Re: Re: When will the pain stop or at least subside.

[Guest guest]

I was told that I need neck and lower back surgery by a surgeon but none has

been ordered yet. the only surgeries that I have had is 4 c-sections,

gallbladder,and trigger thumb. I have

fibromyalgia,osteoporosis,osteopecia,pelvic disorder,osteoarthritis,and other

ailments. was put in a wheelchair and walker as of July 9, was told by doc that

if I fail that my bones would snap like twigs. I am so tired of taking so many

pills from my ailments. also get a B-12 shot every month. I go in for blood work

on Oct 2 and go back to see doc on Oct.21. just been so down on myself for the

cost of all my meds and the cost. crying alot. yes I am on a antidepressant.

dont seem to be working anymore. Just dont know what to do anymore. Hugs Wanda

From: mail4misha <mail4misha@...>

Subject: Re: When will the pain stop or at least subside.

neck pain

Date: Friday, September 26, 2008, 12:44 PM

Hi and welcome! You've found a great group here...tho' I'm

sorry for why you've had to find us!

It sounds like we had similar surgeries. I was fused L4-L5-S1 in Oct

2004 (4 yrs in a few days, yeah!!!). The surgeon went in from the

front and the back leaving me 2 lovely scars. He used a bunch of metal

and BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) to stimulate bone growth. I am

one of the few people I chat with online who does not take narcotics

daily. My surgery was considered very successful.. .but it took time.

Thanks to a weird, post-op complication with nerve pain, I was actually

in worse pain after the surgery than before (silly me didn't think that

was possible! Now I can truly say I know the meaning of agony.)

Fortunately, the problem resolved itself and I was able to start

physical therapy on time. Have you started yet? The key to my

recovery was begging for as much PT as the insurance co. would cover

and then doing exactly what they said. To this day, when things flair

up, I go back to doing the exercises they taught me. I also see a

cranial sacral therapist about 2x/mo. My biggest post-op challenge is

trying to keep flexible. I'll never touch my toes again (w/o bending

my knees) and, somedays, I'm lucky if I can touch my knees. When the

muscles tighten up, it pulls on the internal scar tissue and my pain

level shoots up. In fact, I'm presently having the worst flair up in

years...I broke down and took hydrocodone yesterday just so I could

sleep. Ugh. So, long story short, everyone's recovery is different.

Some are more successful than others. My surgeon warned me about

that...he also made sure that I knew the surgery put L3-L4 at risk and

that I'd see him again w/in 10 years if I didn't do everything possible

to protect my back. So, welcome again and hang in there!

>

> I had spinal fusion L4 through S1 with the rods. The surgeries were 4

> mos ago and I feel like I'm back to where I was before the surgery. I

> will say that I'm using less hydocodone. Anyone with other simular

> experiences please let me know how the surgeries worked out for them.

>

[Guest guest]

Xanax was the best for my depression but having someone to talk to is

probably more important. Are you seeing a anyone to help with the depression??

Tom

In a message dated 9/26/2008 8:48:04 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,

mcowan19@... writes:

> >

> > I had spinal fusion L4 through S1 with the rods. The surgeries

were 4

> > mos ago and I feel like I'm back to where I was before the

surgery. I

> > will say that I'm using less hydocodone. Anyone with other

simular

> > experiences please let me know how the surgeries worked out for

them.

> >thanks for replying

I am going through physical therapy, but I have to be reevaluated due

to an unexpected gallbladder surgery. I'm in limbo physically because

I am so early in my surgery. I'm also walking but only with the aid

of medications. Without the meds I would not be able to sleep and

would be in terrible pain. I'm 47 and sometimes feel 77. I'm aware of

potential future surgeries and if it cuts my pain level I'm all for

it. I'm learning to live differently in order to ward off depression.

Again thanks for responding and I'll keep in touch.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

**************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial

challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and

calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001)

[Guest guest]

>Thanks dave. Sleep is difficult for me also. I find that I spend the

>night tossing and turning. I am currently taking hydrocodone/APAP,

>flexerol,neurontin and cymbalta. The cymbalta is for pain and

>depression that I've been dealing with since the pain started. I had

>adverse reactions to lyrica which seemed to work if not for the

>reactions. I'm still stuggling with depression. No amount of

>antidepressants seem to work. I'm just slowly learning to live

>differently.

The depression comes and goes for me, but it's mostly there. It takes

time, it's a big adjustment in your life and meds alone won't cure

that. It takes time and also helps to be on this list and share with

others who can relate. The general public can't. Most people

respond with oh yes my back hurts too. Well sorry but probably not

to the level mine does and not everyday nonstop. Something I found

that helps me with sleep is a pill called serax. I'm going to ask my

Doctor for a script. My wife is prescribed it as an anti-anxiety

drug. I find it the one thing that helps me sleep. Dave