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Posted 5/17/2011 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hello My Family

   I just returned from my pain management doc visit.  Oh My Gosh!  I really really like my doctor.  So warm and caring and took her time in questioning me and examining me.

   She said that I had a nonfunctioning limb  I knew that but Im glad that she acknowledged that .  She also said that normally they try to get the patient to be able to do normal activities during the day but she could see that I am unable to do anything at all.  So she is going to try to relieve my pain level down to a 2.  I never had a 2 so I will wait and see what happens.

  She gave me vicadin 10-600 for breakthru pain and generic morphine for extended release.  I took my scripts to the same pharmacy that I have been getting them from since oct 2010.  W/C paid for vicodin but the morphine needed prior approval.  I called my lawyer and told her to contact the w/c adjuster and apply pressure to get her approval for morphine.  lawyer called me back and said that adjuster will approve the med today but it will take 48 hours to process.

   So I  have 2 more days of pain.  What happened to my purple?  I cant get it back 

   Elevating my legs on the recliner makes my leg throb

   Tonight I will take 2 vicadin and go to bed and sleep for 6 hours which is better than 3 hours.

 

Soft Hugs

Betsey

Posted 5/17/2011 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
 

         aaaaaahhhhh....HA! A good visit for you eh! Thats great!

            Now lets see if you can get the pain down a little, and if you get to a 2 then I'm going to be jealous! wink

       Down to a 3-4 would be a huge difference, and I'm willing to bet that you would be pleased with even that.

        We really do wish you good luck! I'm happy for you!

            SE wink

Posted 5/17/2011 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Wow!...Glad to hear that you had a good visit...

I just want to caution in that not everyday may be a 2..but yes...SE and I are jealous!! LOL

I live with a 5-7 depending on the level of activities for the day as I never want to take so much medication that I am 'out of it' and not able to do things...

As well as this CP I have is for life and I don't want to develop a low tolerance to my pain meds and have to keep upping the dosage...I haven't had to do this in 2 years..

Keep in mind to rely on all the other 'tools' to help manage your pain as well as medicine like exercise, stretching, CBT, acupuncture, etc..

So just monitor how you feel each day keeping a log and hope that this new regimine will work for you!

How wonderful to find a caring and compassionate Dr. that is certainly the best...I am blessed to have one as well...

I am also on the generic MSContin and use OxyIR for my breakthrough medicine...and this works very well for me...

Very happy for you!
Posted 5/17/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Betsey I'm so happy for you that you got a great dr and that your appointment went really well. Hopefully it won't take very long to get the morphine filled. I know what it's like to have to have prior approval for a med. My medicaid was requiring preapproval for my fentanyl patches, but after a few times, then they didn't require it any more. I sure hope that this combo of meds works really good for you.

I haven't been down to a 2 since i fell and this all started. Don't get me wrong, I sure do wish it for you, but please don't be disappointed if you don't get that low. I just wanted you to be aware.

I wish you so much luck. I hope you are able to get some good sleep. You take good care,

love and soft hugs
Loretta
Posted 5/17/2011 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I am so glad your visit went well. Finally some relief is in sight for you.
I know you have been struggling so much.
When you find a Doctor that cares it changes things so much.
Bonnie
Posted 5/17/2011 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Well I just got done prewashing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. now the entire leg has stabbing pain and I hobbled in to the livingroom with my walker and when I sat down in my recliner I made a noise. My husband of 36 years turned and looked ar me and said do want them to cut your leg off? i said no and then he replied well you are just going to have to put up with it and stop complaining that your in pain because Im sick of hearing it.

well that hurt so much I could just bawl. Well my eyes are watery right now. I cant help how I feel. I have bben in pain since my accident. I dont understand why he wont give me sympathy.

So I turn to my CP family, please help me. I feel like Im coming apart at the seams. Now Im crying!!

looking forward to hearing from you

soft hugs

betsey
Posted 5/17/2011 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Betsey, I just woke up from a much needed nap, but just read this, and thought....man!...that all she needed to hear! shakehead

So!....I'm guessing that you have not taken the new increase yet? I know your waiting on the morphine, but did you take the BT med yet?

Just ignore the hubby!...we all know if a person does not suffer from CP they will just not get it. Just don't expect him to have some sympathy.

I'm willing to bet, better days are ahead for you,....... so tough it out just a couple more days. You didn't make his supper did you? wink..................... I have learned, that you never want to anger a woman, as the revenge can be brutal!shocked Especially if their in pain!shakehead



Hang in there!

SEwink
Posted 5/18/2011 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
nono   skull nono

Dangerous ground he's walking there.

idea   shocked shocked

Next time tell him yes, you do want him to cut it off. devil Se what he says then.

shakehead  

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this.  cry He's probably beside himself not being able to do anything to help you.

We talked in chat just as you posted this, but remember that we are here for you.  If I was close enough we would go out and have a loud "male bashing" dinner and feel better when we got back.  But I'm not, so we can't.  But I would. 

confused   Maybe he's behaving himself now.

