Making a wrong move!

Hello, friends,
I am so tired tonight but I had to post something. You know how when you make just one wrong move and bam! Everything tightens and the spasms start and you're trying to figure out what the h**l you did that caused it?

I was getting ready to make the 45 minute drive to the hospital pharmacy to pick up my first batch of 90 day meds and all I was doing was washing my hands at the bathroom sink and WHAM! Spasms in an area I don't get them often - right around where the fusion is. Could hardly straighten up. But I had to go get those meds, plus I was planning to treat myself with a stop at the Humane Society. I didn't want to take a muscle relaxant because I'd be driving for an hour and a half round trip. I finally decided to pull out the back brace I got after surgery and put it on, and was able to drive in to get the meds. And I even stopped at the Humane Society (I think the percocet must have been kicking in a bit by then!) although I couldn't play with the cats the same way I usually do. Still, it made me smile.

But I've got the endoscopy and colonoscopy on Monday and now I REALLY dread it because something is causing my back to tighten up and you know that when we have various other procedures people don't get how a bad position can screw you up for a long time afterward! They just say oh, we'll give you sedation for the procedures. It's after I'm home that I'm concerned about. But I need to do these things because of my insurance running out. It's just scary. And frustrating. And I know you all understand.

My neck has been bothering me more lately and I have to wonder if something is happening with my spine. But really, I'm not having any more surgery unless I can't move at all! So I'm sitting here with the back brace on and will take a muscle relaxant a little earlier than normal.

On top of that as I was driving up to my house I saw the truck of the man who had been doing some work (I won't go into the details ) for me last summer and fall and really made a mess of some aspects of my house. It took him 5 months to send me a bill and when I received it I nearly fainted! So to find him at my door when I drove home after the extra pain I've had was just adding another layer to things. We argued a bit before he left as I am not going to pay him what he charged for reasons I'm not going to explain other than to say he made more problems than he fixed.

GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Ok, I think I've vented enough. But I still don't know what I did to cause the spasms, and I am so, so tired of one more hurt on top of another!

Thanks for listening! That's really what I wanted!

PaLady

Thanks, Anice!

I will probaby wait to see what happens as I try to deal with the spasms berfore calling my neurosurgeon. My surgery was well over a year ago. Moving wrong and tightening a muscle now and then is pretty common. i'm putting some heat on it now, and then will use my home TENS unit. I just dread Monday. Yes, someone has to drive you and bring you home because of the sedation, so my cousin will take me. It's always so hard to have to ask others for help in these situations, but I've really no choice. I didn't need to have the colonoscopy, except for screening purposes. I have been having some heartburn, and that's the reason for the endo. If the muscle spasms don't ease up I may have to post pone it, but I hate to do that. Good thing is I have saved 3 PT sessions to use before June 30, and that way my PT can work on me a bit!

Yes, I didn't need to see the guy, but actually he didn't know everything that happened because I've been too tired and too angry to write him. His work actually caused more problems that still aren't fixed. If he would have fixed things at least partially, I would have paid him something. Oh, enough about that!

At least it was fun to see my cat friends!

Thanks again, Anice!

PaLady

Fatherjohn,
Yes, I've thought the same thing about all the stress. I know once muscles get tight they tend to spasm more easily so it's quite possible; as a matter a fact, I think it's likely. I've been pulling out all the creams and heating packs and such because I know this is what works for musces. Over the years, I've become pretty good at managing all this stuff.

Honestly, I'm not sure calling the doctor right now is needed, and I don't say that casually. It's felt a little better with the back support on, and if it's just muscle it should slowly feel better. Plus I intend to see my PT next week; figure after the endo/colon. "party" (don't forget now!! LOL) I'll need some massage. And he probably can tell me if it's just tightened muslces. I so wish I had the money to get a few massages, but my PT will do a lot of that.

I hope you're getting well prepared for your big day, too!

PaLady

PAlady, I hope your day went better tody. I just got home and I don't see an update so I hope all is well.

