I think if I am right that being admitted for the trial is normal routine. Since medication is required they had to monitor me. Plus since it was the trial, I had the catheter inserted at T10 but the medication was not implanted. Since 2 medications were being used they were in separate containers and they were hanging from a pole so whenever I walked I had to drag this along with me since the medication was hanging from it.
There was another patient on the floor who was also there for the trial.This was his 3rd attempt at trying to get the catheter at the right location so it could work for him.
Normally the permanent implant would be done as an outpatient and I would be released the same day. But the doctor wanted me admitted overnight just in case there are complications. If you remember I do have other health issues that could be affected such as my diabetes and being in kidney failure so he wanted to play it safe.
As to scar tissue I am sure I have tons of scar tissue. I have been thru 11 surgeries but that is not all spine related. The spine surgeries I went thru were on the neck and lumbar plus the implanting and removal of the spinal cord stimulator and the trial pain pump which is 9 surgeries if I counted right. The other 2 surgeries I went thru was for a blood clot in my leg and surgery for pancreatic cancer.
I hopefully will have the thoracic and cervical MRI done in a few weeks prior to the implant. Just waiting for the pre-cert from the insurance company. Ugh the thought of being in the MRI machine again. I have so many MRI/CT films it looks like I have a small library of films.
Hi pebble, Thanks for explaining the in/out patient thing to me. Of course, I remember your other health issues & Im happy they are going to keep you overnight @ least. Ugggh! The MRI tube is a source of dread to me also, claustrophobe! But, the last time they put me in feet first & left my head almost out! I could do that again! With the cervical & thoracic though I dont think thats possible. However, I just wanted to say I understand. Maybe this will be the last time for a long time! As far as post op pain relief, your drs are pain mgmt specialists & they will work it out so that all that you have to think about is having that feeling of pain relief like you had in the trial! So much that you basically walked 20 miles.lol I hope that the bad pain days that you were having are gone again. Take care friend, gmak
Last edited by gmak; 12-18-2012 at 10:57 AM.
Reason: typo
I cant even tell you how many MRI's I've been thru over the years. The cervical probably would take about 1/2 hour from what I remember, but the thoracic would be longer and I would have to be in the machine completely for a longer period of time.
Years ago they did both on me at 1 time and I was in the machine for 1 1/2 hours from what I remember straight thru thought I was going to lose my mind being in it so long.
Not sure if I could sort of break it up. Do one MRI take a few minute break before I go back in again.
Will see what facility says when I set the appointment up. UGH!!!
I remember when I was in it for 1 1/2 hours a guy was waiting to go in. As I was waiting for a ride to leave the same guy comes out about 5 minutes later. He says to me I don't know how you did it. He refused to go thru it because of being claustrophobic. Referred to the machine like being in a coffin and left.
I don't know how I did it either. Honestly the thought of the machine is getting me a little hyper at the moment. But I know it needs to be done.
I am not sure about how the price compares from the "closed" to the "open" MRI. I"m thinking it would be the same but thats just my opinion.
From what I was taught at least I was told the "closed" MRI machines gave better resolution/quality of films compared to the "open" MRI. But that was years ago and maybe things are better now as compared to years ago.
Last edited by Administrator; 12-19-2012 at 10:21 AM.
Pebble, Im serious, I had those in the past too. But, I think lumber was like total 30 mins. Yes, anything that helps you get that relief you had in the trial, i think you should do also. Are you still having high pain nights? I hope that has settled down now. Also, i wanted to do open but the NS wanted the highest resolution & insisted on the closed. But, this machine was open compared to the ones of the past. That was in May, 2012. Hope your having a good night!
Last edited by gmak; 12-18-2012 at 08:44 PM.
Reason: new info
The past few days I have found that I have been hurting a great deal.
It was like last night I was in an extreme amount of pain. For the past 7 years thur my temple, we work with homeless men with alcohol/drug problems. They actually sleep at my temple for the 2 weeks and we interact with them have dinner with them etc and try to get them back to work and functioning. So yesterday I was there with the men and had dinner with them and after dinner I was hurting beyond belief. The pain level was probably an 8Plus. So I left and went home and took my hydrocodone and tizanidine. I am not feeling some relief but I have found it doesn't take much to set me off with pain.
Usually in the past I would actually sleep at the temple on 1 or 2 nights to supervise while the men stay with us. WE have to sleep on cots & last year I remember how much pain I was in during the night. This year I didn't volunteer to sleep over since I knew what the cots would be like. It would have destroyed me this year if I even tried to sleep over this year.
And it bothers me because I love this project that we work on. It is an interfaith program. They stay with us for 2 weeks then go to a church for 2 weeks. The program goes from November thru April or so and then those that are still in the program move into a transitional house for a year. I am so committed to the program and it bothers me that I can't do as much as I have in the past because of the pain level
I was supposed to go back tonight for dinner etc but backed out because of the way I felt. I cant wait for the surgery to get here already.
The Following User Says Thank You to pebblebeach3 For This Useful Post: ferd144 (12-19-2012)
It's been a week since I went thru the trial implant and a week since the catheter has been taken out.
In that weeks time I can't believe how much pain I am in. I should have expected it. I was told it would return. Yes I have been doing things more then normal so maybe that is contributing to the pain. But the pain is now moderate to severe.
I was at my temple last night and I almost fell from losing my balance. Then someone I knew saw me and he must have seen the pain in my face because he asked. And I said yes Im hurting big time. I ended up coming home earlier then I wished. I was barely moving.
Oh how I hate this with a passion, living this way. I know its 3 weeks away but living with the pain it wont be here soon enough to at least get some relief even if its not 100%. Get me thru this someone.
More later, I need to take some medication and then go lie down.
Pebble, Im so sorry that your pain is jumping so high, so fast. You said the program goes from Nov - April. But, 2 weeks they stay @ temple. Is there any chance that after your pump put in that you will still be able to help? I ask b/c i know how important this is to you. I hope with rest from all the activity it settles down. Thanks pebble, gmak
I have been doing this program for 7 years. Sometimes I have limited contact with the men after the program is over. Some of them are successful in getting back to work etc. This one man and I are stay in contact via Facebook.
The men from last years program I was in contact with some of the men for a while but lost contact but try to get updates on them from their case manager.
A lot of men dont succeed in the program and go back to being homeless & back on the drugs/alcohol.
Some of the men go thru the program several times before they succeed.
Unfortunately there is the dark side as well as one of the men didnt complete the program and he OD'd. It saddens me immensely when I see this happen. Some of these men have lived under bridges; been in jail etc. But getting to know them on a 1 to 1 basis you come to love these men as people.
As to my pain I am not dealing with it very well. I was climbing the walls last night before I went home. I was planning on being their tonight but I can't do it. It is taking so much out of me physically.
Not sure what else to say, but get me thru this somehow!!!!