Hold on.  2 days to pain meds.  Come back and vent if you need it.  We can plan the stuff you"ll put in his food..... devil devil devil

Goodnight

Posted 5/18/2011 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Betsey,
So sorry your having to go thru this with your husband...maybe it's time
to seek out marriage counseling, it might be of help...spouse's sometimes have a hard
time understanding our cp as cp cannot be seen. I hope things get better between you.
keep us posted and I'm glad you had a very good doctor visit, hope those continue to be good.
well wishes and prayers...
Posted 5/18/2011 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Family
I got 4 hours sleep last night. I was up at 4:00 am EST. I swung by chat no users present so I read posts.. I took my vicodin and waited to see if any relief came. 1 1/2 hous later I had a little relief. pain went down to an 8.

I made myself a cup of coffee and scanned the internet and listened to my husband snoring in the bedroom.

Im looking forward to picking up my meds maybe thursday.

Hope everyone has a low pain day.

Soft Hugs

Betsey
Posted 5/18/2011 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Betsey,

I am so sorry that your DH doesn't understand your pain!

I had leukemia and a bone marrow transplant and almost died.
Ever since I came out of that, I have had pain. Even when on the ventilator and all doped up with Ativan, they had to give me pain medicine because it was obvious that I was in pain.

My DH has been very involved in my care ever since I got the leukemia. My daughter and my boys all had to watch me while I learned how to swallow and talk and move my legs to walk again. I can't remember how many times I fell! When I got out of bed, my legs had no feeling at all. I was so scared that I would never walk again. Even laying in bed, the nurses always had to pull me up in the bed because my legs did not work. But I managed it all and had great support while doing it.

Has your DH ever went to a doctors appointment with you? Maybe hearing them ask questions and hearing your answers would make him realize what you go through on a daily basis. I do try not to complain about my pain, but my DH can always tell when it gets bad. I am sure that your DH can tell that your in pain, but it is very frustrating to a spouse to see you go through something that he cannot help to take away from you. Maybe he needs to learn how to respond to you in a different way.

Don't give up on him. I don't know how long you have been going through this, but I think it takes time for both of you to know how to respond to each other when one of the partners has chronic pain and the other doesn't. My DH had cellulitis and a bone infection in his foot and had an operation to correct the infection and they had to take bones out of his foot. He continued to work afterward, but he does have chronic pain in his foot -- it is nowhere near what I go through on a daily basis, but I think that helps him to understand mine a little bit.

I really hope that your DH starts to get an understanding of your daily limitations and your chronic pain! I hope everything works out for the best for you!
Trudy
Posted 5/18/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya Betsy

(((((hugs)))))) just for you lovie. Some men can say the wrong things at the wrong time and not even realise that they have done it lovie. I wouldnt worry too much about it, he will most probably of forgotten today, Men hey.

On a much nicer note, I am so made up for you that the Dr was nice and that they have changed your meds. I really hope you get them soon and get your pain levels down sweetie. I will keep popping in to see how you are getting on lovie and because I am from England I am sometimes on here at strange times, so if you see me about and you want a chat sweetie give me a shout. xxxxx
Posted 5/19/2011 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Betsey. I've already replied to you that I'm happy that you had a great drs. appointment.

As far as your husband. I'm so sorry that he said that. ((((((((hugs)))))) I really can't see anyone's husband saying that to their wife. My husband doesn't have chronic pain, and he doesn't say bad things like that to me. I hope he's better towards you today and tonight.

You get to get your morphine tomorrow. Yea. That should help your pain a lot. Between that and your break through meds, you should feel pretty good after you get those in your system. I sure do hope that they work for you.

You take good care sweeties. I hope you're having a low pain evening and that you get some better sleep than you did last night. Love ya my friend.

hugs
Loretta
Posted 5/19/2011 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
To my friends

My husband picked up my morphine 20 mg and my vicadin tonight. So I took my morphine and 1 hour later my teeth feel numb. lol

Leg hurts but down to a 6 which is better than an 8. not bad for 1 hour after ingesting the pill.

Husband is treating me fine today. When he got home from work he actually asked me how I was doing.
Its like nothing happened last night.

Thanks for supporting me. I really appreciate it.

Soft Hugs

Betsey
Posted 5/19/2011 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Good evening Betsey!

That is good news! Give it a while longer, and see how its going!

I really do think if you get down to a 4 or so, you're going to be pleased from the level you have been suffering at. For most, just a two point reduction is welcome.

Let us know, how you do through the night.. tomorrow. Were so glad your getting some much needed relief.

Take care,

SE wink
Posted 5/19/2011 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Fanily

Morphine 20 mg made me dizzy 1 1/2 hours after I took it. My husband had to help me brush my teeth and put me into my pajamas. I became unconcious as soon as I laid down.

I slept till 4:45 1m est and woke up hurting. Took a vicadin and now I wair fpr that to work.

8:00 am I take a morphine capsule. and see how I react.

