Introduce myself

R

Raymond

New member
Hello All I would like to introduce myself. I am Julie or Jules. I have suffered with Chronic Pain since I had 2 failed back surgeries. I have known pain since I was a young girl because I've had severe Migraines that were debilitating and caused me to miss many days of school. I was diagnosed with Spina Bifida Occulta/ Spondylothesis when I was about 15 because of sports. I had to negotiate with the Dr. what sports I could play then. But, after High School I did way to much.
When I was about 40 I requested an xray from my Dr. He balked and said no. I remined him of my diagnosis and he asked if I had pain and I said Yes, everyday and he said But, does it stop you from working and I am thinking OMG what a jerk!. I said If you don't order the Xray I will file I complaint. It isn't going to cost you anything there is no reason for you to be acting this way. Needless, to say 2 days after the Xray I was called and told not to do anything strenuous and no lifting. Duh, I knew that was going to happen. So, I was referred to Rehab Medicine? Why? I have no idea but, the Dr. was nice and he ordered a Stress exray and No MRI? Why? I have no idea. :dizzy::dizzy: Stress Xray showed that I had at least a Grade 3 spondy and the Dr. then referred me to Surgery. (which took 5 mos. to see the Dr.)
I met with the Surgery Dr. and after consulting with him and he finally ordered a MRI (which took 2 mos.) I was told that My Back is a mess and I need a 360
 
Hi Julie....I'm Jenny. I'm 2 spine surgeries in and just had another MRI this AM to see if I need a 3rd. Mine are neck. My first surgery also failed but not because of the doctor but an unknown injury caused the vertebrae involved to subluxate. C3 and 4 went back, 5 went forward, 6 went back and 7 went forward creating an S curve in my cord at C5-6. And on top of it, I broke 3 bone grafts that had been put in and one of the grafts fell into the spinal canal and "slightly" impaled my cord(if there is such a thing as slight with a spinal cord). So I had a fusion from C3 to T1 and now waiting to see if it needs to be extended. More numbness and legs don't work so well.

So I've been where you are(and I've had 14 knee surgeries, 2 shoulder surgeries, 3 hand surgeries and some others).

On pain meds, have you tried Cymbalta? It's advertised as an anti-depressant(but who isn't depressed when in chronic pain?)but is also approved for anxiety and peripheral neuropathy. I found it to be an adequate anti-depressant, did nothing for my anxiety and but was great with the peripheral neuropathy and my pain in general. It was approved to treat fibromyalgia a couple years ago and that is a pain syndrome so it must be good for generalized pain. Lyrica is really an updated version of Neurontin but Cymbalta is different. It was developed as an anti-depressant and has turned out to be better with pain. Antidepressants have been used for years to treat pain as it affects how the brain processes pain signals. Worth trying.

But I use meditation more than anything else. Just read a study yesterday that showed that even 3 short lessons on how to meditate can lessen pain. Once you learn it(and it's simple) it takes practice but it works. And it doesn't require that you sit cross legged with your hands up saying "OM". I meditate in my recliner(or bed) and totally relax. My "OM" is a favorite song I sing over and over again in my head. You take the method and make it your own. Has made my pain threshold go way up. I take nothing but ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain. And I'm generally around a 7 at all times.

Talk to the folks on the Pain Management boards and see what they have to offer and then come visit us on the either the Back Board or the Spinal Cord Disorders board.

That's my 2 cents.

gentle hugs..............Jenny
 
Hi Jenny,
Thank you for your reply! I have met another person that uses cymbalta as well, and I thought it was for depression. They didn't mention any peripheral neuropathy.
My question is "Does the Cymbalta affect your mental status?" That is very important to me. I absolutely am sick of feeling stupid and I am sick of asking doctors for options and being told to grin and bear it.
I made an appt with a new Dr. with a whole new Medical group because I am tired of being told I have no options. I have suffered enough. I have also, contacted lawyers because I think it is wrong that I should be forced to take a medicine that helps with one issue and creates another.
I am on SDI and barely can afford to live an no one is going to help me. I am trying to support my daughter and I and I am lucky if I can remember my name. I used to be able to rattle my meds off and doses without the blink of an eye. I not only can't do that any longer but, I am down to just 5 meds and that is ridiculous.
Ok Sorry for the babbling but, I have been on a pity party cuz I have been alone for days.
peace out take care
hugs
Julie
 
i take cymbalta and Neurontin. Stay away from Topomax as it's also called Dopetomax. I found that I wasn't as sharp at work so I dropped that and went to Neurontin. Which has worked alot better for me than Topomax. I was on Lyric AND GAINED 18 LBS. in four month, and was having viswion issues also.

I haven't seen any side effects from the Cymbalta and I have been on it for over a year. But everyone is different. Just because I don't have issues doesn't mean that other won't.

Good luck.
 
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