I am only 19 years old, I have been suffering from chronic pain for over ten years.. I have been seeing a doctor since age 10 and that is when my file begins. At first I had bad posture. I saw my chiropractor once a week, was in a back brace and forced to perfect my posture.. no fix as my posture was fine. Then I was diagnosed with scoliosis.. at age ten, suffering from chronic migraines and sever constant neck, shoulder, and upper back pain. I was perscribed with Vi-ox, Vicodine and Valuim at age TEN! I cried all day in school, not even able to carry my own back pack.. coming home just to beg and beg and beg my father to rub my back more and more. As he dug his fists into the knots in my neck that refused to loosen a massage that would cripple an average person I found temporary relief. Then Vi-ox was recalled and I was continuously sent to a chiropractor, physical therapy, and a pain clinic that quickly became a financial burden. But it was all they could offer.. as I grew in age the pain worsened.. now to my lower back oh only a new curve? then my hips in which I've torn muscles doing basic exercise or just simply walking because my muscles were so tight and I gained tolerance to the vicodine and valium.. taking it on a regular basis for relief.. as I grew older I got impatient no longer being able to afford my chiropractor or physical therapy and suffering. I saw a specialist, and then a orthopedic surgeon who broke me the news that I indeed was not suffering from scoliosis.. my spine was normal and in perfect health. I began to stretch and run until the muscles in my hips would no longer allow me to do so. I would spend the majority of the day stretching and wake up stiff as a board. I grew helpless, I saw a therapist and was treated for depression because at this point I was suicidal and still with no relief.. in February of 2010 I was diagnosed by the rheumatoid specialist at the University of Michigan with fibromyalgia.. after two other professional opinions with the same answer I was given more vicodine more valium, Lyrica, cymbalta, trazadone, klonzaphan, xanax, etc. AT ONLY 18! I spent time and money with yoga classes more physical therapy and three other chiropractors and now after all my research I feel like I have hit a brick wall. who knows anything about this disease? NO ONE! do you give this diagnosis just to diagnose? I'm scared, I'm confused, and every minute of every day I am aching and aching and aching with the most sever pain you could ever imagine which has now crept into my knees. I cant sleep, I can't eat, I cant work, Focus on my school work, I'm not able to even enjoy the company of family and friends. these drugs do nothing for me.. the muscle relaxers and pain medications numb the pain and continue to kill my liver and my body. The depression has gotten so much worse and I feel there is no help for any of us out there. I am only 19.. how will i feel or cope in 30 years? if i even make it that long.. I need help, I'm desperate for help.. I don't know if I can take this a minute longer.. please, anyone.. save me.

The foot and all the muscles/tendons around it can be a challenge to figure out.....unless you're a foot profession/physical therapist. You can have a pain at one end of your foot, and its caused from something at the other end (or even a shortened calf muscle). I fear you just haven't seen the right doctor yet. My experience with podiatrists has run the continuum from totally useless to absolutely a miracle worker......so don't give up hope. You just have to keep looking. I personally have found podiatrists to be much better than orthopedic docs. I don't know why. Don't give up. I spent quite a while in total pain, unable to hardly walk (with plantar fasciitis), and once I found the right podiatrist, he fixed it. I was finally pain free! It included a steroid injection to start with, and then custom inlays that I wore all day, every day. I eventually didn't need them anymore. You might also have to be on NSAIDS for awhile, if you can tolerate them. Good luck to you!

EllenP123 , I have been mulling over what to post since I read the above last week. I am sure you did not intend it to be humerus but I laughed reading that you" went to bed 49 and woke up 100". I have been struggling with horrific leg pain for over two years. I daily think holy moly how in the world do people with chronic pain function.Although I have been dealing with my leg pain for months I am not going to categorized it as chronic. My first reaction to my leg pain was to see an ortho specialist who dx the leg pain as stress fractures since I had carried over 900 pieces of granite over a two week period. Yup I counted them. The M.D. gave me a few packets of celebrex that was given to him by the pharmaceutical sales rep. I told the Doctor I am allergic to Aleeve. Alleeve makes me swell and I gained five pounds after three doses. I was smart and had removed my wedding band . It took a good week to reduce the swelling since Alleve has a long half life. Those who are allergic to aleeve are recommended not to take celebrex. I questioned the Medical Doctor who assured me I was misinformed. I took one dose on the way home since the leg pain was horrific. Within two hours I was a mess. It felt as someone was squeezing my heart. I did not need to be hospitalized but monitored . I no longer take Motrin since this is a sister NSAID of celebrex and Aleeve. My point is there are some majorly hubris doctors out there who screw up at your expense. I have had a few nights where I cry cause the leg pain is horrible. No position soothes the ache . I have tried rest, aspirin, warm soaks, ice packs, massage therapy,accupuncture and a dose of darvocet . I came across a book a few years ago about how the body is aligned in two parts. While attempting to find a position to relieve the pain I massaged my toes, foot pad, achilles tendon, tibia ,fibula, knee,thigh, hip ,butt and lower back with a tennis ball. What I figured out is that the pain is in my knee area but when I massage the upper thigh and achilles the pain goes away. A few years a go I had tennis elbow from shoveling the driveway for five hours. When I massaged the shoulder blade and my pectoral muscle the elbow pain disappeared. Pain is not simple . One must identify the source. For me the pain is due to overused muscles and menopause. I am tiny but can llft 60 pounds with ease. If you gave me 62 lbs I balk. I think for some the pain we are experiencing is the lose of estrogen so our tendons get brittle. I too went to bed feeling great and awoke with the crippling pain. What i found that works is to take care of yourself. Take breaks when doing your chores. Swim. Stay active. Place down pillows under your hip and knees at night. Take calcium with magnesium DAILY eat bananas three times a week. The potassium helps with any cramps MAssage your legs from toes to butt with a rolling pin or tennis ball. Make sure you stretch the ham strings( the rear thigh leg muscles). So after two years of several medical visits, accupuncture treatments and masseuse visits for me I figured out what works for me. Some who go into menopause never experience leg pain whereas others are crippled. I was 45 when the periods stopped. My male ob gyn said this was impossible. Sorry but not everyone is a text book case. I have had some wonderful male physicians but at this point in my life I need someone who is informed on a women's life cycle. THe key is to enjoy life. Drink the coffee if it makes you feel good. You will need to experiment with your diet , and supplements. I found that black cohosh did squat. Eating the bananas and religiously taking my calcium with Mg helps. You are not alone. Pilates helped too!!!!!! My mind is racing since I need to get my chores done. A sip of wine at night helps some. For me a little rhum took the pain down a notch. My best solution is the stretcthing and staying active. I am still in pain at times but I can manage it.

I had the surgery about 5 years ago...Before that I could never wear a closed shoe even in the winter, there I'd be in some kid of sandal...Since then, it's been wonderful...I did have the shot which helped for a short time before the surgery....At the time, I worked in an office and was off just a couple of days...I did keep my foot elevated on my desk drawer for awhile...Best of luck....