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Posted 2/7/2010 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

My name is Mike1X and I suffer chronic PAIN, yes, I am on meds currently Methadone, Gabapentine, I am on Prozac for my depression and Mirazipine for my nightmares. I hate to sleep because of the dreams yet I am on Ambien. My doctor at the VA tells me to take the Ambien every night but I cheat I take them in pieces so that should I dream I can wake up screaming and sweaty. It is not fun not being able to sleep, I also suffer with this type is vascular thing where my legs swell and I am un-able to get my shoes on I use compression socks and or keep my feet up above my torso, try that setting down won't ya LOL.

 

I am a Marine Corps. Veteran of the Vietnam Era and I have just given you a clue as to my age. confused The flashbacks are not real fun, I have PTSD, damaged my spine in the seventies mainly the lower I also have a closing of my spinal opening that has pinched my nerves in both my upper and lower back, my hands jump periodically I flench and have sleep apthenia (hope I spelt it correctly). I can't set to long or lay down to long.

 

Last but not least I am currently fighting with the Veterans Administration for my compensation as I am un-employable receiving SSD since 2007... I found this site by luck, I didn't even know what this site was about until I started looking around, I sincerely think I am going to like it here.

 

Well that is me a bundle of jumbled nerves, aches and pains and dreams I wouldn't wish on Dick Chaney ... Tell me am I in the right place?

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Mike

Post Edited (Mike1x) : 2/7/2010 10:53:04 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/7/2010 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike!
I'm new too and don't know much about anything here! I do know LOTS about lack of sleep. Pain is my nightmare though I have those too! I take lots of Ambien...I took 20 mg. 4 hours ago and I'm waiting...waiting...well, you get the picture. I was a teen when Walter Cronkite signed off with his usual, "And that's the way it is..." and became a tainted teen with every name that rolled past in honor of our fallen soilders. I would sit there and think, "I have to read every name! I've got to remember them!" I knew many men who came home from there much differently than they went. Raped of every ounce of innocence. Yes, I remember and I thank you. I was once for many years a DJ and my outreach were Vets from Nam. We had some great times and upon his deathbed, after suffering so many things including years of jungle rot, my very dear friend gave me his Purple Heart. Needless to say, when my own son joined the Navy I was a bit concerned. He's done a tour and has received two Naval Achievement Medals. Whoa! That is all a pain of a different color isn't it? I'm glad you found this site and I'm glad I did too though much like you, I'm a bit shy about it. I didn't know about new threads until I read them tell you! LOL! I started one, but didn't name it because I didn't even know enough to do so! Lord, leave it to me. Right now I'm waiting for a dose of meds to kick in so I can quit shaking long enough to maybe go to sleep. Anyway, I really wanted to say I'm sorry you are here, but it you have to be someplace, I'm glad to meet you. Life is difficult or at least for me it has been and to go somewhere that people have pain too, well that's pretty comforting. Of course I believe pain is all relative. What may hurt me, may not bother someone else and vice versa. Right now I need to get some phenergan to keep from throwing up before my pain med can kind of kick in. They talk about breakthrough pain, I say break you down on your butt pain! I hope you rest some tonight/this morning and that you can do so with no dreams. Do you even remember a night you slept through? I really don't. In fact I haven't even thought about when the last time was! Take care Mike and I'm glad you are here.
Posted 2/7/2010 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum Mike. Sorry your here due to your pain but we're always glad to have a new person join us. Gives us someone new to learn from so feel free to pop in anytime.

I really feel for you about the nightmares. I tried Lyrica once and it gave me horrible nightmares & had to stop it. Your not in a position to just stop doing whatever is causing them and for that I am sorry.

I'm 52 and was in high school during the Viet Nam Era. I want to thank you for your courage and everything you went through for us. You are a hero!!! There are alot of veterans here and some with sons in the military now that I'm sure you will hear from. Weekends are kinda slow on the forum but it will liven up soon enough.

Take care and once again, Welcome!
Posted 2/7/2010 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Catz & BSJag,
I wanted to thank you both separately because you've both said things that I will always remember nevertheless I feel that I must save some space for others to communicate in so I will do it like this. When I packed my self up and went to Parris Island, SC for boot training I had no idea what I was in for, regardless I would do it again in a second as I love my country and even though I am currently like getting the shaft in stead of an elevator ride I will persevere LOL.

As I said I want to thank you both for your choice words and pray that we all will have relief before meeting our maker but that is something that I can't speak about not afraid of death I am just not ready to go yet so many things I want to do people I want to meet women I want to see LOL. Life is so strange none of us has an inkling of an idea what we will endure before being called home still, I am oh so happy that I have had the opportunities that I have had in life and look forward to the balance of what there is to come ... smilewinkgrin

Again, I say that I thank you both for the kind words and look forward to speaking (writing) to everyone that has something for me. There are so many things that I don't know, so many fights that I have yet to fight and I refuse to allow a government agency that was created to assist people like myself to shirk it's duty to me or others like me; I desperately need assistance and I will continue to fight for it until I receive said assistance or pass on in in the process.

