Dear Lloyd,

I had written to you previously about my son who took Interferon and has been very ill, in a wheelchair since May of 04, can only get from bed to wheelchair, to toilet. Cannot walk at all. Currently he is in constant pain, it doesn't stop, and he sleeps (stupor-like sleep) most of the day.

Saw a rheumatologist recently [doctor has shuffled him back and forth between specialists, tests, etc] and the new doctor said his blood showed lupus, and lymes. However, next test did not show lupus, and he said he now showed signs of ms. My son's primary care doctor said the interferon has so totally messed up his immune system that things show one time, not the next, and there's nothing they can do for him. Two things I want to ask you?

1) Where would one look for an organization that has volunteers who visit someone like my son? - His insurance will not pay for home nursing care, and family and friends are all "too busy" to visit.

2) Isn't there something on the market that will help cope with this sort of pain? - Do these symptoms I described sound like others you hear from? That makes 3 questions - sorry. I got your letter about Jerry Lewis Telethon - will respond to that. I, and my grandson, are the only caretakers during the day, it is getting so difficult, I feel helpless.

Any suggestions.

Thanks Lloyd.
Anne