Bilbo
10-25-2004, 10:39 PM
My shoulder issues persists and I am now taking 20mg od Oxycontin every 12 and 2 norcos as needed for BT. You may have remembered my posts on my PM travails a few months back where they started me out on 10md Oxy every 12 and it was worthless. I got them to bump it up to 20mg and its better but I only get solid relief for about 5 hours and the Norco is not enough to get the job done for the remaining 7 hours. The PM doc doesnt do fast acting meds so I have to get them from my GP and he raises an eye when I ask for them and he doesnt see a need for more than 2 a day.
Tomorow is a big day. I see my Ortho surgeon AND my PM doc tomorow. I hope to talk about surgery with the Ortho but am a little worried because the last time I saw him he was a bit dismissive. He comes across as a "tough guy" who thinks that I should be able to play through the pain I am in. Afterall he is the 1980 5 time gold medalist Eric Heiden....an Olympic Champion Speedskater. :bouncing:
After that, I see the pain management doc and I am hoping that they can get me on something that LASTS more than 5 hours. Question for Shoreline or anyone with that level of knowledge: Is it possible for someones metabolism to burn through Oxycontin faster than the norm? What would be a better med? I get good relief about an hour after I take it but like I said, it only lasts 4-5 hours. I know these folks follow the "book so Im pretty sure they wont prescribe the Oxy 3 times a day. What would be a better continous med. I also run into problems with the Oxy loosing effectiveness while sleeping. So I end up taking it at 8 pm, go to bed at 9pm, wake at 3am and have to wait until 8am to take it again. Then I usually go back to bed untill about 10am.
Any help would be appreciated.
Tomorow is a big day. I see my Ortho surgeon AND my PM doc tomorow. I hope to talk about surgery with the Ortho but am a little worried because the last time I saw him he was a bit dismissive. He comes across as a "tough guy" who thinks that I should be able to play through the pain I am in. Afterall he is the 1980 5 time gold medalist Eric Heiden....an Olympic Champion Speedskater. :bouncing:
After that, I see the pain management doc and I am hoping that they can get me on something that LASTS more than 5 hours. Question for Shoreline or anyone with that level of knowledge: Is it possible for someones metabolism to burn through Oxycontin faster than the norm? What would be a better med? I get good relief about an hour after I take it but like I said, it only lasts 4-5 hours. I know these folks follow the "book so Im pretty sure they wont prescribe the Oxy 3 times a day. What would be a better continous med. I also run into problems with the Oxy loosing effectiveness while sleeping. So I end up taking it at 8 pm, go to bed at 9pm, wake at 3am and have to wait until 8am to take it again. Then I usually go back to bed untill about 10am.
Any help would be appreciated.
Sponsor
Director
10-25-2004, 11:19 PM
Try Methadone. It has a long half life and should give you longer relief. As to your metabolism, the answer is yes. Mine is the same way, only it comes from having stomach surgery from a perforated ulcer years ago.
Good luck with your doctors tomorrow.
Good luck with your doctors tomorrow.
Bilbo
10-27-2004, 03:54 PM
Good news I guess.
Surgeon has decided to go ahead with Arthroscopic surgery of my right shoulder. He is going to "file" down my Acromion to free up what he thinks is an impingement. He is also going to look around for a cuff tear that he sees on my MRI.
PM doc decided to stay pat with my current dose of 20mg of Oxycontin since I am heading into surgery. He felt that uping the dose would only make anastesia more difficult.
Afterwards I get to wean off all of these.....assuming the problem is fixed.
Surgeon has decided to go ahead with Arthroscopic surgery of my right shoulder. He is going to "file" down my Acromion to free up what he thinks is an impingement. He is also going to look around for a cuff tear that he sees on my MRI.
PM doc decided to stay pat with my current dose of 20mg of Oxycontin since I am heading into surgery. He felt that uping the dose would only make anastesia more difficult.
Afterwards I get to wean off all of these.....assuming the problem is fixed.
twisten
10-27-2004, 04:01 PM
I hope your surgery works and you become pain free. Any date for the surgery yet?
Bilbo
10-31-2004, 07:19 AM
I hope your surgery works and you become pain free. Any date for the surgery yet?
Thanks twisten!
