Fabrashamx
01-01-2006, 04:36 PM
Hi, most of you know me from my other posts, I have a cervical fusion and chronic lower back pain, and nerve damage on my right side. I started noticing about a week ago when I lay flat on my back that my whole right side went numb. My arm has done that since before my surgery, at least in my last two fingers, but now my whole right leg goes numb and I have intense pain in my lower back radiating to the right side and down the leg. I went to see my doctor and she put me on some steroidals which seem to be doing nothing at all. she increased my lortabs a little, but I am still in terrible pain. She told me to wait a few days for it to 'settle down' and then go have the MRI. By friday I figured it was not going to get any better so I went in and had it done. They gave me the IV valium, which without I could never have lain still for the 20 minutes they needed. They said my doctor would have the results by tuesday, My doctors office promised to call me as soon as they know anything. I am in horrible pain and my depression is killing me, I dont want to do anything, read, watch television, nothing. I dont know if I am hoping for another ruptured disc so I can get some serious relief of the symtoms, or if I want to avoid that whole nightmare of myleograms and surgery and have it be something else. I'm not sure what I'm even asking you guys for, maybe I just needed a place to vent. Thanks to all of you for making my life bearable and for all the great info I've gotten here. Happy New Year~Fabby
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FairyMagick
01-02-2006, 02:11 AM
Hi Fabby,
I'm so sorry that your in pain. I wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you. I don't have back problems, but my Mother does. So I know in a way what you are dealing with. I hope you will get help for you pain and some answers from the doctor soon. Was the MRI done to find out what is causing the numbness? You are so helpful and wonderful on this board. I hope things get better for you real soon. Wishing you a Happy pain free New Year.
I'm so sorry that your in pain. I wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you. I don't have back problems, but my Mother does. So I know in a way what you are dealing with. I hope you will get help for you pain and some answers from the doctor soon. Was the MRI done to find out what is causing the numbness? You are so helpful and wonderful on this board. I hope things get better for you real soon. Wishing you a Happy pain free New Year.
Fabrashamx
01-02-2006, 01:37 PM
Hi Fairy, Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, the MRI was done to see what could be causing the pain and numbness in my back and down my leg. I have had a facet dysfunction there for almost a decade, but maybe it has finally decided to turn into a ruptured disc. I am sitting by the phone today and tomorrow, even though the MRI people said it would probably be tuesday before my doctor gets the results. Like I said, I'm not even sure what I'm hoping for here, The idea of more surgery is not pleasant but neither is being told 'oh well we dont see anything interesting, so tough beans' lol! I will post here when I find anything out and thanks again for your kind reply~Fabby :wave:
Gabe30
01-03-2006, 03:56 PM
Hey Fabs :wave:
I'm praying for you! Don't get so stressed out yet and rely on God and know He's there with you in all of this, even during your pain. Keep the faith and fight the good fight like I do and everyone else on here does.
God loves you and so do we. :)
Gabe :wave:
I'm praying for you! Don't get so stressed out yet and rely on God and know He's there with you in all of this, even during your pain. Keep the faith and fight the good fight like I do and everyone else on here does.
God loves you and so do we. :)
Gabe :wave:
Shoreline
01-04-2006, 02:42 AM
Hi Fabby, I think I know what you mean, Ya almost want something to be able to be surgically fixed. Wouldn't it be nice f w3 had the super surgeries you see on discovery. That show is depressing, they do these amazing things but can't fix or fuse or gaurentee anythging.
Let us know what you find out, of course get several surgical opinions and there is no reason your Pm doc can't work on the increased pain, I don't get why he wouldn't. It really is all about quality of life and why bother with all we go throgh for pain management if it's not managing our pain.
I could rant too when I here about being bed ridden when they can do better. :rolleyes:
Take care. Dave
Let us know what you find out, of course get several surgical opinions and there is no reason your Pm doc can't work on the increased pain, I don't get why he wouldn't. It really is all about quality of life and why bother with all we go throgh for pain management if it's not managing our pain.
