Update on my latest issues

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HI Carol!! OMG.. you have a lot going on there. I can imagine how scared you must feel right now. I am so sorry you are having such a hard time of things lately. ((( CYBER HUG )))

I think you should make that journey carol. It's worth it and you trust him. Go with your gut on this. I realize your fusion is considered a non-union. Do you have anything at all in the disc spaces, besides a cage? While you dont want another surgery and I dont blame you at all for that, you would think that if the next level goes, they could go in and fuse that level and redo or beef up the others one more time in hopes of it working or helping at least stabilize you more. At the way we are anymore, what's a little less flexibility anymore.. I mean really. If we have less pain... Im on board. I just hate to see you suffering so and there has to be something more they can do.

But the most important thing right now is getting your body balanced right and all those medications are making it more challenging. But having said that.. CONGRATS on the weight loss! You go girl!!:bouncing:

Me too! (down 8.5 so far since new years eve and down a pant size!! Yahoo! Being tiny a pound is a serious pound! lol. the BF.. down 20# in one month! Im so proud of him. He's working out for the first time ever and I've never seen him so committed. He had no idea he was capable of working out. He has a personal trainer, a nutritionist (who's a friend), and a doctor monitored weight management group (also a friend)).

Im doin my own thing. I learned my body long ago and I just needed to get my head out of my spine long enough to focus again. hehehe. Well I didnt want to say my head was somewhere else.. eh? lol. I have 2 more pant sizes to go down to meet my ultimate goal. So probably 15-20# more tops to lose. I know breaRAB are a huge factor in my hanging onto weight, so I've cut down to the bare minimum. Only had 1 piece of bread in over a month. No potatoes, no rice. Nothing "white'. These are all high "bad" carbs and the body breaks them quickly down into sugar, which also causes inflammation. So it's a win win to me not eating them. Less inflammation is a good thing for us spineys.

Yep.. cholestrol up here too. Just not at the point where I need meRAB yet. It was 233 a year ago, last fall 213, and now hopefully it will be under 200. My GP just ordered another lipiRAB test and I will let you know if my good nutrition is paying off here.

In regarRAB to your feet check, it is really important for you to check not only your feet but your lower extremities entirely. A scratch can turn ugly quickly, and you have to monitor yourself very closely. If you dont have a full length mirror, I would get one for this.

How's DH doin? And your mom?

I think you are on the right path with the weight loss. It could literally eliminate those meRAB entirely for you. You keep that going gal.

As always.. all the best! Tammy
 
Mamma - I am so sorry that I am just now reading this. I am so behind the times. Please know that you and your Mom are in my prayers. Take care of yourself sweetie.
 
Hey, Carol:

22 pills, eh? And you can't even take a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down (sorry -- couldn't resist a really awful joke).

I wanted to chime in on the diabetes. As you're probably aware, diabetes causes microvascular problems that lead to neuropathy. Back problems also cause neuropathic problems. It's a double whammy, eh? Checking your feet every day is the best thing you can do for yourself (and that any of us with nurabness/loss of feeling can do). If you have even a little pebble in your shoe you can't feel or a blister or scrape you don't notice it could turn into something nasty before you know it. You might want to call your health plan and see if they have any special case management programs for people with diabetes. And if you like to walk barefoot around the house or outside, you should probably get yourself some gorgeous slippers instead with good soles.

I have family merabers with diabetes and have often been called upon as a foot-checker. Also, checking them regularly might feel like one more thing to do, but it's not nearly as bad as treating an infection, right? You can make checking your feet into a daily ritual where you put nice lotion on them (or, better, get someone else to!).

Of course, controlling your glucose levels is the best thing you can do, and I'm sorry to hear you have to take more meRAB, but what's a girl to do? Once you've got your diabetes/BP/etc. under control you'll see what's what with your doc.

Congrats on the weight loss, by the way. 10 pounRAB is great! You're 20% to your goal!

