Hello, new member with a couple of questions

[meucci24]

Hi all,
I'm new to these boards and was hoping for some information/advice. A little background on myself: I have 5 profusely bulging discs in my back and neck and have arthritis from neck to tailbone and both shoulders and knees. I'm not a pretty picture in the mornings, to say the least.

I'm allergic to all narcotic pain killers (have tried Oxy and all derivatives, as well as tramadol - not even a narc and all gave me shortness of breath and other symptoms). Due to my "refusal to use narcotics to relieve my pain" I was recently turned down for SSI/Disability. My doctor was as upset as I was and even had it printed in large block letters that I'm allergic. Anyway, he has now suggested that I make a move to a "more tolerant state for meds". He suggested Denver since the humidity is low, even though the winters are snowy. I currently live outside a midwest town and the nearest bus is a 3 mile walk. I can no longer drive due to my back.

I work online so that's not an issue. I would need to sell all of my stuff here, but that's not really a big issue for me either and would give me a decent nest egg to get started. My question is, I guess, is that the 'best' place for me. I've been doing research on it since his suggestion and the pro's are outweighing the cons heavily.

I don't know anyone in Denver though, that's a con. I do have some family in Loveland, but have not talked to them in about 20 years. This is just such a big change that I'm sort of overwhelmed with it all. He is right though, I need to move soon. Today was over 90F with 75% humidity and there is snow in the forecast for this week... holy hell, I'll never last here.

I just don't really know where to start I guess. Is it difficult to find a decent doctor in Denver? Is there a place that may be better for me?

I have no friends or family left here so there is no reason to stay other than my dog. I would dearly (DEARLY) miss her, but I would make sure she were in a good home before I would ever leave her.

Anyway, any suggestions you may have would be hugely appreciated. I'm so overwhelmed with all of this, but I know he's right. (I have smoked, but not really much since my mother passed of cancer 12 years ago.)

Thanks for any help!
Meucci

[Purple Daddy]

Due to my "refusal to use narcotics to relieve my pain" I was recently turned down for SSI/Disability.>>>>

Go back and tell them to put you on whatever med's they want to prescribe, dump them down the toilet and live and let live. How would they know you weren't taking them, they going to test you? They don't cure anything they just get you loaded! <wink, wink> Get my point?

[sunbiz1]

While the humidity in general is less than the Midwest, Denver has more fluctuation in both temp and barometric pressure. That in itself can cause problems for some chronic pain patients. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate, best of luck!.

Biz

[meucci24]

lol, yeah I could do that, but seriously it would not really help with my pain or productivity level and I'd like to be productive again. The other issue is that the docs do look at the fact that I'm allergic and are really at a loss as to what to put me on. That's why he suggested the move also. He knows I've smoked in the past when my mom was sick (she could not really smoke since she'd never even had a cigarette and feared choking would make her sick). So that's why he suggested an MMJ state. I don't disagree with that opinion either, I'd just not really thought of it myself. Thanks!

[meucci24]

While the humidity in general is less than the Midwest, Denver has more fluctuation in both temp and barometric pressure. That in itself can cause problems for some chronic pain patients. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate, best of luck!.

Biz

Hmm, that's what I wondered about too (the pressure fluxuations). I do have a friend here that I discussed it with this morning. We don't get together much anymore, but they are going out this summer so I will maybe tag along for the visit and see how it feels.

It's a little overwhelming to think about selling all of my stuff, but maybe if I do it in shifts over the spring and summer it won't be so bad.
Thanks for the replies!
Meucci