A bit better!

Well since my increase on the Neurontin things have been going much better. It was definitely much needed. The only trouble I have ran into is the communication between my doctor and his nurse is not good. So he told me to increase pain meds until we could get the increase of Neurontin. So when I took to get my meds filled early she denied bc she wouldn't talk to him. It took me telling her of the office manager being present to talk with him and sure enough it was confirmed so she talked with him and sure enough he told her I'm sorry I forgot to note that. Ugh. Good way to screw me over really! So I will be having the convo to always note my chart immediately bc this made me look like the crazy lady that just wanted more meds. So that being said I'm just glad the pain is getting better. Now onto my CT scan. The resents of it was not at all good. I have a bone spur that has formed in my L4/L5. Moderate foraminal narrowing at my L4/L5 which is scary bc they said once it reaches severe there would be no choice but to have surgery. I've basically had not hardly any activity since my surgery, however I now have a bulging disc at my L3/L4. This in itself is scary bc it was fine on the CT in February and now it's buldging after spending most that time on bed rest. I don't know if I can keep getting this ugly news. My neurosurgeons main concern is to keep from operating on me for as long as possible but more importantly to keep me out of a wherlchair is his ultimate goal. So we will continue to take it easy. I have an appointment on Wednesday with a new internal medicine doctor. I'm praying she will follow me now. I've just been using urgent care when I am sick. I refuse to allow anyone but my PM to prescribe my meds no matter what even though I can use urgent care and the ER but my PM has always gotten me in quickly so I have never had to resort to any of that. I'm hoping we can get an appt with urology about my bladder and the frequent UTI. I've had 3 in 3 months. They are pretty sure I now have a neurogenic bladder. We know some nerves to my bladder has been cut. So I will find out more soon about that. Everything is going better pain wise so waiting here and there for these appts isn't as bad. Hope this finds everyone else with low pain.

PM, I am so happy to read the pain is finally starting to decrease with the Neurotin being increased. I guess we will have to let you be our poster child that narcotics have little to no effect on true nerve pain. We preach that here at the forum & so few really believe us, they seem to think a narcotic is the all time fixer of every pain.

Wow, I hate it that you had the issue with the nurse but thank goodness the dr owned up to messing up but again, you should have never been put in that position to begin with.

You know, try not to let the CT report get you down. It is common for discs above or below a fusion to bulge because of the pressure that is placed on the spine after a fusion is done. Granted your happened quickly, but keep in mind this is your 5th surgery I believe. Each time they go into the back like that believe it or not the area does weaken regardless of what any dr will tell you.

Just keep on doing what you are suppose to & I know you are sick of hearing that & sick of doing it, but you will be rewarded for your efforts. Keep up the good work.

I too am glad you found some better relief with the increase and like Susie said narcotics no matter the dose have little to no effect on nerve pain but ppl still tend to run the narcs up higher seeking relief but won't try any of the nerve meds because the fear of side effects.

Hopefully you'll continue to heal and mend and don't dwell much on the mri it's looking pretty par from my experience.