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charlotte1
01-23-2003, 10:03 AM
mel,
I am so sorry to hear your having trouble. how are you feeling today? Are your bladder symptoms better? i don't know what your symptoms are but am very curious. I want to think that maybe its as simple as a bladder infection. hang in there!!!!!!!!!! i'm thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers

ps. i pick up my cute little yorkie today.

Sponsor
 



melanie dawn
01-23-2003, 01:03 PM
Hi Charlotte,
congrats on the new puppie, is it a boy baby or a girl? I was tempted last week to bring home another great dane puppy, a beautiful fawn with a black face mask. A definate show boy, but my head took over and i realized now is not the time. But oh my he was a beauty,7 weeks old.
My bladder symptoms, for about the last three months, I have been having terrible urgency when I am laying down, no infection. Now I alternate between urgency, and not being able to go ,my family doc thinks it is progression of the cord symptoms. Also when i lay down, I have to look, because I dont know where my legs are.This whole thing is getting really scary. I cant walk far at all now. The only place I go is to the grocery store, because walking is better when i can use the shopping cart to hang onto, for support and balance. To be honest I am getting pretty down.
Let me know how the new "baby" is , and of course yourself. Did you rebook your myelogram? And when do you see the NS again?
Take care Mel

Debbie2
01-23-2003, 02:31 PM
Mothmin had a bit of bladder problems after surgery.
It went away, hope you are okay.
Deb

------------------
Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

charlotte1
01-23-2003, 06:50 PM
Mel,
I am really frustrated with the medical system. It seems to me the symptoms you are experiencing should be some type of emergency. It never seems to amaze me how spinal problems, which are probably one of the most serious diagnosis, are put on hold for so long. Thank God that your neuro visit is less than a month away. Are you still having headaches too?
I'm like you on putting things on hold for now. I feel like after we see the right doc things will be ok though. We've just got to get to that point. Do you know anything about the doc your going to see in Chicago?
I think there is a huge need to make physicians, the community, and govenment aware of the severe problems facing people with spinal cord disorders. I still believe with all my heart that something good will come from this nightmare. God be with us all.

My myelogram is scheduled for feb 5 and hopefully I will see my neuro doc soon after. The good thing is my husband is off work that day. At least i don't have to impose on someone else to take me. Its hard enough for me to ask hubby to do it what less someone else.
I did decide to try and turn this in on insurance. It seems like that is a huge ordeal. We pay insurance everyday of our lives but if the time ever comes to collect from them its a different story. My agent said i will probably need a lawyer. Thats just great because the guy that caused my wreck is a good friend.
He wants me to agree to no lawyer/suits and just let him foot the bill. I have a real problem with that. He is rich and can afford it but heck we've been paying ins premiums all our lives. What in the world for if you can't collect. what a headache all the way around.
now for the sweet happiness in my life. this little yorkie can turn around in the palm of my hand. it is only 6 weeks old and completely adorable. I have been warned to watch for hypoglycemia. Apparently these little things are very fragile. My husband is not very excited about it but i feel he will come around.
I wonder if i can teach the new member of our family to ride on my motorcycle. :D What do you think?
I bet great dane pups are sweet. I've always thought they are beautiful dogs, even considered getting one at one time. The trouble was there weren't any in this
area. I thought about bringing the lab in tonight because its so cold here right now. He stinks. I encouraged him to get in the bathtub but he just turned around and walked out. Which is just great, as you well know, because i don't have the strength to
make him do anything right now. Its a good thing he is well behaved in all other areas.
I usually don't talk much. I guess i was in the mood.
please keep your spirits up. This will all be over with before long and be nothing but a bad memory. And then we can get back to what we do best.
charlotte

melanie dawn
01-24-2003, 11:09 AM
Hi Charlotte, or should I say "chatty cathy" ha ha
With the little yorkie, your right about hypoglycemia, if she doesnt eat, slip her litle treats for provention. Yeah, it's brutally cold here also, my dogs dont even want to go out and pee. Cant really blame them, they never make a mess in the house, thank goodness!
My dane female is in season, I think i will set up a breeding , there is a beautful dane in the area, an import from Sweden this year, so i will try to set that up this week.
As for the doc in Chicago, he was chief resisdent here at the sick kids hospital, then he was at John Hopkins, professor and practicing. His specialty is spinal stenosis, Chiari malformations and neurovascular. he comes highly recommended. So here is hoping. So far the nurse practitioner at his office has been very supportive. Three weeks to go ; I can hardly wait.I go in at 7, have my testing in the morning, then the meeting with the nurse, then the neurologist, and then right to the neurosurgeon. I will leave with everything in hand, test results, diagnosis, treatment plan. Really very organized. But that is all that they do, they are a neurosurgical hospital, comprising 30 neurosurgeons, etc. I feel also that my whole life somehow is on hold and waiting on this.
Take care of youself and your new baby.
Mel

[This message has been edited by melanie dawn (edited 01-24-2003).]

charlotte1
01-25-2003, 11:43 PM
Wow Mel, What a set up. It sounds like you really will be in good hands. Good for you.
Hope your feeling pretty good today.
I forgot how intense it is having a 6 wk old pup around. I am constantly looking down at it. Gosh it seems like it pees every thirty mins. It is killing my neck. Who would have thought. Oh well it is sooooo
sweet and hopefully i'll have her house broke soon. I'm just guessing that it will take about 6 wks to get her trained. How many pups does a great dane usually have at a time?
Do you plan on going back to work after your healed?
Charlotte

franjo
01-26-2003, 03:49 AM
Hi Melanie Dawn and Charlotte! Sorry to jump in here, but I read Melanie's post and just had to comment on how her present situation sounds so much like mine. Even down to the grocery cart, and having to look to see where your legs are. And I am also planning to go to Chicago for surgery to untether my cord. This Dr. is an expert in this field...I wonder if they might be the same? Stranger things have happened!

