MMJ(Medical Marijuana Card) for those who qualify for it. 
If you suffer from a qualifying ailment described in their list, then you will receive a MMJ. (You'll have to look those up for yourself, to see if your qualify because I didn't list the qualifications here..at this time, but might add them to the post at a later date.) There are sites that give you the qualifying conditions. 
I do qualify for it and have dealt with chronic pain and nerve damage pain for many years, etc, etc... 

Using MM is suppose to be an alternative treatment that supposedly will help those to get off of strong meds...like Opiods. I'm sure that you've heard of the Opiod epidemic out there and this is NOT the reason why I want to give this a try. It is because I've heard so many good things about the Medical Marijuana, that I wanted to see if it would help me. I don't have a problem with my medications or am I an addict. I'm not going to say that I'm not dependant...because I am, but I have a list a mile long of things that is wrong with me and depend on my medication to help me. I can say one thing...I DON'T EVER ABUSE MY MEDICATIONS!! I never have and I never will.  Matter of fact, I take my medications as prescribed, always have and even have medications left over in a month, where I haven't taken all that was prescribed. Now, an addict(I've heard) will take all of their medications in a short period of time and run out early. I've never called to get more medication from my pain clinic and I'm proud to say it too. I am not the kind of person that seeks a high, I just want relief from my pain. My pain level can reach a 10 sometimes, but it usually stays between a 4-6. I have a high pain level tolerance and grateful to that. Most of the time...I just deal with it and stay in my bed, where I can rest on a heating pad and watch tv. I don't get out much, but have learned of my limitations and what I can and can't do. I know that I'll never have a zero pain level, but I am grateful that the medications have given me some relief of my pain. It isn't fun dealing with pain, nor is it fun having to take medications all of the time, to relieve that pain. I  JUST WISH THAT I NEVER HAD TO SEE ANOTHER PATCH OR PILL AGAIN!! But, unfortunately...I don't believe that will ever happen. I'm sure that I'll have to use some form of pain relief, for the rest of my life and hoping that by using the MM, it will take away some of the meds that I have been prescribed...like the Hydrocodone...and hopefully the Gabapentin.    

About the MM, it's not that I want to smoke or get high, but that I'm fed up and tired of taking the same medications, which could possibly affect my liver. I don't want it to cause me to have another problem. With the MM, maybe I can be relieved of taking one or more of the strong meds and in hopes that it will work for me. I've taken these meds for years(almost 12 yrs) and believe that I've just become immune to it and don't want to go up on the Fentanyl Patch dosage. I'm on 50 mcg now and have since '07. It's just that the dosage I'm taking has just become not as helpful or as effective or maybe, my pain has intensified. To me, I believe that I've become immune to their effects. I just don't get much relief anymore from taking them, not like I was at the beginning. My pain level has been steadily increasing and that is what scares me!! I sure hope that the MM will give me some relief and believe that it will. At least, to where I can get off of the Hydrocodone 10/325mg that I take 4x's per day. 

I do believe that Medical Marijuana does and can help people that deal with seizures and nerve damage issues. I've seen it happen and that it helps people! I am glad, at least that there are alternative solutions to taking Opiods out there. I must say that I am still a bit skeptical that using MM is going to relieve ALL of my PAIN. WHY? Well, I'm in severe pain and take very strong medication for it and it only gives me half the relief that I need. I just deal with the rest, but as I said above..I don't believe that I'll ever have a zero pain level and I'm pretty tough. I'm tougher than people give me credit for. I have for a long time now and truly believe that is because I have a positive attitude and strong faith. I'm just very tired of dealing with all of the medications. It gets very tiring to deal with and I have hopes that this will be my solution to my problem. 
I JUST NEED YOU GUYS, TO CONVINCE ME OF IT....THAT IT WILL WORK!!
I have an appt on the 24th of this month(August)...so, I need a reply pretty soon on this...

As much as I want to get off of these strong medications that I've been prescribed to take for over a decade, I am just very skeptical that MM is going to totally relieve my pain...without me needing to take them. I hope and pray that it'll be able to take the place of everything. DO you believe by looking at all that I have wrong with me(listed below)..that I will? 
I mean, I have a lot of bad issues going on in my back and I'm taking some pretty strong medications for it===the Fentanyl Patch and the Hydrocodone!! :o 
I am really hoping that it is true and I will be able to get off of them. 

I'm asking you guys out there, who have also taken the same strong meds as I am taking now, IF IT IS possible to do so. Do you believe that by using the MM...that it WILL or WILL NOT relieve MY pain? CAN I can get off of THESE MEDICATIONS and JUST TOTALLY RELY ON MM?

I really want to be OFF of it and be free once and for all! The Fentanyl Patch and the Hydrocodone, I've relied on to relieve my pain for many many years and it is just hard for me to leave it behind and believe that it will work. FOR GOOD REASON...I'M SCARED!!! But, IS THIS REALLY POSSIBLE?? Can by just smoking MM relieve most of my pain??
I NEED TO KNOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID!!! I'M DEPENDENT ON THESE MEDICATIONS AND WILL HAVE TO ENDURE A TON OF PAIN, IF IT DOESN'T WORK!!! 

