hessie28
04-08-2008, 07:17 PM
Today seems to be the worst day of pain so far after the Radio Frequency. Let's hope it is the worst and gets better tomorrow. I decided to go for a walk because I figured I am stiff and out of shape. Bad idea. I used the cane. I could barely walk. So I just walked very slow with my IPOD on. I came home and popped my Oxycodone. It is starting to take the edge off. If I sit on the couch all day and do absolutely nothing that is the only time the pain is not bad. Too bad life is not that easy. Have to function. Things have to get done. I'm trying to get ambition to get up and make dinner. Even the simple things are just too much these days. I'm just venting. At least they say it is warming up so that is good. I feel better when it is warm and sunny outside. Gives you a little boost. Hope everyone is feeling better.
Sponsor
brianpain33
04-08-2008, 08:28 PM
I am so sorry that you are not feeling up to par. Trust me I have been there recently and I am barely feeling better today at least energy wise since I took the sublingual b vitamin. I would say take it slow and easy and try not to do things but I know this is somewhat hypocritical considering how I push and push myself and overdue thing. It is definitely easier said than especially when you live by yourself like I do. I will pray for you hessie28 ok.
brian
brian
cmpgirl
04-08-2008, 08:29 PM
Hey Hessie: I'm sorry this has been such a difficult process. It always irritates me that we have to endure so many side effects from meds and recouperation periods from procedures that are supposed to give us relief from the pain. I know with many of the modalities that are used to give us pain relief there is a lot of that "going to feel worse before it gets better" factor. But I just wish someone out there could come up with a med or procedure that truly worked right away, without all of the debilitating stuff that comes with it.
I was looking at my "drug store" of meds this a.m. and just shook my head. There is not one bottle that doesn't say, "this medication may cause drowsiness". It's such an annoying trade off for the ability to function on a somewhat "normal" level.
Bless your heart for making the effort to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. Please just make sure you continue to take it slow and listen to your body, so that you don't do more harm. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that we're all here for you. Take care of yourself and God Bless, cmpgirl
I was looking at my "drug store" of meds this a.m. and just shook my head. There is not one bottle that doesn't say, "this medication may cause drowsiness". It's such an annoying trade off for the ability to function on a somewhat "normal" level.
Bless your heart for making the effort to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. Please just make sure you continue to take it slow and listen to your body, so that you don't do more harm. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that we're all here for you. Take care of yourself and God Bless, cmpgirl
Arthr Itis
04-08-2008, 10:10 PM
Hello Hessie. I'm sorry you are having a bad pain day. I know what your talking about with the sitting all day. If that's all I do then the pain is almost bearable. Unfortunately I have to do things for myself and I don't want to waist my life away just sitting on my butt. Also the more I sit the worse my overall health gets so it's important to get up and get moving.
Fred
Fred
stymie82
04-08-2008, 11:12 PM
Hi Hessie, yes there's always a trade-off when trying to be active and keeping in some semblance of fitness. I can't walk for exercise at all, but can ride a stationary or even a regular bike moderately for about 45 minutes. I searched on the net for "big, comfy, bike seat" and bought two-one for my wife and one for me. It's been misty, foggy, rainy for the last four days and I had cabin fever really bad. We decided to forget the rain and go riding today in a really safe, traffic-free, neighborhood down by the sound. We got wet, but had a great time. I took a little extra breakthrough meds before and after, so far I think it was a good idea. I need to keep exercising as I was gaining a pound a week because I was really active before my disability and this is new to me.
Hope you are able to get out more as the weather warms and that your pain level eases up so that you can enjoy it. I lived for a few years in Norwood, almost a neighbor to Dumont. It's a very lovely, quiet corner of bustling Bergen County. may the Lord richly bless you.:angel:
Hope you are able to get out more as the weather warms and that your pain level eases up so that you can enjoy it. I lived for a few years in Norwood, almost a neighbor to Dumont. It's a very lovely, quiet corner of bustling Bergen County. may the Lord richly bless you.:angel:
123dietdrpepper
04-08-2008, 11:26 PM
I am sorry Hessie and hope that you find some relief soon. This chronic pain stinks. I have found that if I set goals and do things with breaks between them I can accomplish more. For instance, I cook dinner throughout the day in baby steps instead of trying to make the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice, salad all in the same hour. I may make the mashed potatoes and salad in the morning so that I do not have to stand so long on my feet in the evening.
