M
ms_west
Guest
Hi, I wanted to let you know that I am feeling the same way. Does one just try to accept it and go on with your life the best you can?
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H
hessie28
Guest
Hi, I just had my 6th shot. The first was 3 epidurals and the second was 3 facet (sp?) injections. Now the dr. wants to do Radio Frequency. I have to go in for a consultation. I think I had it done in 2001 but I didn't know what it was called. I wonder what the next step is after that. Maybe it will work. My lower back pain has gotten a little better. My leg pain is killing me. I just got my Topamax so maybe that will work. I'm pretty much in constant pain now. I never thought it would be this bad. I am use to pain but would be nice to take a break. How far do I go to stop the pain?
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nscrbug
Guest
Hi hessie28...please let us know how the Topamax works for you. I've read up on this drug and it appears to be one of the only nerve pain medications out there that doesn't cause weight gain. I'm planning on inquiring about it when I go for my first pain management appointment in Feb.
Linda
Linda
D
deeannek
Guest
Oh, Hessie that kinda sounRAB like what I've been doing. I have been getting alternating shots in my neck and back and doing some prolotherapy. Its getting old. Can I ask what happened to start this up or do ypu know. I must have missed a post. I hope you get some relief soon. Dee
B
BlueAtlas
Guest
Hi Hessie,
I just had a facet injection a week and a half ago. It didn't do a thing. The doctor said it was very hard to get it in the right spot with all my hardware. They had to reposition me on the table and adjust, readjust, readjust, etc. the fluoroscope. He was clearly having a hard time with it. He finally got the injection in, but he told me right up front that it might not do anything as he wasn't sure he even got it in the right spot.
But since I have such a long fusion, it caused a lot of pain in my upper back and neck to just be on the table. When the girls took me in, they told me to lie down on my tummy. I just looked at them and said, "are you kidding?" It was really hard to even get in that position. To lie like that with my head wrenched to the side was agonizing. The girls seemed to think I was a big baby, but then they saw the fluoroscope. Their whole attitude changed and they helped me back up so gently when he was done. I ended up getting up in the middle of the night that night, in so much pain I couldn't even lie there.
I don't plan to ever have one of those again! I'm not crazy about having all these steroiRAB shot into me. This doctor seems so cortisone happy. He doesn't even know for sure what's causing my hip pains, so he tries to diagnose by the injections. He's done a couple of them into the side of my upper thigh. I guess that's one way to diagnose, but they're not doing much. I want to tell him not to do anymore and let's just see what happens with more time, but I'm reluctant to not do anything he suggests because I'm waiting to hear about disability. I read that it's important to be doing anything the doctor says to try or they'll think you aren't serious about getting better. Truly, whether he helps my hip or not, that wasn't even the issue when I applied, but it could still come back at me.
Sorry, I'm rarabling. I felt your pain and frustration and got carried away.
Dee, you made me laugh! Yes, let's sail this boat someplace warm!
Take care, everyone,
Emily
I just had a facet injection a week and a half ago. It didn't do a thing. The doctor said it was very hard to get it in the right spot with all my hardware. They had to reposition me on the table and adjust, readjust, readjust, etc. the fluoroscope. He was clearly having a hard time with it. He finally got the injection in, but he told me right up front that it might not do anything as he wasn't sure he even got it in the right spot.
But since I have such a long fusion, it caused a lot of pain in my upper back and neck to just be on the table. When the girls took me in, they told me to lie down on my tummy. I just looked at them and said, "are you kidding?" It was really hard to even get in that position. To lie like that with my head wrenched to the side was agonizing. The girls seemed to think I was a big baby, but then they saw the fluoroscope. Their whole attitude changed and they helped me back up so gently when he was done. I ended up getting up in the middle of the night that night, in so much pain I couldn't even lie there.
I don't plan to ever have one of those again! I'm not crazy about having all these steroiRAB shot into me. This doctor seems so cortisone happy. He doesn't even know for sure what's causing my hip pains, so he tries to diagnose by the injections. He's done a couple of them into the side of my upper thigh. I guess that's one way to diagnose, but they're not doing much. I want to tell him not to do anymore and let's just see what happens with more time, but I'm reluctant to not do anything he suggests because I'm waiting to hear about disability. I read that it's important to be doing anything the doctor says to try or they'll think you aren't serious about getting better. Truly, whether he helps my hip or not, that wasn't even the issue when I applied, but it could still come back at me.
Sorry, I'm rarabling. I felt your pain and frustration and got carried away.
Dee, you made me laugh! Yes, let's sail this boat someplace warm!
Take care, everyone,
Emily
H
hessie28
Guest
Hi, Sorry you are having pain also. Doesn't it stink? I had double fusion surgery in Sept. 2006. I have 2 roRAB and six screws. They took out a disc. They did a laminectomy instead of taking bone from my hip. About a month after surgery I was feeling pretty good. I was anticipating going back to work. Then in Dec. 2006 I started getting a lot of back and neck pain. I also have 3 herniated discs in my neck and two bulging discs in neck. So I got more therapy and started all the meRAB. Around August 2007 I started getting the leg pain. Now I get electric shocks down my right leg. I have hip pain. You name it.... My surgeon just said to call once a month and he will refill my Oxycodone. Well, after a year I thought about it and said to myself "am I going to be on pain meRAB the rest of my life?" So I asked the physical therapy dr. that question. He said I may very well need pain meRAB forever. I asked him about pain management because I felt like I had not tried everything. I did the shots in 2001. So he found me a place that accepts whatever the insurance pays. They pick me up and drive me home. They knock you out for the shots. They run it like a well oiled machine which is good I guess. Just has an asserably line feeling to it. Guess they have to do that way. You figured $5,000 per person. Work on one person every 10 minutes and that is alot of money. My insurance only plays about $1000 but still good I think for 10 minutes work. So I will talk to him about the radio frequency. I have a feeling it is scar tissue and I am out of luck. Maybe the next procedure will help a little. This whole thing changed my life. I had to retire at 42 years old. I am appealing SSD. I hate living paycheck to paycheck. Luckily I get a pension check which I guess is more then other people get. That and my husband's salary just get us by. I just hate living that way. I worked 22 years and was finally earning a decent wage. Sorry you asked? LOL Feel better.
