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!
I’ve been told that under NO circumstances would they cover the cost of a traction unit. I asked if there were any other way that it would be covered and was told no. The doctor really wants me to have it, but there is nothing she can do to get it for me. I’m in prayer that my disability comes through soon so I can get it for myself though!
Prayers for relief. Pain is awful. God Bless,
Another amazing answer to prayer...I was blessed with a gift of $200 towards the purchase of the traction unit. I am just slightly more than 2/3 of the way to owning it. Thank you GOD!
I’m going to contact one of the supply stores here to see what their cost is for the unit and that way, hopefully I can avoid shipping. God is good, and the prayer warriors are such a blessing.
Ask the store for a discount. You never know until you ask.
BTTT
Thank God for wonderful FRiends!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news. God bless those donors.
Glad to hear your on your way in obtaining the unit you desire.
It’s bit easy dealing with these Jack assess
Strange thing, I called every medical supply in the area and NONE of them carry this. I called the company to see if they offered a financial assistance program and they don’t. They referred me to one of their distributers and said they would have the cheapest unit available...that was completely FALSE...it was nearly $500 through them! One of the stores is looking around to see if they can find a way to order it for me...but if the distributers are going to be that expensive...I can’t imagine them getting it for me at a price I could manage through the generosity of the Freeper Prayer Warriors. This is totally crazy!
Did your doctor give you a RX? Or did they give you the details of the one you need?
I know which one I am suppose to try to get based on the description the therapist gave me. I’m suppose to use it laying down and it’s air pressure that provides the pull. Searching for it online I found the one I need. It’s a Saunders cervical traction unit. The one supply store I called on the referral from the company was the only one that had it was charging nearly $500...and they weren’t close, they were in another state. I found one online for $310. The supply stores in my area don’t have the Horizontal unit, they have the one that goes on a door, using water for the resistance. She specifically said “NO” to the water unit that you use sitting upright. She says that the weight of the body in that position affects the unit, keeping it from working in the way I need. Laying down allows for a zero body resistance and allows the unit to work optimally.
Hmmm, I wonder if FReepers working together might find one on craigslist. You need the lumbar one, is that right?
Well, here’s one on the Atlanta craigslist. Not sure if it’s the one you need, but if so, it’s a great deal. And if a FReeper who lives in the Sandy Springs area could check it out and make sure it’s complete and in good working order....
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/hab/4340862901.html
No, not the lumbar, the cervical. The bulging disc is the C6. I was warned in September that if I had issues with my arms and hands, it would be because the bulging had got worse. I told my doctor this and so far, she isn’t listening. I am going to be referred to a hand doctor.
Good news all...the ultrasound done on my abdomen came back “OK”, the lump is an “encapsulated tumor”, the doctor says it is not cancerous. Thank GOD! The xrays on my hands came back as good. No issues with the bones of the hands.
The bulging disc that is thought to be the reason for my hand problems is the C6. I was warned in September that if I had issues with my arms and hands, it would be because the bulging had got worse. I told my doctor this and so far, she isn’t listening. I am going to be referred to a hand doctor.
Not cancerous?
WOO HOO!!!
So happy to read at long last you are getting good news. Praise God!
Sorry, I was thinking lumbar because you need a wheelchair.
Okay, so you need a cervical unit. I’m willing to search for one in my area and check it out if I do find one. If just a few would be willing to help in the search, I feel certain we could locate one at a reasonable cost.
My prayer is for that to happen soon so you can get some relief.
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