Topic : Living with Chronic Pain
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May 7, 2006, 5:26 am PDT
 Quote From: dianah Dear Pickle
I was so happy to see you tonight.. talk about missing you and wondering were you have been.
So sorry to hear about your business. It just breaks my heart and it's just so hard to know what to say, but, I am so so sorry..
To read the diaries, when you first come on the board with Dr. Phil's picture, on the very bottom of that page or even THIS page, go all the way to the bottom and you will see Home/ About Dr P/ Show Archive/ ect ect.. you will see Diaries in the last row.. click on it and it will take you to the page and on the left is a box and just type in Prof full name and it will come up..
On this main page you can also start your own diaries....
Let me know if you need more help on this.. took me a while to get it down pat..
Also, don't let things go to long, it you are hurting, please just call the doctor and go in now, don't wait too long..
Well, it is way past my bed time and I have a 6 year old to deal with for the next 48 hours or so, so I better get to that ZZZ land, think I am going to need all the extra help I can get..
Sending you a hug and all my love and hope.. Love Dianah Dear Dianah, Here's hoping that you're not in so much pain today. Your sound so cheerful. Well I suppose that closing down the business is what I have to do no way out. I did hear from the bank manager (after sending a nasty but truthful letter to them - think I made them sit up and think) but I wait till monday to see the outcome of this now. Giving up my car is the worst (repossession) as that will certainly put me in an increditability status and then if I do manage to get a part time job I have a problem with transport, and would not be able to get finance for next 5 years. Oh well what the heck - what has to be done has to be done. It's just letting my client know what is going on. I see my oncologist in June but as I said to profderien NO more surgery as my body just can't take another op at the moment. The hubby said that he though he saw some more white spots and I am pretty sertain that there are other ways of treating this other than surgery. It's also a matter of all the bills that are starting to pile up which we have no means of paying as our Medical Aid is running out already and it's only beginning of May. So doctors will be seen in an emergency. Hubby is all for me to go for Voltaren injections with these severe migraines but dr had gicen me suppositories (which by the way work within 15 mins but alas only last for a few hours and so the cycle goes on). Good luck with looking after a 6 year old - I wouldn't be in your shoes - forgotten what it's like to have a child around the house. Hope youmanaged to have a good ZZZZZZZZZZZZ and wish I could be there to help you. All my love Pickles |
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May 7, 2006, 6:18 am PDT
Quote From: mthroftwo Wow, that totally amazes me how you went through one thing after another!! I understand the ins. problems!!!! In my accident, the first lady that hit me, the drunk driver, she didn't have ins. so it has caused me SEVER FINANCIAL PROBLEMS!! My credit is ruined now because of all the medical bills and just a couple other things that were in direct result from this problem... but like in my first post on this site about what put me in this condition... I am on a very heavy dose of pain meds... in fact, I have been almost driving myself crazy recently thinking about it, if I should ask the doctor to take me off of them or not... how is this going to affect my life in the future? I am only 33 now, it's been almost 4 years since the first initial accident... there was two. I've done just about everything they can do at the pain center, except for a few things that the doctor said he doesn't want to do because I am so young, I've tried a couple other things with no positive results... but because I am in a very difficult position financially, and with someone that makes things worse then better I decided that I am going to wait. I know I have a prescription medication addiction, there is no way I can take all these meds for this long and NOT have it, ya know!! But I NEVER take more then I should and in most cases, I don't take the full dosage I am supposed to take. I have a hard time taking pills to begin with, sometimes I forget to take them till the pain sets in even worse and by then it is too late, once it gets to the point that I have no relief the meds don't help much... I figure I am gonna have to either be hospitalized, or put in some kind of rehab to completely be free of them. And it scares me quite a bit... I do NOT want to have the "addiction" after they are not needed, and believe me, I am still holding out for some kind of procedure that will WORK for once!!! I ABSOLUTELY don't want to be "labeled" as someone who is a "druggy". I look at that as someone who only takes the pills for "recreational" purposes... ya know what I mean? People who actually get that "high" affect with them. I haven't had that feeling for years now, no matter what they switch me to actually... I've heard people use that term... its funny how people would come out of the woodwork with excuses why they would ask