Re: Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

Thank you for the concern and care. I know surgery is the worst thing

when you have RSD but in my case there are physical problems that keep

setting off the RSD and the physical problem is what the surgery is for.

I had surgery on the RSD affected foot in 1993 to correct detached

tendons and ligaments and it helped ease the pain I have. I know this

surgery is especially risky because it involves moving the RSD triggering

nerve but it needs to be done. I would like to go to the MSG hospital

board and check out what it says. I have done a lot of research the past

few years on the net and read everything there is to read. I know that

in my case lumbar sympathetic blocks are the best treatment but I have

had over 50 of them and shouldn't have any more according to my doctor.

Meds create side effects for me that are worse than the pain sometimes.

That is why I am starting out on 300 mg of neurontin, to make sure I can

tolerate it. I am taking 600 mg today and 900 a day starting Sunday.

This way the nerve will be settled before the surgery and less irritated

afterward. It will also ease my mind and help me feel less stressed. I

have a lot going on in my life right now with external issues related to

the pain like where to live, how to pay bills, etc. After not having an

income for a year, things are really difficult.

I will be getting anesthesia through an epidural and general anesthesia

during the surgery. They will leave the epidural in from Monday -

Thursday when I go home. If I am having problems with pain control they

will keep me longer. When I had the first reconstructive surgery on my

foot I ended up staying at the " Ritz " for 5 days and it was supposed to

be overnight surgery. That was because of the pain and I got an eye

infection, reaction to the tape they used to close my eyes during

surgery.

About pain meds, I have had problems getting adequate pain meds.

Fortunately, the doctors who keep telling me they won't refill them are

because they can't seem to find a doctor to refer me to. I have seen the

best of all the pain clinics locally and they all have done everything

they can. I need to find a doctor willing to prescribe the class of

narcotics necessary to keep the pain under control. Last time it was

this bad I ended up having to drive to town University Hospital

Pain Clinic which is 4 hours one way from here. Methadone works great

for my pain as long as I take Vistaril and Doxepin to counter the side

effects. None of my current docs will prescribe that for me. It is not

meant for long term pain relief, or so they tell me. They know how

strong I am and I guess they think that after this surgery my pain might

be manageable again. I hope so!!

Thank you Jackie for your input! No, I don't consider it nosing into

someone's business when you are genuinely concerned about them. It means

a lot to me that people I don't even know care as much as if not more

than my own family. I know it is difficult to understand chronic pain

and how it affects every aspect of your life, but at least stand beside

me and carry me through the rough times. I would be there for them if

the tables were turned no matter what. Anyway, please be sure to read my

other post to the group for all the details about the surgery and know

that I am in excellent hands!! Take care, Debbie/DJ

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