yesterday i had my third ESI. My pain doc directed the injection towards my right SI joint (my hip), as that is where most of my pain is. I did fine during the process (of course its still painful and uncomfortable) but when i got home, i was deathly ill. my PM doc gave me ultracet which i have never taken b4. now i dont know if that caused my problems but i had the WORST sinus headache i have ever had in my life. It was so bad i ended up puking my guts up all day into most of the night. now i know i had a small sinus infection so im not sure if it got worse or if i had a bad reaction to the injection and new meds. But all i can tell you is I was so miserable. i had to make my husband leave work because i couldnt get off the bathroom floor. my poor kids were left to fend for themselves. this is just getting so old!! i am down to about 100 pounds right now from all the stress and pain meds. i am usually small (114-118 pounds normally) but this is getting ridiculous. I also havent gotten my period this month yet either . i was due last week sometime. could it be that i have gotten too skinny? im at a loss here. does anybody have any advice on how i can gain some weight back?? I am the type of person who normally eats like a truck driver and never gains weight (please dont yell at me its not my fault! lol) anyway any suggestions would be helpful. i am right now trying protein/instant breakfast shakes. anything that can help me gain back some of the weight ive lost. my family have all yelled at me saying "i look like a bag of bones" . im like gee thanks u guys (like i dont have enuf to worry about right?) anyway any suggestions or advice would be helpful. thanks to all who read and reply. in the meantime ill just try to hang in there. ohhh i also got a lumbar back brace the other day too. its molded to my back. it seems to be helping me keep my back straight and probably helps to keep me from moving in a way to re-injure myself. ok time to shut-up. as usual im rambling on lol bye for now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

Michelle,

So sorry you were doing so poorly! Was that Ultracef? - an antibiotic? If so, it's VERY likely to have caused all the vomiting, especially if you weren't eating anything.

Hope you are able to overcome the nausea. Sometimes cancer patients who are experiencing a lot of nausea find that trying foods which are cold or chilled and don't have a lot of aroma work better. Just a thought - perhaps some pudding or a bland sandwich, or jello with bananas. Anyway, hope you get to feeling better!

KM

thanks kali. im trying everything i can to eat. i really am. its just that nothing appeals to me. and as far as the medicine goes it was ULTRACET . it says here its 37.5 mg tramadol and 325 acetominophen. I looked it up in my drug book. its another name for ultram. i guess its a narcotic pain reliever. ive just never tried it. Ive been on the norco vicadens and oxycodone till now. wanted to try something different to get my appetite back. at this point im willing to try anything . thanks for the advice!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

Bikerchic,
I wish i had your wieght problems or do I. I am at the other end of the spectrum. Since I hurt my back I have gained 40lbs, I'd like to share.lol. My liver has been messed up from pain medication and now I can't take a lot of medications.
Fill up your cupboard with lots of kid sncks as you have so many kids. Try eating before you take your medication as alot of times we don't eat afterwards because of nausiated feelings. Red meat and potatoes with lots of gravy. When you are feeding your kids, jump in.
Sorry to hear about the headaches, thats just something else to deal with, maybe when the inlaws move maybe some of the stress will leave. Don't add to your problems by loosing to much weight. think chocolate! Happy Holidays! Eat, Eat, Eat!
bobbyj

Hi Michelle,
Oh, I was so sorry to hear about your situation... I would guess it could be the Ultracet which caused your nausea/headache. I get similar reactions if I get full doses of opioid medications... I hate it.

Sorry, can't post too long because I can't sit for more than a couple of minutes.

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.
Hang in there... we're all pulling for you. I know just how you feel... I've been there too. We're here whenever you need to vent.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif Hi Michelle,
I would always loose weight when I was sick. I would
drink nutriment, it comes in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. I only liked the strawberry. You can taste all the vitamins in it. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif But the strawberry is the only one I liked. It would always help me gain back any weight I had lost. I wish I were still skinny and had that problem. I would much rather try to gain. For the first time in my life I am overweight and it is harder to loose than gain for me. Have some cookies with that drink.If you buy some, drink it cold, it taste better.Hope you feel better soon.
Good luck. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif for now.
HKC http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

[This message has been edited by HKC (edited 12-07-2002).]

[This message has been edited by HKC (edited 12-07-2002).]

Michelle,

AHHHH...Ultram. I thought it might be Ultram and looked at my prescription bottle, but I only the pure kind, not the Ultracet mix (plus a very old drug book at home! haha!). Too many new meds every day!

Well..... now that I know it's Ultram...my friend at work who suffers from cervical disc degeneration was prescribed Ultram for her pain, and had projectile vomiting after she took it. Seems some people do have very violent reactions!! Probably WAS the Ultracet. I'd advise you STAY AWAY from it and have them give you something different!