Now I just have to make sure all the Dr. recommendations are expedited and get my HMO to approve all of it. My GP told me yesterday, after reading the reports, that he would make sure the HMO approved it. I feel like somebody is finally on my side!

The Dr. in Chicago seemed a little pee-ed off that it has taken so long to get some answers. He felt like I should have this surgery within the next two weeks. I feel a mixture of relief and dread. But I've had this surgery before so I know what's ahead. I just want to get it over with...

Good luck in Chicago Melanie, and I'll be thinking of you Charlotte on the 5th. I hope everyone gets one step closer to good health.....franjo

melanie dawn
01-26-2003, 02:17 PM
Hi Franjo,
I am sorry to hear that you have the same symptoms as me. I find it hard to explain the weird things going on. The part about the ;not knowing where my legs are. I dont know why I first thought about it. I dont remenber being conciously aware of the position before, its just something so automatic.All I know is I was watching tv, laying on the couch and i didnt know which leg was crossed over the other one. Since then, I've been very aware of the problem. I lay in bed with my eyes closed, and try to think where everything is and what position, But i just dont know unless i look.I find that very freaky. Do you have problems with your bladder also? I have some increased frequency during the day, but at night it drives me nuts. And sometimes ,like I said I just cant seem to start peeing. I dont know about you, but i find alot the weird symptoms are worse when i have been laying down for awhile. The doc in Chicago recommended sleeping in a collar to help, but i have a really hard time doing so.Do you experience some of these changes when laying Down? I would like to hear from you on that. I am starting to find this whole thing pretty scary.Like, having no strength when up, and then weirdness when laying down.
Where are you going in Chicago, I am going to CINN.
Please take care of yourself. Sorry about the babbling run on,It's just is nice to be able to tell someone about this who also has it.
Thanks, Mel

melanie dawn
01-26-2003, 02:32 PM
Hi Charlotte,
thanks for the posting. Are you using the crate method to train the puppy? I always use the crate, and find it to be the fastest and surest way to housetrain.
Danes often have 8-12 pups. I would be happy to have 6-8. I really dont want 12. They should be beautiful pups, my girl is a black, but her father was blue. I am breeding her to a large blue( the one from Sweden)), so hopefully will have lots of blue pups with a new bloodline here. I also just got a call for my bull terrier for stud again.
How are you feeling Charlotte? I dont know about work.My family doc doesnt think i will ever do the heavy hospital nursing again. I am hoping to finish my masters and nurse practioner program as soon as I am better. I only have 1 year left to go. The goverment here is really pushing to establish nurse practioners into their own offices to provide primary health care. Which will help with the shortages of GPs. What about you for work? You work emerg?, I think that is what you mentioned. Do you think that is what youll go back to ?Or are you like me and really dont know until after this is all taken care of , and see what we can do then?
Take care of yourself, hope this note finds you well.

Mel

franjo
01-26-2003, 03:09 PM
Hi Melanie! Yes, I have the bladder woes too. I have a neurogenic bladder and have to self-cath in order to pee. My bladder won't empty on its own, yet I experience some stress incontinence too.

I don't experience what you describe happening to you while lying down, but I do have to get up several times through the night to go. I've been trying to limit my liquids after nine o'clock and that seems to help. It sounds to me like your bladder is not emptying completely either. I was told to massage the bladder by placing my fist over the bladder area and leaning forward on it while making small rotating movements to facilitate urination. This never seemed to work for me, but maybe it will help you a little.

As far as the "lost leg" phenomena....one time we were camping and as I was walking toward my chair I had the strangest sensation that my leg was floating up behind me. The rational part of my brain knew that this wasn't true, but the sensation was strong enough that for a few seconds I was unable to take a step. Another time, and this is sort of funny if one can find some humor in these things, my husband and I were lying in bed and I kept feeling his leg on mine. I kept taking my good leg to shove his away, only to discover it was my own leg! Weird feeling to say the least. I've stopped using my right foot to accelerate when driving (I've never used it for braking), but when I did, I would have to manually place my foot on the pedal and occasional do a visual check to make sure it was placed on it solidly. I used to drive people crazy when I drove at night, because I keep turning on the dome light to see where my foot is (I have this fear that I will have it on the brake without knowing it.)

I believe I'll be going to the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, so it sounds like we don't have the same doctor. I am so thankful that I got this referral. I feel like I'll be in good hands. My HMO isn't going to be happy about it, but I think I have enough documentation from experts to convince them that this is where I need to be. Right now, I think I'd let a bartender do it if he could convince me that he knew what he was doing! :) Dealing with these insurance companies can sure bring out the "bull" in you. I don't like to be aggressive as a rule, but I sure have learned through all of this that it's the only way to get the ball rolling. You have to "babysit" these things every step of the way, just to make sure that everyone is doing what they're supposed to. Most of the delays I've had have been due to plain incompetence....losing reports, records, etc. It's pathetic, really. Now, I never assume anything....this is my life we're talking about and everybody damn sure better be doing their jobs. I don't care if they get tired of me calling every other day, I'll keep calling until somebody responds. I'll be especially glad when this is all over so I can get back to my sweet self! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Keep us posted on how you're feeling and the progress of your treatment. I know it is soooo scary. I hope you get some relief quickly. .....franjo