to "borrow" a pill here and there!!! After a while I was like, no, I need them for myself, and I am NOT going to contribute to someone else's problem... only because I don't want to feel responsible for "helping" someone continue abusing that kind of stuff. It was different when my friends and I all had gotten out of the hospital and some of them still had residual pain here and there, course, I was HORRIBLY worse then everyone else, but I didn't deny they had lingering pains here and there. Hmm, I feel like I got off track a bit!! My cousin was in a car accident a couple years ago and broke her hip, she is the same age as me, she is off pain meds and went to an herbalistic type treatment and medications. I would LOVE to learn the relaxation techniques that I've heard people talk about, I seriously need help with relaxing and relieving my stress, I am bombarded with extreme stress on a daily basis with my boyfriend, physical problems, depression, and my youngest sons ADHD. He is a very loving, but very demanding child when it comes to care. Some days I am totally at my wits end, and it is taking forever to get him into help, my family doctor gave me a script for xanax to get me through till he gets into treatment, unfortunately all it does is put me to sleep and I can NOT afford to sleep my days away, I want to LIVE!!! I want to ENJOY the life I have, we only get ONE LIFE, and I consider myself lucky to have gotten a second chance, I very well should have been paralyzed after what happened to my back, two disks were shattered, I was basically being held together by my top and bottom half by my spinal cord!!! I remember the crash, I remember a brief passing out/waking up after seeing the headlights, I remember everyone in the car talking and calling my name, I even called 911 from my cell phone and called my mom, the paramedics came when I was on the phone with my mom... but when they told me to let go of the seat so they can get me out of the car, the pain was SO EXCRUCIATING that is when I started losing conscious memories... I lost a week and a half basically, I briefly remember snap shots of memories of that time, but hardly any of it... because I was supposed to be married the next weekend a few family members were already coming into town, so they were there to see me in the hospital after two major surgeries, along with some more scary moments of other things that I have NO MEMORY of what-so-ever... And get this, my fiance wanted to STILL marry me on our supposed wedding day, course, no one really liked him to begin with, so my father asked our pastor to PLEASE SAY NO to him, he didn't want me getting married and not remembering it... but the second week, after I woke up, or I should stay remember things happening, he started cheating on the computer... and that is what he did all the time when I got out of the hospital... well that is a long story... it was extremely degrading... anyway, this is too long, it's been a MISERABLE ROAD!!! I just want to be self reliant and dependent on MYSELF!!! I am tired of people telling me they love me but then treating me like CRAP!! Sometimes I think people are using me because they think I am going to be getting some kind of big settlement or something, so far, I have gotten NOTHING. In the first accident, the other three girls got their settlements, they didn't have even CLOSE to the injuries I got, all together, theirs doesn't even measure up to what I have suffered, yet they all got money, I have NOTHING!! The second accident, we are going to trial in June or July this year. That happened in 03, so it has been almost 3 years may 23d. No one in my family and friends has any idea how horrible this has been and all I seem to get is criticism for bad decisions, they think it is so easy to just live off of disability and welfare... I am NOT that kind of person. I have had to get that in the past, but I got myself out of it, now, I can't just go and get whatever job I want anymore, I can't just DO whatever I want anymore... after all these years you would think I could get past this... I honestly think it is because of the total lack of positive and dependable support... but that isn't just an excuse, I am not trying to make excuses, I know I have made mistakes, and they are all because I had to make rash decisions based on desperate circumstances. I'm tired, frustrated, and SICK of being in PAIN ALL THE TIME!!! I just want to be able to care for myself, my children, and not have to depend on someone who keeps us down because I have no where else to go. I'm sorry this was so long, I guess I just spilled all kinds of depressing thoughts all over the place here!!! Again, thanks for reading and listening if you got this far down. ha ha I to worry all the time about staying on the pain meds, i also no now that my addittion to them is way beyond the point of being able to get off, I have asked my Doctor several times about getting off them but then what, stay in bed 24/7 suffering, what kind of life is that? As much as I feel at times i have no life now at least i am able to do some things with taking the meds. Dr. Phill cant you fix us all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My heart goes out to all, and I keep telling myself maybe someday, hugs |
