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!
Prayers answered - wonderful news! I’m so happy you’ll be able to get some of your medications at least!
I hope no one misunderstands what I’m about to say, but I feel I need to say it for wisdom’s sake.
I understand some may want to remain anonymous (okay, if so) — but in the long run, wouldn’t freepers be better served if they knew when you’ve raised enough to purchase your meds by having a public tally (like in the freepathons)?
Otherwise, unless you’ve been able to come on to post immediately after receiving each and every email when someone has donated, no one would know the amount that’s been raised. You’re not able to be at your computer 24/7, and many freepers are 3 hours behind Georgia time.
It just makes sense to me. Think about this, there might be a compassionate freeper or two with limited income themselves who might want to give what they’re able — but realistically, even a small amount would be a sacrifice for them.
Do you know what I mean? But if they knew with seeing each donation being public, they could make a better decision for themselves as to whether or not they should donate.
Admittedly, this is all JMO. Absolutely, if a freeper wishes to remain anonymous, they should — so I apologize to all if I’m stepping on any toes in that regard.
I do understand your critical need at this time, and I pray you get everything needed in order to get these critical medications — but things like this are best done in the open as much as possible.
Just had a thought...in case the pharmacy can’t create a loan account for you... maybe a freeper friend would be willing to make a small loan for the remainder. At least that way you could go ahead and get everything you need.
I hope he can help but why do you use a private pharmacy instead of Walmart where the drugs would be much cheaper?
I’m so glad to hear there is some understanding of your situation going on...you have sure had a hard time of it with trying to get your doctors to listen to you! You remain in my prayers...Maybe now, they will avoid the things that are messing with you and give you what helps!
The reason I use a smaller pharmacy is because I went to walmart one time to get my meds filled and was told it would be 45 minutes before they would be ready...2 hours later, we were still waiting. I went to the one I use now and 5 minutes after giving them a paper script, I had my meds and was walking out the door (literally...this was before the accident that put me in the chair). The service is better, they know me when I walk in so I don’t even ahve to give them my name or the kids’ names...I prefer the better service...though if I were to lose my insurance long term, I may have to reconsider my stand and go back to the longer wait and worse service.
Tracy I know it must be difficult to wait, but the difference in cost is tremendous! When we first moved here I was using a local grocery store for meds and it totalled 285 a month - switched to Sams (and this was NOT 90 day quantities, just monthly) and my total was less than $100 - I don’t know your exact prescrip but 10, 2mg dialauded at Walmart is less than $10 - and I think you mentioned $85 - well worth the wait I think. Good luck!
Related-—new info. New DEA rules.
“The change means that, in most instances, patients will have to present to a pharmacy a prescription from a health-care provider and no longer can rely on a phoned or faxed-in one. “
http://imarketreports.com/dea-restricts-narcotic-pain-drug-prescriptions-4.html
.
1 only hopes, he had me do a silly test Fri. you bow into a bag, then they make you drink just a few ounces of a powder, then wait, take an AB xray, then wait for a full fifteen mins. Blow into another bag, it tells them if you have a infection in your intestines. Mine was negative. But it set off the AB and Back 8 level pain for the rest of the day, should not have lasted more than a hr.
Took my Toredol away, made me try NORCO 5 mg just take it as 10 mg before bed, so I’m now back in OA pain wide spread. Weird, pain med does not work on the AB pain at all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.