To be honest, I really didn't want to go this route because of the stigmatism associated with it, but so much evidence has been provided and given to show that it DOES help those suffering with nerve damage and chronic pain. After all of the research I've done and all of the articles, videos and posts, I've read..I sure hope so. I've decided to give it a shot. 
First, I want to hear from ALL OF YOU out there and see your viewpoint on it.  Please answer my question honestly and tell me which direction, you would go in.

In my own opinion, we can serve to reduce stigmatism by speaking about these conditions more openly and be able to come to a civil conclusion. If something really can work..that is natural and help those of us suffering, it should be discussed. Either it works or it doesn't. From what I've discovered about it scientifically in research, it does. 
I'm just afraid because it would be such a drastic change for me and all that I would take for my pain. Who wouldn't be afraid of this substantial change without gathering as much evidence as they can? 

The pic above is me having a pretty good day and we were on our way back from a doc visit. Of course, my hubby drove, since I haven't been able to drive for the past 13 yrs, due to the pain medications. It says on my prescription---DO NOT DRIVE--CHRONIC PAIN.

See....
I have extensive nerve damage that is so unbearable at times, I can't function and my arms/legs constantly pulsate and throb and SPASM. My legs are so badly damaged that I have had to use a mechanical bed and I use a setting called-- vibrate mode. I do this, to fool my brain into thinking it is the bed moving...and not my legs. :/ Yes, it is that bad and it has gotten to where it is affecting my speech even. I have a fine tremor in both of my hands too that I know is nerve damage from being hit by a nerve block. It was called a "wet tap" that I was hit with and it immediately made my hand/feet numb. I couldn't feel my feet or hands for years. Just last year or so, I started to feel the sheets on my bed again and it felt so good. I just got out of the tub, when I crawled into the bed and for once in many many years, I felt the cold sheets hit my legs. It really felt good, but it also done something else...it woke up the nerves that has caused it to spasm and tremor. Did you know, IT takes a nerve 1 year to grow 1mm. That is a long time, just for one millimeter!! :o

Just to show you how bad my pain is, once...I had to do without my Fentanly patch for only ONE DAY and this was in the last couple of years. The pain was uncontrollable and horrific!!! I was literally screaming in pain! It was horrible and right then, I realized just how much my medications were giving me relief. No one could even touch my back because it was in so much torture. Mom was trying to rub a pain cream on my back and couldn't even touch it. I just don't see how it is possible that by just smoking some marijuana is going to solve my pain problem. IS it really possible it would work?? 

Plus, I have many other chronic pain issues: 
FIbromyalgia--(Dx'd in '08) It affects muscles/joints in the body. I have all 18 out of 18 tender pressure points.  Just one Rheumatologist I saw, said that I had Myalgias and do believe that I could have some sort of Dystonia or possible Neuropathy too. 
Lyme disease-(Dx'd in Nov '13) -It can mimic any disease and very deadly. I have known many of my friends that have it, to pass away. Right now, I'm in a regressive state, but it does flare.
Adrenal insufficiency--(Dx'd in May '12) First, I was dx'd with Addison's disease and treated for it, for 2 yrs. The Adrenal insufficiency affects my adrenals(endocrine system) and believe it or not, my cortisol level was 1 at one time. I have to stay on top of this and I still take medication daily for it.
Hyrdothyroidism--(Dx'd '12) My Thyroid gland is affected and I have nodules on it. 
Hidradenitis suppurativa--(Dx'd '15) This condition features pea- to marble-sized lumps under the skin that can be painful and tend to enlarge and even drain pus. It has been so bad to where I couldn't even move either arm...the knots were so large. I've had it under both arms for the past 4-5 yrs and they have never gone away. They were in both breast at one time. The ones in my breasts have dissipated at this time, but the ones under my armpits stay. 
Hormonal imbalance--(Dx'd '09) Hormonal balance is vital to a healthy, cancer-free mind and body, but can be disrupted in many ways. Hormone fluctuations occur naturally, such as in puberty, menopause and perimenopause. Hormone imbalance may also be caused by toxins or an unbalanced lifestyle.( I do my best to eat healthy, drink plenty of water and do some yoga, if possible)

Above are the diseases/issues that I've been dx'd with and below are the musculoskeletal issues: 

My back has extensive damage and a NS(Neurosurgeon) dx'd me with having every layer affected. Luckily, he stated that I didn't require surgery at this time, but there are issues that might eventually need to be operated on. 
I have...
DDD(Disk Degenerative Disease)
Spinal Stenosis in my Cervical Spine
Spondylosis
I also have....
T3-T4 compressed fractures
T8-T11 herniations
T8-T9 ruptured protrusion
..and something called an L4-L5 anal tear(spelling?)--(neurological symptoms are sciatica). 
I have also been dx'd with Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare but serious condition that describes extreme pressure and swelling of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. And..I was hit by a nerve block, a "wet tap" that caused me to have nerve damage. The docs also have it documented that I have a Venous Angioma, in my left cerebellar hemisphere and a Chiari Malformation. I'm sure that last entry was due to an accident back in '95, when my head hit the roof of the car. 

As you can see that I deal with a lot, but can tolerate pain quite well and only because I've been dealing with it so long and have been on strong medication to try help control it. But, I still have pain and the medication I've been taking doesn't cover all of it.  The strong medications for it has only given me partial pain relief and why you can see why I'm scared to be off of it and only smoke MM. I just don't want that severe pain---ever again!!! 

