trussell,
How are you doing?
Is this thread still active, or is there a newer one?
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. Its 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 didnt hurt, I could lay on my sides and they didnt 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 Hes not going to give you anything stronger, period. He said Ill have to have a talk with her, I dont 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, Im 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 wasnt getting anything stronger. She didnt even TALK to the doctor, and I told him she said that and he confirmed that he didnt 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 wont cover the patch, they will do the cream instead...but I cant reach my back to rub a cream on and Im 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. Im on amitriptiline 50 mg to help me sleep. As for the new medicine...one 2 mg dilaudid doesnt 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. Im hoping I can get the patches so I can get some relief! They talk it up like its 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 Im still scared about having the unit in my spine.