The Fibromyalgia Fight!
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Hello everybody...
So, I suppose I will just get straight to it. My mother suffers from a debilitating disease called Fibromyalgia. This is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and swelling and tenderness in localized areas.
Doctors DO NOT know what causes this condition and often give this diagnosis when they rule out other known illnesses. Those who have this condition are often met with confusion and frustration because on paper, they seem perfectly healthy.
Please let me tell you what I have witnessed happening to my Mom. She isn’t herself. There are days she cant even get out of bed. The subtle pain is constant, but she also suffers from flares. These flares are described as if she is being electrocuted. I have stood beside her bed in panic as I watch her whole body seize up with her fists uncontrollably clenched and her struggling to take in tiny breathes of air. I have seen her hands shake with tremors or be so swollen that she cannot hold a glass of water. I have witnessed her stumbling or zombie dragging one foot because her hips are so stiff she cant take normal steps. I have held her as she sobs from utter exhaustion. She misses important events with her grandchildren and skips family outings. On top of all of the physical pain; emotional/mental distress has also set in. This has been happening for over 8 years!
And before anyone asks..YES, she has seen EVERY doctor imaginable. She is under the current care of a pain management doctor, an orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist, a licensed psychologist, an endocrinologist, and a general practitioner. She has tried yoga, meditation, diet changes (She lost 38 pounds!), drinking tea with essential oils, bath bombs, and support groups.
Over the years, we have discovered that a certain narcotic has helped ease her pain. However, this is not a sustainable method; as that alone can have negative effects on her body. Plus, due to the national “opioid crisis” it has become nearly impossible for her to even procure these medications. So simply put, I have watched my mother dangerously spiral.
Recently a ray of hope has surfaced. With all of our research we have discovered that the use of IV Ketamine has been proven to greatly help those who suffer from chronic fibromyalgia pain. Ketamine clinics have popped up in the surrounding communities and an infusion treatment is led by a board certified anesthesiologist. Ketamine has been used for over half a century as an anesthetic, but in the last 20 years extensive research has been conducted to determine the safety of long term use for extended pain conditions. Ketamine is a comprehensive treatment option because it can block and reset pain receptors in the brain and balance out vital hormones and neurons by altering GABA and glutamate levels. This allows for a focused treatment of both physical and psychological discomfort without the traditional side effects of narcotics.
The treatment is completely customizable based on pain level, so each patient will receive the lowest possible doses of Ketamine while optimizing its benefits. The treatment plan begins with an initial series of 6 treatments spread over two weeks. Then, depending on the specific pain level and health condition of the patient, follow up booster infusions are prescribed for long term maintenance.
The problem is EACH infusion costs $500.00 a piece and insurance will NOT cover these “elective treatments!”
Please...I beg of all of you to please help us get these life changing treatments for my Mom. This could be a miracle for our entire family.
Please help my Dad to get his wife back.
Please help my kids to get their Grandma back.
Please help my Mom to get her life back.
Thank-You.
-Acacia Epperson
So, I suppose I will just get straight to it. My mother suffers from a debilitating disease called Fibromyalgia. This is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and swelling and tenderness in localized areas.
Doctors DO NOT know what causes this condition and often give this diagnosis when they rule out other known illnesses. Those who have this condition are often met with confusion and frustration because on paper, they seem perfectly healthy.
Please let me tell you what I have witnessed happening to my Mom. She isn’t herself. There are days she cant even get out of bed. The subtle pain is constant, but she also suffers from flares. These flares are described as if she is being electrocuted. I have stood beside her bed in panic as I watch her whole body seize up with her fists uncontrollably clenched and her struggling to take in tiny breathes of air. I have seen her hands shake with tremors or be so swollen that she cannot hold a glass of water. I have witnessed her stumbling or zombie dragging one foot because her hips are so stiff she cant take normal steps. I have held her as she sobs from utter exhaustion. She misses important events with her grandchildren and skips family outings. On top of all of the physical pain; emotional/mental distress has also set in. This has been happening for over 8 years!
And before anyone asks..YES, she has seen EVERY doctor imaginable. She is under the current care of a pain management doctor, an orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist, a licensed psychologist, an endocrinologist, and a general practitioner. She has tried yoga, meditation, diet changes (She lost 38 pounds!), drinking tea with essential oils, bath bombs, and support groups.
Over the years, we have discovered that a certain narcotic has helped ease her pain. However, this is not a sustainable method; as that alone can have negative effects on her body. Plus, due to the national “opioid crisis” it has become nearly impossible for her to even procure these medications. So simply put, I have watched my mother dangerously spiral.
Recently a ray of hope has surfaced. With all of our research we have discovered that the use of IV Ketamine has been proven to greatly help those who suffer from chronic fibromyalgia pain. Ketamine clinics have popped up in the surrounding communities and an infusion treatment is led by a board certified anesthesiologist. Ketamine has been used for over half a century as an anesthetic, but in the last 20 years extensive research has been conducted to determine the safety of long term use for extended pain conditions. Ketamine is a comprehensive treatment option because it can block and reset pain receptors in the brain and balance out vital hormones and neurons by altering GABA and glutamate levels. This allows for a focused treatment of both physical and psychological discomfort without the traditional side effects of narcotics.
The treatment is completely customizable based on pain level, so each patient will receive the lowest possible doses of Ketamine while optimizing its benefits. The treatment plan begins with an initial series of 6 treatments spread over two weeks. Then, depending on the specific pain level and health condition of the patient, follow up booster infusions are prescribed for long term maintenance.
The problem is EACH infusion costs $500.00 a piece and insurance will NOT cover these “elective treatments!”
Please...I beg of all of you to please help us get these life changing treatments for my Mom. This could be a miracle for our entire family.
Please help my Dad to get his wife back.
Please help my kids to get their Grandma back.
Please help my Mom to get her life back.
Thank-You.
-Acacia Epperson
Organizer
Acacia-Ethan Epperson
Organizer
Oceanside, CA