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!
Jeepers... Thank you for keeping us informed. Prayers continue...
Still praying for pain relief for you.
(((((Thinking of you, and Praying Daily)))))
Thank you, everyone, for the prayers. Things aren’t getting much better, yet. Too much buzz in the stomach and up my right side. Also, feeling some in the front, left, upper part of my ribs. I definitely moved the lead...I get re-programmed Tuesday. I look forward to it.
I need a way to get to the P.M.’s office, early next week so I can get my prescription. They messed up and gave me a 2 week script and now I have to find a way to get there to pick up the other 2 weeks worth. I hate that the medical board has taken that transportation away! I found a lady locally who has some contacts in three news offices...2 TV and 1 newspaper. She’s going to try to get the story picked up since the one who said they wanted to do the story has not got back with me.
Please, keep me in your prayers that the programming works and that I get the relief I need from this. I don’t want to have to get it removed and try the other option...
God bless you all and thank you again!
BTTT
Thank you for keeping us informed. Prayers continue...
Does your church have volunteers who take folk to M.D. and related appts? Or a public service for handicapped folks with specially outfitted vehicles? (Hereafter I’d go with a mail order service, if you have one available. I know that doesn’t help NOW.) Your docs should have someone in the office who has all that info available and who can counsel you. You need a strong advocate to help you.
Prayers that all goes well for you Tuesday.
Lord Jesus, we pray for the pain to stop and the healing begin for Thy servant.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
Did you say that you were in Central FL?
Perhaps soon you shall get some help from the local news mentioned and they can help arrange for a some folks to obtain your prescriptions etc..
No, I have tried getting rides from the church before and got told I was taking advantage of the church for asking!
Or a public service for handicapped folks with specially outfitted vehicles?
There are vehicles available for a price. I have the help for that for a few more appointments, but they are not always reliable. I made an appointment, they say "call back the day before for your pickup time"...when I called, they said "we don't have a van available for your trip" and they have no problem telling you in no uncertain terms "you are S*** OUT OF LUCK"
(Hereafter I’d go with a mail order service, if you have one available. I know that doesn’t help NOW.)
That isn't an option for this med...These are "controlled meds" and have to be a paper script, hand delivered
Prayers that all goes well for you Tuesday.
Thank you so much! Prayers truly appreciated!
No, we are in southern Georgia
I’m really upset they would tell me they want to do the story and then drop it without any reason given
Continued prayers for relief ! You might give the first tv station another call to find out the status.
Father God,
You promise in Psalm 138:8 that You will perfect that which concerns us.” We ask in the name of Jesus that you will perfect the pain medications in Trussell that she will be pain-free and will have fullness in life. Amen.
I think I’d find a new church! It may be that another church/another denomination in your town has a better volunteer network and doesn’t care if you are a member or not. A friend in NY does this service thru her RC church, but drives people of different denomination to their docs, regardles. Also, you might look into the local Jewish congregation(s). They tend, in my experience, to be VERY generous.
From what I’ve heard, DC’s “Metro Access” sounds a lot like yours. Call the day before, and just maybe they can schedule you. Then they arrive too late for you to make your appt OR leave you waiting for hours after your appt if you managed to make it on time.
Good luck!
Are there any Freepers nearby that can help Trussell out?
You remain in my prayers, trussell. Be well and God bless.
(((((Sending Prayers, with All my Heart)))))
I have an appointment to see my doc on the 27th for my hands and arms. Things are weak and painful, lots of numbness, tingling, like they are waking up from being asleep but yet so numb I don’t know what to do to make them feel better. It took me over 20 minutes to get up my ramp after checking the mail today...I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I can’t close my right hand to grip anything and that makes it really difficult to propel my chair.
My back isn’t better...they don’t have the right hip controlled, the coverage for my back is too low so I can’t seem to get comfortable. I get better coverage when I lean back, but just sitting up I don’t feel anything. I have an appointment with the company for more programming Thursday. I’m still taking dilaudid and it’s not doing much to control the pain. The doctor says my nerve damage is really bad and that causes them problems for programming, they can’t find the location for the nerves. I didn’t know the nerves change places... If they can’t get me the relief, soon...I’m going to have the unit removed. This isn’t good when I need relief in certain areas and they won’t work with me as long as needed. The one who did the work with me seemed to be in a hurry...he didn’t want to take the time to make sure the nerves that needed it were covered.
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