2006-2009
Started down the path of seeing alternative doctors, changing my diet, and doing various integrative treatments that helped to combat side effects from conventional medications and reduce any other pain and inflammation I was still experiencing. The medication had failed to arrive in time to the pharmacy and I was in a middle of a flare up in my elbow. Instead of offering me a cortisone injection directly to the source, my doctor just fed me ibuprofen and prednisone which did nothing for the location in question. I started showing signs of joint damage in my elbow which eventually led it to develop a contracture. Ironically, despite this, I started to feel better and was attending college. Even with joint damage in certain areas of my body, that limited me to certain activities, I was not a “good candidate” for disability benefits and I was denied my first time applying.