I just don't see how by using the medical marijuana is going to treat all that I have wrong with me and relieve my pain, but willing to hear what you guys have to say. I am willing to try it because I'm willing to do anything, to be free of these medications and out of my life. I'd never have to take anything but that!! That would be a relief!!!  

I told them at that Progressive clinic about the severity of my issues and of the pain level that I've experienced...and that the meds only partially relieve it. They said that I would be off of the meds and only smoke for relief. IS THAT REALLY POSSIBLE?? 
I am just afraid of getting off of my Fentanyl patch and have to endure that strong level of pain again. They assured me that I would be able to do it, but it sounds to good to be true and you know what they say about that. They sounded quit confident, BUT I'm VERY SKEPTICAL and maybe that is because I have never only used THAT(MM) to treat it before!! o.O  
Give me your answers because I REALLY NEED TO KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO COVER IT!! Thank you in advance...God Bless. <3 ^_^ 

Please tell me....Has anyone out there been able to stop taking their strong medications...like the Fentanyl Patch and Hydrocodone...and only smoke Medical Marijuana and it control their pain?  

Lyme and mold-toxin illness

OPEN LETTER TO THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN CHRONIC LYME DISEASE

Lyme and mold illnesses

Alain Mass, MD, 
Board Certified in Family Practice
Monsey, NY 
facebook Lyme and mold illnesses

In 2006, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) set guidelines for Lyme diagnosis which established that a negative ELISA test result rules out Lyme disease without any further testing. When the ELISA test is positive, it must be confirmed by a positive Western Blot test in order to have a positive Lyme diagnosis. This is referred to as the “two-tiered” testing system. The IDSA states that clinical findings alone are not sufficient for diagnosis of extra-cutaneous manifestations of Lyme disease and that the “two-tiered” testing system is reliable for clinical use. 
In contrast to the IDSA, the Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) states that the “two-tiered” testing system is not reliable to rule out Lyme disease.

On one hand associations of patients in the USA and Europe, and some physicians, claim that cases of Lyme disease are being misdiagnosed due to the strict adherence to unreliable diagnostic guidelines, resulting in many patients being excluded from needed medical care. On the other hand, many other physicians claim that they do not believe in Lyme disease. Patients quite often report getting such statement from their doctor.

Not believing in Lyme disease may imply that the symptoms are relevant of a psycho-somatic disorder or an illness other than Lyme disease and that the “two-tiered” testing system is reliable to exclude Lyme disease. I will oppose to the belief that Lyme disease does not exist through a strict methodical clinical approach. I will review the symptoms that are commonly seen in patients suspected of having or claiming to have Lyme disease and will go through the differential diagnosis in an attempt to rule out a psycho-somatic disorder and to identify a common clinical pattern that remains to be understood if it is not due to Lyme disease.

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
The symptoms that are commonly seen in patients suspected of Lyme disease or claiming to have Lyme disease include but are not limited to the following list.

- The fatigue is of variable intensity, fluctuating with good days and bad days and may be extremely severe. Surprisingly, the patient reports being exhausted despite eating well and sleeping well whereas at some other times feeling much better despite less sleep and less food. The food does not trigger or improve it. The patient denies snoring. The location, weather, or seasons do not affect the fatigue.

- The typical rash of Lyme disease called erythema migrans is only specific to three variations of tick-borne diseases,-Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi and STARI. In all other strains of Borrelia and co-infections the erythema migrans is absent. The rash may be absent or may go unrecognized in 20-40% of patients.

- Only 30% of the patients report a history of tick bite. In another study on erythema migrans, only 14% of the patients recalled being bitten by a tick.

- Facial paralysis, though a very well-known clinical sign of Lyme disease, is actually rarely seen.

- The joint pain affects different joints without clear distribution and migrates from joint to joint. The joint pain may be associated with joint swelling. Muscle pain, twitching, cramps and weakness are very commonly seen. They may follow the same pattern occurring with or without fixed distribution, migratory, without known trigger, without timing not affected by location, weather, food, or position. The intensity may be severe and fluctuating without reason.

- The headaches are usually tension type of headache. The location, weather, time, food and exertion do not affect the headache. There is no history of TMJ, of sinusitis and the patient denies any runny or stuffy nose.

- Excessive sweats, flushing, fever and air hunger are suggestive of Babesia, a co-infection of Lyme disease.

- The dizziness frequently seen may be ill-defined dizziness but may also be frank vertigo, associated with loss of balance or occurring especially when the patient changes position from being lying or sitting to an upright position.

- The patient is also complaining of multitude of neuro-cognitive symptoms that may include tremor, pins and needles, stabbing, burning or shooting sensation, attention deficit, brain fog, difficulty thinking, disorientation, etc.…There is no known trigger. The location, time and food do not affect these symptoms that occur on and off and up and down.

- Cognitive disorders are one of the most common symptoms. The patient admits a decline in his school or professional performances, a slowness of understanding, of following conversation.

- The memory disorder is rather a slowness of retrieval rather than a frank memory loss. The patient may go to a room and forget the purpose of it. Remembering the different steps of a task or phone numbers or names or a shopping list may become more difficult.

