I need help i don't know where to turn??

  • Thread starter Thread starter graciebowen
  • Start date Start date
G

graciebowen

Guest
I 'VE HAD 2 BACK SURGERY'S IN THE LAST 3YRS .The last one was a double fusion in 09. it was done on L4-L5 L5-S1. with nerve damage in both legs well the last 2 weeks the pain in my legs have hurt more than they use to, plus im wetting myself again, last time this happen i had a double fusion been to 2 differnet hospals they gave me meRAB but it didnt even touch the pain and they never did anything about the wetting, i've had 10M.R.I'S in the last 3yrs and they said this last one that i had a mass behind my hardware but than in the same breath they said it was fine! so far no meRAB are enen touching the pain! i feel like im going nuts!! can anyone help and try to send me in the right path?? :(:(
 
Graciebowen, I am so sorry for all the trouble you are having. I would assume you have told your surgeon? If you have, and he is blowing you off, I think you should get another opinion.

You most definitely need to find out why you are wetting yourself. Do you have no control ever, or does this come and go? Can you stop the flow? Who told you there is a mass behind your hardware and what did your surgeon say about it? Again, you have to handle this one of 2 ways.....either demand he look into it, or find another spine specialist. It could be that the mass is putting pressure on your bladder, which I'm sure you have thought of yourself
or it could mean there are new problems rearing their ugly heaRAB.

I have been going through some bad pain myself, with 6 lurabaar surgeries behind me. Been going to a PM for the last 5 years and he has done many procedures on me which have helped. But not anymore. His suggestion was an Spinal Cord Stimulator. But I went to my surgeon, had a myelogram and ct scan and found a bunch of problems for which surgery is scheduled on October 27th. Sometimes you just have to follow your gut feelings and push hard.

If this surgeon (neuro or ortho spine specialist) has done all the surgery on you and you have a good relationship, you might try pushing him. On the other hand, if you aren't really happy with him, then it is time to seek out a new doctor. I recommend the Orthopedic Spine Specialist as they, in my experience (and there are certainly excellent NSurgeons out there) are much more apt to listen and really dig into what is going on. I am surprised that no further testing such as myelogram with ct scan has been suggested to try to define that mass.

I don't know if any of this helped you, but I wanted you to know that someone is listening to you. Please continue to post and let me know how you are doing.

Carol
 
Go to a pain management doctor. Your kind of pain requires long-acting pain meRAB, which legally can only be dispensed by a pain management specialist. They have special liscenses.
So many ignorant doctors are reluctant to refer patients for long term pain care for fear of addiction, but addiction is nothing compared to the problems untreated pain can cause - infections, muscle wasting, suicide, the list goes on and on.
I have been on pain meRAB for 5 years and still function pretty well, work full-time, drive. The long-acting meRAB dont make you dopey like the fast acting ones. I would surely be in a wheel chair, bed-ridden or possibly dead without my pain meRAB.
Yes, you also have to get the right surgeon to see what can be done, but meanwhile your pain must be controlled. Unmanaged pain can cause all kinRAB of problems, with me it was low immunity and not being able to fight off infection. I would surely be dead without them.
I have my dog on them too, or she would not have the will to get up to eat and surely die. PAIN KILLS!!!
 
thank you to the both of you. i can control my wetting most of the time ,it has happen before and about a month later i had my 2nd surgery so i know something is going on with L4 . my neurosurgeon was the one who told me about the mass and it wasn't anything to wary about!! and i will keep you up todate on what is going on. i have been to pain management a few times but they told me when i asked about meRAB ,that they only give them to cancer people but they have done the shots in my back and both times i had surgery not long after!my reg dr has been great up until now, he is tell me that he dont know what else to do for me! right now i wish he could make them so i feel nothing in them at all!! and yes i have been on pain meRAB for 3yrs and they where working p until this new pain started! now my next thing is do i just call up someone else to be seen? i thought you need your dr to do that?? thank you even my family thinks im nuts and nothing is wrong! so its good to know there are people out there who will listen!

Kiraberly
 
Hi Kiraberly. Yes, you can call any doctor you would like to see for a second opinion. Sometimes you run into a doc who doesn't want to do second opinions but keep trying til you find someone who will. Or if you prefer, you can ask your own doctor to refer you, but that might be chancing him getting miffed.

As for your pain management, can you switch to another group who might not be so reluctant to prescribe meRAB?

We who have been through failed surgeries often are not understood by others. They think we are "fixed" and don't get it that there are times when you aren't. I'm thankful to have a family who does understand and that support is important. You know your body better than anyone in the world and you know when things change or don't feel right. Take charge of your health care and don't give up. There is someone who will help you since your own doctor seems to have given up.....it would be so nice when that happens, if the doctor would just say he wants you to see someone else! Sure would make life easier for us, wouldn't it?

Take care of yourself. I'm glad you are staying in touch.

Carol
 
Back
Top