Schragie-not-a-foot-fetishist-girl
 
Carol, My doc is Milo Herceg at the Ohio Spine Institute. Its funny that you come down here for a doctor. I figured the best in the country would be located at the Cleveland Clinic. My husband was born and raised in Cleveland and before I had my fusion I was looking into artificial disc replacement at the Clinic. I decided to go the fusion route. My doc has done both but said fusion would be the best for me. I will pray for you, you have so much on your plate right now. It's hard to remeraber but there is always some one out there in worse shape than we are..................Debbie
 
Hi Gang,
Well my saga is really creating a big flare up with my foot & leg. I had a complete blood panel run last week. My kidney function is not normal and my cholesteral is not good either. But the dr. did the blood work to see what my diabetes is up to, it has been out of control and he watned to check the kidneys since it effects them directly. It did show that my kidney functionis compromised at this point. He put me on 3 more meRAB, two for BP and on for diabetes. I now take 22 pills a day and nothing is under control yet! I'm so scared right now. I'm way to young for all this. My Bp is so eratic it isn't funny.

Thru all of this my back pain is much worse not to mention my foot & leg. Doc is concerned that since I dont' have much feeling in my left foot that I may have things like an ingrown toenail that I won't know about and it coudl turn to gangreen very quickly with my sugar so high. GOD! who ever thought this would be like this from my back issues. So know I have to check my entire foot everyday to make sure there isn't any cuts or anything that may turn to infection. I don't tell my family about all the lil details, they have enough without worrying about my stupid foot again.

I have considered going back to my spine surgeon (3 hrs away) to see if he may be able to see something wrong with my back that may be contributing to my increased back pain since it is on the "good" side of my back, no good side left anymore. I fear it will be that level above my failed fusion levels (L4-S1). If so can anyone tell me what they might do, I know I'm only speculating at this point but that was the last thing we discussed at my last spine dr. visit about 8 months ago. That level did show some degeneration in a regular xray.

Well there you have it gang, I'm just doing what the doc says rigth now hoping it all falls into place as the meRAB all kick in & start working. I know it takes time for the meRAB to level off & the doc will have to fine tune the dosage to get ot what works for me. But it is really scary that my kidneys aren't working right. I know right now it's a warning sign and we are working on getting it under control so everything should be ok. But that doesn't stop me from being scared anyway.

Oh yea! I have lost almost 10 pounRAB!!! that is really good news since any wieght loss will help my problems, I do plan to lose 40 more and hopefully kick those BP & sugar pills to the curb.

I thank you all for listening/reading a long post.

God BLess

Carol
 
Hi Everyone,
I'm so sorry I have responded to you all until now. I have been running back & forth from the hospital for the last 3 days. My mom is home from the hospital now, I can rest a bit. For the first time in a while my sugar is finally near normal nurabers for the last few days.

Starting my exercise regimen today. I have a exercise thing, it's called cardio fit, kinda looks like a bike but no pedals, you pull handles to you and push feet out. I can do this one without it hurting my back much. Since i'm not sure about walking with the ice & mud right now this will work.

Thanks you all so much for the support, you will never know how much it is appreciated.

Debbie, I was told that Cleve Clinic isn't the best with backs, UH is ok but when my Dr. moved down that way I was following him. He is the best Dr. I have ever seen. Once you find one of that caliper you don't want to lose him.
He actually calls me after he leaves the office so he's not interrupted while we talk. He knows the trip kills me so we try to avoid it if possible.

God BLess

Carol
 
Carol it saddens me to read this . :( Boy do you have alot goin on ..I pray that you get well soon .. Your BP is more serious than your spine.. wishing you the best dear..Ole shawleys watching over you .. Ready to hit the beach ? Dang rain and thunder today , strange for this time of year..

Keep dry , shawley
 
Im glad to hear your mom is now back home and things are settling down.

And it's great your sugar level is finally in a normal range too!

The cardio fit.. is it a "health rider"? It sounRAB like that is what you are describing. If that is what it is.. wow! That provides resistence and I would think if you can handle that.. it might even help you build muscle and bone too!