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May 7, 2006, 7:00 am PDT
Quote From: rebbetzin My husband I both have MS and FMS and I have RSD and suffer from chronic pain. I moved to this small WV town over 9 months ago and have been unable to get pain relief b/c I CAN'T FIND A DOCTOR TO TREAT ME! After a long wait, I finally got into see an internist, who gave me my basic meds, and she said she'd refer me to a pain specialist but I've heard nothing from her. My mother-in-law called without results. The neurologist I was supposed to see..I went to his office once...he saw me....needed more info..we gave it...he's not called back. I'm in PAIN!!!!! In VA where I lived I was on 50 mg fentany patches and methadone for pain, plus zanaflex and baclofen for muscle spasms. ,prescribed by a pain specialist at a pain clinic. Now I have not even the meds for muscle spasms... my TENS units and relaxation exercises aren't helping much for pain on this scale. You've got to live your life and enjoy. My husband has RSD and its spreading...fast. He has no Dr. that believes he's in pain, let alone that he even has RSD because according to them "it goes away in 18 months." BS These are my observations and correct me if I'm wrong: The pharmaceutical companies supply doctors thus dictate the doctors. The doctors will prescribe what the pharmaceuticals make available. The pharmaceutical companies don't want to go out of business, so they supply "temporary relief" & "treat the symptoms, not the source." Gosh they'll be in business forever since no one will ever be healed or cleansed of their ailment. And doctors have no other source for medications...a symbiotic relationship. How convenient !! (You can tell it just infuriates me.) Doctors are not trained to seek & try new procedures & very few will step outside of their box to do so...they think they might lose business when in fact the opposite would happen. They'd be overrun. They also follow "textbook" cases. If you're not "textbook" (you don't look like these people do), then you don't have___________ (fill in the blank with illness/ailment). I've never met or seen any 2 people that present in identical fashion. Every individual is different, inside and out. Even identical twins present differently. I could go on, but should get off my soapbox now. Sorry, it just sends me over the edge to see this happening and to watch my soul-mate deteriorate like he is. After months of searching and researching and reading and studying, my husband found a program that actually goes to the source of the problem, regardless of what the problem is. The program is called "The Marshall Protocol " It treats at the cellular level, the white blood cells. This is not new or newly discovered. It has existed since Pasteur's time and was rediscovered about 60 years ago. This process is stifled time and time again by the FDA, MDA, pharmaceutical companies and everyone else that it might "negatively affect," while good, "I want to be healthy and live" people like you and my husband are wasting away. It went up before the FDA board again last week, I believe. Regardless of what happens with it, PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE take the time to look it up on the web and read and study all about it. We are currently seeking a Dr. with an open mind (not so open that his brains fall out :D ) that will subscribe to this treatment. Be for-warned... It will be VERY taxing on the mind as well as the body, but once you've reached your pain limit, you'll try just about anything. John (husband) says that it has a better than 80% success rate, no invasive procedures & only 2 types of low-dose medications. You'll learn more as you study. Sorry to get so worked up about it, but I'm tried of watching people around me die unnecessarily. Best wishes to you both. I don't know your pain, but can totally relate to it as I watch my spouse fall apart daily and recoil in anguish. I really hope that you'll look into the info and keep an open mind yourself. Many have already been thru The Marshall Protocol." (side note: One of the men that did the research on this won the Nobel Peace Prize just a few years ago for his work.) Be strong. Always make good memories, Michele |
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May 7, 2006, 7:05 am PDT
Quote From: emmy1960 I to worry all the time about staying on the pain meds, i also no now that my addittion to them is way beyond the point of being able to get off, I have asked my Doctor several times about getting off them but then what, stay in bed 24/7 suffering, what kind of life is that? As much as I feel at times i have no life now at least i am able to do some things with taking the meds. Dr. Phill cant you fix us all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My heart goes out to all, and I keep telling myself maybe someday, hugs PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE check out "The Marshall Protocol" on the web. There are .coms |
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May 7, 2006, 1:00 pm PDT
Hi there
Well, my little Buddy just left with his Grandma and I am back to my "normal" life again.. I love kids, but once you get out of the circle, let me tell ya, it's so hard to have to keep up with them little feet going 110 MPH..
