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Posted 8/13/2008 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all just an update on whats going on.

Made a phone call to get in with my othropedic surgeon as I have been in so much pain this last week and unable to sleep at all, Im living on about 3 hours a day and just cant function anymore.

Was told that the soonest I could get in was on the 25th of this month, I said that is not going to work, I cant go on like this I need to be seen. I got the sorry if it is that bad then you need to go to the emercancy room.  Well that was it for me with this doctor, I have had issues with them from the start, so I went and demanded my mri and docotors notes.  Come to find out that some of my visits havent even been dictated as of yet, man was I pissed off.

I told them I would be in tomorrow to get all my e-rays mri's and doctors notes and if they were not here that I would have my lawyer give them a call to see about a malpratice suit.  Got dirty look but at this point I so didnt even care.  I showed up the next day and all my stuff was done and in a package waiting for me lol.

For the first time sence my accident I felt like I was in contol of my treatment and man did it feel good.  I made an appointment with another Ortho and was seen the following day.

This doctor was so much nicer and really listened to what I had to say, must confuss that I was in tears with this doctor not just out of pain but frustration as well.

She looked at my mri and all the doctors notes and x-rays.

She found a small hairline fracture oh my tailbone that the other doctors had missed! And that I prob had a lot of soft tissue damage to my lower back as a 47mph impact at a dead stop is a significant impact! Finally someone who agrees. Last doc actullay told me that there was a study done in Canada and that rear impacts never result in injury and they dont even x-ray you there!

Plus she made an appointment for me with the pain specialist for tommorw to get my pain under management. Just like that.  She wants me to get sterdiod shots in my neck for hernatided dics c4/5.  That to have my hand and fingers locking up really concerns her and she cant believe what I had been going through with docs and pain.

I know its silly but i felt so vendicated! Whated to go to old doctors and paint you are a a-- all over his walls lol sorry just was so mad.

Plus she gave me something to help me get some sleep...God hope that works have not slept in 6 weeks and I am so tired.

She did on the other hand tell me that soft tissue damage with the impact that I recieved can take a bit of time to heal, but at the least the pain management doc should be able to help a bit with that as well. But I prob am looking at a good amout of time sighssssssss. But at least this is a start and I am no longer in this stalemate.

Has anyone gotten steriod shots and if so how did they work for you all? 

Thanks again for all your help and support.

And to those that have had the same problems with your doctors not listening GET A NEW DOCTOR!  There are some out there that really care and listen. And it can make all the difference in the world.

Sometimes when something bad happens and we start loosing contol over the things in out lives we think we have no contol at all over anything I know I was thinking that.  But we do have some control and our doctors are one thing we do have contol over!

Thanks so much

Lara

Posted 8/13/2008 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Lara,
Thisi is GREAT! And very inspiring to me (and I'm sure to others). I was thinking the same thing about my PCP and how I really need to find another one, but feel so boxed in and overwhelmed and not sure how to even start. But your story gives me hope!

A lot of us have had steroid injections, and there are a lot of old theads on them. If you've never had them they're probably worth a try. At least this doc seems to be knowledgeable and caring - great combinations!

Good for you!!!

PaLady
Posted 8/13/2008 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, Lara! I am SO glad for you! I really hope you get some relief very soon. Do let us know how you sleep after tonight, okay? Like PaLady said, it is inspiring to hear a story like this. I have a wonderful PCP, but my PM is NOT helping me in the least. I need to just give up on her, but it does just seem overwhelming after trying so many. I think after following up on the next referral, I might finally have the guts to give her the boot.

Way to go! Keep us informed.

Ry
Posted 8/13/2008 12:34 AM (GMT 0)

Palady just start with calling a new GP and making an appointment sometimes a new fresh set of eyes and ears is all you need!!

I really wish you luck as I know you have had so many struggles and remember what i realized yesterday you do have contol over your treatment even if that is just finding a new doc!!! and that can make all the difference in the world.

Take care and I am praying for you as always

Lara

Posted 8/13/2008 12:41 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks Ry and just so you both know I'm smiling right now just because It feels good to be back in the roll of the nurturer again if only for a mommet hope you both dont mind.  I so love talking care of things lol.

As I said you do have the control it is up to us to exercise that contol! dont let your GP or MP doctors make you feel like there is no hope there is always hope!!! and sometimes and answer.

YOU ALREADY have the courage inside you Ry you just need to find it again and I know it can be a daunting thing but it is there and I will pray for you as well and that you both can find a new doctor that will listen and get you both the help you need.

I know that Its always a chance but a chance is always better than not having one at all.

You all have been such a great help to me and I would so love to be able to help you!!

Take care and praying for you Ry can never have to many praying for you and just remember that God says that we 2 or more are gathered in his name it shall be done! There is power in numbers.

Lara

Posted 8/13/2008 10:26 PM (GMT 0)

Heard from pain management doc today have an appointment tomorrow morn for shots whoo hoo dont even care how scared i am just want some relief.  Really hope they work!

Thanks everyone

Lara

Posted 8/13/2008 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Lara! You'll do fine - and i hope they work for you, too. Will look for your posts when you up to it!