Hey Michelle,
If you're taller than about 5'2" and you only weigh 100 lbs, your fat level may be getting too low for you to have your period. If that goes on long it's not real good because the hormonal changes could lead to osteoporosis.

I had problems gaining weight during my pregnancies because I kept throwing up. My doc put me on a diet that included a milk shake with protein powder every morning, and lots of high fat foods. Is there any high fat food you really like? (for me it was ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Try having a little more of stuff like that.

Another thing to consider... this may be off the wall, so take it with a grain of salt!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I think you said you were wearing a back brace. Since I've been wearing my back brace, I feel it compresses my stomach and intestines so that I feel less hungry. You might try loosening the brace while you eat. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

Sure hope you feel better soon!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey

Not sure about the losing weight, unfortunately, I have the opposite problem. Whenever my back flares up and I have to take meds, I get ravenous. Part of it is probably boredom, too...not being able to do much during flare-ups. But I always seem to gain during them. Which sucks.

Anyhoo, about your periods...it could be the weight loss, or it could be from the ESI. When I had my ESI done I skipped my period that month, AND for 3 months after I had the worst acne flare-ups you can imagine. Steroids can do wicked things to you.

How tall are you? If you're like 5'6 and only 100 lbs, then yes, it's DEFINITELY the weight. When I was younger, I unintentionally lost quite a bit of weight and got down to 112 lbs. Mind you, I am 5'6 and medium build. I really shouldn't go below 120 at the lowest. I lost my period for almost a year. I finally quit the job I had that was keeping me underweight (very physical, no lunch breaks) and gained about 6 lbs, and it started right back up.

ok first of all thanks to all of you for your help. I am 5'5" barely and usually weigh around 118 (thats just normal for me) I didnt even think of the steroids affecting my periods. oh well i guess i wont complain right?? its not like i enjoy them lol. I had 2 protein shakes today and some lunch (a chicken salad) and some pasta for supper. right now i am eating cheese curls. I am such a junk food junkie. my vice is definitely choclate tho. maybe tomorrow i will buy a chocolate cheesecake or something. I am also going to pick up some weight gain powder at the vitamin store. im sure all of this will help. and as for the back brace , i dont wear it all day. just during the times i think i need it. (like when doing laundry, which i always have TONS of) . Oh and acne!!!!!! my god i have been breaking out like crazy on my face and neck and back. wow i thought it was just stress!! and i took some of the ultracet today just to see if it was what caused my vomiting and headache yest. i have been fine so far and i took it about 5 hours ago. so i have no clue what caused me to be so sick. maybe i just had a bug. who knows anyway im a little better today but my throat hurts from throwing up so much. thanks all of your for your helpful advice i really appreciate it!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-07-2002).]

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-07-2002).]

Hi Michelle, just wanted to warn you to be careful with all the junk food! Don't want to gain it all back and then some lol! Take care!!

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your friend, out2lunch

Glad you're feeling better today http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Chocolate cheesecake huh? LOL guess I can't say anything as my "vices" are chocolate/vanilla poptarts and SuzieQ's....it's amazing I am not as round as I am tall http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif 'specially since becoming more "sedentary".
I was given Ultram once...it hyped me up...I know i'm a freak!!! Anyway...just glad to see you are feeling better. I know how it is...day by day.
Hope your evening is good also http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I'm glad you're doing better Michelle.
That's funny I was going to tell you to have some chocolate. Sweets usually stimualte your appetite.
I had lost a lot of weight initially after my accident, but gained it all back realtivley quickly.
I enjoy food too much to let pain or stress interfere. lol

I was worried when I read your 1st post. If your headaches persisted & were there only when you sat up it could have been due to a dural puncture.
This would give you horrible headaches (I'm not sure about nausea), but is treatable withy a blood patch.
Fortunately, it doesn't sound like any of that is necessary & was probably related to the meds or something.
If you do get a fever then I might be concerned & call you doc ASAP.

I hope I'm not alarming you, but these are the things I've been monitoring for myself. I also had an irregular period after my 1st ESI..it lasted only for 3 days. So not to worry.
I had my 2nd ESI 5 days ago, I think it's helping although I'm still pretty sore. It looks like I may need a 3rd soon.. (the 2nd for my lumbar).
I just started taking neurontin today & am hoping it will help with my residual pain.
Keep me posted on how you're feeling & make sure you have all your favorite foods in the house. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