I could rant too when I here about being bed ridden when they can do better. :rolleyes:
Take care. Dave
Fabrashamx
01-05-2006, 11:59 PM
Just an update, I am STILL waiting for the MRI results! (had the MRI last friday). My doctor called earlier today and told me to hang in there and she thinks maybe the radiologist at the imaging place I go to took the monday holiday off and she will get them as soon as they 'read' them or something. I told her the steroidals were not working on the pain, and she had me come in and pick up a script for 60 percocets, I don't know why she didnt give me better pain medication the day I saw her, she has always in the past been very open and trusting with me. Maybe someone burned her or she thought the steroidals would just knock it right out, I don't know. Hoping to hear by tomorrow, it is still very hard to sleep, when I lay on my back my whole right leg goes numb, and the pain and swelling in my thigh and knee is only a little bit better. The not knowing part, if i am facing another surgery, is also not helping me get any rest. Thank you so much Fairy and Shore and Gabe for your support! Hugs, Fabby :wave:
FairyMagick
01-06-2006, 02:43 AM
Hi Fabby,
I was chatting with my Mother the other day. And she was telling me about her neuropathy. It is nerve damage. And I realized she has back pain like you. I told her about your problem, and she said that is how she started out. Going numb with pain. She suggested getting checked out for neuropathy. I'm not saying you have that, and I hope you don't. I just wanted to let you know what she said. Hope you hear from your doctor soon. Keep us all up dated. Wishes and prayers your pain goes away. And that you get answers soon.
I was chatting with my Mother the other day. And she was telling me about her neuropathy. It is nerve damage. And I realized she has back pain like you. I told her about your problem, and she said that is how she started out. Going numb with pain. She suggested getting checked out for neuropathy. I'm not saying you have that, and I hope you don't. I just wanted to let you know what she said. Hope you hear from your doctor soon. Keep us all up dated. Wishes and prayers your pain goes away. And that you get answers soon.
Fabrashamx
01-09-2006, 08:58 PM
Hi All,
Well I heard back from my doctor. She said that I have 2 bulging discs in my lumbar spine. It looks to be non surgical, But she's having the neurologist look at it anyway. I also found out that the premium I made to our state enhanched medicade program right after Christmas never got posted. (you send payments to one place, and they have to process them and then let medicade know you paid) So our medical card came for the month and our underage son is the only one listed. Trying to get this settled quickly, my doctor has faxed some pain meds for me but I wont have the cash to pick them up until tomorrow. Luckily all our expensive meds for the month (Hubby has bi-polar, his meds exceed 2 thou a month) have been recently filled, so we have a few weeks if thats what if takes to fight through the red tape. then its prolly back to PT for me. Thanks for all your help and support, Fabby :wave:
Well I heard back from my doctor. She said that I have 2 bulging discs in my lumbar spine. It looks to be non surgical, But she's having the neurologist look at it anyway. I also found out that the premium I made to our state enhanched medicade program right after Christmas never got posted. (you send payments to one place, and they have to process them and then let medicade know you paid) So our medical card came for the month and our underage son is the only one listed. Trying to get this settled quickly, my doctor has faxed some pain meds for me but I wont have the cash to pick them up until tomorrow. Luckily all our expensive meds for the month (Hubby has bi-polar, his meds exceed 2 thou a month) have been recently filled, so we have a few weeks if thats what if takes to fight through the red tape. then its prolly back to PT for me. Thanks for all your help and support, Fabby :wave:
curiousforever
01-09-2006, 11:31 PM
oh honey!
Hope you feel better...hope it's not neuropathy...i have peripheral neuropathy adn it's getting worse. not fun.
now i stand up and fall over-don't know why. something about my pulse jumps up by 30 ? and i pass out?? and end up on the floor. nice.
the percs aren't expensive if you get generic though-i got 50 for about $20 or so not too long ago. the 5/325
Hope you feel better...hope it's not neuropathy...i have peripheral neuropathy adn it's getting worse. not fun.
now i stand up and fall over-don't know why. something about my pulse jumps up by 30 ? and i pass out?? and end up on the floor. nice.
the percs aren't expensive if you get generic though-i got 50 for about $20 or so not too long ago. the 5/325
Fabrashamx
01-10-2006, 11:13 AM
Hi Curious, thanks. Yes the generic percs were 35 bucks, not too bad. Hope I can get this worked out quickly because otherwise I'm stuck. Sorry to hear about your leg, thats terrible! I'm going to ask her about neuropathy when I get in to see her. Thanks for the support, without these boards, I don;t know what I'd do, Its so nice to have people to talk to that understand all the pain and frustration. Take care, Hugs~Fabby :wave:
catnap
01-10-2006, 01:03 PM
Hi Fabby:
I have the same problem you have with lying down. I go numb and then pins and needles with extremeties.