I sincerely hope that you all keep in touch "everyone" and I look forward to the advice as well as the criticisms I can learn from anyone and I am completely open to whatever comes down the pike. God Bless You !

Respectfully,

Mike1X  smurf

 

Post Edited (Mike1x) : 2/7/2010 10:50:12 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/7/2010 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike,

 

I think I welcomed you in the wee hours not real sure. My sleeping habits stink too. Up all night and nod off here & there during the day if I sit still long enough.

 

Wasn't Parris Island just a dandy of a place? My brother did his boot camp there too and it was in the winter and omg that place invented cold. That place was either going to make you or break you and there were a few that it broke.

 

I too deal with swollen legs and feet and do the compression hose thing. I have had every test they can do and they still have no answer as to why I swell like I do. So, its diurectics, compression hose and keeping the feet elevated. Well, I don't have time or patience to sit and eat bon bons and elevate my feet on a daily basis, so I skip that one.

 

I do hope you will hang out with us, I feel everyone has some knowledge that we can all benefit from. Take care.

Posted 2/7/2010 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
StrayD,
You know what I dealt with huh, I arrived at PI in February of 71 it was no picknick and in 95 Days it went from freezer to furnice from Ice cicles to Sand Flees. The DI's pet I saw many guys have to look for ones that they swatted and had to burry it was funny as hell after I thought about it the following day or so. I guess they (DI's) used to set around in their offices to figure out just how to try and crack us and yes there were a few casualties along the way LOL.

I think we did speak last evening (Morning) on another page I like it here, everyone appears to be fun loving even though they are in constant pain. Well I will close this down for a second or two; I am watching how to make beer on the Discovery Channel LOL... Can't drink it myself any more, but I used to love the stuff. skull


Have a good evening; I am running at a slow pace to the kitchen and then to finish watching "How it is Made" I love that show for some reason?

Take care my friend,

Mike1X  smurf

Posted 2/8/2010 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike,

Just wanted to give a quick welcome to HW...I have been off line since Friday mid day with an awful bout of food poisoning....and we just got hit with 30 inches of snow!

So I will write more later but wanted to log on to say hello...It's a wonderful and caring place here..
Posted 2/8/2010 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello There Snow-Bunny,
I thank you for the greeting. I love it here thusfar I have been a member of many sites but none like this one, you guys and dolls are so friendly. I simply love it I used to belong to MSN Baby Boomers but there was a great deal of politicing going on there I had to let it go cause I was not comfortable... cry  Now I find you's & this place and from what I see I have found home so I will if there are no objections stay here all the time :-)

I see these letters relating to spinal disks could you explain them [ACDF] Etc. I have some like that in my medical chart but it is L4 L5 L6 Etc. and the other ones for the upper part of my spine I have closure happening in my spine and have been told that they want to do a (Laminectomie)? in my neck and a fusion thingy in my lower back I am afraid of it all with the exceptioon of the Lamin-things... Holla Back when you get the opportunity. As I said I love it here and I will be here as long as you guys can tollerate me LOL.

Respectfully,

Mike1X   smurf
Posted 2/8/2010 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Mike,

I'm glad you created an introduction thread!

You're certainly not alone with the lack of sleep thing. I usually get about 3 hrs of interrupted poor quality sleep per night. Sometimes I feel like a walking zombie. Sleeping pills don't work for me, unfortunately, nothing does. I was on pain meds for a long time, but ended up going off of them for a while because I have an extremely high tolerance & I get very little benefit, if any, from pain meds. I did however, just start taking them again at night. After being off them for a while I realized that maybe I was sleeping a little better on the meds, because I was in a little less pain. I got 5 hrs of sleep the other night, it was fantastic! I just wish they made more of a difference. My doc says that he's never seen anyone as resistant to medication as I am. Lucky me.

hugs,
Skeye
Posted 2/8/2010 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
Mike, I'd suggest you make a list of questions for your surgeon and also do alot of checking with reliable sources on the internet regarding any surgeries. Don't do anything until you are fully informed of what is being done.

I've had lumbar & cervical fusions. The lumbar is the hardest on the body because all of the bodies weight is centered there. During a fusion they remove the affected disc and replace it with either cadaver or sometimes your own bone (this is taken from the illiac crest and can cause alot more pain from the area the bone is removed from). There are different ways of doing a fusion either with or without hardware. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days and it took 4 months to recover.

The cervical fusion was much easier. 1 day hospital stay with 3 month recovery. The pain levels after the cervical was way less but your doctor should give appropriate pain meds. I did wear braces after both of my surgeries.

Everyone is different with different circumstances and only your doctor & YOU can make these decisions. Good Luck!!!
Posted 2/8/2010 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Jag,
You have been dragged through the myer for sure, I know that I have to get more information and possibly a second opinion I know that I need the laminectomy because it's pinching the nerves and I am living in a great deal of p[ain off and on in my shoulders and in my legs especially the left one on the outter circumfrence of my thigh. I thank you for the information I empathise with you as I totally understend your pain.