PaLady
Posted 8/13/2008 10:43 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Palady!

Posted 8/15/2008 2:30 AM (GMT 0)

Had my injections today this morn and god were they painful he treated my lower back because he said it takes longer to heal and is harder to manage than the neck.

I am in so much pain right now and that is on pain pills as well I cant stand it! has anyone else had this much pain with there injuctions? I can barley move or walk.

Thanks Lara

Posted 8/15/2008 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, Lara! I'm so sorry to hear this. Is it getting worse? I'm a little torn about whether to tell you to go to the ER. Are you alone? Is there another adult with you?

I've had several rounds of various types of injections, and with some I had increased pain for a few days after the shots. In a couple cases the increased pain was so bad I nearly did go to the ER but after about 2 days it started to ease up again. I am trying to remember when it stopped getting worse though - at what point it leveled off.... I'm thinking it was leveled off by about 12 hours after the shot.

If it continues to get worse or if you feel like it isn't tolerable, don't hesitate to go to the ER! Just to be safe. Plus maybe they can give you a little stronger dose of pain meds to help get you through the next 24 hours.

((((((Lara))))))

Ry
Posted 8/15/2008 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Lara,
I've had several epidurals, facet join injections, etc. and usually there was only some discomfort. I did use ice at times at the location of the injection. The first of the injections I had actually increased a lot of the neuropathic like symptoms in my feet, but he gave me another injection which brought me back to where I was at the beginning. The only injection that ever helped was to my righ SI join (hip area).

If it doesn't ease up by tomorrow I'd call you doctor and ask. Also make sure you're not overdoing any activity. I was always told to take it easy for 24 hours. But call your doc tomorrow and ask if it's not eased up.

PaLady
Posted 8/15/2008 5:52 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Lara,

Glad to hear you are starting to get somewhere with your pain.  I've had so many injections I can't even keep track anymore.  It just depends on where the shots are put and what's in them.  Injections in joints are probably most painful.  Today I got a second set of steroid injections into my Sacroiliac joints.  I've been plagued with lower back pain, that radiates into my hips and down the back of my left leg.  Pardon the familiarity, but the injection points are just to the side of the top of the butt-crack.  It seems like a weird location, but joint pain radiates out through the attached nerves. 

For epidurals in the spine and this type of joint injection, the appropriate location has to found using a flouroscope and injected dye(sometimes).  Unfortunately, they don't knock you out for these routine procedures.  The worse the pain is in the joint, the worse the pain of the injection.  My doctor had to keep stopping the injections (I was getting a double dose of steroids), because I was in so much pain I was coming up off the table.  My dad could hear me hollering in the waiting room.  Epidurals aren't as bad, and they sometimes will give you a little something to relax you.  Unfortunately for me, I never got any help from the medication they gave me to calm me down.  The epidurals never gave me any relief.  The shots I got today do help for a few weeks, then I have to get them redone.  I'm hoping for some longterm relief, cuz there's no way I can imagine doing this once a month forever.  I've also had steroid injections in my feet for a bone spur and a recurring Mortons Neuroma.  Bone spur was not helped at all, Neuroma shot is good for about a year.   Basically, it's a crap shoot.

I really hope you get some relief soon.

Leigh Ann smhair

Posted 8/15/2008 7:50 AM (GMT 0)

Thank cranky ry and palady,

As you can quess by my post this late im up and stil in pain.  It has tappered off a bit but is still very painful makes the back pain I was having feel like a field trip.  If it is not any better tomorrow I will call the doc back.

I did get a little something to help ease and relax me didnt work! I as well Cranky got the injections in my lower back near my but crack and on each side think he stuck me like 6 times and they were painful.  I was thinking they were more painful there as there isnt much fat on that point.  But I was yelling as well.  I asked the doc if it was the bad for everyone and he said usu not. But oh well hurt me like h--- for me! 

As for overdoing it not probs with that couldnt get off the couch! and did sleep for about 3 hrs when I got home from the little something they gave me but woke up in some serious pain been there ever sence.

Thank all for replying and thanks Ry for the hug was much needed and welcome

Hopefuly it will ease off for tomorrow as I have much to do.  School start soon and still trying to get all that stuff done.  Have freshman Ort. for my son tomorrow morn sigh. 

And if worse comes to worse altho Im alone my mom and dad are around the corner so If i really need anything I can call them.  Just hate to have to they have been doin so much for me lately but we all do what we must and ask when we need to. 

Just took 2 more pain pills so hopeful will knock me out so I can get some sleep!

You all take care and once again thanks feels good to know there is somewhere to run to with all this!

Love you all

Lara

Posted 8/15/2008 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Lara,
Were your injections done under flouroscopic guidance? (there would have been something like a tv monitor the doc was looking at; there's a tiny camera on the end of the needle). The reason I ask is that being stuck 6 times is unusual. My doctors would always give me a light local anethestic (by injection) before doing the epidural or steroid injection. Most of mine were not that painful (tho also not that effective!). If your doc doesn't use flouroscopic guidance IMHO go to another doc!

I hope you're doing a itttle better today. The most I experienced was some soreness after most injections. Intense, lasting pain just doesn't seem right to me.

