Hi Granny:
I will try again. I just lost all my entry. I am sitting, sick with a virus.
I did see a couple people on a forum for Arthritis in Canada, comments about
plaquenil. One person was just beginning to use it and one person said it did not work and did not continue using it. That person has tried numerous meds. Medications are individual, what works for one may not in another.
I also go to the posts for Fibromyalgia. From reading the posts I now understand that much of my pain is from Fibro. Some people get relief from Tramadol. I have not been prescribed Tramadol on an ongoing basis. I see a Headache and Pain Relief Doctor. He gave me a prescript
ion for Tramadol as I was just off Lyrica and not doing well. We were going on a trip and I was not at all sure if I could do it. Of all places we were going to San Francisco. I told my Husband I could not walk up hills. He said, we will take a cab. On transit I use my soft collar. We did use the cable cars. Most of the trip was with a group with itineraries. I do need rest breaks. My Doctor said when you walked too much go back to the Hotel and take a Tramadol and rest. I started with 1/2 as I was not sure what it would do to me. It helped some. My Doctor said it is OK to use but not every day. I do understand why people take it everyday. It is not easy living with Chronic Pain.
The other pain meds were prescribed by Doctors in a Pain Management Clinic in a Hospital. Oddly, they had no Rheumatologists on board at the Clinic. Not going there anymore. I might have continued with the Fentanyl Patch but I got very sick and thought it might be the meds. I had like a flu. Then the Neurologist prescribed Oxycontin. The trial for this was brief. It was way over the top for me. Spaced out of my mind. The Neurologist would not try any more pain meds. Was told I need long term Physio in a community setting. The Hospital could not provide long term Physio.
It is my headaches that make my life ever so difficult. They started at work. I was looking down reading and all of a sudden I was getting pressure in my head. My Doctor was right next door. A CT scan was done and it called for an MRI. They did not think I had a stroke. I did the MRI in Buffalo. The wait was long in Canada. We did get the cost given back by one Insurance. I did not see the results until several years after. I do have foci in white matter that the Technician suggested are seen in patients with migraines. I had 2 migraines with aura many years before. The Technician indicated that they are not the same as seen in patients with MS. I was referred, prior to the Pain Management Clinic, to a Neurologist. He was a top Doctor in TO. He did not think I had a Neurological condition. In a brief half hour, ruled out carpel tunnel. I have carpel tunnel. He was the Doctor who saw the MRI results. Years later I saw an obituary for the Doctor. Oddly, he was a migraine sufferer.
A second MRI was done by an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor who was seeing why I have a hearing problem. I hear sound but cannot get clarity. I need to be face to face to hear a conversation. I would of course like the headaches to end but getting hearing back would be a close second. I wear 2 hearing aids that provide minimal help. It is something that runs in the Family. The second MRI still sees the foci. My Headache Doctor said not to worry, they would go away if the headaches stop - not yet.
I was referred to one Rheumatologist who thought I was getting enough care and would not take me on as a patient. I will admit that she put me in tears. I was so positive that I would now get help, not to be. My job required about
90% data entry. I was provided a medical note for my Employers. I asked about
my work. She said I could not continue doing the data entry, said perhaps I could be a Consultant. I worked as long as I could. I hit nerves twice. The second time I could not return to my job. On disability but did require help from a Lawyer.
I commend you for your very difficult work and for your desire to stay on the job.
Take care.
Loring,
Osteoarthrtis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...
Post Edited (Loring) : 10/14/2014 12:54:43 PM (GMT-6)