Hi, it's been awhile since I have been on this site. I forgot how
much I learned by reading others emails regarding ARC.
My husband has suffered with this since 1991. It is exhausting for
the whole family. We've lost nearly everything we own. Richard (my
husband) actually continued to work until 2000 after his 7th back
surgery. I only thought things were complicated then. We filed for
Social Security Disability and he was approved within the year. I
don't know what I was thinking because I thought well now he can
relax some and not have to push so much to keep going. Although I
know it was the right decision if it's possible it might have made
things worse. He after being home 5 years he still can hardly stand
the fact he is not out there taking care of his family. I am working
full time and with the social security (he was approved 100%) we are
doing ok financially. Problem being that time you are waiting to get
the disability through you just can loose everything. We had gotten
so far behind in our mortgage payments we are going to loose our
home of 10 years. I believe it actually goes up for a foreclosure
auction the end of June. We have lost vehicles and the depression
all this brings on everyone is almost as unbearable as the pain.
Now,all the narcotics all these years have torn up his stomach.
His teeth have all almost rotted out and he is going to have to get
dentures in the next couple weeks. I guess there really is no end to
what areas of life this disease will disturb. It is just a mystery
why doctors don't know more about this and also why the general
public had never heard of it.

To end on a positive note since this message is such a downer. We
are alive, we have 4 healthy children, 23,21,19 and 8. Without that
smallest one I'm not sure how my husband would make it through the
days. He is such a blessing to our family. As, I read the messages
from this group, I so empathize with your pain, the caretakers, etc.
It's makes for a hard and unfair life. But, whoever said things
would be easy or fair. God Bless you all!