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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/26/2010 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
and you'll crack? I think I want to crack right now. Even just for a few minutes. Is it too much to ask to go a week or two without something new and crappy? For the first time in recent memory, I had an okay week (pain wise) last week. Don't ask me why because it was a pretty stressful week for many reasons, but I just took it for the gift it was. So what happens to start off this week? A kidney infection. Why can't I go more than a week without something going wrong? The last thing I wanted was to see my doctor again right now- I am so doctored out. At this point, I feel like telling them that as long as they can keep me supplied with enough pain medication to keep me functioning on my worst days, I won't bother them unless I am half dead because I just don't care any more. They can't find the source of my pain, so they can't make it better. All the test results show only slight disc herniations, at least in my neck. They didn't bother to continue the MRI into my thoracic spine or look at the area I broke 20 years ago, which is where I tore ligaments and tendons and am having a lot of pain, so who knows if anything is going on there.

Oh well. I guess I will go try to find my positive attitude again. It has to be around here somewhere. :) The nice thing is that my 14 year old is home from his summer at his Dad's and is helping me with his little brother. He's being very understanding that I can't go take him running around to do things.I wish I could. I'm bored too! I'm hoping by this weekend I'll feel better enough to do something with him. Right now, even my tramadol isn't helping a bit with the pain. Thanks for listening.
Posted 8/27/2010 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are having so many problems. Yes, I feel that way sometimes but right now it is the heat here in So Cal. It was 105 today. Too darned hot for me I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 8/27/2010 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
thank you for the response. I know my problems are minor compared to many others. I'm in So Cal too, although it didn't get quite that hot where I am (closer to the coast) but still too hot.
Posted 8/27/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I feel your pain and your frustration! I am so doctored out too and so tired of hurting. It just never lets up. At least you can say you did have a good week, although I think that makes it even worse sometimes because it gives us a glimpse of better times.

I'll keep you in my prayers. They are about all I have right now to keep me going. I'm right there with you!
Posted 8/27/2010 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Cal,
I'm so sorry your feeling overwehled (sp?) at this time...
Maybe you should say no...no more tests no more feeling like a huge pin cushion, just
"NO"....Maybe cancel all your appointments for a week and take your boys to a movie..
the tests and such will still be there when your up to it...
I've done this and it can help...you can even just rent a movie...there is always something
read an old book....
Hope your feeling better soon...
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Cal))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
hugz
I'm tired of nothing showing up on my bloodwork, but everything turning up on mri's or ct's..
I'm tired of getting dx'd.........
Posted 8/27/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
 

  Dear CG,

 

     Good morning *hugg* I am glad you could stop by. It is always good to hear from you. I hope you get atleast a little energy back today... though I have a bad feeling you are still experiencing high pain.

 

     LIke under, I too wish they had completed the MRI. It is important that your whole spine is looked at, especially with your history. Add in the fact that your pain has been so high for so long.. I could just shake them. I really hope they have better ideas for helping you with your pain atleast.

 

     It doesnt sound like the dose of tramadol is helping. Have they considered upping the dose? Or adding in a muscle relaxor? I know a lot of people "read" the warning that comes with tramadol and being to worry before even trying it...  but I take it AND tricyclics, muscle relaxor, steroid to name a few.. no problems from the combination. There are possible negative interactions with most all meds. SO, it is something to consider talking to your doctor about.

 

     I completly understand about not wanting to see doctors. All year I have heard the same thing. "Why didnt you come in? This is important and needs to be addressed." .... All I say is "Oh yea, would YOU want to come here?" . These doctors, no matter how good or bad..  they need to realize that we dont have the time nor the energy, to see them constantly.

 

     Most of all I hope you can feel better soon. Hopefully you can find a few moments to relax and get some real rest today.

 

*hugg*
   dani

Posted 8/29/2010 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the kind responses. These forum's are such a supportive place to be. I don't post much, but I do read almost every day. It just gets so aggravating to have my PCP act like I have nothing better to do than come in and drop yet another co-pay. I will admit I actually felt a perverse sense of satisfaction going in there knowing for sure that I at least had a UTI and probably worse, given my fever and symptoms. I felt like HA! At least THAT will show on your stupid test! Lol. A bit self defeating, I know. But so tired of being told " Sorry, we can't find anything wrong" or "Your blood work came back normal" and feeling so terrible.

Yes, the pain is still pretty bad. I am so tired of hearing " Be careful with the pain medication" I am extremely conservative with it. I take it only when I absolutely can't function. Most days, I just live with the pain because I am terrified of running out of what little pain medication I have, and that they will decide not to refill it. The PA that gave me the tramadol, and who was hands down the BEST medical practitioner I have met in probably 20 years joined the Navy at the end of last month. She is the only one that has outright told me that it is absolute BS that my pain has been left untreated and rolled her eyes at how much crap my primary gives me about treating it - I've been in pain since I was 16, and always treated it with OTC medication when necessary, which worked just fine. Until the last year and a half, when my pain literally when through the roof. You are correct Dani, the tramadol is definitely NOT enough. Vicoden works better, but my primary practically has a coronary about giving me 30 every 6 months. Never mind giving it to me more frequently than that. Tramadol was the only thing the PA could give me that she was allowed to provide a refill with, and she wanted to make sure I had something to at least help me SOME until I was able to get an appointment with the orthopedic spine specialist that she pushed my primary doctor to refer me to. I have that appointment this Wednesday. I can't say I'm looking forward to it, given my current attitude toward doctors but maybe he will surprise me and help me. They also have a pain specialist on staff at the orthopedic office. So, we shall see what happens Wednesday and if any faith in doctors can be restored. Thanks again for the encouraging words. :)

