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. Its 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 didnt hurt, I could lay on my sides and they didnt 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 Hes not going to give you anything stronger, period. He said Ill have to have a talk with her, I dont 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, Im 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 wasnt getting anything stronger. She didnt even TALK to the doctor, and I told him she said that and he confirmed that he didnt 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 wont cover the patch, they will do the cream instead...but I cant reach my back to rub a cream on and Im 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. Im on amitriptiline 50 mg to help me sleep. As for the new medicine...one 2 mg dilaudid doesnt 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. Im hoping I can get the patches so I can get some relief! They talk it up like its 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 Im still scared about having the unit in my spine.
Please, keep up the prayers. I appreciate them so much!
Prayers up!
BTTT
Prayers ongoing for you both. For goodness sake, stay warm!
Praying now.
Prayers for the doctors’ wisdom and skill!
Praying
Prayers for him.
May God be with you this day, and may the surgery be successful!
My surgery has been postponed. It is rescheduled now, for the 12th of February. Johnny_Cash also posted that the weather interferred with his appointment and he is now having to reschedule too. Continued prayers appreciated.
As a note of good news. The anchor woman from the ABC and FOX affiliate station has told me they are on board...the anchor, the reporter and the station manager have all agreed they want to run this story! They will contact me Thursday for more information so they can make sure to be as thorough as possible on the story!
Best of luck and many prayers. Hope these folks can help you get your issues sorted out.
What story? Sounds intriguing! :)
Postponement for surgery can be hard to deal with but I’m sure everything happens for a reason. I am anxious to see your news story!
BTTT
The story about the medical board cancelling the ability to use transport for trips to some pain management doctors. Instead, they recommend you leave your established doctor and go to one they have approved for transport.
Keeping my prayers with you.
Very good! I hope it leads to some positive changes in the
way they treat people.
It’s hard to hope in this current medical environment. How
did you get them curious about what has happened?
I just called them, told them what I was facing, asked them if they had a doctor they liked and would be heartbroke to be told to get a different doctor just because there was no transport to get to your doctor. Asked them if they had to look for a new doctor and knew how hard it is to get one that would take you seriously. Asked especially...what if you had chronic pain, found a doctor that treated that pain and would be fearful if you had to leave that doc and didn’t know if the new doc would give you the same level of care. The lady at ABC/FOX was very compassionate! She wanted to get on the story right away and said she would get it out to the reporters that day...today, she apologized bunches saying “I’m so sorry...right now, we are covering the weather with every available minute...but the reporters, the station manager and the newscaster all agreed, this is a worthy story! I am excited to be involved in this, and hope and pray God is using me to get this changed for the better, for the patients!
Thanks for the prayers ALL they must have worked for me.
About 5 minutes after I made my cancellation post out of the blue the wind calmed down and the snow stopped and I was able to get the procedure done.
Just got home around 6 pm and am relaxing with a very sore back side.
Now I have around 2 days to sample all the programs so as to HOPEFULLY find the magic potion that will give me relief.
Going to try and relax for a few days and if all goes good I will have the permanent battery pack installed on Thursday.
I truly thank all here and appreciate all the support offered through your prayers and I am praying for trussell to get the relief he is in need of.
Take care ALL.
It could be an opportunity for change. After all, when God closes a door, He opens a window. :)
I am glad to hear about FOX getting involved.
Shout it from the housetops!
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