PAlady, I did my intake for surgery over the phone today. Everything is set. I am journaling my pain each day as I am frustrated by not getting the relief I need. I know that the SCS is going to help with the pain during the day. It has been getting worse and I am trying to work less hours. I have been not going in as early and leaving earlier. I am not working any 12 plus hours a day. I vented last night in my journal as I started this whole journey 2 1/2 years ago because I did not sleep due to pain. Here I am getting ready for my 3rd surgery and knowing that it is not going to help me sleep. I am going to look for a new PMS even if it means having to take a leave, which they won't give me as somthing has to change. I have had a very difficult week pain wise as well as stress from work. I wish I could just claim the two were connected but anymore it just does not matter. I have pain regardless of what the stress level is.

I hope you don't have to reschedule. Not that any of us look forward to poking, proding and those other things we don't like but are necessary. I will keep you in my thoughts over the weekend.

I'm so sorry to hear about the muscle spasms, PAlady. They can be so debillitating, scared to move for cramping. I hope all the heat packs and back braces help you to relax. Endo as well as colonoscopy can't be fun. Hopefully they will really sedate you and look out for your back. I'm sure you will tell them to look after it for you. My goodness such a lot to deal with, my thoughts are with you.

I haven't been posting much myself , its end of semester for me, so lots of long days spent assessing, I'm very tired, the codeine just doesn't seem to work anymore, but I have a long weekend ahead of me so I will put you firmly in my positive vibes and hopefully you'll feel the benefit by Monday. Hugs to you, golitho. 

PALady

How are you feeling today?  I know oh so very well what it is like to have your back spasm up for not real aparent reason!  You do have me concerned about you PALady! I do hope you are all right! One treatment that I have found works for back spasms ( but it is not fun) but was recommended  by my Physical Therapist, take a paper cup and fill it with water and then freeze it solid, then peel the sides down and have someone rub the ice over the spasmed muscles, and keep rubbing the area untill it is numb, once that area is numb and then you need to do some mild stretching of those muscles. This might require several seccessions. But it does work! The cold is unpleasant but after a while the area become numb and you don't feel the cold. And after you do some stretches then put heat on the affected area. When I was in the military this was standard procedure for me, they would do it in PT and then I would have to have it done at home. It would give my wife the creeps, because the muscles would twitch and my skin would turn bright red from the ice! But it did work  wonders for getting the muscle spasms  in my back to stop! But you do have to have somebody to do that for you! Hopefully by Monday you will be feeling better! and you will be able to get the scope jobs done!

PALady you are in my thoughts and prayers!

I do worry about YOU!

White Beard

P.S. Hugs would not be appropriate for you right now, even gentle ones,   so how does one  do gentle back rubs?

PALady

Sadly I know that right now! But I was hoping that you had someone that could do that for you! I am finding out now how tough things like that can be. Maybe you can give me some tips on how to survive, I know that might sound silly but I am a real novice at all this, my soon to be ex is moving she has a place in town and although not all moved in yet she will be by next week. I am used to being by my self most of the time anyway, but any usefull pointers and tips will sure be appreciated! I had to find someone to help me on Wed the 10th as that is the day I get my epidural again!

Anyway take care PALady I will be thinking of you Monday!

White Beard

PALady,

I am so sorry to hear of all the pain you are going through, not just the back pain. Just the stress of having to deal with confrontational issue (the handiman) and the uncertainty of upcoming procedures is enough to get anyone's back in spasms. I know from experience how sensitive a back that has been invaded by surgery can be. Spasms can happen for no apparent reason. They told me it is a "natural" function of the muscles and nerves healing. Easy for them to say! As for the spams, the thing that works best for me is cooling with a frozen gel pack and then pressure. I have my wife just press and hold the muscle involved until it releases. It hurts like H**L for a bit but then eases. Everyone is different but you might try that.