M
mamakitkat
Guest
Hi Hessie,
I'm sorry your going thru this, I hope your feeling better soon. I caution you that the longer your nerve pain continues the better the chance of it doing permanent damage. I know you dont' have control over how you respond to treatments. I would become a lil more aggresive with your dr.'s and insist they at least tell you what ALL is left to try.
You might want to start looking for a second opinion, I wouldn't be comfortable with your dr.'s ways. You don't have to just take meRAB at this point. Find another Dr. that will listen to YOU and act on your problems. The longer you have that leg pain that extenRAB below your knee the better your chances of doing irreversable nerve damage. Trust me on that one, that is what happened to me.
Look for a spine dr. that has a fellowship and treats only spine patients. It can't hurt to look else where for answers that your dr. is not giving you.
I hope you get better soon, please keep us updated.
God BLess
Carol
I'm sorry your going thru this, I hope your feeling better soon. I caution you that the longer your nerve pain continues the better the chance of it doing permanent damage. I know you dont' have control over how you respond to treatments. I would become a lil more aggresive with your dr.'s and insist they at least tell you what ALL is left to try.
You might want to start looking for a second opinion, I wouldn't be comfortable with your dr.'s ways. You don't have to just take meRAB at this point. Find another Dr. that will listen to YOU and act on your problems. The longer you have that leg pain that extenRAB below your knee the better your chances of doing irreversable nerve damage. Trust me on that one, that is what happened to me.
Look for a spine dr. that has a fellowship and treats only spine patients. It can't hurt to look else where for answers that your dr. is not giving you.
I hope you get better soon, please keep us updated.
God BLess
Carol
B
barbie62
Guest
Hey Hessie, we are in the same boat. I think what is next is pain magmt for me. I also have RSD in my right calf, foot and toes so I will always be on meRAB. I finally saw a doctor in my new city and I told him that my pain is never below a 8 maybe 7 and he said that I will never have more than that. So I wish I knew what is next. Some days I do not want to wake up and find out. The only thing that keeps me going is hoping to see my daughter walk down the aisle some day and maybe be a grandma. That is what keeps me here. Other wise I am not sure I can take this pain forever.
As always I will keep you and everyone else in my prayers as I do alot of reading on these boarRAB.
Take Care,
Barbara
As always I will keep you and everyone else in my prayers as I do alot of reading on these boarRAB.
Take Care,
Barbara
D
deb53
Guest
Hi Hessie,
I think a lot of us on the board feel the same way...at what point in time do you just throw in the towel and say "no more" ? Are we supposed to just take pain meRAB forever? My doctor wants me to get a spinal cord stimulator but I am so hesitant. It is so invasive and I want to be sure we've tried everything else.
I am very interested to see how the Topomax works for you and also the Radio Frequency. I am on Neurontin and it helps somewhat...weaning off the Cyrabalta so I can try other nerve meRAB without fear of interactions.
Hessie, I hope you find some relief. Please keep us posted.
Deb
I think a lot of us on the board feel the same way...at what point in time do you just throw in the towel and say "no more" ? Are we supposed to just take pain meRAB forever? My doctor wants me to get a spinal cord stimulator but I am so hesitant. It is so invasive and I want to be sure we've tried everything else.
I am very interested to see how the Topomax works for you and also the Radio Frequency. I am on Neurontin and it helps somewhat...weaning off the Cyrabalta so I can try other nerve meRAB without fear of interactions.
Hessie, I hope you find some relief. Please keep us posted.
Deb
D
deeannek
Guest
SounRAB like alot of us are in the same boat ( wish we could sail it somewhere warm) I had a 2 level furion in my neck in 2004 but 3 levels needed work. My neuro said that a 3 level fusion would be a difficult recovery so we would do 2 with the understanding that I might have to do it again. well I think that time maybe approaching. I have been so stiff lately I feel like I have whiplash. I do know some of this is from the sub zero temps around here. Anyway in nov. 2006 I had a lurabar fusion and life has never been the same. I have more leg pain than I had before surgery and I cannot walk as far as I used to either. I am only 46 and on disability and that was a fight. This spine stuff is soul wrenching. I know there are worse things but I know you know what I mean. I was taking percocet before fusion and now I am taking morphine. I guess I will have to have some sort of pain meRAB always but I do not ever want lurabar surgery again, unless they come up with something miraculous. So I guess my plan is stay in pain management and hope for the best.I don't know much about radio0frequency except that a doctor wanted my mom to do it after she fractured a vertebrae. She's a big chicken about everything!!!
well keep me posted. I am really curious to find out if this works for you. Oh and if you are having cervical problems I recommend prolotherapy. It lasted quite awhile for me but it is painful and I do the sedation with it and all the other procedures too. I am a bit of a chicken myself (lol)
Take Care, Dee
well keep me posted. I am really curious to find out if this works for you. Oh and if you are having cervical problems I recommend prolotherapy. It lasted quite awhile for me but it is painful and I do the sedation with it and all the other procedures too. I am a bit of a chicken myself (lol)
Take Care, Dee