It's 1:20 in the afternoon and still in my PJ's and not sure if I will even get dressed today. I am having a hard time getting motivated. Might have to do with the fact I cleaned the deck yesterday and washed down the table and chairs and got the cushions out and washed them up. Of course had to do it all in one day, forgot the word "pace yourself"...
Also, with the added stress and worry this past week, I am sure that is catching up with me. So just kind in the yek mood here, mind and body..
It amazing what stress can really do to a person. Your mind can get fuzzy and your body can do so many things. Has me really thinking about how I feel today. I even snuck a little extra meds this morning, hoping that would kick me in gear.
Profderien, I was reading your post to Pickles and really thinking about what you said about God. I need to re-read that. I believe in God also. I Have to be honest, I have never gone to church and just in the last two years have I ever really felt or expressed that I felt "blessed" in our lives. I do not pray in a every day thing. I can't remember the last time I prayed. But I know I feel very moved by the women on this board that have such a strong faith.
Just thinking out load here on this ..
Got a phone call so will chat later..
Love Diana
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May 7, 2006, 1:42 pm PDT
Quote From: pickles Hi there, These migraines just come without warning. I will be sitting doing something and boom there it is. They get so bad I have to go to the bathroom and make myself sick, which helps a little. Find that sometimes they are worse when Ilie down so either sit or walk around again. I also put it down to the physio as I haven't had these migraines for a while. Had a thumping head all the time I was in hospital but not a migraine. I just cannot find out what triggers them off. Did I say that I wasn't going to see the oncologist? Sorry didn't mean that - what I meant is I have to see him in June but NO more SURGERY. They can find an alternative way to remove the recurrance I am sure. The reason I say no more surgery is that I just don;t think my body can withhold any more anesthetic. It's been since Aug 2005 to 18 April with operations and the last one was the worst I have experienced. Maybe later in the year but just not now. My mind runs away with me sometimes and am very good with changing the subject very quickly when something pops into my mind - so I write as my thoughts come into my mind. Never mind I can't get on the floor either especially if there is no one at home to help me up. Sit on my bed and pray. I can't even get on the floor to play with the dogs! Am feeling a bit better today - have decided what I have to do. Had a call from the bank (they actually apologised to me) so now I wait the outcome on Monday and hopefully I can also manage to work out something with my car instead of having to give it back (reposession). Will surely have a drink except I haven't a clue what a mint julep is! so I'll have a coke instead. Well at least your horse made it to the finish line (even by trotting along). They should devise a system where we can bet on the horse that's going to come last - and of course murphy's law it'll come in first (he he he). I hope that your pain is stabilising - you never mentioned that and I think of you and everyone else on the board with pain. Now you take care till next time and you can actually have a glass of red wine and coke (sounds yugh but it's nice) on me love and hugs pickles hey there --
believe me, i know what it is like to just let the mind go while writing. and i am sure that you've noticed!
i was thrilled when my brief experience with migraines ended -- if indeed they were migraines to begin with. we thought that i had a stroke. finally something to explain all my confusion, complaints, and extraordinary laziness. just joshing. it took some research on my part to discern that the diagnosis was wrong [d'oh!]. i backed off of any pain med that was a combo with tylenol -- and those drugs are legion these days. i mean, who decided that tossing in acetaminophen was a great thing to do? it is something that i have had to really watch out for -- the danger to the liver, especially. the doctors want to prescribe the "main" drug but don't seem to mind tossing in a mix with "tylenol." frankly, i am more comfortable taking acetaminophen as i need it -- for small aches and for fevers. see??? how the heck did i get started on bitching about this??? hmmm? ah, yes... in looking at my topic sentence, i see that i began in sympathy of your experience with migraines. mine ended up being linked to overuse of pain meds. to whit -- i am so sorry for what you are having to suffer.
