Hello All! So Glad to be here.....

Hi I'm new but I have a lot in common with all of you. I've been in pain of some sort my whole life. I had TMJ surgery @ 23 after years of horrible nonstop headaches - that only lessened after surgery - to then find out I had migraines. The discovered I had three ruptured disks in my neck that was basically a birth defect that was the original cause. I fell in 1986 on ice rupturing the LS-5 - but not only did it rupture, what ever it did shattered part of it, because there were pieces of it in my low back.

Anyway--Long boring story short -- I've fallen several times (I seem to be good at that) for the sciatica, neuralgia, and such has affected my gait. Three pain pumps later and a medtronic dorsal column stimulator later... which by the way has become dislodged and has now had to be removed my eighteenth surgery, of which I'm recovering from as I type.

I'd been trying to quit cigarettes but smoked yesterday - after not smoking for 14 days! How silly. However, I did give them to my caseworker and told her to get them out of here. So no more lapses! It's just hard, as you all know. I live alone, and my family is gone - what family I do have I've been rejected from because of my past problems with addiction. I don't suffer with it now - praise God - none of the junk gets me high anymore. I've nearly killed myself more times than I could tell you having to take this crazy medicine we all need to try and have any kind of quality life. I write about my life and my addiction in a blog -- and that keep me busy besides some light work that I do.

I guess most of all I'm just glad I found you all. I struggle with depression too - fibro. Lyrica has put so much weight on me.

One thing that I did want to really mention was how much I noticed that the stopping of the cigarettes reduced the neuropic pain. Almost instantly. I had been in incredible pain, numbers in the upwards 9-10's. Nothing would stop it. Quitting smoking just elevated it. Completely!!!!

So, Praise God that's not hurting!!!! Glad to be here... I'll check back later -- I have to pick up my kitty from being spay.
Just remember - if you can, keep on keeping on in your way. Don't worry if "they" get you, you get you - and that's all that matters.
Love,
G.

Hello and welcome to Healing Well.
We're all in our own states of disrepair.Some of us are lucky enough to have good Doctors that prescribe the Meds we need to have some quality of life.Some are still looking.

Again welcome and I look forward to reading your Posts.

Rick

Hello again,
I sure hope I didn't break any rules... Suzie, and yes the pain pumps are a thing of the past... The first pain pump did actually help. The pump was in place and work successfully for seven years, which led me to believe that the next one would too but I got cellulitis. I think that's how it's spelled. With that size of a opening in your tummy, healing was difficult -- nurses everyday - and I was on IV antibiotics for three months. I can't keep in a regular IV so I have to have a pic line, which I rather prefer.

However, being the trooper that I am, I went for the third - praying that this time, no infection and no problems, only to have it begin to flip over in my side... and over and over. It finally got to twisted that there was no medication getting to my spine and it had to be removed also. But I tried!!!!

I didn't mean to sound like I was in despair either -- sorry if it came out that way. I'm actually a very happy and positive person despite what I live with and have gone through. I'm just one of those champs that thinks our attitudes and outlooks have so much to do with everything. I've been through a great deal, what I shared today was just part of it -- you all know when it comes to surgeries and such theres always things that go wrong.... and even at being a positive person - it seems if it can go wrong it will, to me. LOL. I try and take it in stride.

Thanks all -- I look forward to being a part of this community.. Gina

Hey Gina, you are doing just fine with your posts, lol. We just have to let new members know there are some rules here at Healing Well. It just helps keep the forums running smoothly.

I have a pain pump & I am having some problems either with the pump or the catheter. At this point we are not sure which it is. I am being referred to a neurosurgeon. My first pump was put in back in 2005 & last until 2013 when the battery died. I am so sorry to read about what has happened with you trying to get one implanted without serious problems. I have heard about pumps flipping like what happened with you. Do you know if when it was implanted if the dr put it in a mesh pocket? The pump I have now has a mesh pocket. My newest pump is a Codman & my current pump dr hates them, they are not computer operated & its all done manually. I understand totally why he hates it.

Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.

Gina, did you just have the 3rd pump removed recently? A lot of times we see patients struggle after surgery because the surgeons really are not that great on rxing post op meds. However, the PM drs usually say let the surgeon handle your post op pain.
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As for the mesh pockets, they have been using those for many years. My first pump I did not have one. This second time the surgeon used one. I think it is a preference thing with the drs. Both of my pumps have shifted some what they are tilted to the side for some reason.

This Codman I have is the old style pump. For whatever reason my prior pump dr hated Medtronics. I have often wondered if she didn't get mad at a rep that may have came to her office, lol. She was quirky that way. She was a retired neurosurgeon & went into pain mgt. She was an excellent pump dr, knew meds for these pumps like none other. She did her own compounds in her office which is extremely rare. She believed in using these pumps to their max & was very comfortable with the dosages she used. Most drs here are floored at the dosage she would use. Her theory was as long as it is safe for the patient & it helps them function that is what is the most important. She said why implant an expensive piece of equipment & not use it correctly. She retired a year ago & I really miss her.

Pain mgt care & treatment has taken a nose dive the past 2 years & honestly, I see it getting a whole lot worse before it gets any better. It would not surprise me a bit to see in the future only cancer patients being able to get proper care. People think the war on drugs was aimed at getting the drugs off the street, which in reality is the farthest thing from the truth. They are just as evident out there today as they ever were. The drs are worried about losing their licenses because of the DEA being in control. It just stinks.

Take care.

Gina, you and I have the same issues. I had a neck surgery and need another but the constant migraines can cripple me in minutes. I have a regiment when I feel one coming.

I learned what foods can trigger migraines so I stay away from those (nitrates, MSG, sodium nitrate, etc.). about 7 years ago I ate a Nathan's hot dog at a friends BBQ, 3 hours later my wife hit me with a Immitrex epi-pen. I was in bed for 3 days, haven't eaten that garbage since.

I'm really thin (6'4" / 200lbs) because everything now days has chemicals in it which cause migraines so I have to avoid. The food I buy is so expensive to avoid chemicals, eggs for example are three times as much for cage free / farm fresh / organic / no hormones.