Surgery is set for Nov 3rd at UC Davis Med Center. Great doc and great hospital. I really hope this surgery puts this nightmare to bed. Been going on like this for over a year, had an unneccessary neck surgery and have become pain med dependent.
Cant wait till Im at a pain level I can tolorate without meds. I want to start working out so I can shed the 40lbs I gained.....
Thanks twisten!
Surgery is set for Nov 3rd at UC Davis Med Center. Great doc and great hospital. I really hope this surgery puts this nightmare to bed. Been going on like this for over a year, had an unneccessary neck surgery and have become pain med dependent.
Cant wait till Im at a pain level I can tolorate without meds. I want to start working out so I can shed the 40lbs I gained.....
twisten
10-31-2004, 03:23 PM
Well Bilbo, I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday and hoping everything goes good for you and the surgery is a success! Any idea how long you will be hospitalized for? I'm wondering when to expect your post telling us it worked and how you feel sooooo much better!!
Bilbo
10-31-2004, 05:33 PM
If it just is a basic arthroscopic surgery I should be out the same day. If it turns into a full blown rotator cuff repair and they have to open my shoulder up I will be in for a day or two.
Will let you know as soon as I can get to a computer. Thanks for your support, it means a lot to me.
Bilbo
Will let you know as soon as I can get to a computer. Thanks for your support, it means a lot to me.
Bilbo
twisten
11-02-2004, 03:29 PM
I just want to wish you well for tomorrow again. Hope to see you on here letting us know how you're doing as soon as you're able to.
Phlox
11-02-2004, 03:47 PM
Ill be praying for you Bilbo, I really, really hope this reduces---if not eliminates, your pain issues for you!!!! God Bless!!
Ellnyc
11-02-2004, 04:31 PM
Just wanted to let you know I'll be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and prayers your way for a successful surgery tomorrow. Let us know how you're doing when you're up to it!
warm regards,
:angel: El
warm regards,
:angel: El
Bilbo
11-07-2004, 05:56 AM
Thanks for all the kind thoughts gang. I really appreciate it.
Today is the 1st day that I have been able to get on a computer.
My surgery was weds morning and went pretty smooth. Pretty funny, I had 2 anasthesiologist with the last name Wong. Both were young asian girls and they were very sweet. It was just kinda humorous as they both fluttered around me during my pre-op stuff. Just seemed like something out of a movie.
I woke with some pain but nothing terrible. After a few minutes the surgeon came in and told me that all he really saw was a bone spure on me Acromion. No tears or rips. Good news but bad news if you know what I mean.
That day I had to drive home. I should say that my Fiance drove me home....3 hours. We live in BFE and I just wouldnt be comfortable in a hotel room. The ride was a nitemare but I made it thru ok. Thank you meds.
The next day I woke in a little more pain. Guess the pain med they pumped into my shoulder wore off. Wasnt too bad. Took my Oxycontin and followed it with 2 7.5 vicodins about 2 hours later. That is all the surgeon prescribed even tho he knows that I take 20mgs Oxy and 10mg norco for BT. Oh well. As the day wore on I developed a fever. IBU kept it under control untill about 10pm. Between 10pm and 1am it jumped to 103*. I felt bloated and couldnt pee nor have a BM. At 1:30 I felt the need to burp and when I did I vomited a little. I ran to the bathroom and didnt make it. I vomited all over the place for a long time. Fever jumped to 104.1*. We made a call to the surgeon and were told to go to the emergency room. I decided to try IBU and cold compress one more time and also took my meds again since I thru them up. My fever slowly went down and I got to sleep around 5am. I also had to use a anal supposatory for the constapation which helped bit.
The next day I slept until 5pm. I woke in pain but it was purely "surgical" pain and nothing like before. I took it easy and everything was ok. Still needed meds but it was clear that some of that need was psycological as I wasnt in that much pain but I felt terrible if I didnt take them.
Today, I decided to take a ride to the store to pick up a few movies at Walmart. I was feeling pretty good and knew that a 5 minute trip to the store and a little browsing shouldnt hurt me. 20 minutes into walking around that old familiar pain set in. Burning fatigue in my traps, down my rhomboids (between shoulder blade and spine), under the shoulder blade and out to the arm pit. I was in dispare. Horrible feelings crept over me. "Did I have this surgery for nothing". "Am I insane". "Is this pain a function of being addicted to narcotics".