charlotte1
01-27-2003, 06:45 PM
Mel,
I think its great that your studying to be a nurse practioner. With only one year to go, you'll be finished before you know it. There should be little if any lifting invovled, so you should be able to handle that when this nightmare is over. Plus, the pay should be much better. Are you all experiencing a shortage of nurses too? One of my good friends is currently pursuing her masters as a nurse practioner. It is so strange, she also is experiencing recent onset of back trouble. I believe her problem is L1 -L2. Anyway you guys are fortunate that you already have a plan in process.
I never liked school, usually couldn't sit still long enough to study, so all I have is an associates degree in nursing. The thought of four more years of school makes me want to puke!!!! I was a Hospice/oncology nurse for 8 years and had just recently started changing fields. My CCU and ER experience is less than 1 year. Actually I had 4 months in CCU and was just starting to feel comfortable when this mess started. It will be so hard to go back to that after all this time. I'm not sure how much info I have retained. This happened at a really bad time for me. I've already been off as long as I worked in CCU. I've worked prn in ER for the last year. I really loved doing that. I may have to change fields all together. I think at this point i am on hold as far as my career. I can always go back to school--maybe health information management or something similar. I would really like to open my own business but have no idea what would work here in a town with pop of 3000.
Here i go again ---- you may want to keep on calling me chatty cathy. By the way, that was very funny.
I have never trained my animals with a crate but I did buy one after you suggested and it is so much easier. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/idea.gif Thanks for the suggestion, i don't know why i haven't tried this before.
As usual, I hope you are feeling better today. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Charlotte

Franjo,
I always enjoy reading your post. Hope your having a good day.


[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 01-27-2003).]

[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 01-28-2003).]

melanie dawn
01-29-2003, 10:36 AM
Hi Franjo,
Thanks so much for your post. Yeah the leg thing is truly quite freaky! To say the least.
You know at work we used to laugh about having to hold the doctors hands and babysit them to make sure they covered everything and paperwork etc. It is sad to say how right you are when it comes to our health and lives that we must also do so. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif
Oh and insurance companies, we should probably not go there because I am sure I could rant for days on that one. I just spent yesterday at an all day functional testing centre to prove that i could still do my job. How frustrating !!! I would gladly go to work if I could walk, drive, use my arms properly, etc. I told the asessor that I could make more money in one 12 hour shift than the insurance pays me, so there is no profit in this for me. OH OH I'm doing it I started on ins. companys. Sorry about that .
Anyhow, thanks for the post and encouragement.
Mel

melanie dawn
01-29-2003, 10:47 AM
Charlotte,
how goes the housebreaking ?? I have always found the crate so easy, if you follow the guidelines , I usually have trained dogs in about two weeks. It makes so much sense to use their own instincts to train them.
How are you feeling Charlotte? I hope this note finds you well Cathy.Of course I have well and truly earned the name myself. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif
I spent yesterday doing functional assessments for the car insurance company. How ridiculas!YOu know after paying in my whole life, when i make a claim my honesty, integrity and mental health are questioned. I did get la lawyer, not to sue , just to get what is entitled to me through the car insurance. Thie whole system makes me sick.I can hardly wait to read these reports in two weeks. I didnt do well in the test. I had to push a weighted wheelchair through the hall for half an hour. I walk like a dysfunctional 90 year old, shuffling along at a snails pace. Then I fell on the five stairs I had to climb. Oh well that is enough of that.
Take care of yourself ,hope to hear from you soon.
Mel

charlotte1
01-29-2003, 12:07 PM
Mel,
A functional assessment? I've never heard of that. I gather from your letter that the insurance co is making you do that. It sounds like a nightmare to me. Did that cause a flare up of pain? The last time I tried to use my arms, even with the slightest force, put me on pain pills rtc for a week. I hope you are feeling ok after that.
I too have finally decided to turn my motorcycle wreck in on insurance. I was instructed to get a lawyer to proceed with collecting from insurance. It is totally insane. If ins would pay when they are suppose to it would probably save them alot of money. Our lawyers here take 40%. What a racket!
I am currently using puppy pads and the crate with a little variation in the usual method. My pup is only 6 and a half weeks so I will wait until she is 8 weeks before I do it like the book. I am having to puree her dogfood right now so she can eat it. If i had to do it all over I would have waited until she was 8 weeks to pick her up. I just figured since I didn't have anything else to do right now it would be worth the extra hassle. And here I go again............blah, blah, blah
Have a good day
charlotte

melanie dawn
01-30-2003, 01:07 PM
hey CHATTY CATHY,
that reply was pretty funny, Melford?
What kind of a name is that.Listen truthfully though , the one thing I can be sure of is that i dont have prostrate trouble!!!!!!
Went for the last part of the insurance testing today. You know this whole things just burns me up. It is like you have to prove there is something wrong, and disprove being some kind of sherker and liar, oh yeah and that is not psychosomatic. The whole process is degrading and demeaning. Today was the physical exam by an orhto. walk on your toes, I cant! walk on your heels, I cant!. Raise your leg straight in the air , I cant! THen all the reflex testing etc. The reality is he is employed by the insurance company, what are the odds that he will find anything wrong? I dont even have films to bring , they are all in Chicago. My physio said they (ins co) dont want to know there is anything wrong, and dont care if there is . The be all and end all for them is if I can do my job, and that is the focus of their testing. I am sure there are parts of my job that i could do, for maybe an hour and then I am cooked. And that is on a good day. On a bad day, my hand shakes so bad, I cant write nevermind throw IVs in people. Then there is the fact that my top speed is the crawl of the aging snail.
The doc this morning asks about driving, i told him that the one Dr. advised me strongly not to drive. This dr today wanted to know if I had been reported to the ministry of transportation. I said no, he states if he finds I am not safe, the police will be by to pick up my license, and that he will report the previous Dr., who by the way has been incredibly supportive and helpful. Get to feel like a schmuck all ways today. Oh well that is the end of my whining.
Take care of yourself Mel