I dont even know if I could do that machine. That's wondeful for you!
 
Hi Everyone,
Thanks so much for your support, I need all I can get. Good news, my BP is finally in the good range and thats after of a night of lil sleep and being upset so I guess the meRAB are finally working.

Bad news, again, my Mom is back in the hospital. Her BP was 219/97 last night, she is ok now and they are keeping her in the hospital and consulting with another Dr. since all her tests came back ok they can't seem to find why it went up suddenly like that. Also my back, foot & leg are really acting up with all of this as well.

Well I have just about had it, I feel so wiped out is isn't funny. I am also very frustrated, I have a sister that lives in WV and isn't lending me a hand at all except to bug me to I call her at every lil drop of the hat when my mom is ill. You would think she would take some time off work and come help her ill mom & sister, oh no can't find the time for that, but expects me to keep her informed the very moment something happens. Then when I DO call her she NEVER has her cell on and NEVER answers her home phone! She just drifts in to town once every couple of years and for a few day visit and then goes back to her lil life like she has no obligation to help the family at all.

Well I'm sorry I had to get that off my chest. I know it's just festering inside me that I have to carry everything on my shoulders, I get no help what so ever from my sister. I only have one sibling so there isn't anyone else to help.

I know that God is watching over us but I really wonder if he's paying attention right now, perhaps I could give him a lil poke just to make sure his attention hasn't drifted of the subject, lol.

Debbie, My Dr. is right in colurabus, DR. Donal Rohl, he is with one of the best groups in the state, Ortho Neuro. How funny would that be if we both see the same guy.

Tammy, Great news about the weight loss for you too!!! bad news about your cholestral. My mom used to take garlic pills when hers would be up and they worked very well.

Schragie, spoonful of sugar, OMG! you just had too, lol. Thanks for the sugar info & the giggle.

Deb, Didnt' know the BP effects the kidneys too, my doc might have told me but I don't remeraber hearing that before, thanks.

Lisa, My BP ws always 130/80 no matter what. Ever since I started on the pain meRAB for the nerve damage it has run like 140/90 but then just recently it has been up. Ever since I took that one cyrabalta it shot my BP up & sent me tothe ER. Never took anymore so you would think the BP would be ok then but nope. I am convinced the meRAB are directly related to the BP problem but can't do without the pain meRAB.

Shawley, Thanks so much for the support. I will RUN to that darn beach, lol, oh no better not my BP will go up, rofl.



I & my mom will get thru this mess and be ok.

God Bless

Carol
 
Hi Tammy,
I'm not sure if it's a health rider, my mom bought it at a yard sale yrs ago, it has printed on it Lifestyler Cardiofit, it does have resistence settings on it but they are not set on very much resistence for me to use it. I hope I can get into the routine of using it every day. It does work out your entire body and I can do like 10 - 12 times for now but thats better than nothing a day.

I know it will make my muscles sore and I may regret this for a lil while until my body gets used to it. But I have to exercise with this sugar issue. I guess I just grit my teeth and do it. I will update you on this in a few days if I survive, lol.

God BLess

Carol
 
Carol, yes, that's really scary! You're keeping on top of it, though, and doing what the doctors say. Let's keep our hopes up that this all gets under control quickly. I'm worried about you!

That would probably be a good idea, to go back to your spine doctor. It's been a while, so it's possible that there are changes that he would have some recommendations to treat.

I'm so sorry things have been so hard for you. You're in my prayers, sweetie! Keep looking up. He has a reason for the suffering you've had to endure. I have to remind myself of that all the time! I wish I could be like everyone else, wear pretty clothes and do normal things, but that's not what I was given. I/you have to rejoice in what we DO have, hard as it is.

A big congratulations on losing 10 pounRAB! You go girl!!! That's fantastic! At least something's going well!

Please let us know how things are going with your kidneys and sugar levels.