I went home and took my normal dose of meds along with a 1mg zanax that I take PRN as directed. I felt better but still a bit shaken. At 10pm I took my ambien so I could get some sleep. Here it is, 1:45 pst, and I am still wide awake. My pain level is low but my mental state is poor.
I just cant figure out what is wrong. I have seen good doctors. I have had both ends of the possible problem operated on to no avail. I had a neck fusion surgery to free up the nerves running out my neck and into my arms and now I have had my shoulder done to make space for everthing. What am I missing.
Is it possible that this is a function of my mind? Can narcotics create this illusions in the mind? This is so disturbing. I have so many people around me that were counting on this last surgery to be a success and now I am afraid to tell them what is going on.
Maybe I am jumping the gun. It was only one reaccurance of the pre-opp condition but it was enough to dismay me.
If anyone has any thought on this I sure could use them. I am a wreck. I see the surgeon next week and dont know what to tell him. i dont want to see that look on his face. That look of a time waster, the impossible patient.
I cant find any conditions that line up with my symptoms that havent already been explored. Good grief I want my life back.
Help me if you can.
Bilbo
Today is the 1st day that I have been able to get on a computer.
My surgery was weds morning and went pretty smooth. Pretty funny, I had 2 anasthesiologist with the last name Wong. Both were young asian girls and they were very sweet. It was just kinda humorous as they both fluttered around me during my pre-op stuff. Just seemed like something out of a movie.
I woke with some pain but nothing terrible. After a few minutes the surgeon came in and told me that all he really saw was a bone spure on me Acromion. No tears or rips. Good news but bad news if you know what I mean.
That day I had to drive home. I should say that my Fiance drove me home....3 hours. We live in BFE and I just wouldnt be comfortable in a hotel room. The ride was a nitemare but I made it thru ok. Thank you meds.
The next day I woke in a little more pain. Guess the pain med they pumped into my shoulder wore off. Wasnt too bad. Took my Oxycontin and followed it with 2 7.5 vicodins about 2 hours later. That is all the surgeon prescribed even tho he knows that I take 20mgs Oxy and 10mg norco for BT. Oh well. As the day wore on I developed a fever. IBU kept it under control untill about 10pm. Between 10pm and 1am it jumped to 103*. I felt bloated and couldnt pee nor have a BM. At 1:30 I felt the need to burp and when I did I vomited a little. I ran to the bathroom and didnt make it. I vomited all over the place for a long time. Fever jumped to 104.1*. We made a call to the surgeon and were told to go to the emergency room. I decided to try IBU and cold compress one more time and also took my meds again since I thru them up. My fever slowly went down and I got to sleep around 5am. I also had to use a anal supposatory for the constapation which helped bit.
The next day I slept until 5pm. I woke in pain but it was purely "surgical" pain and nothing like before. I took it easy and everything was ok. Still needed meds but it was clear that some of that need was psycological as I wasnt in that much pain but I felt terrible if I didnt take them.
Today, I decided to take a ride to the store to pick up a few movies at Walmart. I was feeling pretty good and knew that a 5 minute trip to the store and a little browsing shouldnt hurt me. 20 minutes into walking around that old familiar pain set in. Burning fatigue in my traps, down my rhomboids (between shoulder blade and spine), under the shoulder blade and out to the arm pit. I was in dispare. Horrible feelings crept over me. "Did I have this surgery for nothing". "Am I insane". "Is this pain a function of being addicted to narcotics".
I went home and took my normal dose of meds along with a 1mg zanax that I take PRN as directed. I felt better but still a bit shaken. At 10pm I took my ambien so I could get some sleep. Here it is, 1:45 pst, and I am still wide awake. My pain level is low but my mental state is poor.
I just cant figure out what is wrong. I have seen good doctors. I have had both ends of the possible problem operated on to no avail. I had a neck fusion surgery to free up the nerves running out my neck and into my arms and now I have had my shoulder done to make space for everthing. What am I missing.
Is it possible that this is a function of my mind? Can narcotics create this illusions in the mind? This is so disturbing. I have so many people around me that were counting on this last surgery to be a success and now I am afraid to tell them what is going on.
Maybe I am jumping the gun. It was only one reaccurance of the pre-opp condition but it was enough to dismay me.