Also if I make meatloaf, I make 3 and put two in the freezer. When I make Lasagna, meatballs, spaghetti, casseroles, etc., I make multiple dishes. I purchased one of those seal n' meal thingys so we don't have the freezer burn. This has helped me dramatically.
Take care and know that we are here for you.
Also if I make meatloaf, I make 3 and put two in the freezer. When I make Lasagna, meatballs, spaghetti, casseroles, etc., I make multiple dishes. I purchased one of those seal n' meal thingys so we don't have the freezer burn. This has helped me dramatically.
Take care and know that we are here for you.
brianpain33
04-08-2008, 11:38 PM
Also if I make meatloaf, I make 3 and put two in the freezer. When I make Lasagna, meatballs, spaghetti, casseroles, etc., I make multiple dishes. I purchased one of those seal n' meal thingys so we don't have the freezer burn. .
mmmm I think that I am going to have to come over for dinner. I don't fix meals much anymore since it is just me and I end up having SO much left over. Send some this way PLEASE :)
brian
mmmm I think that I am going to have to come over for dinner. I don't fix meals much anymore since it is just me and I end up having SO much left over. Send some this way PLEASE :)
brian
123dietdrpepper
04-08-2008, 11:58 PM
Sure thing Brian. I have been doing this for some time and it really helps for those Bad Pain Days. I just have to take it out of the freezer and heat it up in the evening.
hessie28
04-09-2008, 12:27 AM
I was looking at my "drug store" of meds this a.m. and just shook my head. There is not one bottle that doesn't say, "this medication may cause drowsiness". It's such an annoying trade off for the ability to function on a somewhat "normal" level.
Bless your heart for making the effort to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. Please just make sure you continue to take it slow and listen to your body, so that you don't do more harm. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that we're all here for you. Take care of yourself and God Bless, cmpgirl
You are right. Everything I take "may cause drowsiness". For me it is worse. I also have Narcolepsy. So on a good day I can barely keep my eyes open and function. I take Dextroamphetamines long acting and short acting just so I can drive locally and function. Some days it feels like the drugs are all fighting each other.
I always overdo. My husband just yelled at me because I dumped the laundry on the bed and did not fold it. It took everything I had yesterday for me to lug it down the basement and run up and down the stairs to do the three loads. I don't think he is being fair. Believe me, I will tell him so. Just not in the mood to fight now. I even cooked him and my son Salmon, mashed potatoes and vegies for dinner. Had it ready for them when they got home from baseball practice. To them it is little. To me it is a big acomplishment. No matter how much pain I am in, I try to keep things as normal as possible. I do my best. I could lay around all day and do nothing and with all the pain it would be justified. But I don't.
I was just thinking, the pain seems to come every 3 hours. I try to stretch the pain meds out to every 6 hours. I wonder am I in pain for no reason? Should I just take the pain meds every 4 hours as prescribed? If I did maybe there would be no pain at all. I don't know. In the back of my head I know I don't want to keep taking the pain meds so I try to go as long as I can without them. But, am I doing myself wrong by waiting for the pain to start before I take the meds? What do you think?
Brian, Hope you are feeling better. I take the sublingual B12 every other week. I don't notice any change or burst of energy. Maybe because of the Narcolepsy. I only take it because of being post gastric bypass. If I don't then bad things can happen. Oh well. Feel better.
Bless your heart for making the effort to get out of the house and get some fresh air and exercise. Please just make sure you continue to take it slow and listen to your body, so that you don't do more harm. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that we're all here for you. Take care of yourself and God Bless, cmpgirl
You are right. Everything I take "may cause drowsiness". For me it is worse. I also have Narcolepsy. So on a good day I can barely keep my eyes open and function. I take Dextroamphetamines long acting and short acting just so I can drive locally and function. Some days it feels like the drugs are all fighting each other.