PaLady
Posted 8/15/2008 6:44 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lara---

i had epidural steroid injections 3 times.  they hurt like all get out during the procedure and for 24-48 hours after and i hate to tell you that they didn't help at all.  i was pretty much bedridden.  horrible.  i did them 3 times b/c i was told that they need to build on each other and that they would eventually help.  the next neurosurgeon i saw (in the same practice, no less) looked @ my mri and casually said that he could see where the injections wouldn't have done me any good.  eyes   i coulda killed him.  i wish you luck!

--k

Posted 8/15/2008 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
ladyred:

I feel for you honey! I had to chime in again, because I want you to know that you are NOT a wimp or anything like that. I felt like I was such a wuss after some of my injections and procedures and the doctor (like yours seemed to be) made me feel like crud by telling me I was "more sensitive about it" and that "most people don't seem to have this much trouble" and things like that. In the early days of my issue, they gave me sufficient meds to truly relax me, but as they became less interested in helping me, they also became less interested in making me comfortable. (To tell the truth, I think they were wanting me to feel every prick of each procedure to drive me away if I was really just making it all up - which of course I wasn't.)

But anyways, I remember one time when they gave me this teeny shot of versed and fentanyl and I said I was still super tense and scared of the procedure and the nurse actually said "No you aren't. I can tell. Your heart rate went down when I gave you this medicine. You just THINK you are not relaxed." rolleyes At that moment, I wished I could trade places with her and hold a 3-inch needle to her spine and say "don't tell me you aren't relaxed!" nono

I just left there thinking "am I the only person in the world who can't handle this?" But I'm not. I've since met many others who had similar experiences to me. So I want you to know you aren't alone either.

((((ladyred)))))
more hugs whenever you need 'em!
Ry
Posted 8/15/2008 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Ladyred,
You're absolutely not alone!!!

PaLady
Posted 8/16/2008 1:34 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks all for the post.

I talked with the doc today and he said that some can experience more pain than they were in up to 5 days after injections sighs. I didnt want to here that one.

I am feeling a bit better today than last night still in more pain than I was in but I am trying to be hopeful.

He did use the flourscopic guide.  I was a bit out of it when I when in so me thinking I got like 6 injections could have been the logal as well as the injection.  But I felt each and every stick and they were painful.  As for him thinking I was a wuss I could care less at this point I am the one dealing with the pain and the rest can kiss my arse so to speak. I have a high tolerence to pain as I had all 4 of my kids natural and have dealt with alot in my 40 yrs so I dont judge myself that way and you shouldnt either Ry you are intitled to feel what you have and no one has a right to take that away from you.  They dont walk in you shoes!

I hate that saying it can always be worse and I know that it can but there is always that flip side as well and it could always be better.  I understand where it comes from and why people say it but it does not take away from what you are dealing with and how much it hurts you and those around you.

I am talking my pain meds on the dot and altho they arent relieving the pain they at the least are taking the edge off and I quess anything is better than nothing.  I dont do well with the Oxicodon stuff as my blood preasure borders on low anyways so it seems to make me really out of it and very dizzy and low.

I am finding for every med they give you you end up having to deal with some kind of side affect to that as well as everything else.

Also my pain management doc told me today that he does not subscribe meds out on the first visit.  Im trying to get to one doc and deal with one doc for all this and am finding that I dont think that is goin to happen.  Im all over the place at this point.  I need a planner just for all my doc appointments and PT.

But I am still hopful at this point I do like this new doc he is nice and listens and seems very compasionate and he seems hopeful for me as well so we will see how the next few weeks go.

I would like all insureance agents to go through what we have dealt with and see how they come out on the flip side dealing with pain and insuarace and having to fight for your rights at every turn. Just a rant sorry. Would like to stick a neddle in there backs and see how they like it and see how much money they would like to dish out then for pain and suffering. grrr they have no clue!

Once again thanks all for all the help and support it means the world to me and you all have been such a encouragement to me and as always praying for you all and wishing you all peace and a pain free life

Lara

Posted 8/16/2008 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Lara:

I am so glad you got to talk to your doctor. It sounds like he is a good guy. I'm sorry if I mis-judged him. I didn't mean to go off and vent my frustrations in your thread, sweetie. Gosh, I just kind of tweaked a nerve there and let loose, didn't I? Sorry about that! blush

Anyhow, I do hope that you have some steady improvement from here on out and start to see some marked pain relief soon. I hear ya about the insurance thing. Oh my goodness! The paperwork!

Ry
Posted 8/16/2008 2:18 AM (GMT 0)

Ry its ok to vent believe you me I could go off on alot of these docs I have seen this last 6 weeks! And I wouldnt be so nice about it.  I have found that if you are on welfar even though I have worked all my life and need it now you get treated like crap! and are lost on the todum pole so to speak so believe you me vent vent vent!  I think sometimes it keeps you sane as to the way we are all treated.

I could be a seriouse advacater for this and lots of other issues lol I quess at heart I am a warrior and would take up my sword for the underdogs in this world and vanquish all the evils if I could.

Thank so much my new friend

Lara

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