Posted on 01/17/2014 6:14:56 AM PST by trussell
I have faith that the implant is going to help me...when they took the trial away it was like taking candy from a baby...it was cruel! And waiting so long for the permanent one is cruel too. I am praying I am making the right decision in getting this done. It’s a huge step and one that I struggled with at first. I remember the few days I had the temporary unit in my spine, my legs didn’t hurt, I could lay on my sides and they didn’t hurt! My right hip still hurt like crazy and my back was horrible and my stomach hated me from the buzzing, it would make me sick when I ate! But when the tech messed with the unit before it was removed, she got the buzzing out of my tummy and all the way up my back to the middle of my back! It felt so good, I hated when they took it away!!
Went to the doctor on Wednesday...he asked me how long have I been having the increased pain...I told him that I had complained to his Nurse Practitioner for a few months now and that she has told me “He’s not going to give you anything stronger, period”. He said “I’ll have to have a talk with her, I don’t like to see you in the much pain”. He asked if the percocet was working at all anymore and I said not so much...even when I take 2 of them at once. He said “quit taking those, I’m going to give you dilaudid instead, and give you a numbing PATCH to put on your back...leave it on for 12 hours then replace it with another” He wants to see me in 2 weeks to make sure my pain is being manage. I started the dilaudid a few days ago (as soon as I got through the pharmacy drive through) and so far it only helps at night when I take 2 of them with my nerve medicine and my sleeping medicine. I get the idea that the Nurse Practicianer could be losing her job for not talking to the doctor when I said I was in pain and she said I wasn’t getting anything stronger. She didn’t even TALK to the doctor, and I told him she said that and he confirmed that he didn’t know!
Just found out one of the meds the doc wants me on is not covered by my insurance and it is $275 for a one month supply....no way I will be getting that one. :( The medicine the doc wanted me using is a lidocaine patch, 12 hours each patch then replace it. They say since my insurance won’t cover the patch, they will do the cream instead...but I can’t reach my back to rub a cream on and I’m not comfortable asking my teenage son to rub a cream on my nude back (I am really fat). I am on gabapentin for nerve pain. I’m on amitriptiline 50 mg to help me sleep. As for the new medicine...one 2 mg dilaudid doesn’t do it. I take my middle of the night dose at bedtime...so I take 2 at bedtime as well as taking the gabapentin and amitriptiline. I manage to sleep with that cocktail but the rest of the day is still stiff and sore. I’m hoping I can get the patches so I can get some relief! They talk it up like it’s a miracle drug. Maybe I can find out the name of the manufacturer and see if they can help me get them.
Also, my procedure to implant the spinal cord stimulator is set for January 27th...same day surgery, will be home that night. Really look forward to it, though I’m still scared about having the unit in my spine.
Please, keep up the prayers. I appreciate them so much!
trussell and Johnny_cash,
Are your surgeries still on for January 27? If so make a post so everyone can be sure to be praying for you.
Mine has been cancelled and hopefully will be rescheduled for mid February. In the mean time, my pain management doctor appointment on the 31st of this month...I still don’t have a way to get there since the medical board has attacked certain doctors under that specialty.
Praying something good happens becuase of the calls to the tv stations. One thing I failed to mention, Fox affiliate and ABC affiliate are the same place...so I have called NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox affiliates regarding my dilema.
Last I heard, Johnny_Cash was still on for Monday!
Trussell, I am so happy to read the news of THE news being interested in your story. Shining some light on your story should do a world of good for you and for others. Just wow!
You know me enough to know that I can’t help but feel that God is working in this situation to bring about something even better than what was originally planned for you. From where I sit, it certainly looks that way to me.
You and yours never leave my prayers, T.
On a lighter note ... the surgeon who goofed my surgery? I found out today that he is in the nut house for a while. No kidding. I had heard that when the hospital let him go they had worried enough to call the PD while breaking the news to him. That was over a year ago.
After hearing the news of his illness, I searched on-line and found that his license was suspended in Michigan last year and that my state had “accepted [his] voluntary surrender of his medical license.”
I pray that he is able to recover quickly from what ails him.
Please post an update as to whether or not you’ve been able to work out a ride to the doctor’s office. (Having to read through the thread rather quickly, so forgive if I missed that it has been taken care of already.) My SIL has relatives in your area who may be able to aid in finding someone to help out. Even though we are not too close to each other, I would certainly ask her and I believe that she would try her best. Would you need any special transportation or will just a ride do?
It’s been my blessing to have my daughter with me this week (hence the silence on my part), but I will check back as often as I can.
Meanwhile, hugs and love to you!
SC
So far, I don’t have a ride to my appointment. The transport van would cost me $15 to get me to the appointment, then to the pharmacy and then home...and you have to make an appointment for the ride before they fill up. I have no income, so it is like asking me for a million when they ask for 15.
As for the news, I pray they take this seriously and run the story...shaming the medical board and making them explain what caused the pain management doctors to be dropped. My only thought is that the pain doctors that were cut, didn’t grease the palms of the right people. I can’t believe they would recommend I go to another doctor! Who would be willing to change doctors when the one you see still takes your insurance, and is a doctor that understands your pain and takes care of your needs? I was in tears for 2 days over this...I just pray this happens fast enough to get me to my appointment and let me keep my doctor!
I pray you are having a good visit with your daughter, and that you are feeling well. You are always in my prayers my friend. Thank you for keeping me in yours too!
I will pray for your ex doctor, that his physical health and mental health improves. At least at this time, he is out of the business that hurts others, like he did you. I wish this had happened sooner so that he couldn’t have hurt you!
Hugs and loves to you!
T
Still on for tomorrow and I have to be there at 7:45am.
Trying to occupy my mind so as not to get all worked up about the procedure.
I was told that they will implant the device in the buttocks area 1 inch deep.
I am 6 foot tall and on a good day I weigh 135 lbs and I can tell you there is NO fat any where on my body let alone anything an inch deep.
I have been this way all my life and weight gain has alluded me no matter what I eat or do.
Will post the results as soon as I can and thanks for the prayers all.
.I truly feel as though something good is coming!
***
Prayers continue.
(((((Hugs and Prayers)))))
(((((Prayers Ascending)))))
trussell and LUV W,
This morning (Jan 27) is Johnny_cash’s surgery. See Post #205.
Could you alert the prayer warriors?
Going to cancel the surgery today as I attempted the Erie, PA trip to UPMC.
Mother nature was not on my side.
Took me 22 minutes to go 6 miles to my parents and you can not see your hand in front of your face!
I would be depressed but after the last 4 years I have grown accustom to things not being on my side.
Time to reschedule and hope something does not happen to my insurance before the next attempt.
Thanks for the prayers.
Prayer warrior ping to Johnny_Cash. He is having the spinal cord stimulator trial unit implanted today. Please pray that it gives him relief from his chronic pain, and that they implant goes well...without issues.
Prayers that your procedure is successful in reducing your back pain!
Prayers up for Johnny!
Just read this and hope you get it rescheduled soon. Darn gorebull warming!!
Thanks for the reminder. He’s in my prayers.
Prayers up.
Prayers that this procedure will greatly lesson his pain.
Prayers for a successful surgery and fast recovery.
I pray you can get rescheduled soon, that your insurance continues to cover the procedure, and that it gives total, permanent relief from your pain.
Oh yes, prayers up!
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