I always overdo. My husband just yelled at me because I dumped the laundry on the bed and did not fold it. It took everything I had yesterday for me to lug it down the basement and run up and down the stairs to do the three loads. I don't think he is being fair. Believe me, I will tell him so. Just not in the mood to fight now. I even cooked him and my son Salmon, mashed potatoes and vegies for dinner. Had it ready for them when they got home from baseball practice. To them it is little. To me it is a big acomplishment. No matter how much pain I am in, I try to keep things as normal as possible. I do my best. I could lay around all day and do nothing and with all the pain it would be justified. But I don't.
I was just thinking, the pain seems to come every 3 hours. I try to stretch the pain meds out to every 6 hours. I wonder am I in pain for no reason? Should I just take the pain meds every 4 hours as prescribed? If I did maybe there would be no pain at all. I don't know. In the back of my head I know I don't want to keep taking the pain meds so I try to go as long as I can without them. But, am I doing myself wrong by waiting for the pain to start before I take the meds? What do you think?
Brian, Hope you are feeling better. I take the sublingual B12 every other week. I don't notice any change or burst of energy. Maybe because of the Narcolepsy. I only take it because of being post gastric bypass. If I don't then bad things can happen. Oh well. Feel better.
hessie28
04-09-2008, 12:32 AM
I am sorry Hessie and hope that you find some relief soon. This chronic pain stinks. I have found that if I set goals and do things with breaks between them I can accomplish more. For instance, I cook dinner throughout the day in baby steps instead of trying to make the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, rice, salad all in the same hour. I may make the mashed potatoes and salad in the morning so that I do not have to stand so long on my feet in the evening.
Also if I make meatloaf, I make 3 and put two in the freezer. When I make Lasagna, meatballs, spaghetti, casseroles, etc., I make multiple dishes. I purchased one of those seal n' meal thingys so we don't have the freezer burn. This has helped me dramatically.
Take care and know that we are here for you.
Thanks. I use to cook like that before the back surgery. When I was working it was so much easier to pull out and just heat it up. Now I am so wiped out that if I tried to cook in shifts I would not make it. The Narcolepsy makes me forgetful too. Sometimes I forget I am cooking something. I always set the timer on the stove so when that beeps it reminds me I'm cooking. Sad right? There is only three of us to cook for too. I find that I just have to do it and not stop. If I stop then it is all over. Thanks for the support. You guys are the ONLY ones that can understand what I am going through.
Also if I make meatloaf, I make 3 and put two in the freezer. When I make Lasagna, meatballs, spaghetti, casseroles, etc., I make multiple dishes. I purchased one of those seal n' meal thingys so we don't have the freezer burn. This has helped me dramatically.
Take care and know that we are here for you.
Thanks. I use to cook like that before the back surgery. When I was working it was so much easier to pull out and just heat it up. Now I am so wiped out that if I tried to cook in shifts I would not make it. The Narcolepsy makes me forgetful too. Sometimes I forget I am cooking something. I always set the timer on the stove so when that beeps it reminds me I'm cooking. Sad right? There is only three of us to cook for too. I find that I just have to do it and not stop. If I stop then it is all over. Thanks for the support. You guys are the ONLY ones that can understand what I am going through.
123dietdrpepper
04-09-2008, 01:17 AM
Hessie, one thing that I have learned with my pain is that it is continuous for the most part and I rarely have a break. When I do, I do something stupid and I am back to square one. :D So if I am experiencing pain above 5, I take meds as prescribed and I have even started setting my alarm clock to make sure I take that dose during the night and am waking up at a 4 on the pain scale. I am noticing an easier time in the morning because I am not waking up at a level 9 which is what I woke up without taking that pain pill during the night. Just my non-medical opinion based solely on my own experience, I would take the meds regardless.
cmpgirl
04-09-2008, 01:22 AM
Hessie my friend, you really shouldn't try and stretch your meds out like that. I used to do that back at the beginning of my CP and I remember going in for my PM appointment and being so proud that I had used way less than the doc had prescribed. Until he scolded me, that is. He asked me if it was covering my pain well, keeping me at a pain level of about 4 or 5? And of course it wasn't, so I said no, not really. He then went into a 10 minute lecture about how waiting till your pain has escalated to that level, was doing me no good and I might as well not take any at all.
