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!
Or, a long piece of plastic wrap, with the cream at about the middle. Grab both ends, and use to rub the cream over your back.
Prayers for God’s blessings.
if you wish, pick the one of these that looks best to you
and send us a private FR note with your name and address
and we will gladly tell Amazon to ship it to you
we understand that the spinal cord stimulator usually works (after the trial stimulator has show that it works), to reduce at least a significant amount of the pain....
if not always all of it....a good part of it for most patients
...and for some, all of it
also, that the procedure is simple, not very risky, and you get out of hospital the same afternoon usually
it all sounds very favorable and if you need it then it seems to make good sense to proceed
pinch a nurse for me ! The pretty one, not Nurse Ratchett!)
oops, here is the link to the back-goo-applicators, pick one if you wish and let me know with a private email where to have amazon send it to you
best,
fhc
Dang,, you post real good for someone all zonked on painkillers.. or are you using DRagon software. :-]
I feel for you and wish you all the best. Hang in there.
Prayers sent.
Prayers!!!!!!
Prayers for sure!!!!
remember, it is not pain relieve. most doctors only know it for drug withdrawal:)
I have read all communication about this drug. Nowhere is the word “Pain” mentioned.
Prayers up!
Thanks for the update. Prayers continue.
I had a double laminectomy last July for the shooting pain in my legs. It worked beautifully. I haven’t had a pain since. Is that a possibility for you?
Prayers up... God’s Love
Thank you...I’m not zonked, it isn’t working for me. 2 mg of dilaudid, 4 times a day...and I’m straight as an arrow and still in bad pain. I don’t use any software to help me post, though typing a bunch tends to make my pain get worse.
Thank you for the prayers! God bless!
Not sure what that is...is it like a nerve block? If so, that is not an option at this point. They say that only works for 6 months to a year and then the nerves grow back and will cause the pain again. If that’s not what it is, I will check after finding out what it is from you. :)
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!”
If your disability is approved, look into getting her one of these. It is a security brace that you put under the doorknob that goes to the floor.
Master Lock 265DCCSEN Dual-Function Security Bar
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-265DCCSEN-Dual-Function-Security/dp/B0002YUX8I/
I have one of these and it would keep out an elephant. Very sturdy and well-made.
Sending prayers your way for a successful surgery on the 27th and that it relieves the pain you are in.
Did you appeal to your insurance about the one drug they say they don’t cover? When my mother’s insurance didn’t cover a certain drug, her doctor wrote a letter saying in his opinion an exception should be made because it was the only thing he thought would work for her. After a second letter, I think, (this was a few years ago) the insurance gave in and paid for the drug. I think she had medicare and a supplemental INS at the time. Hopefully, though, you won’t need it after your surgery.
Sending prayers your way, Trussell.
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.