You mentioned your insurance is running out. Can you not renew or change carriers? Good grief, that on top of everything else, more spasm bait. Do you qualify for Social Security Disability?

My long term disability insurance is coming to an end in July (turning 65) and we are going to have to start living on savings and investments. Of course, the recession has taken half of the investments away so it is the worst possible time to begin taking money out. All I can do about that is hope and pray for quick economic recovery.

Please do take it easy for a while and let your back settle down. As you probably know, spasms can feed on themselves in the spasm cycle. You have to break the pain-spasm-more pain-more spasm circle to get relief.

I hope you will be feeling better very soon. Think of calming, positive things. Venting here also works, so vent away!

Modelmaker

PALady,

Yep, I know all about private insurance. When I was first injured and had the fusion surgery I went out of work on a long term disability. I explored private insurance and couldn't even get coverage because of my "pre-existing condition". My former employer offered to carry me on their group insurance up to age 65 since I was injured at work. But I had to pay the COBRA type premium even though it wasn't technically COBRA which has a much shorter coverage window. I was on this insurance because it was the only thing I could find until I turned 65. The premiums were $1100 per month including separate dental coverage which I paid for the past 9 years. Now that I am turning 65 and am on Medicare plus a supplement, the premiums are significantly lower but still take a large portion of my income. I hope tthe health insurance problem in this country can get some serious attention soon. While we have some of world's best doctors and technology available, the cost of insurance seems to be out of line and growing out of control. But a meaningful solution will require a complete realignment of fiscal priorities. That gets into some politics I don't want to address in this forum. The whole situation is enough to give us backaches!

Modelmaker

Modelmaker - I'm with you on the health insurance thing, but know we can't discuss politics here, which is probably best! (we have a wise administrator who set up our boundaries!!) I was amazed to find out many of the programs don't cover pre-existing conditions for 12 months, and none of them have a prescription program, let alone dental or vision. I'm sure just about every part of my body has been touched and in some way "treated" over the past year, so what am I paying the premium for anyway? Oh, well, one day at a time. I'm having trouble with even that right now!

Laurie - please ring your bells for me, too!!

PaLady

Susie,
Thanks for telling me about the positions. That's what the nurse told me when I talked with her Friday, but hearing it from another CPP is much more reassuring!

Well, I start my prep tomorrow. (Technically later today) I have decided to make my own colonoscopy prep instructions and instead of 24 hours they are 48hrs. The FIRST 24 hrs. you can eat and drink ANYTHING you want, as much as you want, including things that have a gazillion calories that you haven't allowed yourself in years! LOL Before I hit the sack, I have a custard filled chocolate frosted doughnut to put in my tummy! i figure I will have earned it tomorrow!

And I have every kind of light colored liquid drink I could find at the store in my fridge! If I drink all that plus the prep... I just have to watch the timing on my meds, especially the seizure disorder stuff. That HAS to get absorbed and from all the instructions I've got to take those 2 hrs before or after any of the prep stuff. That's going to get tricky by later in the day! And heaven only knows whether the percocet or neurontin will get absorbed, but I guess I'll survive.

If you don't hear from me for a couple of days, don't worry. If you read very weird messages from me (even more weird than usual LOL!), don't worry either!

PaLady

White Beard,
Thanks for the chuckle re: your soon to be ex. Amazing she's not had any health issues in her life, but I guess there are a few people out there like that. Good for them, BUT I think it's really hard for them to have any empathy or sense of what we experience.

Today, so far, isn't so bad, although I know the worse is yet to come. Right now I feel like a balloon about to burst! But I sure did enjoy that doughnut last night!!!

I'm surprised I'm even on the computer, but once the balloon bursts I know where I'll be sitting.

You know, when you had so much done to your bodies, like most of us have, and struggle every day with pain and more, this kind of stuff is more of an annoyance. The most concern I have is the absorption of my seizure meds. Otherwise, this too shall pass!

PaLady
BTW, I wouldn't blame you if you were secretly smiling on your wife's prep day!