- Dr. Brian Fallon writes in the American Journal of Psychiatry; “Psychiatrists who work in endemic areas need to include Lyme disease in the differential diagnosis of any atypical psychiatric disorder”. Many patients complain of sleep disorder.

Mr. J is a college student who was only complaining of attention deficit disorder. I have known the patient for years as an A student. Once I ruled out depression or anxiety, I ordered a Lyme disease blood test that came back positive. After antibiotic treatment, the patient got back his ability of focusing and regained the same grades as before. A new onset of ADD was a clue for Lyme disease.

The review of systems is pertaining to symptoms that the patient is not spontaneously complaining of. The patient may not be aware that it connects to the chief complaint. The chief complaint, alone, cannot be conclusive. The association between different organ systems may be more suggestive of Lyme disease. Oftentimes, patients do not readily disclose symptoms such as a new onset of clumsiness, decreased professional performance, memory loss, wording or speech impairment or difficulty focusing unless prompted by the physician. Since key-symptoms are not always spontaneously disclosed by the patient, a history only focused on the chief complaint may miss essential diagnostic clues. The review of systems should always be thorough and should always include the assessment of the autonomic nervous system, cognitive functions, communication skills, oral and written, attention span, sleep pattern and psychological status. All aspects of memory should be assessed; especially the working memory which is more often affected.

A 33 year old woman was seen by a neurologist for headaches and was diagnosed with tension headache and sent to a physical therapist as sole treatment. While the patient only complained of headaches, the review of systems was positive for persistent fatigue for the past three months, air hunger, bilateral migratory ankle pain, back pain, severe neck pain with stiffness, nausea and photophobia, burning feeling of fingers, generalized muscle pain, weakness to the point to drop objects, excessive sweats, new onset of anxiety and new onset of attention deficit and insomnia. Her Western Blot test for Lyme disease was positive.

IS IT PSYCHO-SOMATIC OR NOT?
By principle psycho-somatic disorder should be retained as a diagnosis of exclusion.

- If there is presence of objective clinical sign, it then shows evidence of a non- mentally related illness. Joint swelling may be associated with pain. Cutaneous manifestations may be suggestive of Bartonella infection. The drop of blood pressure or a significant raise of the heart rate (when the patient gets up from lying position) without evidence of anemia or dehydration suggests autonomic nervous disorder.

- Some other complaints, though not specific or diagnostic, however, are suggestive of non psycho-somatic disorder: The dizziness triggered by noise or Tullio's Phenomenon is a clinical sign that has been described with syphilis.

- Because, quite often, it takes multiple courses of antibiotics and a particular combination of antibiotics to obtain a successful response, it is rather unlikely to claim a placebo effect. 
- The frequent presence of inflammatory markers and the abnormalities on MRI, on Neuroquant MRI and or SPECT scan testify of a non-psycho-somatic illness, as well.

- Lastly, the frequent common combination of different symptoms of multiple systems to multiple patients render unlikely the possibility of a psycho-somatic disorder but rather raises the question of a syndrome to define.

IF NOT LYME, IF NOT PSYCHO-SOMATIC, WHAT IS IT?
Since a psycho-somatic disorder can be often ruled out, it remains to narrow down the diagnostic approach by reviewing all the differential diagnosis. 
- Very few conditions cause migratory pain (auto-immune arthritis, gonococcal arthritis, rheumatic fever, hepatitis, Whipple’s disease and Lyme disease). The appropriate work-up should eliminate the above possibilities.

- Excessive sweats are a typical feature of Babesia. Menopause is easily ruled out. The Quantiferon test is negative for tuberculosis. Hyperthyroidism, hyperuricemia, hepatitis, lymphoma, carcinoid syndrome, pheochromocytoma, diabetes and rheumatic fever may be ruled out as well.

- The headaches may differ from the typical tension type of headache by associating nausea and photophobia and phonophobia.

- Paresthesia (Skin sensations) may be due to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, multiple sclerosis, Traumatic nerve damage, nerve entrapment, nerve compression, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, encephalitis, CNS tumor, arterio-venous malformation, diabetes, alcoholism, heavy metal toxicity, hypothyroidism, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, infection like Lyme, syphilis etc.…

By exclusion of all possible differential diagnosis by complete blood work, testing and imagery, by suggestion by common repeated patterns and characteristic symptoms, a common syndrome can be identified. Interestingly enough, late stage of Lyme disease reminds the late stage of syphilis affecting the nervous system and multiple systems and causing mental illnesses. It is not surprising since both belong to the family of spirochetes. It is also noteworthy to observe that patients who do have a positive Lyme disease serological test have similar symptoms. It is also seen with mold and heavy metal toxicity. Many of these symptoms are seen with chemical sensitivity, toxicity like heavy metal toxicity and biotoxicity like Lyme disease, mold toxicity, Mycoplasma etc…

Biotoxin illness affects the innate immunity. Commonly the ESR or the CRP is not elevated but some inflammatory markers, in particular the TGF beta 1, the MMP9, the complement C4a and C3a are often frankly abnormal.

A 23 year old man came for chronic fatigue syndrome and very few and seldom knee pain. He is proud to state that that he has a sharp mind understanding quickly all what he studies. The problem is that he cannot remember what he understood. He admits that he has to call his wife many times when he goes shopping because he keeps forgetting the shopping list. He complains of migratory multiple joint pains with joint swelling. His headaches are tension type of headaches but are associated with photophobia which suggests meningeal headache. The Western Blot test for Lyme disease is negative according to the IDSA criteria. Because of the association of a frankly elevated complement C4a, migratory joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue, severe memory impairment and tingling of lower extremities, a brain Neuroquant MRI was ordered, which shows evidence of enlargement of the white matter and cortical gray matter, a small caudate and enlarged putamen. The possibility of stress-related memory loss is definitely ruled out. The Blood test shows indeterminate results for 4 specific bands of Lyme disease; the 23, 31, 39 and 93. It remains to find the cause if not Lyme disease.

QUESTIONS ON SEROLOGY TESTING
Doctors who take a medical decision based on a test are entitled to ask experts questions about the test. Several questions arise from the application of the “two-tiered” testing system.

Could it be possible that a serological test may not have any false negative result?

Why serial serology testing is not required like other infectious disease?

Why immune-suppression and inability to produce antibodies are not considered?

What does a sensitivity of the “two-tiered” testing system of 80-90%, as reported by the IDSA to rely on it, really mean? 80-90% of the population enrolled in their studies or 80-90% of the general population? Would my patient with new onset of ADD, who turned out to be positive for Lyme disease despite the absence of known tick bite, bull’s eye rash and arthritis, have been enrolled in their studies?

The 31 and 34 bands were considered diagnostic bands until October 1994. These two bands have since been removed from serology tests because the Lyme vaccination was causing false positive results for these two bands. Despite the fact that the Lyme vaccination has not been available for many years, the 31 and 34 bands were never reinstated, resulting in higher rate of negative test results. Why?

Since statistically slightly over ninety nine percent of the population is within three standard deviations of the mean. Why two studies conducted to verify the sensitivity of the Lyme disease blood test used a 5 and 8 standard deviations, resulting in a much higher rate of negative test results?
Why does the CDC states on June 15, 2007 that their surveillance diagnostic criteria were not meant to be used for clinical purposes:“This surveillance case definition was developed for national reporting of Lyme disease; it is not intended to be used in clinical diagnosis.” and on January 29, 2004:“A clinical diagnosis is made for the purpose of treating an individual patient and should consider the many details associated with that patient’s illness. Surveillance case definitions are created for the purpose of standardization, not patient care.” and why IDSA does not follow the CDC statements?

CONCLUSION
If the physician only focuses on the main complaint that motivated the visit, it is very unlikely that Lyme disease may be suggested. Only a methodical and thorough review of systems may lead to questions of a distinct syndrome suggestive of Biotoxin illness including Lyme disease. It results in considering heavy metal toxicity like chronic mercury toxicity, mold toxicity, which may imitate Lyme disease. It results in discovering mineral or vitamin deficiencies like low magnesium, low vitamin Bs, which may cause symptoms similar to Lyme disease or brain abnormalities which sheds concern for the patient’s future. A medical belief is an ambiguous expression. A physician knows or does not. A physician reads the medical literature or does not have time and refers to who did. Dr. Bransfield, psychiatrist writes: "Over two hundred peer-reviewed articles describe the causal association between Lyme/tick-borne diseases and mental symptoms”. A quick answer based on belief is questionable when it does not lead to any solution or any other question.

The controversy is not only about the reliability of the Lyme disease blood test. The question is also about the value of a methodical and complete review of systems that is not appreciated. Bertrand Russell, British philosopher and mathematician, said, “Evidence Based Medicine must always be the servant, not the master.” This statement is applicable to guidelines, which are useful and needed. Yet when they are followed by either the promise of a quick diagnosis, or as substitution for clinical judgment, there is a great risk of pitfall. Many practitioners who treat Lyme disease patients, and who become familiar with patterns and associations of symptoms, feel unjustly limited by a non-individualized formula that over-rides clinical judgment.

Can primary care physician challenge guidelines? If pertinent questions remain unanswered or in a non-satisfying manner leading the patient to despair and pain, if expert opinion remains unsuccessful, there is an ethical duty for the primary care physician to search for solution to relief the patient. Clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease and empirical treatment in this setting should be then discussed.
                                                                        *************************
I must say that the one thing that has TRULY HELPED ME...is by USING ESSENTIAL OILS. (I ONLY USE Young Living Essential Oils) They've sincerely given me hope to see another day. They detox and re-boot my body every time that I take a bath. I just add them in Epsom Salts and they do their work!! Essential Oils have helped me to survive..thus far and actually thrive!!  A true God-send!! :o 

And...it takes a whole lot of this too..PRAYER. Prayer does work!!! You just have to have a lot of faith and believe, which I do!! God has been so good to me!! :) 

Forgiveness...

                                                              FORGIVENESS...

So many heartbreaks and heartaches in life...so much pain and frustration, BUT...there is one thing that brings it all together and settles it. Gives us hope, to get through each and every day, helps us deal with any and every situation that may come. That is The Lord our God. He is The answer for everything. He is our strength, our hope and our love. He gets us through life and He is the breath we breathe..He is our everything!

If we only could see the forest for the trees sometimes..but life tries its best, to get in the way. IF, we ALL could..would see that, we can understand that God is conqueror of all. We let the world block our view and let life get us down because of all of the trials and temptations we go through. But..that is just a part of life and we must take THE RIGHT ROAD and we must make the right decisions. We can find...The straight and narrow way, if we look for it. We just have to set our hearts in the right direction and you will find it. He said, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. It can be found, if we put our hearts into it. We can find happiness and contentment, but we have to find God first and the rest shall follow.

Matthew 7:7-8

7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.…

I only had trouble with one of the above and it really tore my heart out. It was the worst years of my life and the hardest thing that I've EVER been through. Things like that are hard to let go, but God gave me the strength to do so. I definitely struggled with number 5 because the past held a lot of heartache for me, but when I let it go, I finally started living life and was truly happy. :)

I have learned to forgive and to let go of some things that were very hard for me to forgive. But..it was hardening my heart because I didn't want to let go of the anger I held so deeply in my heart. It was best that I let it go and move on because it changed who I was..on the inside. It humbled me. Those hard things in my life were hard to forgive and let go because of the pain it inflicted on someone that was close to my heart. They were getting me down and always a constant reminder of loss because it affected a person I loved deeply, but, I finally let it go. When I did, He brought peace into my heart and it was the best thing that I could ever do. I'm glad that I have peace in my heart because God gave that to me.

We let trivial things get in our way that put our life out of focus, but if we focus on THE LORD, He would make our paths straight and our sight good...to see ALL that He has in store for us.

We must forgive others their trespasses, so that we also can be forgiven. He says that if you can't forgive, you can't be forgiven.

Mathew 6: 14

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Nothing can get through, to the core of our heart and change the love that we have for Him, if we live for Him. He changes us...He makes us new...He makes us whole and gives us peace. He gives us hope and strength, to carry on...when life is hard. He makes our paths straight! We can't say what tomorrow might bring, but we know that with The Lord...All things are possible. He even says that "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE LORD." That is sooo true!! I can say that I have found that and nothing can sway me away from God.

When we find ourselves into trouble or worry, who do we reach for? God. Why? Because He is The only one that can soothe away that worry or trouble. Now, He might not do it immediately, but He has a reason for everything He does and the outcome it brings. In the long run..all turns out the way it should. We have to learn to accept things that happen because there is a reason for it. We wouldn't be where we are today, if not for Him.

He can give us patience, strength and love. He is The answer for everything and He loves you more than you know. He only wants you to know Him and love Him. <3

He did not come to this earth to condemn it, but to save us through Him.

John 3:17

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Can you give your heart to God? He is waiting for you...

The POWER of PRAYER!!

*Prayer is the method by which God meets our needs.
Philippians 4:19 King James Version (KJV) My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

*Comforts us in time of trial and heartache.

We all have trials and heartaches that is a part of human nature and happen. We hurt and suffer at times in our life, but it is easier with God to get through those times because He gives us the strength to do so...if we are in Him and ask in prayer. There are things in this life that we can't explain or even begin to understand, but God comforts us in those times. He is always there for us! We've all heard that everything happens for a reason. Well, it does because God has His own plan for our life. He is merciful and kind and loving and does understand. If we live for Him, He hears our prayers. He already knows everything that is to happen in our lives...already.
He heals the broken-hearted.
Psalms 147:3-6 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.6 The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

*Build an intimate relationship with Him. 

"When you are being quiet, listening to Him, we build intimacy with Him. We sense His love, we feel His love. It is like He puts His arms around us."

*Strengthens us in time of temptation.

You find yourself being tempted by something or somebody or some situation, or some opportunity.

1 Corinthians 10:13 King James Version (KJV)

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

It's in prayer, "Lord strengthen me. Don't let me see that, don't let me think about that Lord."

He will answer that prayer!

If we confess our sins to Almighty God. If we confess to Him...He's faithful, He is always trustworthy and always there..Faithful and Just. That means that He has the right to forgive because He died on the cross and paid for our sin debt.

*Cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

That is a promise that we have from God. All of us have prayed to ask Him to forgive us. Not on the basis that we deserve it, but because He promises that He will forgive us.

1 John: 1: 8-10

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.…

*Source of guidance.

We have decisions that we have to make. He said that He will guide us with His eye upon us.

Psalms 32: 7-9

7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. 9 Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.…

So, if I want guidance, I need to take time in prayer and listen to Him. "Lord, what would You have me do?"

Oftentimes, we would be heading in the wrong direction. If you're praying and all of a sudden, you think, "This is what I ought to do" and you get a little "static", just a little "static in your heart". Now, if you know what I mean...you've been praying. If you don't know what I mean, you haven't been praying.

We ALL get "static" at times and that is your conscience way down deep...talking. You think that this is the thing that you ought to do and yet, something deep down inside...."that is what we would say...is telling you...NO, NO..NO NO!" And..when you shut that off, you've said to God, "I'm not interested in Your opinion. I've asked You for it, but You don't agree with me on what I want to do, so I'm gonna do it anyway."

People make tragic decisions, by muffling the voice of God. If you think about it, your whole life is depended upon all of these things we've said about what God does for us. We're all dependent upon Him.