I will say, I changed the way I looked at it from that day forward. I know it has to be so hard with narcolepsy as well, but unfortunately I don't believe they've come up with a non drowsy med that actually works.
Your hubby and son need to give you a break. You need to let them know that you can not do everything that you used to. Please don't try to be supermom. They will not suffer if you take a day off or two or three! They may act like they are, but trust me, they aren't. It's about time for them to take care of you for a change.
Take good care of yourself and take a break when you need it. And yes, take your meds if you need them. Know that you are in my prayers and we are all here, listening and caring. God Bless, cmpgirl
I will say, I changed the way I looked at it from that day forward. I know it has to be so hard with narcolepsy as well, but unfortunately I don't believe they've come up with a non drowsy med that actually works.
Your hubby and son need to give you a break. You need to let them know that you can not do everything that you used to. Please don't try to be supermom. They will not suffer if you take a day off or two or three! They may act like they are, but trust me, they aren't. It's about time for them to take care of you for a change.
Take good care of yourself and take a break when you need it. And yes, take your meds if you need them. Know that you are in my prayers and we are all here, listening and caring. God Bless, cmpgirl
hessie28
04-09-2008, 04:11 AM
I think my husband and son see I am still doing things so they take it for granted that I am in a lot of pain. I will remind them and then they are good to go for a while. A few months ago I painted the dining room and living room. I spackled first and sanded. Did it all slowly. This week I will probably put up the spring/summer curtains. Have to start getting the house ready for Confirmation in a few weeks. Since I am not working at least I can do at my own pace. Although I seem to have less time now. I probably just used my time better when working. It is hard to get your head around to the thinking that you can't do the things you use to. I am the handy one out of the couple. My husband can't even hammer a nail. LOL It is worse being home all day looking at what has to be done. I had to surrender and give up on the outside. The hubby and son do not take care of that to my specifications. Yes, I'm a bit of a control freak. LOL Seriously, thanks everyone. You make me feel better. I know we are all in the same boat.
Sage48
04-09-2008, 10:11 AM
Hessie, I would take your pain meds. as prescribed..especially if you are having increasing pain. Why try to stretch out the time .... it is not worth it, you will have pain that is harder to control..less relief..if the pain gets away from you . I had a radiofrequency last May...and was surprised at the amount of pain I had. It took several weeks for it to settle down. Please take it as easy as you can...to let the pain settle down. I know it's hard, especially if you have a young family... I am thinking of you...
Sage
Sage
hessie28
04-09-2008, 02:51 PM
Hessie, I would take your pain meds. as prescribed..especially if you are having increasing pain. Why try to stretch out the time .... it is not worth it, you will have pain that is harder to control..less relief..if the pain gets away from you . I had a radiofrequency last May...and was surprised at the amount of pain I had. It took several weeks for it to settle down. Please take it as easy as you can...to let the pain settle down. I know it's hard, especially if you have a young family... I am thinking of you...
Sage
Most times it is not on purpose. I will be doing whatever and then It hurts. By the time I take the meds I realize 6 hours or more have gone by. Then I think if I would have remembered to take earlier there would be no pain. This is how bad the Narcolepsy is. I am in horrible pain right now. I can't remember if I took my pain meds when I woke up 2 hours ago. So I will wait 2 more hours just in case. I have to take my son for an echocardiogram in an hour so I need to be able to drive. It really hurts so I probably forgot to take them. I have a big pill box. I can't put the Oxycodone in the box because they look just like the Topamax. Oh well. Will suck it up like usual. Just took my Skelaxin so maybe that will help. Thanks again.