Ps, are you sure you want to get involved with auto insurance. YOu pay in all of your life, and when you make a claim, you are treated like a criminal. Ontop of everything else, this I dont need. :mad:

charlotte1
01-31-2003, 10:09 PM
Mel,
Are you finished with the insurance testing? I can't imagine going thru all that bull &$*&. I hope my insurance doesn't require all that crap. That creep that threatened to turn your doc in was probably just blowing off. I'll keep my fingers crossed anyway. Wow, my language is bad today. Seriously I rarely talk like that but today and the last few days have been awful.
yesterday, I took the yorkie to the vet because of diarrhea. On the way to the vet I saw my cat dead on the side of the road. The vet diagnoised giardia and gave me meds for my pup. This morning I woke up and there was crap everywhere. She didn't eat supper last night or breakfeast and lunch this am. Her stools were bloody today and she has pooped at least 20 times. So I took her back to the vet. He gave me a bunch more meds and some kaopectate. 20 stools + 20
clean ups = severe back and arm pain. To top it all off the vet said my lab could get it from the yorkie.
I picked up a vaccine for the lab so hopefully all will be well with him. One thing I can say is I am definately not bored at the moment but this is not quite what I had in mind. What do you think of that?
5 more days until my myelogram............
charlotte

PsychLea
02-01-2003, 02:17 AM
Charlotte,

Bless your heart girl! You and that poor puppy must be a sight to behold. I hope the puppy improves soon and that your lab is okay.

I noticed you are having a myelogram in 5 days. Please let us know how it goes, as that is a test that has been strongly suggested to me and I am interested in hearing your experience.

Praying you have a better weekend :angel:



------------------
God bless,

Lea

charlotte1
02-01-2003, 11:44 AM
Hey Lea,
Thanks for your thoughts. The pup is much much better today, no poop, eatting good, and very happy.
I will definately post as soon as possible after the myelogram.
How are you feeling?
Charlotte

PsychLea
02-02-2003, 01:11 AM
Charlotte,

Glad to hear the puppy is doing better. I went to a playdate with my son today and his friend had a "Snorky" cross between a miniature schnauzer and a yorkie. It was so cute and so very small and was full grown! My husb said I could have one, if he could have a big lab, wouldn't that be fun (as I'm sure I would be the one doing the housebreaking)

I have a high tolerance for pain, but the pain in my neck (not my husb this time :) ) is pretty severe and the pain down my left arm goes into my elbow,wrists and fingers. The chest pain is the worst. On a scale of 1-10 I'm a-guessin I'm about an 8. I do fine as long as I am laying still. Was only out for 2 hrs today for lunch with husb and looking at furniture and couldn't wait to get home and take something, anything to stop the pain. Took 2 Darvocets and 2 Ultram and had a nice nap. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/yawn.gif

Spent the rest of the night with my bed buddy (again not my husb) Going to take some more Darvocet and head for bed.

Hope you are feeling well.

------------------
God bless,

Lea

melanie dawn
02-03-2003, 09:53 AM
Hi Charlotte,
sorry to hear about the puppy. Giardia is really quite common, and young puppies very suceptable. YOu will need to keep her away from areas that other dogs use and clean up stools right away. The Giardia can leave an egg of sorts that is incysted, which can survive in the ground for up to a year. Everytime it rains etc. and the dog licks the water etc. it can become infected.My Bully got this when he was a puppy and he did get reinfected, but it does eventually clear up. It is basically the same thing that people get from the water in Mexico.Many people and older dogs carry it but are not affected by it.
I hope this note finds your pain better today, what are you taking for pain and is it giving you good control? Take care of yourself Chatty, look forward to hearing from you!
Mel

charlotte1
02-04-2003, 11:52 AM
Mwl and Lea,
Good to hear from you all. I hope you guys are having a decent day. I feel fair right now - have been worse and definately have felt better. I usually take two tylenol #3 when having pain and ocassionally take a percocet 10/500. I may have one day in 7 when no pain med is needed. Most days I end up taking one dose of tylenol #3 (2 pills) usually in the evening. I also take Bextra 20mg every day. What about you Mel? Lea, does the darvocet relieve your pain completely? I hate taking all that crap but then again i really hate pain.
Mel, I thought i remembered what the bull terrier looks like so I looked it up to make sure. You really like the different ones don't you? I am curious, Did your bully have any lasting affects from the giardia?
Someone was telling me their dog was never right after that. I have noticed that my yorkie has regressed in the housebreaking efforts. Of course having diarrhea nonstop for 2 days would screw up anyone. I have been using newspaper to line the floor in the bathroom that I keep her in at night. This AM, I was sitting on the floor in the living room playing with the pup while reading the newspaper. I was really engrossed in an article about how much our hospital administrator makes a year ($478,000.00) when out of the corner of my eye i saw my pup peeing on the right hand corner of my newspaper.Before I could decide what to do she pooped on the paper too. :eek: What a day! :D I had to laugh outloud while thinking it was good thing i was just about finished reading the paper. I may have screwed up with this pup. She is just 7 wks so maybe I still have a chance with this housebreaking. I really can't tolerate a full grown dog that has regular accidents in the house so maybe I should break her to outside instead of using these *&%$ puppy pads. At least I know how to housebreak using the outdoors. Plus My lab would be good help in that area. What do you think?
We leave at 3am in the morning for my myelogram so you guys won't hear from me for a couple days. I'll let you know the news, if any, as soon as possible. I am somewhat anxious about this to say the least. My Dr does not give any meds with this procedure. Sometimes nurses know too much. I hope he can keep my butt still on the table. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif
charlotte


[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 02-04-2003).]

melanie dawn
02-04-2003, 12:20 PM
Hi Charlotte,
there have been no lasting effects from Giardia nor should there be. The only thing I would recommend is having a repeat course of Flagyl on hand in case of a recurrence. As for the housebreaking, i would follow the kennel method with the outdoors. You can expect the odd puppy piddle accident when they are excited for the first 3 months or so. But i can honestly say that all of my dogs have been broken within 2-3 weeks with the kennel method, and no accidents after 3.5 months of age.
So, you are off for the myelogram, I wish you luck and know this will go well for you. At least when done will you will have a very clear picture of what is happening in that neck of yours.
As for pain meds, I take MS Contin, the slow release morphine, and Baclofen three times daily for spasms. I get fairly good pain control with this.
Good luck Charlotte, I'll be thinking of youF!
Mel

franjo
02-04-2003, 12:37 PM
Charlotte,

My thoughts will be with you tomorrow. I hope you get some definitive answers and can begin the process of gaining your health back. My prayers are with you.

I have to add my 2-cents regarding the housebreaking. I've raised boxers for 20 years and discovered, at least with the boxers I've had, they generally aren't very demonstrative when it comes time to letting someone know that they want out. They would just sit at the door quietly, and if no one happened to see them.....well, we all can only wait so long, right?

My first boxer just happened to ring the jingle bells I had hanging on the doorknob one Christmas, alerting us that she needed out. This became her way of letting us know. Needless to say, the bells stayed year round. But what is very interesting is that the next two generations of boxers learned this skill from their mothers....the cat even used the bells....and we never taught a single pet to do that...they just taught each other....and voila!...no kitty litter!

-franjo

melanie dawn
02-04-2003, 10:37 PM
Hi Franjo,
just had to agree with you. I have a Great Dane and they are also not demonstrative, same thing she just sits and waits. My bully is however the most in your face character, you always know when he wants anything. Good for you with the bells, that is wonderful.
How are you feeling ? hope this finds you well.
Did you ever get the burning sensation? Right now I have it in my right leg really bad, even the skin hurts. Really quite frustrating, I've had it in the arms and upper back , but this leg is driving me to distaction.
Apparently I'm whining again, sorry.
Talk to you soon, take care
Mel

franjo
02-06-2003, 02:37 AM
Hi Mel,

I don't seem to get the burning that alot of those with nerve problems get. I guess it's because I've always had decreased sensation in my affected right leg, and zero reflex. For the past couple of months I've not been able to feel ANYTHING in my toes....that drives me nuts! Five summers ago I stepped on a board with a nail sticking out. The nail pierced through my right instep and out of the top of my foot and I only had a vague sense of a noxious feeling, much like having a rock in your shoe. I remember looking down, puzzled that this board was stuck to my foot, thinking I had stepped in some gum or something.

I really wish I had some sage advice for that burning leg of yours. I hope it gives you some relief now and then? What have you tried to ease the burning?

I guess I should count myself lucky that I've been spared that particular torment. The fact is, my leg is probably, in reality, burning like hell right now, and I just don't know it http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/blob_fire.gif.....talk about pain mgt.!

I hope Charlotte did okay today with the myleogram. Maybe we'll hear from her tomorrow.....

I'll be praying that you find some respite from all this pain, and be able to truly enjoy the days when you feel good. Assuming that you have those days at all. I know my good days seem further and farther between anymore, and it's hard not to let it get me down. But I believe that we'll see better days (I only think that on my good days!) Take care.....franjo

melanie dawn
02-06-2003, 12:05 PM
HI Franjo,
Well the burning eased up, as I knew it would, thank goodness. Just at the time it is so hard to deal with, the meds dont help and you cant sleep.
I am back to having really bad spasms of right neck with the awful occipital pressure, headache from hell, ear thing etc. I spent all of yesterday afternoon and evening and night in bed. It is a little easier this morning but feels like it is going to buuild again.
I usually get some reprieve from all of this, but lately it seems good days are getting really scarce. I am feeling really whiny and frustrated. THe support locally is mostly from physio and she is wonderful, but my family doc admits he doesnt understand and waits for me to let him know what to do. I said to my hubby last night that i felt so awful and who do i turn to for help?I want someone to help me with the pain when i am like that , not up to having to explain it to my doc and tell him what to do.
I guess i am not coping particularly well today, but i havnt really slept for more than 2 hours at any given time over the last 4 days. At physio yesterday she found that my reflexes were about double as hyper as usual and they are always very brisk. She also found my strength rapidly diminishing, and my kinestetic sense more deteriorated also. now i have no idea when or where she moves my legs.
I know i shouldnt be this upset, Ive been doing this for two and a half years with no answers, and the end is in sight with the trip to chicago only two weeks away. But right now i am finding the whole thing overwhelming.
Sorry to have run on like this, just a really bad couple of days.
I hope this note finds you well, hopefully we'll hear from Charlotte today. And thanks so much for the support franjo, I know you have your own cross to bear.
Take care of yourself! Mel

franjo
02-06-2003, 02:06 PM
Mel,

I wish you didn't have to wait so long to go to Chicago. I know, I think, what you're feeling: Like a time bomb? Everyday I notice different things I can no longer do....little deaths, it seems. I can't let myself dwell on it for too long, because my son needs me, so I just shove it back to the corners of my mind. I want to cry when I have to sit on the sidelines while my husband pushes my son in the swings at the park, because I can't remain standing for that long. Anywhere we go, the first thing I do is look for the nearest chair. If it's true that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, then why do I just feel weaker and weaker? I'm sick of falling all the time, losing dignity, and the pity on people's faces as they watch me struggle with the simplest of things. I feel so betrayed and angry at my body. I want to shout, "This isn't really me!" And I feel that time is running out to get this thing to stop in its tracks. I cringe when I think of all the people who suffer permanent damage all because of the slow-moving insurance process and just general incompetence in office procedure.

I thought I'd share a little poem I wrote while taking writing classes in college:


My bones, they can't be trusted.
Infiltrators,
misfitting me
under my skin.
In twisted, united fusion,
they mock me.
Neither loving nor hating me,
only painfully neutral
they dare to say, "I am.
With or without you,
I am".

That pretty well sums it up for me.

And never apologize for "running on" about those frustrations. If we can't do it here, where else is there?....franjo

charlotte1
02-06-2003, 02:21 PM
Mel
12 more days until you see the neuro doc, right? I am so sorry you are having so much pain. What are you taking for breakthru pain? If your taking at least four breakthru pills a day, I would consider increasing the MS Contin. I know you don't want a solution of increasing pain meds but maybe just to hold you until you can see the neuro doc. I wonder if all the crap you had to do for the insurance assessor caused an exacerbation of your symptoms. As always, I just hate it when your having more trouble. Your in my prayers.
The myelogram was a bear for me. No meds except solucortef to prevent reaction. I really suggest some type of premedication for that test. If I had to do it over I would have taken a percocet and xanex before they took me. First they did xrays of my spine. After that, took me by stetcher back to the hall to wait. Next comes the worst part. They placed me on a table lying on my stomach. I was allowed to keep my panties and socks on plus a gown with the entire back open. It was me, the male tech and the male neuro surgeon. So, I'm lying there exposed, they scrubbed my back with betadine, then Used lidocaine to numb the area. (I jumped as he stuck-- oops, he should have done something to make me relax). It hurt when the epidural went into the spinal cord. Then he injected dye. When he injected the dye he told me I would have a severe headache for a couple of minutes. Guess what,
I had that severe headache all day yesterday and am still fighting it today. Pain medicine will not touch this headache. After the dye was in they started taking xrays again. They strapped my legs down with
leather staps and chains, then tilted me upside down. I felt like I was in a porno movie. I was totally humiliated. They did this so the dye would enter my c-spine. After they finished in this room, I was taken to cat scan, then back to my room. I was advised to keep my head up at least 30 degrees until bedtime (they told me its some kind of new dye their using where they don't want you to lie flat immediately after the test). After that I could lay flat, which I did. Today that headache comes and goes. What bothers me is my cheeks are flushed. So far no temp, thank goodness. Well, I really wanted to have that test and I am definately glad its over.
They told me my doc usually calls his patients on Sunday to give them the results of the myelogram and his reccomendation. So now I wait.
Thank you and Franjo for thinking about me. It feels good to know you all are there. My friends here are wonderful (one came to my house four times yesterday to check on my puppy for me) but I still feel you guys are a real important part of my life right now. I am so thankful for this.
Charlotte



[This message has been edited by charlotte1 (edited 02-06-2003).]

charlotte1
02-06-2003, 02:30 PM
Franjo,
Do you have a surgery date yet? Hopefully this will all be over with soon and it will just be a bad memory for you. I do know the feeling of wanting to tell people that this is not me. If you could have known me when........... Hopefully these people will get to see you healed again. My goal is to be mended by summer. I guess anything is possible, right?
Your in my prayers
Charlotte

melanie dawn
02-06-2003, 03:48 PM
Hi Franjo,
Thanks so much for your reply. I probably dont need to tell you what it means to have the understanding and support you have all given me , but i want to , so thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
YOu are quite right, this isn't me. Me is the bright energetic, go for ball of fun and fire. This person here is weak,tired, sad, withdrawn,frustrated. I find i either dont have the energy and strenght to go anywhere , or I dont go because i dont fit in and am embarassed walking and stumbling along. I dont really laugh or enjoy things right now. I am probably clinically depressed, but dont want more meds than i'm on. I already have a fuzzy, hung over feeling that takes hours to shake every day.
Great poem, it says it all. ONce again thanks for being there.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif Mel

melanie dawn
02-06-2003, 04:06 PM
Hi Charlotte,
I am so glad that this is over for you, now you just have jto get through the waiting. YOur answers are on their way.
I know what you mean about the support recieved here on this board and from the wonderful people here,like you.I often think that this has become a lifeline for me to hang on to.
My Doc. gave me Dilaudid for breakthrough, but it doesnt agree with me, i get very jittery and nauseous and cannot sleep when I take it. I am going to call for an appt. and try to get him to try a short acting morphine rather than the synthetics. Hopefully that will agree with me better.
Please take care of yourself and get some extra rest to beat that headache into submission. As always you are in my thoughts and prayers.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif Melford :p

ps. I think there may be a relationship between the testing and the flare-up.

[This message has been edited by melanie dawn (edited 02-06-2003).]

franjo
02-09-2003, 01:36 PM
Charlotte,

No surgery date yet. My GP mistakenly recommended to my HMO to be approved to see the wrong doc. Now I have to straighten all that out. It seems like these things have been happening at every turn. Even my HMO rep agrees and plans to present my case to the board at their next mtg. and explain all the mistakes that have happened during the course of processing. She's going to recommend immediate approval. I hope this will finally take care of things.

You haven't posted for awhile, I hope that means that you are too busy enjoying yourself to sit at a computer!

BTW, What a great play by play description of your myleogram...I felt as if I was right there (don't do that to me again! :)) Now I'll know exactly where to send anyone who has questions about a myleogram! ....franjo

[This message has been edited by franjo (edited 02-09-2003).]

[This message has been edited by franjo (edited 02-09-2003).]

franjo
02-09-2003, 01:51 PM
Melanie,

I hope you're feeling good today. I think we're all like the "Little Girl with the Curl, right in the middle of her forehead". When it's good, it's very, very good, but when it's bad....it's horrid! Please try to keep your spirits up, and I know that you do try.

I agree that there is no substitute for these boards as far as understanding and support. I'm so thankful to have a place to go to learn and give and receive support. My family and friends love me, but can never understand like those here can. I guess I can't really expect them to, not entirely. If it weren't for these boards, I'd be wondering and suffering alone, for the most part. It has been a real blessing to me.

Thanks to all! A patient ear is a friend indeed!....franjo

melanie dawn
02-09-2003, 02:30 PM
Hi Franjo,
how goes the battle today? I am having not to bad a day today.Like you said, everyday is different, and you take it as it comes. I never make plans ahead,just as it comes.
And how right you are about the understanding available here on the boards. It is a unique kind of a relationship, one that I had never really envisioned. Wouldn't it be interesting to all meet and see the faces that go with our impressions of each other. Even better; all meet when we are better, and have a good time not discussing all of this , except in the past tense!!Hmm-----my wishful thinking.
I hope this note finds you well, enjoying a good day!
:wave: mel

melanie dawn
02-09-2003, 02:40 PM
Chatty Cathy,
where are you?? Hopefully like Franjo said, busy having a good time, doing the things you enjoy !
Are you over the headaches yet? And how is that puppy of yours? Hopefully not still poopy!!!!
How is the weather there? If you tell me it is above freezing,I'll be jealous, because it has been howling with ice cold arctic type winds, i believe I am rather sick of all of this winter crap.
Hope to hear from you soon!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif Melford

[This message has been edited by melanie dawn (edited 02-10-2003).]

PsychLea
02-10-2003, 01:34 AM
Charlotte,

Hope you are doing better. Nothing worse than a spinal headache. If it doens't clear, you may want to do a blood patch (instant relief}

I've had spinal taps before, not comfortable at all. The worst thing for me was the vaso-vagal response I would get when they entered the spinal canal. Made me feel like I was going to pass out. I can't imagine how it would be to have that, and then be moved around. YIKES!

I'm still working my nerve up for the EMG!

Darvocet does not completely relieve my pain, but if I take it with Ultram or Aleve, then I can be comfortable, but http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif the side effects are laughable.

This week I went to work with my sweater inside out :eek: The receptionist was kind enough to point that out to me after TWO HOURS of assessing patients and their families. Then that evening, I ran smack into a column in the cafeteria, just lost my sense of balance I guess.

No, narcotics are not for me. But what's a gal to do http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif?

------------------
God bless,

Lea

melanie dawn
02-10-2003, 11:52 AM
Hi Charlotte,
Did you hear from the doctor yesterday? I hope so, I know how hard it is to wait. Please take care and remember that I'm thinking of you, and here for you. Pop in and give an update when you can.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/love1.gif Mel

charlotte1
02-11-2003, 05:49 PM
Mel, Franjo, Lea
I can finally hold my head up long enough to post. I hope everyone is doing ok
Oh my gosh.......... I had to go back to the hospital yesterday for a blood patch. Started having spinal headache on Fri morning, they told me to lay flat all weekend and they would set me up to get a blood patch on Mon. ("no problem honey just go stay in the bed for the next three days and we will get to you when we come back to work on Mon. damn, I wish I had their jobs.My hubby is about ready to tear someones head off.I don't know how many times I went out in the middle of the night for people even for simple things like no BM or just giving instructions on medications or maybe they were just scared and needed comforting.
I can't believe they can be in the medical field and get away with this crap.
Did you know they prefer to keep you overnight when you have a bloodpatch; I didn't nor did anyone bother to tell me. I came home last night because we had not made plans. Anyway, I still feel like crap. Called the doc (anesthesiologist)she said I should feel alot better by tomorrow. I usually wash my hair every day Do you know I went three days without a bath? This freaking nightmare just seems to get worse all the time. I know I really wanted this myelogram but I am so stupid sometimes. I will now think long and hard before anyone touches my spine again. Sorry to be such a cry baby whiner. It just seems I am more amazed by neurosurgeons each day as i go thru the system. Oh yeah, My neuro doc, the one who said i would be having surgery in a couple weeks when I went to see him Jan 5,2003 should call me by this weekend to tell me my myelogram results (maybe their weeks are years to the real world). I think they only work the first 10 days of the month and then take the rest of the month off or something.
Sorry to be so grouchy today you guys but I really did need to get this out.
Take care
Charlotte

melanie dawn
02-11-2003, 06:48 PM
Hi Charlotte,
I am so sorry to hear about your last 5 days or so. I hope the blood patch kicks in ASAP. I was always under the impression that they provide almost instant relief. Hmm guess that is not so. I know now after listening to your story they will not get me doing one of those.
Please feel better soon, gets lots of rest, then you come back and vent some more,
You're so right, I wonder how quickly these issues would be resolved if it was one of the docs with this.
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mel

Debbie2
02-11-2003, 11:57 PM
Oh Charlotte, please feel better soon. What an awful mess you have been through here this past week. Good heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you...
Debbie2

------------------
Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

PsychLea
02-12-2003, 04:09 AM
Charlotte,

Bless your heart honey :angel:

franjo
02-12-2003, 02:14 PM
Charlotte,

I'm sorry to hear about this complication. If it's any consolation: This too shall pass.

