Posted on 01/17/2014 6:14:56 AM PST by trussell
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 wanted 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.
Please, keep up the prayers. I appreciate them so much!
Prayers up.
Thank you. Sure wish I knew what I did to get all these trials. I’m so tired of crying over my medical care (or lack of it)
Maybe call your local news station and tell them your situation ? Continued prayers.
An insurance policy is a contract, I thought. How can GBM or anyone else make any changes? Can your doctor speak up for you?
Good luck.
I can only hope all you are going through can end up having a happy ending for you. So many people are going to be experiencing similar loss of services due to this new socialized medical monstrosity being forced upon the American public.
What an ordeal!
Since the transportation cost sounds problematic, I’d suggest considering a switch of pain doctors. The new one ought to be able to start out right where your current one leaves off.
Prayers and best wishes.
Trussell, try calling Catholic Charities in your area. They’ll be able to help you figure out transportation.
>> An insurance policy is a contract, I thought.
In practice, it seems to be more of a concept.
Praying.
I’m still praying for you—and I expect a great many of us will be facing the same problems with our insurance and doctor choice before long.
We are definitely screwed……..
Prayers ongoing here. Ugh. You do not need this. I second what Velveeta said. It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic or not.
“Trussell, try calling Catholic Charities in your area. They’ll be able to help you figure out transportation.”
Would there be a disability organization in Georgia who could help? Or know who could?
So sorry to hear all the problems (run around) that you are having.
I just went to the the doctor today and as of this post it is still on for me Monday the 27th.
To be honest I don’t have my hopes up because I know things can change in a heart beat.
My problems seem to be minute compared to what you are going through.
I truly hope things work out for you.
You are in my prayers, I’m sorry this is happening to you.
Several people have told me their “plan” has changed, from Rx costs, copayments, authorizations, etc. It’s all obabma’s fault with his destruction of the best health care in the world. he wants us ALL to suffer.
But your situation seems even worse than some of the others i have witnessed, dear trussell, so i will keep you in the forefront of my prayers as i petition the LORD to deliver us from the evil that is obamacare.
Prayers lifted....
Jeepers... Thanks for keeping us informed. Prayers continue...
Contract. Concept. One thing’s for sure, it’s a con.
Trussell, doubling down on the prayers here. God bless you.
Sorry to hear about your additional problems.
You said you were in Georgia — suggest doing searches on paratransit, or transportation for handicapped, or something along those lines with the state, local cite, county name and see what comes up. There may well be some local or state government services for free or extremely low cost transportation services for those with limited mobility and limited resources.
I tried some searches for you, with the limited info I have, and found Georgia Dept of Human services.
They also have a phone number at the end of the document to call if you don’t know whom to call: 1-800-Georgia
Will keep praying for you.
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