Sage
Most times it is not on purpose. I will be doing whatever and then It hurts. By the time I take the meds I realize 6 hours or more have gone by. Then I think if I would have remembered to take earlier there would be no pain. This is how bad the Narcolepsy is. I am in horrible pain right now. I can't remember if I took my pain meds when I woke up 2 hours ago. So I will wait 2 more hours just in case. I have to take my son for an echocardiogram in an hour so I need to be able to drive. It really hurts so I probably forgot to take them. I have a big pill box. I can't put the Oxycodone in the box because they look just like the Topamax. Oh well. Will suck it up like usual. Just took my Skelaxin so maybe that will help. Thanks again.
hessie28
04-09-2008, 06:13 PM
Sage.... Forgot to ask but how did the Radio Frequency work for you? Did it give you months of relief? Or, how long did it help?
brianpain33
04-09-2008, 06:58 PM
I take the sublingual B12 every other week. I don't notice any change or burst of energy. .
The one that I got says to take EVERY DAY so that is what I am doing and I actually took 2 today since I am just dragging tired
brian
The one that I got says to take EVERY DAY so that is what I am doing and I actually took 2 today since I am just dragging tired
brian
hessie28
04-10-2008, 02:43 PM
The one that I got says to take EVERY DAY so that is what I am doing and I actually took 2 today since I am just dragging tired
brian
It depends on the dosage. Mine are 1000mg. I was taking them like that in the beginning and when I had blood work done the number was over 1700. So the Dr. asked the dosage and told me I should take every other week. I probably should be taking every week though.
brian
It depends on the dosage. Mine are 1000mg. I was taking them like that in the beginning and when I had blood work done the number was over 1700. So the Dr. asked the dosage and told me I should take every other week. I probably should be taking every week though.
hessie28
04-12-2008, 04:22 AM
Just me complaining again. Tonight was the worst so far since the Radio Frequency. Just pain in my legs, lower back. Even my neck is killing me which is not related to the RF. Although I know everything is connected. If you favor the back the neck starts to hurt. I'm so sick of it. The pain meds barely took the edge off tonight. They tell you to call if the pain is worse etc. but what will they do. They will tell me that it is too soon for more meds or that the Dr. can't change. Oh well.
123dietdrpepper
04-12-2008, 05:53 PM
Hessie, I am so sorry. I remember Sages posts on the back board when she had this done. She was very miserable for a long time. Clover had it done and did well. She had relief for over 6 months.
I pray that you find some relief soon.
I pray that you find some relief soon.
Fabrashamx
04-12-2008, 06:11 PM
(((((((((Hessie)))))))))))))
Sweetie I am so sorry you are suffering like this! Please do not give up, do not let them brush you off, They need to either raise your doseage of pain meds, or switch you to something else.
If they refuse to do that, you have to go try and find someone who will, I know it's very hard to do, and when youre in terrible pain the last thing you want to do is go see more doctors and risk being treated badly all over again, but when you do finally find the combination of the right doctor and the right med, you will feel so much better, and you will know it was worth it.
We all know that because most of us have been right where you are. you deserve compassion and care, keep fighting for it, we will all be behind you and with you in spirit.
Please come here and vent anytime, I do, and it really helps having people to talk to who understand what it's like for us out there.
Take care and please post soon and let us know how its going!
Your Friend, Fabby :wave:
Sweetie I am so sorry you are suffering like this! Please do not give up, do not let them brush you off, They need to either raise your doseage of pain meds, or switch you to something else.
If they refuse to do that, you have to go try and find someone who will, I know it's very hard to do, and when youre in terrible pain the last thing you want to do is go see more doctors and risk being treated badly all over again, but when you do finally find the combination of the right doctor and the right med, you will feel so much better, and you will know it was worth it.
We all know that because most of us have been right where you are. you deserve compassion and care, keep fighting for it, we will all be behind you and with you in spirit.
Please come here and vent anytime, I do, and it really helps having people to talk to who understand what it's like for us out there.
Take care and please post soon and let us know how its going!
Your Friend, Fabby :wave: