Well, I sure screwed it up today… (Update at #250)

Sorry you’re in such pain. I’m sure you know why they’re limited in what they can do.

Have you ever been told it may be nerve related? If so, have you been tried on Neurontin / gabapentin?

Your pain management doc may also be able to do a needle-guided epidural steroid injection and get you some pretty significant relief. Or maybe one of those fibromyalgia meds might work. I’ve heard they can cause you to be in a stupor and you may not like that.

Hopefully the implanted device will work out well and you’ll be pain-free for the most part.

Sorry you’re in such pain. I’m sure you know why they’re limited in what they can do.

Thank you my friend. I'm thankful I have such an awesome son who is willing to do whatever it takes to help with my pain. He's going to do the majority of the cooking today

Have you ever been told it may be nerve related? If so, have you been tried on Neurontin / gabapentin?

I have been diagnosed with permanent nerve damage as well as having "failed back surgery syndrome". They put me on Neurontin/gabapentin when I told them "If I don't get something to help with the anxiety, I will not be back for the implant trial". I'm also on amitriptiline 50 mg for sleep help.

Your pain management doc may also be able to do a needle-guided epidural steroid injection and get you some pretty significant relief.

We've tried that...I started falling after getting the last 2 of them. I've had a total of 6 injections since the sciatica hit me in July 2011

Or maybe one of those fibromyalgia meds might work. I’ve heard they can cause you to be in a stupor and you may not like that.

They have not tried that, at least that I'm aware of anyway.

Hopefully the implanted device will work out well and you’ll be pain-free for the most part.

Thank you. I'm going to try it, but I'm also completely prepared to have it removed immediately afterwards if it doesn't help in the areas I need!

“I’m not able to get second opinions. I’m on state insurance and can’t get another opinion.”

Unless the state insurance is only for an HMO, I thought you could still see other doctors, or even within an HMO — someone to take a second look.

Ultimately you are the decision maker, but it is a good idea to take a deep breath and a step back and reassess the situation — I know it’s difficult when you are in constant pain, but even though clearly you have explored a lot of options already, just take one more review and assessment, to be sure.

Wishing you healing and all the best.

I don’t have a new thread and it seemed to me that this thread had lost interest...My updates:

I have faith that the implant is going to help me...when they took the trial away it was like taking candy from a baby...it was cruel! And waiting so long for the permanent one is cruel too. I am praying I am making the right decision in getting this done. It’s a huge step and one that I struggled with at first. I remember the few days I had the temporary unit in my spine, my legs didn’t hurt, I could lay on my sides and they didn’t hurt! My right hip still hurt like crazy and my back was horrible and my stomach hated me from the buzzing, it would make me sick when I ate! But when the tech messed with the unit before it was removed, she got the buzzing out of my tummy and all the way up my back to the middle of my back! It felt so good, I hated when they took it away!!

Went to the doctor on Wednesday...he asked me how long have I been having the increased pain...I told him that I had complained to his Nurse Practitioner for a few months now and that she has told me “He’s not going to give you anything stronger, period”. He said “I’ll have to have a talk with her, I don’t like to see you in the much pain”. He asked if the percocet was working at all anymore and I said not so much...even when I take 2 of them at once. He said “quit taking those, I’m going to give you dilaudid instead, and give you a numbing PATCH to put on your back...leave it on for 12 hours then replace it with another” He wants to see me in 2 weeks to make sure my pain is being manage. I started the dilaudid a few days ago (as soon as I got through the pharmacy drive through) and so far it only helps at night when I take 2 of them with my nerve medicine and my sleeping medicine. I get the idea that the Nurse Practicianer could be losing her job for not talking to the doctor when I said I was in pain and she said I wasn’t getting anything stronger. She didn’t even TALK to the doctor, and I told him she said that and he confirmed that he didn’t know!

Just found out one of the meds the doc wants me on is not covered by my insurance and it is $275 for a one month supply....no way I will be getting that one. :( The medicine the doc wants me using is a lidocaine patch, 12 hours each patch then replace it. They say since my insurance won’t cover the patch, they will do the cream instead...but I can’t reach my back to rub a cream on and I’m not comfortable asking my teenage son to rub a cream on my nude back (I am really fat). I am on gabapentin for nerve pain. I’m on amitriptiline 50 mg to help me sleep. As for the new medicine...one 2 mg dilaudid doesn’t do it. I take my middle of the night dose at bedtime...so I take 2 at bedtime as well as taking the gabapentin and amitriptiline. I manage to sleep with that cocktail but the rest of the day is still stiff and sore. I’m hoping I can get the patches so I can get some relief! They talk it up like it’s a miracle drug. Maybe I can find out the name of the manufacturer and see if they can help me get them.

Also, my procedure to implant the spinal cord stimulator is set for January 27th...same day surgery, will be home that night. Really look forward to it, though I’m still scared about having the unit in my spine.

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