Re: Med Tolerance/Kaylene (long)

[Guest guest]

Quoting Kaylene Goyette :

I think a thorough work up is in order Tammie. If you

are not satisified with this PM group, find a

different one. Please remind me what is causing your pain

* * * * * * * * *

Kaylene,

All work-ups are extremely current, in fact, still in the

process of getting final diagnosis', I have nerve conduction

tests scheduled in a couple of weeks to find out how

far the carpal tunnel has progressed in the last 2 years.

I am very satisfied with my PM group, the doc actually has respect

for me! He sees how hard I am working to reach the

goals I have established for learning how to live my

new " life with chronic pain " , so that's refreshing!

Briefly, I have 4-level cervical (C3-C7) fusion with 6-inch metal

plate and 10 screws to hold it stable, on the " inside " of

my cervical spine. I have 2-level fusion (C5-C7) with stabiling

pins and rods on the " outside " of my cervical spine (in the back).

Three separate surgeries within 10 months accomplished all this.

The PM says it is most likely " Failed Laminectomy Syndrome " . I have

more pain and numbness generated from my neck than I did prior

to having surgery.

On Monday, I met with the neurologist to go over the results of

a recent lumbar MRI. I have a huge " boney growth " (osteophytes?) that is

compressing nerves at L4-5 and severe narrowing of the foramen at

L5-S1.

SO, the cervical problems, the lumbar problems and the rapidly progressing

carpal tunnel syndrome...that about wraps it up!

I have put myself through major " mental judgment " because of the

lack of positive response of the pain meds. " You must be a druggie

because of how much you have to take to get results " ... " If you're

a druggie, how much of your pain is real? " ... that kind of

negative 'self-talk'. I detest that I have to take pills, but

I detest more when I can't get out of bed in the morning without

help, or have to have my roommate help me blowdry my hair or

pull my shirt over my head!

I work very hard at trying to counteract the negative self-talk

by having more discussions with myself along the lines of " Hey!

you are being presented with a challenge ... RISE to the occasion

and deal with it! " Trying to coordinate an EFFECTIVE pain

management medication program has been a huge challenge, but I

feel we are almost there, so very close.

I don't want to change the mcg of the patch right now because I

am in the middle of a clinical study by a pharmaceutical company that

involves a special kind of pain patch. If this thing works the

way it's supposed to work, it will be a REMARKABLE advancement

for people with chronic pain who fit the critieria for it. But once

the study is over, my PM and I will be having a discussion about

finally getting serious about putting a pain medication program that

is effective in place and letting me have a chance at having a life

again.

Rambled on quite long enough, sorry.

Tammie in Oregon