If anyone has any thought on this I sure could use them. I am a wreck. I see the surgeon next week and dont know what to tell him. i dont want to see that look on his face. That look of a time waster, the impossible patient.
I cant find any conditions that line up with my symptoms that havent already been explored. Good grief I want my life back.
Help me if you can.
Bilbo
twisten
11-07-2004, 12:52 PM
Bilbo, I'm so sorry to read this. I so hoped this surgery would take care of things for you. All I can really say is hang in there sometimes it takes a long, long time to find out what is actually happening. I've been dealing with crohns most of my life, although they didn't know what it was until about 4 years ago and I'm 40 now. I've had trouble with my back and hips for about 12 years and they are still finding more things wrong with me. Its to be expected that you're depressed and upset about things. I don't believe though the opiates are making you THINK you have this pain, I believe it really is there. You're still so recently post-surgery that I wouldn't panic yet. Give things a bit more time and see if they don't calm down more. I wish the surgeon had of given you more for post-op pain though but I guess we deal with what we're given. Take care and keep in touch.
Ellnyc
11-08-2004, 02:03 AM
Hi Bilbo~
So sorry to hear about how you are feeling both emotionally and physically. Two thoughts come to mind; the first being perhaps the 20 minute stroll you thought would be such a piece of cake was underestimated. I know post surgically I needed to just take it real easy and baby myself at least for a week. Anesthestia can play a number on your mental condition as well. I know it does for me. Takes a while to leave your body. A high fever can also play havoc emotionally and physically. I'm glad you will be seeing your doctor and it's fine to discuss these concerns. Perhaps you were expecting a little too much out of your body a little too soon. Please try to be gentle with yourself for a couple a more days and don't beat yourself up and automatically think the worst.
Hang in there! And please keep us posted.
El
So sorry to hear about how you are feeling both emotionally and physically. Two thoughts come to mind; the first being perhaps the 20 minute stroll you thought would be such a piece of cake was underestimated. I know post surgically I needed to just take it real easy and baby myself at least for a week. Anesthestia can play a number on your mental condition as well. I know it does for me. Takes a while to leave your body. A high fever can also play havoc emotionally and physically. I'm glad you will be seeing your doctor and it's fine to discuss these concerns. Perhaps you were expecting a little too much out of your body a little too soon. Please try to be gentle with yourself for a couple a more days and don't beat yourself up and automatically think the worst.
Hang in there! And please keep us posted.
El
Bilbo
11-08-2004, 04:32 AM
Thanks again, your words of kindness mean a lot to me.
Last nite I took half a flexeril. I have them from when I first started this mess. They make me really groggy and leave me a little withdrawn the next day but I really needed to sleep. My doc is alright with this as long as I dont take Soma at the same time, which I didnt. It knocked me out. Slept from 3am to 11am. Got up and watched my St. Louis Rams get demolished and then went back to bed. Slept from 4pm to 9pm. Now its midnite and I am wide awake and really down. Didnt really interact with my Fiance or my Brother (he is staying here right now, marital problems)
What is crazy is that I only took 5mgs and he actually prescribed 2 10mg tabs, 3 times a day. If I took that much I would never wake up, lol. This is how it was when I first started taking them. Just really sensitive to them I guess. But it did help me sleep.
When I woke, my shoulder was really sore. I slept thru my medication times so I was really late in taking them. My Fiance is usually here to help me take them when I sleep or forget but she was out today. I felt sooo poor. I hate that feeling. Felt as if my skin was crawling. I was hot but my skin was actually cool. Couldnt get comfortable. Covers on made me hot, covers off made me cold. Couldnt get my pillows situated. Was terribly irritable. Couldnt eat. Man, what a day.
I am really starting to wonder how much of this is physical pain of a physical nature compared to that of a mental nature. I have been on pain meds for over a year and I know that is nothing compared to some of you. I am so afraid of the pain that its not funny. I just wonder if its time to wean off the meds to see where I really stand physically. Does anyone know what I mean? How can I gauge how I really feel when I taking pain meds all the time. How can I tell if this pain is real? Is it possible for the mind to play tricks on us? If you asked me 10 months ago I would have laughed because I knew my pain was real. After 2 surgeries a no positive results I am beginning to question myself. I know its too early since I just had surgery last week but it was only a basic Arthrocopic surgery. 2 little incisions and some bone removed. Most of the people I have talked to about this surgery said they were back at work in a week or two.
