Replies to 'Living with Chronic Pain'
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March 2, 2006, 6:52 am PST
 Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) Hi Lisa, I read your post and first off, I'm in Missouri too, so we're neighbors!! I am 42 and on disability. My claim went through in a record 4 months. I have congenital hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease, was recently diagosed with fibromyalgia (the only thing the specialist can come up with to explain my constant pain and discomfort). I had both of my hips replaced in the last 2 years and suffer with the same back problems that you have. On top of all of that, I am depressed, go figure. And receive treatment for that. I think the problem that you are having in getting approved for your disability is that you are not saying alot about depression. Depression in itself is a disability. I think it would help if you started focusing on the mental part of your situation as well as the physical. Pain=depression=pain=depression=pain =depression. My point is, Pain is Depressing!!! Maybe you are close to me in Missouri and we can keep in touch. My email is changintymz@yahoo.com. Good Luck to You... Julia |
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May 7, 2006, 8:34 pm PDT
Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) I to had the same problem your having. No insurance can't work. I've had 3 back operations been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. My L-5 disc was herniated they did a discectomy in oct. The same disc blew out again in feb after an injury. My wife and I are truck drivers otr. When I was injured she couldn't work because I needed her to help me 24/7. I was bedridden starting to go paralysed the surgeon wanted $ 3,000 down before he would do the surgery. 2 months later he saw me in a wheelchair he didn't realise I was going down hill as fast as I was. He was a neurosurgeon and when he saw how much pain I was in My wife told him I was bedridden unless I was in the wheelchair so he said forget about the 3,000 down he would go ahead and do the surgery. He then refered me to a charitable program through St. Johns hospital in springfield Mo. I would suggest you go through a Catholic Hospital or Try the University of Mo hospital in Columbia Mo they have some sort of program that was working on my case until the surgeon aggreed he would take my case after he saw me. I'm sure you are aware this is something that shouldn't be put off. Because I have nerve damage in my right leg no feeling and i'm just lucky i'm not paralysed permanently. Good luck and God bless |
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May 8, 2006, 9:49 am PDT
Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) hawkkw gave you some excellent tips; i can only offer words of encouragement. there is, indeed, a network of catholic hospitals that should work with you -- as also should a teaching hospital, linked to a medical school in your state.
question: cannot the pain clinic make some referrals for you? they have you on what looks like a normal pain "cocktail" -- they need to be clear that it is not sufficient. they aren't mind-readers -- make it very clear for them. some people keep pain diaries expressly for their usefulness to doctors and the SSA. i tried it for a while and then discovered that i hate thinking about my pain that much!
everything takes *time* and i know you are so frustrated and in such pain that you feel you have no time. if you have any means of distracting yourself -- without further injury! -- that can get you through a few minutes, a half-hour, an hour, a day. there is a threshold where pain meds just won't work. at that point, i believe it to be important to try and integrate stuff like careful movement, distraction, good and healthy food. yadda, yadda, yadda -- i know i am preaching to the choir!
breakthrough pain? your methadone is a scheduled medicine that you take four times a day. it is a long-acting pain killer -- it stays in your system a long time, keeping its supply at a steady rate. if you find, though, that you are having new or worse pain, you should then take whatever you have for breakthrough pain -- the percocet. it should never be *scheduled* because then the true picture of your pain is distorted and the body can start to need/want/expect percocet, which would be an undisireable situation -- not of addiction, but of dependence. if it starts to be needed pretty regularly, pain docs will sometimes look at readjusting your scheduled medication rather than increase the breakthrough amount.
i take nearly the same pain medication as you -- methadone 30 in the a.m. 20 about 4 p.m. and another 30 at bedtime. i am alloted up to five 5/325 mg of endocet a day [endocet, percocet -- all just different names for the same drug]. i try to not use them at all -- when i feel the need, i have to ask myself some hard questions, like:
-- am i doing something that is causing the breakthrough? if so, try NOT DOING that for awhile...!? -- have you taken, say, 15-30 minutes to reassess the pain because sometimes the pain will ease on its own?
-- is my need psychological or physiological? do i want it as an escape? over time, for instance, i have found that a feeling of relief occurs way before it is possible for the percocet/endocet to have done its thing. ***there is a legitimate use for the breakthrough meds that is both psychological and physiological -- and heck, yes, it is an escape! we all know the intimate connection of mind and body: -- for instance, before doing exercise that will cause pain but is nonetheless necessary; yep, i am anticipating pain and attacking it before it happens -- a trick i learned from physical therapists. -- during the night if the pain keeps waking me and my whole household [even the cat looks at me with disapproval]. -- any activity that has proven to cause excessive pain -- i will take breakthrough meds ahead of time. ironically, one of those times occurs when i have to go to a doctor's appt -- getting ready is painful, the ride is painful, and sometimes, the doctor is a pain in the... oops.
i hope your lawyer is earning his keep -- was he on board when the SSA denied for "lack of info"?
