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Update: Severe numbness and Feeling Pretty Useless

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Posted 2/13/2015 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
I just wanted to update on my two posts having just been to my PM doc today. First with my meds, I talked to him about the 3rd day symptoms on the Fentanyl patch that I was having and how miserable I was in the pain control department. We talked about how I was pretty stable before when I was changing the patch every 48 hrs. He thought for the past 2 months that I was on a quote "higher" dose and that he wanted me to stay changing them every 72 but I told him I was only on 50 mcg and not 75 which he thought. I couldn't believe he put me thru this agony because he didn't read my clinical notes and didn't pay attention to his script he was signing. OMG.... anyway, I now am back on the 48 hrs at the same 50 mcg dose so things are good there. Still goes to prove that you have to be your OWN patient advocate because many of these docs are just plain sloppy!
The severe numbness that I was having in both my buttocks and under my right thigh was very concerning to him. I know what sciatica feels like, I know the effects of the nerve impingent that I have at L4 and L5 and this is a totally different feeling. He is suspecting that a disc may be bulging into the thecal sac somewhere between L4 and S1 and he wants to rule out an early case of CES. I am waiting for a call to get an MRI done. Boy oh boy am I going to have problems!!! Every time I have had one I have a difficult time laying on my back and can't stand the intense pain. The last one I had 3 years ago I barely finished and could not stand up and walk......it was bad. I told my doc this and he said to try my best to be still and finish. I am so scared to have it done, does this make sense? I guess I just know how it's going to be and I will have to pull everything I have mentally to get through it physically! I know that sounds bizarre but it's the truth!
So we will see what's going on soon enough!

Pam
Posted 2/13/2015 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Do you have any short acting or "break through" meds you can take right before the MRI to help get you through it? If not, maybe you can ask the doc to write you a small script of a few pills just to take the edge off if it's that bad.

If not narcotics, then maybe something to help you relax and feel less anxious? Those types of meds can sometimes also help dull the pain a bit, even if it's just because they make you a bit sleepy.
Posted 2/13/2015 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks LexiRae!
I actually do have BT meds (Oxycodone) and I have a muscle relaxer (Zanaflex). I plan on taking them about 2 hours prior to the procedure so that there are well into my system.
You know, I am not a baby when it comes time to pain - but holy cow I know how bad this is going to hurt! I am also going to request the music earphones. Am going to try and psych myself into this to take away the anxiety of anticipation.
Pam
Posted 2/13/2015 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hopefully those two in addition to the patch will be enough to make t bearable for you. I get muscle spasms, and they always seem to be at their very worst when I HAVE to stay still, like for xrays or an MRI. Or when I'm on a long car trip, or a plane ride.

Fingers crossed you won't need another one for a while once this one is taken care of. I get pretty freaked out by small spaces too, so that doesn't help either! Lol.

Unfortunately these tests are a necessary evil in order to get treatment.
Posted 2/13/2015 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Sister, I am so glad you spoke up. That's is disgusting that he doesn't even know what you were on and he was signing rxs. UGH!!
I wish you luck on the mri. They aren't fun at all. You are a strong woman and will do wonderfully.
Posted 2/19/2015 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I went for my MRI today..................... my worse fears came to life. The pain was excruitating, just laying there, not moving, every minute seemed like an eternity!
about 5 minutes into the MRI my legs started making these little jolts.
Then came the announcement into the chamber that I was half way done - oh pray Pam, just pray that I could make it through this!
So I made it through till I needed the contrast put in my arm. She said I would be in there another 10 minutes, I said I don't know if I can make it! Soooooooooooo, I asked her if I could sing while I was getting scanned, she said that was fine.
Let me tell you, I sang "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" as loud as I could! The pain was so bad I could hardly stand it!
Finally, my last verse was "58 Bottles of Beer on the Wall", I made it!!!

Tomorrow I will go and get a copy of my report and have them burn me a disc for my records. I am so thankful it is done.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and thoughts, I sure appreciated them!
Pam
Posted 2/19/2015 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
Ugh. Sorry it sucked but glad you made it! If only singing the song actually made real beer appear! I dont think you would have needed to get all the way to 58 if that were the case!

Please let us know the results :)
Posted 2/19/2015 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I hate that you had to endure that but I have to laugh at the picture of belting out beer song. how funny
Posted 2/20/2015 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I know, funny huh! That song popped into my head because I was doing a countdown in between the aspects of the scan, I don't drink beer so I don't know where that came from but the lady doing my scan was in hysterics!
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