What scares me is that I know my surgeon is going to send me thru Physical Therapy and that will be painfull, especially without pain meds. Just cant sort out when the best time to get a reality check will be. I think that I have slipped into a depression. I am taking Lexapro but I guess its not helping that much. Maybe it is and without it I would be worse??!?!?
Thanks again folks. I see the surgeon on the 9th. Maybe he can help me with some of these questions. I pray so.
Bill
Last nite I took half a flexeril. I have them from when I first started this mess. They make me really groggy and leave me a little withdrawn the next day but I really needed to sleep. My doc is alright with this as long as I dont take Soma at the same time, which I didnt. It knocked me out. Slept from 3am to 11am. Got up and watched my St. Louis Rams get demolished and then went back to bed. Slept from 4pm to 9pm. Now its midnite and I am wide awake and really down. Didnt really interact with my Fiance or my Brother (he is staying here right now, marital problems)
What is crazy is that I only took 5mgs and he actually prescribed 2 10mg tabs, 3 times a day. If I took that much I would never wake up, lol. This is how it was when I first started taking them. Just really sensitive to them I guess. But it did help me sleep.
When I woke, my shoulder was really sore. I slept thru my medication times so I was really late in taking them. My Fiance is usually here to help me take them when I sleep or forget but she was out today. I felt sooo poor. I hate that feeling. Felt as if my skin was crawling. I was hot but my skin was actually cool. Couldnt get comfortable. Covers on made me hot, covers off made me cold. Couldnt get my pillows situated. Was terribly irritable. Couldnt eat. Man, what a day.
I am really starting to wonder how much of this is physical pain of a physical nature compared to that of a mental nature. I have been on pain meds for over a year and I know that is nothing compared to some of you. I am so afraid of the pain that its not funny. I just wonder if its time to wean off the meds to see where I really stand physically. Does anyone know what I mean? How can I gauge how I really feel when I taking pain meds all the time. How can I tell if this pain is real? Is it possible for the mind to play tricks on us? If you asked me 10 months ago I would have laughed because I knew my pain was real. After 2 surgeries a no positive results I am beginning to question myself. I know its too early since I just had surgery last week but it was only a basic Arthrocopic surgery. 2 little incisions and some bone removed. Most of the people I have talked to about this surgery said they were back at work in a week or two.
What scares me is that I know my surgeon is going to send me thru Physical Therapy and that will be painfull, especially without pain meds. Just cant sort out when the best time to get a reality check will be. I think that I have slipped into a depression. I am taking Lexapro but I guess its not helping that much. Maybe it is and without it I would be worse??!?!?
Thanks again folks. I see the surgeon on the 9th. Maybe he can help me with some of these questions. I pray so.
Bill
Streetcar
11-08-2004, 01:55 PM
Hey There Bilbo,
I 'm really sorry to hear about the post-op problems you're having. Don't get to discouraged yet, even though you're still having the same pre-op pain issues you need to remember that the you are going to have some internal swelling in the affected area that was caused by the surgery itself. It's going to take at least a coulpe of weeks for that swelling to subside, so you give it at least that long without worrying about it, the anxeity will only prolong the healing. Yeah, I know that it's easy for me to say because I'm not the one going thru this, you are, but I really do know the devastation the unrealized expectation DO cause. I hope that I'm not sounding uncaring because I do care. Sometimes though because of the pain and unmet expectation its easy to overlook the obvious...in this case the actual trauma that any surgery throws your body into.
Hang in there and I'll keep praying for you.
I 'm really sorry to hear about the post-op problems you're having. Don't get to discouraged yet, even though you're still having the same pre-op pain issues you need to remember that the you are going to have some internal swelling in the affected area that was caused by the surgery itself. It's going to take at least a coulpe of weeks for that swelling to subside, so you give it at least that long without worrying about it, the anxeity will only prolong the healing. Yeah, I know that it's easy for me to say because I'm not the one going thru this, you are, but I really do know the devastation the unrealized expectation DO cause. I hope that I'm not sounding uncaring because I do care. Sometimes though because of the pain and unmet expectation its easy to overlook the obvious...in this case the actual trauma that any surgery throws your body into.
Hang in there and I'll keep praying for you.