Re: Shot or no shot is the question

October 31, 2008

Shirley and group;

Thats good you wait. I would jump right on that and get the shot. I

guess I just don't learn sometimes. At least you thank twice. I will

in time.

hugs

Clora

*************************************************************

> Clora,

> I saw my rheummy today and she is thinking about sending me to a

pain

> clinic for shots in my back for the OA and to help with the pain

from

> my herniated disk. I am trying to hold out. I really don't want to

> have more medical visits and risk the down time.

>

> If I can hold out, I will probably try it next year. Boy, does that

> seem forever away right now.

> Shirley

>

October 31, 2008

and group;

Thats it, No shots in my neck!

hugs

clora

***********************************************************

>

> Hi Shirley and Group,

>

> I have had the shots in my neck for OA and to help with pain from

herniated

> discs as well. I have already had 2 neck surgeries and I have a

c5/6

> fusion. I went for the first shot and felt awesome for about 8

hours. 2

> weeks later I went for the 2nd shot and the dr. hit a nerve on his

way in.

> I cried on the table and my blood pressure went up really high.

They had to

> monitor it for an hour afterwards and it was still high but they

let me go.

> The pain from the 2nd shot did not start to go away for 2 weeks and

it was

> as bad as the nerve pain I started with. I shortly thereafter

fired my pain

> management clinic.

>

> I know it is a different experience for everyone but do think it

through

> before you make a decision. By the way, I do not have RA but poly-

something

> arthritis and pretty bad OA. What has helped me the most is a low

dose

> (75mg) effexor once a day. It has made my pain manageable and the

only

> " pain " meds I take now are Tylenol and a vicodin on rare occasion.

>

> Good luck with what ever you decide. And realize I was not

a " success "

> story with the injections but many people do get relief!

>

November 1, 2008

,

Thanks for your input. I am sorry for your horrible experience. I

don't think you are alone. I have heard this before and am quite

hesitant. I also had fusions on C5-C7. I am begining to think this

is common with RA patients.

The only pain medicine that I can take is Utram ER, all of the rest

make me throw up for days. The Untram dosen't help much with my back

and I can only take it at home. I am kinda in a catch 22. I drive a

company van all day, and the liabilities are too great.

I am trying to press on, but may not have a choice except to try

it.

I know there are worse things in life so I try to keep the

perspective that this is mild compared to what some people

(including this group) are going through.

I hope you have a good day today.

Shirley

> >

> > Hi Shirley and Group,

> >

> > I have had the shots in my neck for OA and to help with pain

from

> herniated

> > discs as well. I have already had 2 neck surgeries and I have a

> c5/6

> > fusion. I went for the first shot and felt awesome for about 8

> hours. 2

> > weeks later I went for the 2nd shot and the dr. hit a nerve on

his

> way in.

> > I cried on the table and my blood pressure went up really high.

> They had to

> > monitor it for an hour afterwards and it was still high but they

> let me go.

> > The pain from the 2nd shot did not start to go away for 2 weeks

and

> it was

> > as bad as the nerve pain I started with. I shortly thereafter

> fired my pain

> > management clinic.

> >

> > I know it is a different experience for everyone but do think it

> through

> > before you make a decision. By the way, I do not have RA but

poly-

> something

> > arthritis and pretty bad OA. What has helped me the most is a

low

> dose

> > (75mg) effexor once a day. It has made my pain manageable and

the

> only

> > " pain " meds I take now are Tylenol and a vicodin on rare

occasion.

> >

> > Good luck with what ever you decide. And realize I was not

> a " success "

> > story with the injections but many people do get relief!

> >

>

November 1, 2008

Hi Shirley,

You are right, there are worse things in life and many people suffer much

more than I ever have. I too was at my breaking point when I tried the

injections. I felt like the only other option was another surgery. I even

had the surgery planned but I cancelled and opted for self-pity. Once I

cancelled my pity party and started taking the effexor my life turned

around. I went from unable to work to working half-time, and now I am

working full time as a teacher. Maybe the turn around was from the

anti-depressant effect of the effexor (although 75 is low for effexor) but

to me the pain was the issue. I still hurt every day but it is manageable.

My last surgery was in 05 so all of this has happened in the last 3 years.

Wishing everyone manageable days, sleepful nights and great support!

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of nana2livi

Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2008 5:15 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: Shot or no shot is the question

,

Thanks for your input. I am sorry for your horrible experience. I

don't think you are alone. I have heard this before and am quite

hesitant. I also had fusions on C5-C7. I am begining to think this

is common with RA patients.

The only pain medicine that I can take is Utram ER, all of the rest

make me throw up for days. The Untram dosen't help much with my back

and I can only take it at home. I am kinda in a catch 22. I drive a

company van all day, and the liabilities are too great.

I am trying to press on, but may not have a choice except to try

it.

I know there are worse things in life so I try to keep the

perspective that this is mild compared to what some people

(including this group) are going through.

I hope you have a good day today.

Shirley

> >

> > Hi Shirley and Group,

> >

> > I have had the shots in my neck for OA and to help with pain

from

> herniated

> > discs as well. I have already had 2 neck surgeries and I have a

> c5/6

> > fusion. I went for the first shot and felt awesome for about 8

> hours. 2

> > weeks later I went for the 2nd shot and the dr. hit a nerve on

his

> way in.

> > I cried on the table and my blood pressure went up really high.

> They had to

> > monitor it for an hour afterwards and it was still high but they

> let me go.

> > The pain from the 2nd shot did not start to go away for 2 weeks

and

> it was

> > as bad as the nerve pain I started with. I shortly thereafter

> fired my pain

> > management clinic.

> >

> > I know it is a different experience for everyone but do think it

> through

> > before you make a decision. By the way, I do not have RA but

poly-

> something

> > arthritis and pretty bad OA. What has helped me the most is a

low

> dose

> > (75mg) effexor once a day. It has made my pain manageable and

the

> only

> > " pain " meds I take now are Tylenol and a vicodin on rare

occasion.

> >

> > Good luck with what ever you decide. And realize I was not

> a " success "

> > story with the injections but many people do get relief!

> >

>

November 1, 2008

Group

and

OMG , That was a smart move. Not having the surgery. I know sometimes

surgery is a must but in your case you had a choice. You made a good choice,

good for you.

Self pity turned out to be a good thing for you at the time. I am on effexxor

also. I felt much better after a few months on it. I was even suicidal at the

time, but i refused to do that. I believe suicide is a hell bound answer so I

was afraid of that choice.

I went to the mental health center in my area and they helped me. They said it

was a cross fire in my synapses making me think of suicide. The effexor made it

better. Our minds can play awful tricks on us.

The last time I thought suicide (would never act on) I got in touch of a friend

with lupus. She gave me the link to our support group. I had no idea there was

so many people in pain till I came here.

Everyone has been so kind and gentle to me. To boot I got so much information

about RA, OA , Fibro and many diseases affiliated with pain here. On the net

seem to say the same thing and I couldn't understand it.

My husband needs to see a professional, but he won't. He gets very depressed.

When I try to get him to get help he says " I'm not nuts and I am not going to

get help cause I am fine. "

Yesterday was my humira injection day. I didn't get the injection cause I think

I am getting a sinus infection and/or a cold. I just got a flue shot Thursday,

I wonder if that is the problem.

Sorry I been rambling, that's me once I get started I can't stop. haaaaaaaaaaa.

God bless everyone. And have a pain free day.

gentle hugs

Clora

********************************************

From: Lalis <drack2@...>

Subject: RE: [ ] Re: Shot or no shot is the question

Date: Saturday, November 1, 2008, 11:31 AM