lisab from misery, missouri -- hang in there! keep us posted. we care. profderien |
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June 1, 2006, 3:14 am PDT
Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) i really feel your pain not only from the back but from all the red tape.i have started a pain patch which works good ,only problem is the cost is way high.the only way to get help is if you find a doctor to say you condition is an emergency situation otherwise all the emergency room does is take care of pain and turn you loose.this sounds a little wrong but if you were to go to the emergency room and just cried and complained that you cant move your in so much pain and just move an inch and scream out in pain.you know where i am going and it sounds wrong but you always wonder how other people get help well they work the system.If you are like me and dont want to go that route then go broke and live in pain.if you cant move then you have a chance that a doctor will not relese you from the er room and fix the probem.good luck dealing with the disability which is a nightmare of a process even with a lawyer.usually there is a program to help pay medical bills in your city but you have to be broke and i mean broke even if it means getting divorced and apply that you have no income. |
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December 22, 2006, 10:13 am PST
Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) God has a plan. Dont give up and rember as humans we tend to rush it is Gods timing not ours. hugs Amanda |
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March 16, 2008, 4:25 pm PDT
Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) Hi I believe doctors over medicate patients with pain med's. Sounds like alot of stuff you are on. I realize you suffer with pain, as do i. But-i refuse to medicate with 3-4 different medications. Try pain patches (prescrption one's). Walk all you can . B. Nunn |
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September 16, 2008, 9:07 pm PDT
Quote From: lisab165 I am a 40 year old with a wonderful husband, 8 year old daughter and 4 year old son. I have had bulging discs at the L4-5 & L5-S1 since I was 21 and was usually able to control my pain with OTC's, exercise, chiropractics, and massage until January '04, when I fell roller skating. I have been through going to Primary physician, PT, 3 orthopedists, 3 MRI's (showed I haved bulges at L2 thru S1 and C4 thru C7, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis), epidurals, 1 myelogram, and lots of meds. In November '04 found out from myelogram that I had a ruptured disc at L4-5 and had a laminectomy on 12/06/04 removing a 3cm piece. I did really well until about 4 weeks post surgery when I started the walking and pt. My back pain is close to the pain level that I had before my surgery and still have pain in my low back, buttocks (left side and sometimes the right), and into my left leg (sometimes the right), heel and foot. My orthopedist that did the laminectomy would never listen when I brought up the neck problems and the pain and numbness in my left arm and hand. Finally, had an EMG done which came up positive for moderate carpal tunnel (didn't rule out radiculopathy) and he gave me a cortisone shot. That got rid of the numbness in my fingers for a couple of weeks but never the pain. I have severe pain and numbness that gets worse every day, in my neck, both shoulder blades, arms and hands. I have a very hard time eating, writing, crocheting, typing, and anything that requires any grip & have muscle atrophy and scared I may have permanent nerve damage. I was let go from my job of 10 years on March due to my health and have filed with SSD (was denied the first time and have an attorney on it and they are continuing the denial at this time). At this point I have severe cervical and lumbar pain and am very scared I will be paralyzed and/or lose the use of my hands. My last visit with the orthopedist on 6/02, he told me he couldn't do anything else for me (you know, no more insurance!!) and that "no one would help me for free." He sent me back to my primary for pain meds and she sent me to a pain clinic. That doc currently has me on Methadone 10mg 4x, Robaxin 750mg 4x, Neurotin 300mg 3x, Nortriptylin 25mg bedtime, Prozac 20mg morning, and Percocet apap 5/325 for breakthrough pain (what is breakthrough pain?--the constant pain I have regardless of all the other meds?). Have also been on Vicadin, Valium, Darvacet, Percodan, Flexural and others. At this time, I have no insurance and don't qualify for medical assistance and I need medical treatment very badly and am suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts. I really don't know what to do. I applied for disability in Feb., was denied and have an attorney on it. Got a letter a week ago and SSD is continuing the denial for lack of info. My orthopedist, due to not listening to me, put in my medical records that I was getting better (the actual disc that he did treatment on, not all the other problems that he wouldn't address!) and SSD says that I should be able to work full-time come 11-05. There is no way I will be able to do this and need to at least get a consultation with a "good" doc, one that will actually listen to me. I have called the ER close to me because I am having so much pain in my left arm I am that desperate, but we don't have a doc close to here that would be able to help me and they would only be able to give me pain meds. Lot of good that will do. All that I can pray for is that soon I will get in touch with someone that knows someone that knows of a program or somthing that I will qualify for and can get some help. I am so tired of calling people to see if they will take payments for treatment, but, everyone wants full payment up front. If I can get fixed and make payments, I will be able to go back to work to pay it off. If I wait too long, I will be permanently disabled and no longer to even think of going back to a normal life and working. I guess only God knows. Thanks for listening!! LisaB From Missouri (Misery?) Just wanted to tell you how bad I feel for you , you are soo soo young and you suffer so very much. As for ssdi or any disability, i wish you good luck, but truthfully if you were over 50 years old you would have a better chance of getting it . At your age you may not get it. Keep us posted cos ya never know!
Gosh I wish you all the best. I know what it's like to suffer, cos I do too, but at least you have a husband. I am alone, to fend for myself. I need help around here and I don't have it, so guess what, I have to find a good moment ...take a med....and do it myself...then go to bed and suffer.......so i know what you mean. you are not alone. And until I got on sos sec I did not have ANY ins. at all either and I was ill, I needed oxygen and couldn't afford it. How about that? so you keep on pluggin and I'll be thinking of you.....''
Take Care .....Maggie |
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