I think you're being way too generous when you say they only work 10 days out of the month. It took them over a month just to read my MRI report, and that was only after I kept on their A-double-butts every other day. The "CARE" has surely been taken out of "MEDICAL CARE" these days. They should rename the phrase "MEDICAL 'when we're damn good and ready'".

I do hope you'll get relief soon. This will all be just a bad memory in time. Remember what they say, "What doesn't kill us, only serves to make us stronger".....Yeah right.....bite me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif....Praying for you.....franjo

melanie dawn
02-12-2003, 02:15 PM
Hi Charlotte,
thinking good thoughts for you. Hope you are feeling better.

Mel

Hi there Franjo, How are you ? Just reading your comments, oh! how true it is!!!!But as for letting them bite you, I would worry about being infected with their complacency and disregard. :eek:
Take care, Mel

[This message has been edited by melanie dawn (edited 02-12-2003).]

franjo
02-13-2003, 01:10 AM
Melanie,

Today I'm fair-to-middlin'. Thanks for asking. I did have to break down and take some pain med today. I just hope this is one of those 'blips' and not a foreboding of a bad week. I'll know in the morning, I'm sure.

How have you been feeling? Do you have plenty of chances to rest? I bet I already know the answer to that. Rest is the best pain mgt. for me when I have aggravated my cord. But it is a precious commodity around here. Three-year-olds and rest do not go hand in hand, it seems. I hope you're able to get plenty.

The Dr. from Chicago wants to set an appt. to discuss his recommendation. This will be a 9-10 hr.drive for me, one way. I asked if he was willing to do the surgery, because I'd hate to drive all that way just for him to tell me he won't do it. His nurse said she couldn't discuss that. They have a policy that any recommendations are done through an office visit only. I asked couldn't she give me SOME information so I could determine whether it would even be worth the trip, but she couldn't. His associate has already recommended surgery, so I don't really need his recommendation for that. I need to know if he's willing to perform the surgery. It just seems like they could tell me that over the phone, or by mail. This will be an overnighter for sure. I needed a small vacation, but this wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Why does all this have to be so difficult? I thought this was supposed to be the "Information Age" or something like that. So far, I'm not impressed.

Hope your day went better today. Are you still having bladder problems?....franjo

melanie dawn
02-13-2003, 07:02 AM
Hi Franjo,
what a pain in the butt!!It drives me nuts , this business of "not over the phone".
Chicago is a 10 or 11 hour train trip for me, we booked the train, with a suite, bed and washroom. That way I can lay down and only have to stumble a short way to the bathroom.
I am more fortunate than you , in that I only have the dogs here to worry about. I do get rest,but I just cannot function. I dont really sleep, but that is not the issue.I just cant get things done, I mean the house is clean and I cook, but after that , nothing. I just cant tolerate sitting or walking etc.
I have been fighting that brutal muscle spasm up the right side of my neck. You know the one tht gives the permanent headache that builds til you have a meltdown.
Off to Chicago this weekend, appt. on Tues. Here goes my hope for answers and options.(bladder is ongoing)
I hope this note finds you well, having a good day.
Could your primary call the doc. in Chicago to feel him out? Its worth a try. You never know.
Please take care of yourself, hope to hear from you soon. Mel

charlotte1
02-13-2003, 11:54 AM
Mel,
Just a quick note to wish you the best this weekend.
I hope you get all the answers you need. Have a safe trip.
Charlotte
(Headache is better but still not feeling very good)

Franjo - talk to you soon

Debbie2
02-13-2003, 05:14 PM
Yes Mel, good luck and God Bless...
Debbie

------------------
Debbie2
ACDF fusion (c5c6) with titanium plate and screws using donor bone -
September 4, 2002.

franjo
02-14-2003, 05:50 AM
Charlotte,

You're really having a rough time with this. I had no idea that the effects of a myleogram would hang on so long. I guess I've always been lucky with them and just didn't know it. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Melanie,

Good luck on Tues. Enjoy the weekend if you can. I hope you get some meaty answers to take home with you. Maybe this will be where the 'rubber meets the road' for you. I'll be thinking of you...franjo

charlotte1
02-15-2003, 11:40 AM
Hello Franjo, Debbie, Lea
Thanks for thinking about me while I was down. So far I feel decent today. Still have intermittent headaches.
Franjo, i was wondering if you have a date to see the doc yet? Hopefully that visit is coming up. i am so sorry it is such a long trip for you. The good thing is that surely you will be seeing one of the best in the field. I think I would feel better knowing I had the best.......
I hope Mel is doing ok on her trip. I've never ridden on a train. it sounds interesting and hopefully not to rough to aggravate the symptoms.
Debbie, are you completely recovered? I really do appreciate you support.
Until next time
Charlotte





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