Your next breathe! Any one of us could die in the next moment with a heart-attack! We DO depend upon Him for every single thing in our life. Therefore Prayer should be...not a tack on, not an add-on, but a major part of our life.

We will always depend upon Him! He is our creator!

*We need God to help us understand His Word.

"I can say that I don't open this book, to read a passage of scripture that I don't say..."Now..Lord, speak to my heart. I'm not asking You to give me a message for somebody else, I want You to speak to me, about me. If there is something You want to do in my life? I want You to speak to me. I know You Word is about getting it to all of us, but I want You to begin with me. If there is something in my life You want to clean-up?, some sense of direction? ..or whatever it might be. And so, we have to be honest about those things."

"Lord, speak to my heart about Your Word. What are You saying to me?"

*Shield against anxiety and worry. All of us can think of something to worry about. Prayer is a shield. "You know how and why it is a shield?" In the mist of our pain, our hurt or our fear....God reminds us that He is a God of Grace and He has everything under control. And somehow, He is going to work it all out, no matter what happens. All of us goes through those things and all of us need The Shield that Prayer provides.

*We receive courage and confidence when facing life's challenges.

"I think back in my life of how many challenges I've faced...can't begin to number those, but you know what I've discovered?..That I've never got on my knees before in any challenge that God didn't reassure me that somehow or someway, He was gonna work it out. And..I've been through some tough times, but He's always been there."
Always The Shield and Protector! Less, some burdens can be so huge and mighty and heavy, they would absolutely break us and shatter us, but He's there to put a shield because He's gonna control how much you got to face. He controls the weight of the burden, He controls the time of the burden and He controls the source of the burden. To His children, He has limitations...to those loads of whatever they might be.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. .

*A source of healing, both emotional and physical.

What is the first thing that we should do? Say..."Lord, I don't know what this is about? I want to ask You to give me guidance and direction."

Sometimes, we get bad news and sometimes, we get good news. When we're in horrible pain, usually the first things out of our mouth is, "God what are you up too?" Which is a good example of praying without ceasing. I was immediately recurring in my prayer. "God what are You up to?" I wasn't even thinking about what I felt...it was more where I was...lying on the floor sort of helpless. Because I knew that I couldn't fall, unless He permitted it. "And..did I like it?...none of it." I didn't like any of it, but you know what?..I knew that He was in control. I knew that He'd bring me through it and knew that He'd be faithful, no matter what.

That's The kind of God we serve!! How foolish to try to live in this world we live in and ignore The One true God and The Only God, who can help you. You can't face any situation that He doesn't know all about. He knows all about it before, during and after. Because He loves you...He's a God willing to help you, if you are willing to cry out to Him and ask Him to give you direction. And..He's The God, who will give you the energy, strength, to face any situation and circumstance. That is what The Holy Spirit is all about.

He, who is within you will empower you and strengthen you and enable you and gift you with whatever is necessary, to bring you through whatever you are facing in life.

Think about this..because you are a child of God and because He is The God of this whole universe, who controls and rules over all things...you, you as a follower of Jesus Christ..have the privilege, the opportunity and power, "so to speak", to touch anybody...anywhere in the world because it is His Holy Triangle==The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Here you are and here is the person you are praying for...and here is God. You talk to God and He sees them...and what does He do? God answers your petition...you get blessed. Only a follower of Jesus has the power to touch anybody...anywhere in the world, with the grace of God.

"Now, can you tell me why Prayer should not be a priority?" It should be a priority in our life.

You may have everything in the world that anybody could ever want, but if you don't have Christ in your life...you're missing The most Important Person in your life. Secondly, if you are a believer in Jesus and you don't have a strong prayer life, you are missing out on what God has for you! He has the best for you and He will use you, if you will allow Him to and that requires time with him.

Are you going to listen to this message and develop a new relationship with God? Are you going to ask Him to forgive you for being prayer-less? Missing opportunities, missing blessings, missing wonderful things that God has in store for you because you have not prayed?

Are you going to ask God to forgive you for that and tell Him that beginning today or beginning tonight, "Lord, teach me to pray". I humble myself before You Lord and I want to get into Your Word and I want You to lead me, to read what I need to read and You speak to my heart. Father teach me to pray and to become a valuable vessel in your Kingdom."  

I can assure you one thing...He will answer that prayer.

Father, how grateful we are that You are patient with us. Willing to teach us, willing to grace us with the blessings, willing to dialogue with us and speak with us and have us speak with You. I pray, The Spirit of God will seal this message, in the heart of every person who hears it...today, tomorrow and years to come, here and around the world. In Jesus Name, Amen.

                                                                                                FROG- FULLY RELY ON GOD!!!

HAVE A T8-T9 DISK PROTRUSION. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT IT...LEAVE IT..OR HAVE SURGERY TO CORRECT IT?

