Posted 2/19/2014 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Well, just got out of my Emergency Pain Management appointment.
Discussed my ongoing migraines, new neck and shoulder pain, as well as how the Norco isn't working at keeping me below an 8-9/10 for my back and legs.
My wife came with me, I rarely bring her with me as she gets more fired up at the PA/Doc then I do..and by fire up I don't mean she yells/screams/etc. etc...she just stands up for me. Asks direct questions/makes firm statements...I get so nervous/anxious around my doctors. Really need to work on that :/
Anyways, the Nurses said they knew things were bad because I brought my wife to advocate/give her experience with my pain a lot better than I could ever do.
The PA says that the top of one of my neck discs is losing it's height more so than the average person...and is leading to arthritis...I need to ask more questions about this...because I have no idea what they means about losing the height...basically says it's not as protected as other discs...and can lead to shoulder pain/headaches...etc.
Probably will get a new MRI on it, if the injections don't help as much as they'd like.
The plan of action now is to do a new neck/facet injection then a lower back injection. Hope those help...
The PA is also going to have the doctor move me from Norco 10 to Percocet 10. Anyone know how big of a jump this is? I've read anywhere from 1.5x to 2.5x stronger...any chance of withdrawl from Norco?
Also, I got samples of Celebrex as well...hoping that helps...but Celebrex along with Lyrica and Cymbalta...and everything else means we will be throwing down some money on my Medication :( My wife(who is the breadwinner and takes great care of me) tell me to stop worrying about the money. Makes me both grateful for her, but at the same time down about how much money I cost her.
Really a big change in attitude from my doctors...as they went from, "we aren't comfortable giving you stronger medication..." to "Let's try this, this, this, and this...." I guess my patience/perseverance in continuing to be honest about my pain and work with them is starting to pay off.
Really want to thank everyone here for giving me the time/place to vent...