the remark about the oncologist was meant only to hope that you will get help before june if you think you need it.
to have to have more surgeries, you are so right to think of the anesthesia -- a draining, compromising experience. i know that when i had a spate of unexpected surgeries a few years back, that i had an epidural to get me through the last two and it was fine. so i hope that if you have to have more surgery -- they'll find a way to get you through it with as little pain and compromise as possible.
the mint julep [i've never had one!] = sugar-water, crushed ice, mint, kentucky bourbon, traditionally imbibed on derby day. sounds way too sweet for my tastes. i lean toward single-malt scotch -- and can rarely afford it, plus it's outlawed with my medications. so i don't drink! but if i could... it wouldn't be a freakin' mint julep!
a coke sounds fine -- and as i used to live on diet coke and cigarettes -- i can't rag on you for smoking...
smooches, prof |
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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 7, 2006, 8:55 pm PDT
Just checking in with you and wondering how your day was??
My evening was spent on the couch and watched a few good shows and now thinking about heading back to bed to read some and then off to that good old ZZZZ's...
Little Buddy is gone and I am living it up, I think the animals are too. That poor cat came out of hiding and seems to be happy also.
Too funny how you get use to the quiet life...
Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you today and hope that Monday will be as kind as it can be with you. If I could be there, I would hold your hand...
I heard this story about the Movie Nemo and the little fish is always singing "swimming, swimming, I have to keep swimming" and it made me think of all of us girls.. we just have to keep going...
Sending you a hug and hope and all my love... Dianah |
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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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May 8, 2006, 10:49 am PDT
Just checking in and wondering how everyone is doing and if the weekend was okay for everyone.
Think I was over tired and over stressed and went to bed at 2 this morning.. But good news my mind feels much better and just waiting for the meds to kick in so I can have some bounce to my hop...
Pickles, sending you a extra hug for the day and you have been in my thoughts and just hoping your day will have some "up" sides for you. Just know we all care and are thinking extra on your end..
Ms Maggie, really hope your weekend was okay and you are getting caught up on your rest and things are falling in place for you..
Cheryl, how was your weekend, besides busy? Missing you and can't wait for an up date on the garden. Ha, I have some real cute little stems popping up inside, forgot what they are, but a flower of some kind.. Also, need to know how you are doing and feeling.. so check in with us girl..
Profderien, ha, I see you are back up and going.. YOU GO GIRL... I don't like it when you are having a "burn out" and not on here talking up a storm. Did you get outside at all this weekend and play in some dirt??? Just so glad to see you talking to Lisa this morning.
Valerie, were are you girl???? Missing you and wondering how you are doing and feeling.. Also how are the test going for you?? Don't make me send out the troops on you...
Ms Andrea, hey we need you on here girl.. missing your post also.. Our proud owner of the Mini White House needs to get here butt on here and chat with us all.. Of course I know it's hard with the big move and all involved and when the hubby's are home, makes it hard to chat.. But missing you on here..
Lisa, I wanted to say hello and also welcome to the board. Oh, just know you have friends here and we will always talk to you. Sounds like some really good advice came your way today and just know there is always "hope"... If you start to feel hopeless or really down, just hop on here and let us know you need someone to talk to.. hey, we will be here for you... Just hang in there!!
Everyone Else.. just sending you a Good Day Hello!!
It rained a little last night and it's cloudy here this morning and the temp is down, it's about 54 right now. All I can say is let it pour or snow.. we need the moisture and will take it anyway we can get it..
Well, this house is in need... so will see if I can get up and going here and get something done. This is Lane's last night and then off for 3 days. But no big plans, just staying close to home.. Oh, wait, I have a surprise party planned for a friend and I have to make a cake... but not until Wed morning.. Just getting together at the Pizza place and still have to call two more friends, so better get that going..
Sending ya's a hug and hope for the day and also all my love..
Love Diana.. opps, better put the h in there.. Dianah..
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