Keep in touch my friend,

Mike   smurf
Posted 2/8/2010 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
 

   Dear Mike,

 

      Gooood Morning! *hugg* My name is Dani and it is a pleasure to meet you. I too, am glad you came to Healing Well. I hope that you find it just as enjoyable as the rest of us do. Also, every Thursday evening is "Chronic Pain Chat Night" here at Healing Well. Chutz will post a thread about it Thursday morning with directions on how to use chat room service. You should try to come if you can?

 

      I am terribly sorry you have so much pain in your life right now. When the spine is damaged, it seems there are so few options for repair.  I hope that you are able to find treatment options that you are both comfortable with and that can provide you with relief.

 

      In reguards to your email, I am ever so sorry I didnt respond promptly! Unfortunatly, I had a sick household since friday of last week. Nothing major just a common cold with congestion. But, my little bumblebees needed alot of tending to :-)  the little ones always have such a hard time with colds.

 

     When it comes to military benefits, I am afraid I know nothing in that reguard. Perhaps, White Beard may be of help in that area? I am sorry I am unable to help. I am afraid I must end this here or I will ramble on endlessly! But, it is VERY nice to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you better as time goes by.

 

*huggs*

   dani

Posted 2/8/2010 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Skeye,
I feel for you and know what you mean when you a said that you have a high tolerance level, I do also I was prescribed 170Mg of Methedone daily it was too high though as my skin began to tell me I broke out with rashes from the toxic reactions from the meds so I had to change clinics and doctors in order to get it corrected and re-diagnosed. I am still on meth but its a different type and at a much lower dosage.

I still have pain though especially at night for some reason and to top it off I fear sleep because of the dreams that I suffer with everytime I close my eyes, what am I to do? I need a medication or something that will take away the dreams and as yet there hasn't been anything, so I wait. As it is I get perhaps two hours sleep per night if that much you had 5 hours at once I think I would kill for that a peaceful dreamless sleep LOL

I guess we all have a time sooner or later? You stay in touch please.

Sincerely,

Mike  smurf

Post Edited (Mike1x) : 2/8/2010 9:32:10 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/8/2010 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,
I wanted to say Hello. Nice to meet you but sure wish it was under a whole lot better circumstances.
My Dad when thru Paris Island for the USMC, My Uncle was a West Point man and My Husband and SIL are retired USAF, but it was my Uncle that lived thru the Vietnam, Korea wars and that heck, you know the word I really wanted to says. I hate the new tricare medical system for the military it's aweful and people just don't respect ya like they used to for going oversea and facing all that horrors of war, so I just wanted you to know you got my respect for that, and sure hope you can get a good doctor to do the laminectomy.
Keep us posted and I will keep you in my prayers.
Hope you can get a low pain day.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Mike))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Semper Fi
Posted 2/8/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Dani,
I wrote to you a couple days ago and actually had forgotten about it I was so busy that morning. I thank you for the response regardless as you did answer and that is what matters to me :-) I have been suffering with this for a while now it is almost second nature I guess I wouldn't miss it if it were gone but it is a part of me now and the worst part unfortunately. I actually enjoyed my time in the Corps. I regret that I got out when I did but we can't cry over it now even though I wish that I had made a career out of it but life is what you make it and you have to play the hand you are dealt which is what I did at the time.

At the time I was married and my wife wanted me home when I returned from Nam, she was like very impatient waiting for my EAS date. I came home with flashbacks nightmares which were not immiadiate they creaped in on me over a period of time and at the time there was no such diagnosis called PTSD I was told that I was shell shocked which was the phrase back then I was even told by one doctor at the VA that it would eventually go away guess what, it hasn't in fact it has gotten steadily worse over the years. So, about seven or eight years ago I was diagnosed as suffering with PTSD it makes me forget things at times, I am irritable, I hate the Subway, don't really trust people especially the people what work at the VA LOL.

So, if you leave a message for me and it is a while before I answer please excuse me at this time I want to thank you for the contact and hope that I hear from you again soon. I hope that your pain decreases and eventually goes away, we all should be that lucky at least. I hope that you are lucky enough to have the right meds when you need them so I am going to let this go as I can talk forever sometimes and it appears that I am starting to ramble on now LOL.

Respectfully,

Mike  smurf

Post Edited (Mike1x) : 2/8/2010 12:09:21 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/8/2010 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Chart,
Am very glad to hear from you, if your dad is a Marine you must be a great person. As, the few and the proud we only have great children :-) I can tell you that from experience as all of mine are great. They gave me no greif growing up and even when they reached puberty they still treated me like a person. So you must be a great person being from a Jarhead which is what we are called sometimes... I want to say that yes, I suffer pain I have the nightmares and flashbacks from my time in.

 

I have my aches and pains my back is killing me as I am setting here writting to you. My legs swell, at times so large that I can't get my shoes on I have PTSD which I have had all the time since my separation in the seventies however I was not diagnosed until seven years ago still I have been living in an emotional hell since the seventies not only that I suffer pain from a fall that I took during my tour of duty and bullets that caught up with me in Nam.

At this time I am going to close this correnpondence because if I don't I will ramble on, I wish to thank you for saying hello and I sincerely hope to hear from you again soon, don't be a stranger OK.

Respectfully,

Mike  smurf

Post Edited (Mike1x) : 2/8/2010 12:46:20 PM (GMT-7)

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