I finished the trial spinal stimulator

Well, I did the whole thing, and it helped in a lot of ways. When I was hurting bad a couple times and was able to lay down. I cranked it up as much as I could stand and left it there for about an hour or so, and it did make me feel better. I have to have all the programs turned down way low when I am up and about or else I look like I'm drunk or something. To say the least my gait was a bit off.

I am going back to meet with him on the 23rd, he wanted me to take a few weeks and compare my experience with the stimulator with how I was feeling again. I thought, that's what I just did, just the other way around. But he says its a serious decission and he doesn't take it lightly like many do. He wants me to come back and talk with him and bring my wife and discuss the risks and everything.

Right now, I think I am probably going to do it, and he said he would schedule it pretty quick if I decided to do it.

I have had a few good days, with the Meds making me pretty productive, but I have had a couple of bad days too where I was down and hurting and out of it for a few days.

Anyway, I hurt even with the meds to some degree, which many people don't understand, when they see you up and about trying to do things to try and keep your life normal. Its when I push that too far usually when the bad days follow. Its hard. Anyway, hope you all are doing as well as possible.

take care and let me know what's up and what you think also,

Hartdawg

Chutz,

Thanks so much for the kind words.

It's tough living with pain, and almost everybody doesn't understand. That makes it all the much tougher to deal with. My wife thinks I should be able to DO MORE. Especially when my pain was so bad and got to where I was down and out ALL the time and my DR. started me on Anti-depressant also. Then she is like, so much of it is probably in your head. She has a real stressful life and is she is HIGH STRUNG anyway, so I understand in a way how she gets frustrated when all I can do is lay down and rest, but when you do better and try on top of having a good day and do a lot to help and etc... then she gets even more in her head that I should be able to do that ALL of the time. I guess that's why they call this curse of chronic pain the "Invisible Disease" which makes it so hard on us all.

Its been tough, sometimes I think its getting better, but man if I have a bad day its like all the good ones are erased in her mind and she starts her walking around making her remarks and uses words like I always are like this or that or I never do this or that.....and that gets me down, I get mad a lot about it, but I usually just hold it in, its either that or explode and I figure one person in the house talking loud is enough.

Anyway, I hope this procedure allows me to do more and to get my life a little more back to where it use to be.

Again, your words are sweet and I hope sincerely that you get relief and are able to do some things you want in your life.

take care and God Bless,

Hartdawg

Hardawg, beautiful boys! I am so sorry you don't get alot of understanding at home. I know, from past experiences, how hard that makes it. Have you ever printed out stuff describing the pain and it's the inevitable tole it takes on a person? I am glad you're getting some relief. Relief ahs been a stranger to me for the past month or more. God bless and be well!

Hi Hartdawg,

You are most welcome. I do know how important it is to have someone reach out to you when you hurt and are not getting emotional support at home. I am truly blessed if I have given you any edification.

What with having Crohn's it seems that most of the treatments I get that offer any help are quickly eradicated. Crohn's has a nasty way of attacking every part of your body. Your immune system sees the body itself as a threat and attacks. So, while 3 botox injections did help my trapezius & scapula to relax and not ache so much, the rest of my back & neck still hurt badly much of the time.

My past experiences were with 2 husbands. The first was an alcoholic drug addict who gave me 2 children, but wanted to play with other women. I divorced him for adultery. He would disappear for days at a time and be with others. If drunk at home he would break up furniture or punch holes in walls and say terrible, cruel things. The second (I'm a slow learner) was also very cruel, after he won me over. He beat me and cheated on me. I divorced him.

So, needless to say, I suffered alone. It is a very painful, stressful thing. I am now married to a wonderful man whom I have been with for 21 yrs. He is completely understanding & supportive. Nice for a change!

You are not beign too personal at all. I am glad you care honestly!

God is good,
Stephanie