As for the MRI, I had the brain MRI because my migraines had gone from a few a year to daily, so they wanted to make sure there wasn't anything else going on there besides the migraines (there wasn't). And the C-spine, because my doctor was convinced that my pain was originating from pinched nerves in my neck, so they only requested approval for brain and c-spine MRI from my insurance company. I have a 2mm herniation between C6 & 7, towards the right. But all my pain is on the left.
Posted 8/29/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
 

   Dear CG,

 

     I love my spine specialists. The difference is like night and day. I could go on and on about mine. I have a progressive spinal deformity and they are a true blessing in my life. I really hope you get one that is proactive.  You have been in such extreme pain for so long that it is high time you got some much needed help.

 

      What is the "mg" of the tramadol? Is she authorized to increase the dose? It can go to 300-400 depending on patient. It might be worth asking about? Or you might not want to deal with it atall since your appointment is only a few days away.

 

      Most of all I really hope you are able to get your pain down enough to get some rest. You are in our hearts here! Hang in there!

 

*hugg*
  dani

Posted 8/29/2010 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
hey caligirl, i know the stress is so much worse when you cannot put your finger on exactly what is causing the pain and it is ridiculous when docs squirm about joint giving you pain meds. it's like they take it personally when you ask for quality of life. they are not all that way but sometimes you have got to look for awhile. i hope the ortho-spine specialists is a good and compassionate one. there are many tools in his bag to find the cause of your pain: CT scans, regular X-rays, myleograms, diskograms, and medial-branch nerve blocks. i hope they do not have to do the more invasive ones. a friend of mine is a orthopedic surgeon who has since retired that worked with coal miners in W Virginia and he told me there where times when all the test came back negative but due to the patients complaints and there reflex testing he whould operate anyway; and sure enough there would be a big disk bulge or a arthritic facet joint that was the cause. make sure you are confident and comfortable with your surgeon and from the sound of it you been run through the ringer with doctors so im sure your assesment will be very good. you also are entitled to adequate pain managment so if your tramadol is not helping much let the ortho know, if he has a problem with that he may not be the surgeon you want. also its been my experience that the pain mg. doctors in orthopedic groups want to do everything but perscribe meds. pain management is best with a multidisciplinary approach realistically the meds are the most effective method, most certainly with many sources of pain like your fibro, migraines, and spinal pain. if they do a myleogram or diskogram ask them for the nice little sedation cocktail of fentanyl and versed or propafol; those test are a little rough. if you are not happy with this ortho;and i hope you are; i have heard of a spine center all the way here in virginia called Saint John's spinal center in california but im not sure what part. God bless you and i will keep you in my prayers that you get a brake from this pain a too many doctor visits. good luck.
Posted 8/29/2010 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Dani, I hope my experience is as positive as yours. My primary has not so much as done a single x-ray of the area that is causing me pain. My tramadol is 50mg, and I believe it is the lowest there is. A half of a 5/500 vicoden does far more in terms of pain relief than this does. The first time I took it, it seemed to help, but now I get next to nothing. No more relief than a tylenol. And I have only taken 15 of them in the past 5 weeks, so I know it isn't as if I've built up any tolerance.

spinal soldier, I know. I swear there should be a way for them to simulate chronic pain for doctors during their training for about 6 months so they can get a taste of what it is like and generate a little compassion. The ortho office I have been referred to has excellent reviews. I'm seeing a spine surgeon, but I'm sure there is a reason I was referred to him. He must evaluate and determine if surgery is necessary as well, otherwise I doubt I would have been sent to him? I just want to be able to use my left side again without my arm going numb. This office also has a rehabilitation and pain management specialist on staff who specializes in non-surgical treatment. At this point, everything is painful, whether sitting, standing or laying down. I am not a chicken, so to speak about tests. I just wish one of them would show what the problem is rather than telling me everything seems to look fine. If it were fine, I wouldn't be in this much pain.

Thank you all for the kind wishes and support.
Posted 8/30/2010 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
Caligirl, Hang in there! I have been there, you replied to my post, and thank you. We all get disgusted with the constant appointments and things that pop up all the time. The chronic issues I deal with make the little things not so little anymore.

I will be praying for you, and hope you find an answer soon. I agree with RetiredMom, maybe the good weeks do let us get a glimpse of what we want more than anything, only to set us up for dissappointment when the pain or issues come back? Do you ever take a day just to unplug or unwind and do what you want to do, keeping in mind what your pain level is? Small goals can at times make things easier to see as accomplishments.

Praying for you!
Posted 8/30/2010 8:19 AM (GMT 0)
Cali,

I understand where you are coming from with the "slight herniation" comment. When the first MRI I had done revealed that I had a herniated disc, the key let down was that my doc told me it couldn't be causing the pain because it wasn't "touching the nerves". The fact that it was a slight herniation just seemed to add icing on a cake of low significance.

A latter MRI revealed that the herniation had become larger, and that it was touching nerves. Makes me wonder if the herniation was "slight" back then or if I was just being told that but a less sympathetic doctor.

I would IMHO talk to your insurance company about getting a second MRI done.
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