I have not slept in a bed since before 1997. I cannot lie down flat. I even have a hospital bed for that main reason, but cannot sleep in it either. I have found that I do best in a big recliner.
Where were your 2 bulging discs located?
Carol
I have the same problem you have with lying down. I go numb and then pins and needles with extremeties.
I have not slept in a bed since before 1997. I cannot lie down flat. I even have a hospital bed for that main reason, but cannot sleep in it either. I have found that I do best in a big recliner.
Where were your 2 bulging discs located?
Carol
curiousforever
01-10-2006, 02:54 PM
Carol - you don't have pain? Wow. You're lucky. I've only had the pins and needles and numbness since September-but my nerves are demyelinating also (they don't know why yet) along with other assorted "fun" neuro symptoms.
Are you taking any of the anti seizure meds? I'm taking topomax and cymbalta. They had to add the cymbalta and up the topomax cause the bee stinging keeps coming back--and started up in my hands as well.
Are you taking any of the anti seizure meds? I'm taking topomax and cymbalta. They had to add the cymbalta and up the topomax cause the bee stinging keeps coming back--and started up in my hands as well.
Fabrashamx
01-10-2006, 03:25 PM
Hi Carol, and Curious, She didnt tell me which discs, just lower lumbar spine, I'm sure she'll tell me exactly when I see her. I'm so sorry you havent been able to lie flat for that long! But I understand, the pain and numbness is not a pleasant feeling for sure! I have nerve damage in my right arm also from a ruptured cervical disc / fusion 11 years ago. An update on my medicade woes, after 4 hours on the phone to 3 different agencys, I found out they had dropped us because the deadline for the payment was the 23rd, and they didn't get it til the 27th. I cried and said jeeze come on! it was Christmas! and I DID send it on time but with the holiday it took forever for it to get there and I squeeked past the date. Finally I got through to someone with some power and after explaining that without my pain meds and my husbands bi-polar meds, we would prolly be out of work and homeless in a month and then we'd need a lot more than medical coverage! The lady was very nice and overode the system to re-instate us as of today. I know it was my fault for not mailing it sooner, but with the higher heating bill last month and the holiday, I had to shuffle things as much as I could. Thanks again for all your kind words and support! Your Friend, Fabby :angel:
curiousforever
01-10-2006, 03:51 PM
Hi Carol, and Curious, She didnt tell me which discs, just lower lumbar spine, I'm sure she'll tell me exactly when I see her. I'm so sorry you havent been able to lie flat for that long! But I understand, the pain and numbness is not a pleasant feeling for sure! I have nerve damage in my right arm also from a ruptured cervical disc / fusion 11 years ago. An update on my medicade woes, after 4 hours on the phone to 3 different agencys, I found out they had dropped us because the deadline for the payment was the 23rd, and they didn't get it til the 27th. I cried and said jeeze come on! it was Christmas! and I DID send it on time but with the holiday it took forever for it to get there and I squeeked past the date. Finally I got through to someone with some power and after explaining that without my pain meds and my husbands bi-polar meds, we would prolly be out of work and homeless in a month and then we'd need a lot more than medical coverage! The lady was very nice and overode the system to re-instate us as of today. I know it was my fault for not mailing it sooner, but with the higher heating bill last month and the holiday, I had to shuffle things as much as I could. Thanks again for all your kind words and support! Your Friend, Fabby :angel:
I'm SO happy that you got it reinstated! She is an Angel!!
Wow...hearing about this makes me really thankful that hubby is military - cause I'm hearing about how the heating/gas/electric bills have been outrageous this year-going way way up...we don't pay utilities since we live on post and it's part of hubby's "salary". And we don't pay for meds/insurance either...wow.
As far as I know, mine isn't caused by any problem with my spine...i do have arthritis in my cerivical spine. and "artifacts" (whatever that means). Never had mri of any other part of my spine though. But have problems with the nerves in my arms and legs...the leg problems started with neuropathy-pins/needles in my feet in october. but the real pain started in December...