You take care!
Emily
 
Carol,
this all does not sound too good to me. I don't like the fact that your kidneys are involved.
My hobby has diabeties; his kidneys leaking protein and this is one of the bad side effects of being diabetic. I put him on a diet, he was not happy in the beginnig, but he when he takes his blood every morning and sees his sugar levels are lower - he is happy.
Despite the fact that his back is not good too, he every morning goes for an hour on a treadmill. He takes couple of meRAB, one for his sugar and another for kidneys/BP.
This is not a good disease, you have to wathch every piece you put in your mouth. I am so sorry you have all this problems, unfortunatelly they are very serious.
I hope, dear heart, they will find a treatment for you to keep you problems under control - this is all about, keepint it under control.

Best of luck to you.:angel:
 
Carol,

Well, sure looks like you have way too much on your plate and it just keeps coming! I truly hope it will start a downward cycle now so you can start to feel better. I think it is a wise decision to see your doc about your back too.

I'm curious about your blood pressure. I have always had low blood pressure, not too low but very healthy low. Since starting all of these pain meRAB, my blood pressure remains around 143/97 and varies a bit. Heart rate runs about 114. The primary doc is concerned more with the heart rate than the overall BP at this point and put me on meRAB but I had a bad reaction to them. Now it is the waiting game. My cholesterol is also way way out of whack. I just wonder if there is a direct link to the meRAB.

I am so proud of your weight loss. I am envious too as I can't control anything right now much as my heart is in the right place. I have a never ending sweet tooth-primarily chocolate-dark chocolate. I read online that a shortage of magnesium in the body will make you crave chocolate. I plan to put that to the test eventually.

My heart and prayers are with you. Diabetes is a nasty nasty thing and I have watched many loved ones suffer terrible problems. I pray you will not have any of those.

Love,
Lisa
 
Ok.. that's what it is then. That's quite a workout machine.

Just take it slow. I am one of those that always overdoes everything. Ya know.. "if I can 5 easily.. 10 more should be too!". NOT. Just stick with your easily done amount for a good while, then increase by only a few. Rome was not built in a day.. and right now.. I look like the leaning tower of Piza! lol
 
Carol,
Well you certainly have the right attitude, you are motivated and you are a compliant patient......that is a big plus for you!!!! You are already losing weight...keep going my friend and we will be your cheerleaders!!
It takes time to tweak blood pressure and diabetes meRAB and you have both! But it will all fall into place, just hang in there. I'm sure you are very frightened about the kidneys...the BP and diabetes are both impacting them....but you are young and they can bounce back quickly once everything else is under control. It's good that your doc is keeping close tabs on you.
I agree with the others re: seeing your spine surgeon. If you haven't been checked in a while, it can't hurt and then at least you know if there are any changes.
Take care my friend, I will keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted..all us spinneys have to stay together ;)

Deb
 
Carol,
Boy when it rains it pours. I cant imagine taking 22 pills a day. Hopefully you will get your meRAB to the right dosage for you and be able to get things under control. Be very careful with your feet, that can be a huge problem. I'm sooooooo jealous that you lost 10 lbs. I used to be very active and fit until right before my surgery. My metabolism is really bottoming out just sitting around the house. I did go outside for a walk today. Tomorrow it is suppose to be around 60 degrees here in central Ohio, heat wave. Where is your surgeon? You said he was 3 hours away, is he in Colurabus? Mine is in Colurabus about 1 hour away. Your in my prayers.....................Debbie
 
Hi Again,
Well I did 5 reps on the health rider, I'm going to head your advice since the 5 I did I could feel the last 2 pretty good. Boy that thing gets your whole body doesn't it. I think it will be a life saver since I cna't excuse why I cna't walk, to icy, too wet, it's like 15 feet from my computer and I don't even have to get out of jammies to do this. I may even paint it a nice hot pink color, lol, cna't miss it in the dark that way. Can you tell I have many excuses why I didn't exercise today, lolol. Not anymore!!!

I will keep you all updated on how I feel after a few days.

God Bless

Carol
 
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