thanks all you guys!!! I am feeling pretty rotten today too. my back is killing me and i got tingles in my foot and ankle. also i know now that my headaches are due to my sinuses. every one here has a cold, and with the daycare kids it kind of just goes round and round http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif Im in the process of trying to clean up the daycare room and maybe get some decorating done today. i was feeling pretty depressed this morning. all this stuff is putting such a strain on my marriage. I think my husband's ready to trade me in lol. hes younger than me (only 29) and up till now ive been really active. Im just so glad its winter, becase our motorcycles are away for the season. we do a lot of riding during the warm season. i just hope i will be better by then. i dont know if i could deal with not being able to ride anymore. its one of the things my husband and i love to do together. i think hes getting pretty tired of me being in pain and weepy and just plain miserable. i guess its harder for men to deal with this kind of stuff. i dont know. i just thank god i have these boards and all of you wonderful people to talk to. its seems like you are the only ones who can truly understand. It really sucks that back problems seem to affect every other part of your life. im starting to feel like a failure as a mother and wife (if ya know what im getting at http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif ) i just wish it would get a little easier. oh this yes ive noticed the ultram is making me hyper too. i couldnt sleep last night . i was up till 1:30 wide awake watching tv. and today im in the mood to clean. i guess thats a good thing right? lol oh well im rambling again. thanks all for your support and advice!! and dont worry about me eating too much lol even if i ate every day all day i would still only be around 120 the most. its just the way im built. lol talk to all you guys soon. oh juniper i hear you about the ESI's. ive had 3 ,my last was on friday. and i still dont feel much better. i dunno maybe it just takes time?? hang in there all of you. im off to decorate the tree with my kids!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-08-2002).]

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-08-2002).]

Hi Michelle, I don't know if you've mentioned it before but I was wondering about your age. When I was younger, I could eat til the cows came home and didn't gain a thing. But I'll tell you once I hit 30 it all started to show lol! I still don't look heavy but I'll never see 120 again lol! My mother always told me to watch it 'cause it will hit me when I'm older and I wouldn't believe her! But, I sure do now lol! Take care!!

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your friend, out2lunch

hi out2lunch . i am 35. guess im just lucky is all. i rarely gain any weight. I got my dad's genes thank god. he's really little too. wow im really tired. i did way too much today http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/yawn.gif but the house looks great. got the tree and house decorated. the kids and I had a blast too. it really lifted my spirits. ok im off to bed. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

[This message has been edited by bikerchic420 (edited 12-08-2002).]

Hey Michelle! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
So glad you were able to accomplish so much yesterday. It's so great that you can do that. I haven't been able to decorate the house for 4 years http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Enjoy living in your beautiful place, even if you have to rest today!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

All the best,
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey

Michelle,

As for the steroids - like the others, it really affected my period. The first injection I spotted a good bit; after the second one (which was about 1 month after the first) I spotted for the entire month after my period.

Did anyone's docs tell you guys to expect changes in your cycle? I think this is something we need to tell these folks (since they're mostly men) to start adding in their teaching. I know I started thinking I was gonna have to head back to my OB/GYN until I figured out it was the steroids.

And, Michelle, are you sure it's not all the kids making your head hurt?? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif Just kidding!! I get sinus headaches too.

KM

KM

KaliM, my ortho doc who did the ESI didn't tell me CRAP. The only thing he told me is "There isn't any side effects". Scary, huh? So, I find out about the side effects through personal experience and research AFTER the fact. Me thinks if I ever have to have surgery, he probably won't be the one to do it, thank you very much.

hotsong:
That's pretty scary...no side effects. Actually my 1st doc waved the side effects off to me too. He only mentioned the minor ones, I had to grill him about the rarer, more serious ones.It amazes me that in order not to scare people off they would rather omit possibly life-altering information. What was the personal experience you speak of?
nothing serious I hope.

Kali: My 2nd doc did actually mention that my cycle could be altered & was truly concerned about how the 2nd ESI would affect me as it was on my 5th day.
Beleive it or not he was male. I guess there are some caring male docs out there for women.

Ya know i have a male pain doc too. But i think hes gay. He's kind of obvious about it too, not that it makes any difference to me.But you'd think he'd at least be a little more sensitive about "female stuff" . HMMM maybe I'll call the office today and ask these questions to one of the nurse. maybe ask them why they didnt tell me about it either. Its pretty sad when we find out we learn more info here from each other than from our docs huh?? geez that just doesnt seem right ya know? anyway hotsong got me worried too by tellin me her friend got the "P" word after she had her tubes tied http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif now im a wreck. i just cannot be "P" again . i just cant do it. hopefully its just the steroids. i will pray to god that it is lol bye for now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

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Michelle

Hey Michelle, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
Don't freak out about your period... I think all these back procedures mess up our cycles somehow. I am super regular, every 28 days, but after my IDET I was 5 days early!! That's unheard of for me. So it's probably the injection that caused you to be late...

Hope you're feeling better these days http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif
Telzey