I'm SO happy that you got it reinstated! She is an Angel!!
Wow...hearing about this makes me really thankful that hubby is military - cause I'm hearing about how the heating/gas/electric bills have been outrageous this year-going way way up...we don't pay utilities since we live on post and it's part of hubby's "salary". And we don't pay for meds/insurance either...wow.
As far as I know, mine isn't caused by any problem with my spine...i do have arthritis in my cerivical spine. and "artifacts" (whatever that means). Never had mri of any other part of my spine though. But have problems with the nerves in my arms and legs...the leg problems started with neuropathy-pins/needles in my feet in october. but the real pain started in December...
catnap
01-10-2006, 09:23 PM
Hi Curious,
I have the pain too. The herniated disk I have at T7 makes it feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I used to take neurontin but I had taken it sooo long I started having stomach problems with it. I haven't tried anything else because of financial difficulties being on SSD and no prescription coverage. Now that Medicare has kicked in with coverage I would be willing to try one of the newer ones. I tried gabatril (sp?) but could not afford it.
I am having doc problems and will continue my search in finding a good one. I sent my doc a fax today and told him I wanted some break through meds and if they could not increase my meds I was considering a pain pump implant. They never returned my call. (that wasn't all I said in my fax)
They decreased my meds and still don't have me at the amount I was taking before my visit to him.
Carol
I have the pain too. The herniated disk I have at T7 makes it feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I used to take neurontin but I had taken it sooo long I started having stomach problems with it. I haven't tried anything else because of financial difficulties being on SSD and no prescription coverage. Now that Medicare has kicked in with coverage I would be willing to try one of the newer ones. I tried gabatril (sp?) but could not afford it.
I am having doc problems and will continue my search in finding a good one. I sent my doc a fax today and told him I wanted some break through meds and if they could not increase my meds I was considering a pain pump implant. They never returned my call. (that wasn't all I said in my fax)
They decreased my meds and still don't have me at the amount I was taking before my visit to him.
Carol
curiousforever
01-11-2006, 12:33 AM
with my ulnar nerve entrapment i had pretty good control with the max dose of neurontin, depakote and tegretol (all 3 together).
I *did* end up with a stomach ulcer...and have to have my gall bladder removed...but a small price to pay I guess for that kind of pain...ha ha ha.
topomax and cymbalta seems to be working pretty well. Not sure what kind of money it would cost though. I do pay a copay of $9 since the cymbalta isn't available at the marine base....it keeps the bee sting at bay-and some of the nerve pain down...
I *did* end up with a stomach ulcer...and have to have my gall bladder removed...but a small price to pay I guess for that kind of pain...ha ha ha.
topomax and cymbalta seems to be working pretty well. Not sure what kind of money it would cost though. I do pay a copay of $9 since the cymbalta isn't available at the marine base....it keeps the bee sting at bay-and some of the nerve pain down...
Fabrashamx
01-26-2006, 10:28 PM
Hey gang, just an update, I did see the doctor this afternoon, and she said my MRI showed a lot of degerneration in the lumbar discs, not just in the two bulging ones. In the part with the facet dysfunction, she said I have arthritis and quite a bit of inflammation. I have some bone spurs right above the tail bone thrown in for good measure. She thinks if we stay on top of the pain and keep me as active as possible, I might have a year or two before I have to have surgery. I asked if I have to go back to the same neurosurgeon who did my cervical fusion, and she said nope I can go to her guy who is much nicer. (My old neuorsurgeon yelled at patients, and was in the news here for getting in a fight with a parking attedant at the airport and hitting her with his car! it was even on one of those dateline/20-20 type shows.) so someone with a little more compassion would be better! I haven't had time to be to upset or feel sorry for myself, which I can do with the best of them from time to time! As some of you know, I have been busy trying to help a friend who has cancer. So, I really am 'Counting my blessings', I have my family and friends off this board and on it! and I have my sense of humor and a doctor who cares and listens. all in all, it could be worse! Hope all of you have a good low pain low stress weekend! Hugs, Fabby :wave:
dango
01-26-2006, 11:07 PM
In the part with the facet dysfunction, she said I have arthritis and quite a bit of inflammation
That's a bit of what I have wrong with me also! I have arthritis all through my facet joints, which makes my MRI look somewhat blurry. Hey, the pain sure isn't blurry is it, Fabrashamx?