Betsey
Posted 5/19/2011 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Remember to give it a few days for the side effects to level out and possably fade a bit. That seems a bit strong, but I remember that morphine used for post surgery usally knocks people out at first. I have no idea how the doses compare. Is there any way to cycle up from a smaller dose?
Im so glad that your hubby snapped back to normal for you. Im guessing that if he can excuse mid-pain crabbiness, you might be able to excuse well-spouse fatiuge.
Im hoping for a nice, even, pain numbing feeling for you after a few days. Im guessing thats going to come with a fair amount of fatiuge, but everything has its side effects, right? And maybe thats one of the things that will fade over time.
Keep posting, Im interested on what these side effects do compared with the intended effects.
Posted 5/19/2011 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Betsey...

Glad to hear that your husband is helping you some...unfortunately people who don't walk in our shoes have trouble understanding everything we go through...

Is this Kadian that you were perscribed? Does he have you taking them every 12 hours instead of 24 to start?

 If so...that is wonderful that your workers comp covered this since it's so expensive and so many people on here have had trouble getting this paid for...and since the generic morphine sulfate ER is soooo cheap as this is what I am on...

Just know if its Kadian...it takes a good week or more to build up in your system...so PLEASE be careful ...it has a long half life (medicine stays in your system)...so just watch out for your effects to possibly get stronger!...it is unusual that they would not have to try this as the one dose a day to get used to it..

I'm not sure I know your medicine history..but if you had only been taking Vicoden before...and now he's moved you to Morphine and Vicoden...that will be a pretty big jump!...

So be careful and watch for extreme dizziness or lethargy...any trouble breathing...this is a sign that you have too much medication in your system..and need to seek help immediately..it should state this on all the information from the pharmacy...I am just worried if you haven't taken this type of medicine before as its so different from IR meds..

It took over a month before my side effects of some fatigue and nausea went away with taking the Morphine...so unless there are immediate and emergent issues....just know that most effects will subside in time...

As well as using the Vicoden for breakthough pain with care...when people are used to taking those round the clock...when being switched to an extended release medicine like you are...then the short term medicine is meant for when you have a large spike in pain...not for regular use like before..

So it made me nervous that you took this first dose last night along with your Vicoden...as long as you are going on what your Dr. is telling you..

He may need to adjust your dosage as necessary as dealing with chronic pain is a process..

I hope it truly helps you!!

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 5/19/2011 8:49:42 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/19/2011 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have to say, I truly don't understand how a spouse can be so heartless about what their partner is experiencing. Come on people....this is the person you vowed to love thru thick and thin, good times and bad, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH...

How can a spouse NOT want to provide comfort and understanding?? Honestly, we're not asking them to fix all our health issues for us...we're just looking for an acknowledgment of our pain and a wee bit of comforting when we hurt.

I hope that things change for you Betsey, and your partner begins to realize what you really need, to feel better. Please don't give up...I do believe that we all have the power to change, if we choose to. I simply hope that your hubby makes that choice, to benefit both of you.

hugs,
Pam
Posted 5/19/2011 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
My Family

My morphine is Kadam 20mg and I take one every 12 hours. I took one at 8:00 am today and by 9:00 am I was back in bed sleeping for 3 hours. I woke up and the pain is down to a 5. I was able to get to powder room without great difficxulty for the first time since Ive been injured.

I feel rested and awake now not fatiqued yet. Lets see if that comes back. I actually feel a little hungary. WOW. I havent had an appetite in months.

I will get dresssed and see what frozen meat I can throw in the oven for dinner.

Soft Hugs

Betsey
Posted 5/19/2011 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
That is great to hear that you are at a 5...that is wonderful!!! That is what I strive for each day...

Glad to know you are taking it easy and going slow...Just watch for those side effects or doing too much because you feel better....

Thanks for updating us!!
Posted 5/19/2011 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Can i just say WOOHOO!

Movement with less dificulty!
Appetite!
Feeling rested!
AND less pain!!!

Each one is a victory. Celebrate each and every one.
WOOHOO!
Posted 5/19/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya Lovie

I am so made up that you have finally got some pain relief WOOHOO and you had some sleep aswell. Sorry I missed you call for a chat sweetie, I am sure we will have loads to talk about when we catch up (((((((((hugs))))))))))
Posted 5/20/2011 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Betsey It's so wonderful to hear that you're down to a 5 Yahoo!! I'm celebrating with you too. Please be careful and not do too much because you feel better. It can happen really easily. I'm sure a lot of us can tell you that. You take care, and keep an eye out for the slow breathing especially until you get used to the Morphine.

love and soft hugs
Loretta
Posted 5/20/2011 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
Family

I got 6 hours sleep last night but I kept waking up every hour. Got up at 5:30 am est and took a vicadin cause I am at a 7.

My friend is coming over to see me today to take me to dept of transportation to pick up my perm handicap placard from the the state.

I am greatful for everything she is able to do for me. she has health issues herself. She has a slow growing brain tumor. No radiation just meds.

Soft hugs

Betsey
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