Hello there!!! :D 
I've suffered back pain for 10 yrs or more and do well, when I get up in the morning, but then as  my day progress..so does the pain to where it is unbearable to stand or sit. The ONLY thing that helps is that I lean immediately to a wall or lay down flat on the floor. Don't know for sure of why that works, but when I lean against a wall..the pain eases. IS that a good sign or a bad one? Must say that laying in bed is STILL not a remedy because the pain still persists and never completely goes away. I lay on a mechanical vibrating bed and use a heating pad daily, to just DEAL with the PAIN!!! Not fun...and I want relief, so that I can stand without this agonizing pain interfering with my everyday life. :/ 

I see a NS(Neurosurgeon) in 3 days to assess my T8-T9 protrusion and see..if I should get SURGERY or NOT. 
I really NEED advice on what I should do. Tired of taking pain meds...strong ones too. They should take the pain away completely, but they don't. Without them..I'm screaming in pain and my back can't even be touched, so they do help. I can't say that they don't, BUT they don't take the pain completely away and with surgery...MAYBE, I won't need to take ANYTHING. :o
*(Sorry that I don't have my MRI's from the last MRI, but working on that and will add it to the post, when I receive them. IT was a 3 1/2 hour MRI w/without contrast) 

So, my question to you is...IF I'm in pain, while wearing a 50 mcg Fentanyl Patch(change it every 48 hours), take 800 mg of Gabapentin 4 times a day and take as needed a breakthrough pain med of Norco 10/325. 
Do you think surgery is warranted here? 
Oh..and I do take a 4 mg. Zanaflex at night to help me sleep. Sometimes if I have severe muscle spasms, I'll take a half a tablet during the day, but it makes me dizzy and don't like to have to take it. Usually, I'll just deal and use my heating pad and bed...to help me. 

Wouldn't you think that it IS time for surgery if ALL of that isn't taking it away? 
Would you advise me to do surgery or is there another way of correcting this problem?
Maybe, strengthening the core muscles would work? I personally have been trying to do that and get up and do all that I can to keep active. I do some Yoga, but dealing with other issues and it is making it difficult to follow through with it. It does work your whole body and not ready for that yet...I reckon. Can't do PT because I also have a knot in my shoulder(Trapezoid) that is killing me and it gets irritated, just moving my arm too much!! o.O 

Every layer of my back is affected with something, but believe that I do pretty well at getting up and get around, but when that pain hits...I'm down. I have been dx'd with Fibromyalgia, DDD, Spinal Stenois, Spondylosis, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, T3-T4 Compressed Fractures, 4 Herniations in a row(T8-T11) and the protrusion on my T8-T9 and also a tear of my L4-L5.

Couldn't they just repair the protrusion and ease some of my pain without putting in plates and screws?

I do feel that it is possible to have surgery without it being a major surgery, but I have NEVER had back surgery before and don't know what I'm facing. I have had an ACD & F spinal diskectomy of my C5-C6 and it wasn't bad, but it took me years to NOT think that it was a failed surgery, due to continued Neck pain. I had one Doc tell me that I had a screw on a nerve and something about my Brachial Plexus being involved and tried to get the NS that did my surgery to take a deeper look, but he never took me seriously and it was just left as it was. 

I'm dealing with other issues too...Lyme disease...another words..H***!! Also, Hyperthyroidism with 2 colloidal cysts, Adrenal insufficiency, a Chiari Malformation(due to a Car accident in '95) and an AVM in my left Cerebellar Hemisphere and allergies...BUT, I am dealing wit those with natural remedies and seem to be getting through them. I use essential oils(Young Living) and they DO help me a ton!!! Blessed that I discovered them because they have changed my life. I have become a distributor of the EO's because it saves me money that way. And..if, anyone is interested and needs essential oils from YL... I will supply my site address. :) 

                                    

 This is my BRAIN MRI of the AVM in my left Cerebellar Hemisphere. 

IT is just my BACK that IS keeping me down and NEED to know what you guys recommend I DO, especially if you have been there. I just need HONEST ADVICE and it is well-appreciated. Thank you in advance for any comment that could me to decide!!! ^_^  
Thank you...God Bless, Karen- back pain in Arkansas.

Bryan Elmore singing at the College last week, when we had the Patsy Cline/Loretta Lynn show. He sang at the pre-show along with a talented group of vocalists, doing a mixture of popular songs. They all performed solo vocal acts and Bryan sang an Elvis tune "Can't help falling in love with you."

All of the performances were great with wonderful vocals. LOVED how they had everything set up and arranged, with a great atmosphere and mingling. They must do it again and this time, I'm gonna sing. :) 
Must apologize for my Camera...it is a crappy one to record with and I didn't get it all, but at least I did capture some of him. o.O  

Sure did enjoy that with all of my heart!! Great to see my son on that stage...where I've been many a time!! :D  Very special... 
Must say that I'm...we're really PROUD of our son Bryan! Soooo talented! <3 
Thank You Lord... ^_^ 

BELOW...

There are a FEW other videos, he's made throughout the years. 

Some videos and pics do include his best-friend Emily. :)

 GORGEOUS SHOT OF YOU TWO!!

WONDERFUL GROUP SHOT!! 

Nice video of the two of you in the Tri-County Fair Competition...and YOU GUYS WON!!!

Your first year in High School. 

When you graduated!! Now, you're in College. That's my handsome...younger son. 

 WANTED TO MAKE A COLLAGE OF WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR LIFE...SO FAR!! GREAT JOB!!! ^_^  Sorry that I left your GOLF video out. :o   
                                                                                                   LOVE YA, YOUR FAMILY.. <3