Pain management.

I went to a pain management doctor for the first time last week, and I think he might just save my life.  I go back tomorrow for Botox injections and a TENS unit.  The doctor doesn't have much faith in either of the two, but he doesn't want to skip over any less invasive procedures before moving on to more invasive ones.  If the Botox and TENS don't work, we'll begin the process of trying a nerve stimulator.

The biggest hurdle to cross with the nerve stimulator will be getting insurance to cover it, because it isn't FDA-approved.  If my current insurance won't cover it, I'm changing insurances in January and will try it again with the new insurance.  I'm really hoping I can have it done before January, though.  I begin a teaching internship in January and will be in a classroom full of high schoolers everyday.  That could make for a really big headache if I don't find some real relief before then.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of these procedures will work.  Things look more hopeful now than they have in a long time--or ever, really.