[Kellye C]

Hi Jaz,

Thank you for the welcome and sorry it has taken so long to respond. I actually started an online group in my neck of the woods for people with chronic pain when I was trying to get answers as to what is wrong with me. It stayed small and I am the only (admitted) person with a substance abuse issue although I have been told that I am really not the only one, just the only one out there. Whatever, it certainly isn't my place to judge another's illness or pain because I don't walk in their shoes but I am willing to answer questions if they come up.

My fibro flare seems to have calmed down so I am not taking the massive amounts of ibuprofen that I was but I know that I am going to have to do something different. My rheumatologist prescribed Arthrotec because it combines an NSAID with something to coat your stomach. I am evaluating that now and she said if it helped to call and she would call in a script.

I do have a sponsor in name only at this point. She is pretty vocal about taking any kinds of meds so I doubt I'd get support on this from her. Not sure what to do about that situation. I am unclear of the role of a sponsor at this time in sobriety. I've been through the steps and I have trusted closemouthed friends in the program to bounce things off of when I am unsure of something. I have someone in mind but not sure what we'd do, if she'd become my top trusted closemouthed person or what. I know people with double digit sobriety that still have sponsors and I am not saying I don't need one I'm just not sure what role they would play. Also, I'm in AA. Would I need to go to NA to get a sponsor to help manage meds? Sorry for asking what probably sound like dumb questions I'm just a bit confused!

I am currently looking for a new doctor (not wild about either my rheumy or my primary care) and want someone equipped to treat the whole me and not just pieces of me. Don't know if that is possible or not but it's what I would like.

Anywho, thank you again for the welcome!!!

Kellye