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!
Are you having the trial or the permanent one implanted? If the permanent, how did the trial work for you? It’s interesting that we are both having it done on the same day. Mine is being done in Savannah GA.
I was on Vicodin for a couple years then I had the surgery and went to oxycodone (percocet). The surgeon decided to cut me off, saying there was no reason for me to have the pain I was claiming...I said “refer me to a pain management doctor, today please!” Saw the pain doc and he immediately put me back on oxycodone and revoked my permission to look for work.
I was told “you will never be free from pain, but we hope to manage it enough that you have quality of life”. If this doesn’t work, the next option is the ITP (an internal pain pump, implanted in the abdomen with a line going to the spinal column). I’m ready for relief...I want to try to walk again. I will keep you in my prayers. Hope it works for you (and me). God Bless!
Prayers up up up!
I will look around and see if there is something that will help. Thank you for the suggestion!
amazon isn’t an option at this time..still waiting for my disability to be approved. But if that comes through, I will check that out! Thank you
She is off the streets. She is in an apartment in a rough neighborhood, but she has a door that locks between her and those who might have less than good intentions! Please keep up the prayers for her safety, and thank you so much for keeping us both in your prayers.
I am having the implant on the 27th and will be on a trial run for a few days, and if it works it will be permanently implanted.
have you tried suboxone?
my spouse uses it and all the pain from 4 spinal surgeries is gone. lasts for 24 hours.
it is not a pain medication. they give it for drug withdrawal. side effects are great pain relieve.
They have not suggested that one yet. I'm praying relief comes before that is the option.
thank you for the suggestions on the patches...I will have to see if I can get them and then see if cutting them down is an option. What do you do for the 12 hours off? Doesn't the pain come back in full force then?
Thank you so much for your prayers. It was REALLY hard to have them take that unit away when I was getting some relief. Still had the pain in other areas, but the areas that had relief were heavenly!
Prayers going up!
The trial was done on me just prior to Christmas. They took it out on Christmas eve, I was wishing they could have given me a couple more days, but I’m on a blood thinner and had to get back on those so they had to remove the unit. My best relief came from the T10-12 area...that covered the middle of my back all the way to the bottom of my feet. Before finding that area, they had it working in another area that was buzzing my stomach and made it very difficult to eat. They CAN get it out of your tummy if that happens, just make them be thorough! Good luck, and I will be praying for your procedure!
Prayers sent for you trussell!
I haven’t had that yet...it’s by script, right? I will keep that med name handy and ask about it. Thank you!
I have a cousin who has a stimulator. He said the surgery was no big deal and it works!
To everyone who has said they will be praying...THANK YOU so much. Your prayers are greatly appreciated!
Rick/nothingnew.
FMCDH(BITS)
I have problems with my back as well and I can't imagine having that much in pain meds and it not doing much good at all.
I pray the surgery for your implant spine stimulator is quick and uneventful with much success!
Prayers for you both.
Sent and Praying for success!
Prayers sent FRiend, for you and yours.
Continued prayers trussell.
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