Hi there, I just wanted to introduce myself and thank everyone for this forum!

Pain isn't new to me, however, I can easily say that if pain can cause madness, my thoracic pain will do me in

I am slowly picking my way thru our health care system, learning as I go. A couple of theories that I am working on right now:

1) tests (imaging tests) don't show pain. Even if a MRI is 'clean', it doesn't diminish pain that a person may be having (so don't think that you are crazy! or imagining things!)

2) don't discount layers of pain. I'm learning right now that I have intercostal neuralgia, medial nerve pain (from some facet joints) and trigger point pain - all in the same general area! I finally got over the idea that the pain must be originating from one area with the help of a pain specialist who is less concerned re. the cause of the pain, and more on the treatment of it.

3) be willing to try treatments and medications again. I tried cymbalta (an antidepressant - I do not suffer from depression) about 2 years ago and had a lot of side effects. I tried it again, diff doctor, about 4 months ago. Started with a much lower dose and increased slowly. It has eliminated some of my fibromyalgia aches and pains completely! Also, I tried one set of facet injections. Walked away with the belief that it didn't work, as I continued to have pain, even right after the freezing. Well, new doctor and several, several, several series of nerve blocking, all over my thoracic spine and I can now say that I am heading in the right direction for pain control (I loooooooove the nerve blocks - just wish that the risk of pneumothorax was lower - dr did hit my lung once - and that there were longer lasting)

That's all that I can think of for the moment - I look forward to reading and learning!