I think the facet joint arthritis, may be more paintful than my bulging and herniated discs, bone spurs, spinal stenosis, or narrowing of my spinnal cannal. On the other hand, it's pretty freaking hard to tell.
I've been titrating up on methadone and it's SUCH a frustrating process!
Hope you feel better Fabby. ;)
That's a bit of what I have wrong with me also! I have arthritis all through my facet joints, which makes my MRI look somewhat blurry. Hey, the pain sure isn't blurry is it, Fabrashamx?
I think the facet joint arthritis, may be more paintful than my bulging and herniated discs, bone spurs, spinal stenosis, or narrowing of my spinnal cannal. On the other hand, it's pretty freaking hard to tell.
I've been titrating up on methadone and it's SUCH a frustrating process!
Hope you feel better Fabby. ;)
IngyW68
01-27-2006, 12:27 PM
Hi there,
Thanks for the update of what is going on and will continue to pray for you as well as your friend who is suffering with cancer...
A suggestion to those who also have arthritis in their neck/back area, I am on 60mg. of Cymbalta a day which is used for anti-depressant and/or arthritic neruopathy pain which you can research the medicine online.
I "think" it's been helping with the nerve pain but I also have many other issues with my discs and am getting a nuclear bone scan next week. However, it's nice to take the Cymbalta because even though I am a joyful person, living with chronic pain can take its toll and this keeps me from getting down as well. It also enables people to take less narcotics and I have now found a good mixture of 7.5/325 (2) at a time with Robaxin (a muscle relaxer) and then the Cymbalta (once a day).
Again, it's newer and works completely different than other nerve medicines or anti-deprassants in that it's specifically for arthritis nerve pain.
Just a thought and suggestion:)
Hugs and prayers,
Ingy
Thanks for the update of what is going on and will continue to pray for you as well as your friend who is suffering with cancer...
A suggestion to those who also have arthritis in their neck/back area, I am on 60mg. of Cymbalta a day which is used for anti-depressant and/or arthritic neruopathy pain which you can research the medicine online.
I "think" it's been helping with the nerve pain but I also have many other issues with my discs and am getting a nuclear bone scan next week. However, it's nice to take the Cymbalta because even though I am a joyful person, living with chronic pain can take its toll and this keeps me from getting down as well. It also enables people to take less narcotics and I have now found a good mixture of 7.5/325 (2) at a time with Robaxin (a muscle relaxer) and then the Cymbalta (once a day).
Again, it's newer and works completely different than other nerve medicines or anti-deprassants in that it's specifically for arthritis nerve pain.
Just a thought and suggestion:)
Hugs and prayers,
Ingy
curiousforever
01-27-2006, 12:42 PM
You go girl!
I swear though - you need to come here and ake them give me better pain meds....
I swear though - you need to come here and ake them give me better pain meds....
Fabrashamx
01-27-2006, 03:17 PM
thanks Dang, Ingy, and curious! Curious, I'm on my way, LOL we'll give 'em hell! No the pain isn't blurry, thats for sure! I take lexipro 20 mgs per day for depression, so I'm not sure if I can take the Cymbalta but I will ask my doctor about it next visit, thanks! I also have taken Tramadol (Ultram) for over 10 years and that has some antidepressant properties as well, and it has worked very well for pain as long as I have an opiate to take alongside it. Tramadol is a tricky med, it needs to be stopped and started very carefully, and it's not for everyone, some people don't care for it but it has worked well for me, and I have'nt noticed a change in tolerence with it, I am on the same dose I was on at first, 100 mgs x 3 times a day which I think is the max safe dosage. I have a question, one of my bone spurs, the doctor says is in the shape of a fish hook :eek: and may need to be removed, have any of you ever heard of this or had a bone spur removed? I also heard that people with bone spurs are more likely at some point to have kidney stones because the out of whack calcium in your body is what causes both. Is there anything I can do to stop that? I have never had a kidney stone, and I would rather not, to say the least, LOL! Thanks for the replies, You guys are the best! ~Fabby :wave:
curiousforever
01-27-2006, 03:25 PM
not bone spurs - but I"ve fractured my tail bone. that hurts really bad...I've done it twice cause I'm such a klutz.