My appointment went fairly well. I typed up a list of the symptoms I've been experiencing and gave it to my doctor because I tend to forget things when I go to medical appointments. We talked for...
I'm sorry I took so long to respond. Yesterday was busy and I didn't realize there were so many new responses! Thank you all for your advice. It has been my primary care doc prescribing the vicodin...
I'm hoping she's back from vacation. It was a colleague of hers that refilled my prescriptions last week. She allows whoever is covering for her vacation to order prescription renewals, and it was my...
I'm sorry if I'm rambling today. I'm having a very emotional day....
I'm not sure. I sent a message via the office's online system earlier today, but haven't heard back yet. That likely means she's back though, since if she's not in the office a member of her office...
Thanks for the advice. I had already sent a message to my primary care doctor because there was a mix up regarding my most recent medication renewal. It was handled by someone else in her office...
I have not been referred to a pain management doctor yet, and I'm not entirely sure why my primary care doctor hasn't referred me yet. The vicodin and muscle relaxant both help, but the doses seem...
I'm having trouble getting through to my doctor that my current treatment is inadequate. I'm currently taking a low dose of Vicodin, a prescription NSAID, a low dose of a muscle relaxant, Cymbalta,...
Not really. I've taken this medication on multiple instances, at times for very long periods of time. I've only taken it at a low dose though. The only thing I have noticed is that when stopping it,...
My first guess would be thrush if the coating is white (yeast), and your doctor can prescribe something to take care of other. Other than that, I'm not sure....
Welcome SoSickAndTired, My medical history is very similar to yours. Did you ever have a fusion for the scoliosis? I did when I was twelve, but the discs below the fusion degraded to the point where...
I'm sorry to hear that you may need to have repeated surgeries, but glad to hear that this one went well. It sounds like you have a very optimistic attitude, which I believe can help a ton with...
Thanks for all of your great advice. Jim1969: I'll have to look into the visiting nurse thing, or volunteers. In regard to sending her to stay with her grandparents, that's not a feasible option for...
Chartreux: Thanks for the advice. Does insurance typically pay for a visiting nurse? What types of things do they handle? I've never had a visiting nurse before, even though I've had three previous...
My surgeon had a spot open up in his schedule, so my surgery has been moved up to March 1st & 2nd. He will be removing three discs (L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1) and extending my scoliosis fusion to my...
Thanks for the update. I'm sad to hear that you've been having such a difficult time. You are such a strong person to still be functioning at all despite all that is happening to you....
Congratulations! From what I have heard, I understand that this process can be quite lengthy and difficult. I've never understood what you are supposed to do financially during the years while you...
No, I could never get my cats to help out like that, and I don't have any dogs. But my 3 year old daughter is my little helper. If she's around, and I drop something on the floor, or need something...
If you are taking your medications as directed, and are taking them legitimately to treat pain, then you are not addicted. You probably will eventually develop a tolerance, and your body will become...
I don't know anything about dealing with insurance companies with respect to motor vehicle accident personal injury claims, but I just wanted to welcome you to the forums. I am so sorry you have had...
I don't have any suggestions regarding plantar fasciitis, but I just wanted to let you know that I hope you're able to find something that can give you some relief. **hugs**...
I everyone. My pain level has been pretty high lately -- worse than normal. I have an appointment next week for a second opinion regarding back surgery. The first surgeon recommended extending my...
Thank you all for your advice and support. I'm anxiously awaiting my appointment with the second surgeon for a second opinion. I really hate the uncertainty more than anything right now. I apologize...
Hi Everyone, I don't remember where I left off with my last update, so I apologize if I'm repeating myself a bit here. I had a consultation with a surgeon a several weeks ago, who recommended that I...
White Beard: I wish you the best for a quick and thorough recovery. I'm sorry to hear that your doctors had not been treating your post surgical pain properly, and hope that they are treating it...
I'm guessing that I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon instead of a neurosurgeon if they were considering the fusion. It's my understanding that neurosurgeons handle disc surgeries though. A...
Vanessa, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you a speedy recovery from this unfortunately setback....
Straydog, yes, you are reading my post correctly. I'd have to go back and reread my previous medical records, but if I went through with it I'd be fused from approximately T2 or T3 all the way to the...
I had my first appointment today with the orthopedic surgeon that my pain management doctor referred me to. He's suggesting that all three of the discs below my scoliosis fusion be removed, and that...
Thanks MIKEL99 and damouthy1....
I know it has been a while, but do any of you remember me? I wasn't doing well at all the last time I was here. That continued for quite some time. I had a brief period where I was feeling slightly...
I always mean to log on more frequently, but life has been so hectic lately that days slip by before I get a chance to return. I really need to make it a priority to check back in more frequently....
I'm sorry you've been put through so much. I wish you luck in finding something that works for you. And you're right, it does seem wrong that a psychologist can deny a patient a treatment recommended...
That is very strange that it could come up with a level of zero. Perhaps the lab messed up when running the test, or mixed up the samples, or something like that. Or is it possible that the test was...
I feel like I've been completely useless lately. I go to work -- when I can -- but am not very productive. I get home, barely can help with our daughter, and then do no chores around the house. I...
Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and to let you know that I wish you well at your appointment today. Be sure to let us know how it goes....
I have a herniation at that level as well, and also at L5/S1 and L3/L4. I do not know anything about DDI treatments. I have been referred to a neurosurgeon as well, but this was after trying many...
I was mistaken when I posted last night. My doctor had called me. He must have called during the 2% of the day when I wasn't near my cell phone, and I forgot to check for voicemails. You'd think I...
So...no response from my doctor today. I sent him a message using the online system, but I didn't receive a call back. For this doctor, the online system is frequently more efficient than calling....
I'm nervously awaiting the results of the MRI that was done on Sunday. I was told that my (pain management) doctor would receive the report from the radiologist on Wednesday (tomorrow) or Thursday....
How do I keep my medication secure in my home while I'm not there? There are far too many bottles to carry with me at all times, plus I wouldn't want to risk losing all of my meds or having all of my...
I've always been tempted to use those carts, but never feel like I'm "disabled enough" to use them. Which is probably crazy since I'm frequently in so much pain I can barely stand, and I'm clinging...
I will keep you in my thoughts and I wish you the best possible outcome for your situation. This is a lot to go through. Based on your talking about school, I'm guessing you are quite young. Is this...
I've practically given up on the idea of being able to do housework. I try sometimes, but pay for it for days after doing something as simple as cooking a meal or doing a load of laundry. My husband...
My husband and I took my daughter to the Children's Museum on Saturday, which was hard for me, but not too bad. I sat while she played much of the time. He did much of the chasing after her. We...
The new MRI has been scheduled for Sunday, September 5. The appointment with the surgeon will be scheduled after he reviews the MRI report. I spoke with my doctor again today, because I didn't feel...
Thanks, everyone. Yes, my doctor is starting me slow on the topomax. He did warn me that some people don't tolerate it well, but I agreed that it was worth a shot since just about anything is right...
Thanks, Skeye. My doc increased my vicodin slightly (from 50-60 pills/month), has me switching (slowly) from lyrica to topomax, is scheduling me for a new MRI, and has referred me to a surgeon. The...
Thanks, Mama6. The list is a good idea. I'll see if I can get something put together before my appointment. Specific dates will be hard, but a list of things tried with general dates (e.g. summer 09,...
You might remember from my previous posts that I tried my appointment with my pain management doctor moved up from its current 9/7 date, but they had nothing available. My pain level has been much...