Updating my medical condition and prayer needs [Update at #'s 843,721,643,910]

1/17/2014 | trussell

[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!

[Heart of Georgia]

Sorry I’m not helpful. Your situation is complicated, to say the least, and I’m trying to think it through and point out possibilities that may help down the road — in case your landlord stops threatening and actually evicts you.

This is just my brainstorming, so my feelings aren’t hurt if there’s a reason you can’t do these things, but here are my thoughts:

Anyone would understand that he needs his money, but calculating the value of all the work you do for your landlord, it seems it should equal enough to pay for your rent — especially as it’s been acceptable to him for the last several years. Labor such as you listed is expensive, so if he were to collect money from you, he’d have to then pay for these services.

Maybe you could break down your labor, what it would cost him if he hired it out, then get something in writing stating your labor is worth this amount. That way, if he attempts to evict you, you’ll at least have it to show the court as to why you dispute eviction.

[trussell]

That is a very good idea. I’ll have to try it and see if he would agree to put anything in writing. The sad part is, it’s mostly my son doing the work now that I am in such bad shape with my back, the wheelchair issues, and now the hands. But regardless, the work is getting done and not by him. He is fed a good meal for supper and is served breakfast in bed (he eats all his meals in the room and stays in there on the computer when he isn’t at work).

Please don’t apologize...I appreciate the suggestions and am willing to at least consider them even if I can’t actually follow through with them.

[trussell]

Saw a couple doctors today. One was my pain management...he feels I need to replace the battery on my spinal cord stimulator...I’ll be contacted soon by Boston Scientific to discuss the details. I think they may have gotten a new version approved through my insurance and just want someone to try it out on! I have had some trouble with this one...shutting off for no reason and refusing to charge unless I put layers of clothing between the charger and the battery

Saw the general surgeon regarding the encapsulated tumor in my abdomen...told him what it does to me, how it feels and that it makes me get physically sick. He said “it’s done, over...we will schedule the surgery to remove it, it will be approved by your insurance within 2 weeks and then scheduled immediately after that”.

Talked to my back surgeon about the scan on my neck. It’s a cervical CT milogram, also they will be doing a thoracic CT milogram too. Scheduled for the 28th of this month. It will DEFINITELY be with a site specific dye injection, so I will be sedated under light anesthesia (twilighted). Following that scan, we may be discussing ANOTHER spinal surgery. After the way the last one ended up, I’m not sure I want another. It’s the difference in having the use of my hands and arms though...so I may have no choice. The other options would be to deal with the pain and weakness and get a scooter or an electric chair.

That’s about it. I did contact the Congressman’s office about the appeal for my disability and they say they will apply pressure after the appeal is filed.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for keeping us informed. Prayers continue...

[EDINVA]

Thanks for the update. It does seems you’ve had some breakthroughs, so that’s positive. We’ll keep praying.

[basil]

Prayers continue for you, trussel…..

[Berlin_Freeper]

Some good news then about having the decision made about your abdomen. I am was sitting here 5:15am pouty because I have to go back to the doctor today for a fairly routine procedure that did not work out well a couple days ago. Thank you for showing us what real strength through God is. Prayers for your better health, trussell.

[lysie]

Thanks for the update. Prayers continue.

[trussell]

Prayers for you that whatever you are facing is cared for correctly and according to God’s will!

[sheana]

I have a few questions regarding the hernniated disc in your neck since I have been there and done that. When did it happen? The reason I ask is when I herniated the disc in my neck at about the 3 mnth mark I was still having pain so I saw a neurosurgeon from Cedar Sinai. He told me I was on the ragged edge of whether surgery would even help me. Apparently the disc damages the nerve irreparably if not fixed within a certain time period. I chose not to do the surgery since he couldn’t guarantee me I would be pain free. Eventually the pain just stopped and I have full use of arm and hand. Just something to think about and ask the doctor.

[rktman]

Good luck trussell. I hope you can get this resolved.

[Kathy in Alaska]

UPDATE!

Looks like surgery in the near future....prayers at the ready!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3112724/posts?page=643#643

[Marine_Uncle]

With the myriad of medical problems you have faced over time I can only hope the good Lord shall hear your and all others prayers and provide the ways you can get back on your feet, freely use your limbs, hands etc., painless in due time.

[trussell]

I don’t know how long it’s been bulging. It was diagnosed in September when I fell down and couldn’t get back up. They did a CT scan on the entire length of my back and told me about the bulging disc at C6. Told me to watch for issues with my arms and hands.

I have permanent nerve damage from the sciatica and other spinal issues. I’m not sure if that means the ones in my neck are messed up too or not.

Glad to read that your issues worked themselves out and you are doing good.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[left that other site]

Prayers continue, FRiend.

[GailA]

NO, just Amazon or from the writers web sites. Which takes a credit card. Amazon you can get a gift card and use it. The female writer is the one I recommend as the best. She is not afraid to call the drugs POISON.

[GailA]

Google each of your drugs, look at the side effects.

The FMS Fibromyalgia drugs actually have side effects that MIMI FMS. And the medical/big pharma are pushing them big time. Some are very serious others less. I fall in the less as I am Hypothyroid,nearly dead thyroid, but it is healthy other wise.

FMS FIBROMYALGIA 80% are women, Most have a form of Thyroid issue as there are several.

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/default.htm

MS drugs Fibromyalgia mimics the disease!

SLICK AD CAMPAIGN ON TV RIGHT NOW FOR LYRICA, TO BE EXPANDED TO PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, what they don’t tell you is up to 50% go off the drug due to BONE and JOINT PAIN and other nasty side effects like loosing your hair, your sex life and huge weight gains.

These are FMS treatment standard drugs. You will note the MIND NUMBING Cymbalta, Xanax, and and few others, ALL of them are ADDICTIVE, ALL HAVE PAIN AND FATIGUE as side effects.

YOUR DRUGS MAY BE MAKING YOU SICKER!

Lyrica is a EPILEPSY SEIZURE DRUG!

Lyrica anti-epiileptic http://www.rxlist.com/lyrica-side-effects-drug-center.htm

Often used beside Lyrica.

Gabapentin Side Effecth http://www.rxlist.com/neurontin-side-effects-drug-center.htm

NEW TO MARKET
Savella http://www.rxlist.com/savella-side-effects-drug-center.htm

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm203615.htm

Cymbalta
http://www.rxlist.com/cymbalta-side-effects-drug-center.htm

http://medsfacts.com/study-XANAX-causing-TREMOR.php

Xanax
http://www.rxlist.com/xanax-side-effects-drug-center.htm

Prosiac
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263773.php

OLD SCHOOL approach: THIS IS WHAT I USE for the FMS pain. AND IT ACTUALLY DOES WORK, with NO SIDE EFFECTS, and for me that is a major factor!
Valium 10 mg 2 per day NOT ADDICTIVE at this level.
http://www.rxlist.com/valium-side-effects-drug-center.htm

[annalex]

Lord Jesus Christ, relieve, we beseech Thee, the suffering of Thy servant and awaken the conscience of those connected to her medical care.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.