I got my neurotimulator on September 9th and saw my surgeon last week. From a surgical point of view it seems that all is going well. I keep it on 24 hours a day and while it isn't helping alot yet,...
I understand and have been going through the same thing lately. I just had a major surgery to help with pain but had a total emotional plunge...for me at least what keeps me going is my son. I wonder...
My first one didn't work for four weeks and just when I had given up hope it kicked in and I had excellent relief for til my next one. It is frustrating when everyone thinks you "are better". I...
Thank you Laura...I am blessed that my doctor is a world recognized neuro-surgeon. I absolutely understand your concern about a trial and I discussed that at length with him. He felt very confident...
Thank you - where I live they don't do trials - I was awake for the first part of the surgery and they turned on the stimulator then. I told them I could feel it and that it felt weird - it doesn't...
I just had my operation on Friday for my neurostimulator - I was awake for the first half and then asleep for the rest. They turned it on the afternoon of my surgery but I was still pretty out of it...
Requiem....I noticed that you did give a technical definition of fibromyalgia but you didn't answer her question and I too am quite interested to know.... NiNi, years ago, I was given a diagnosis of...
I have been in tears for the past 5 days thinking about my surgery....it is taking over everything I do (or don't do because of it). I even had to leave church on Sunday because I couldn't stop...
Laura, I hope that you are having a better day today......
Requiem...thank you for your comments. From your many posts it is obvious that you are very knowledgeable. I am very nervous about the procedure but not my surgeon. In the part of Canada where I...
I know Scarred...it is horrible when you know you have done all that you can do and nothing will stop it. I just cry - sometimes it releases the emotional pain which can help the tiniest bit with the...
I am not getting a temporary stimulator - I will be awake for the first part and then once my doctor is pleased with it they will put me to sleep and implant it under my abdomen. I believe I was also...
Hi, I found it interesting to see this general topic on the forum earlier today as I have finally gotten a surgery date. I am having it done where I live in Canada and I am pretty scared that it...
Truthfully, I hate all meds...I worry about the long term effects of everything I take, both narcotic and non-narcotic. I am especially concerned with the narcotic meds - that over time, the levels...
Thanks Screaming Eagle - you are a very compassionate person. Mine is February 21st...
Thank you all for your kind words and constructive suggestions. I guess it is is really a matter of taking it "day by day" or even hour by hour depending on the day. My son is off on missions trip...
Thanks Loretta, it is frustrating...to top off my pain day my brother told me he may have to move pretty far away for work....he is someone I count on when things get really bad...I tried to be...
I have had major swelling in my feet and other joints (unknown reasons...waiting for results from more blood work and chest X-ray) and was finally put on a diuretic for it. The swelling is coming...
Are you referring to a spinal neurostimulator?...
I wonder if a bed purchase with a script would be deductible in Canada...I think it may be worth looking into. After you have had the bed for a while could you post if is making a big difference for...
It is great when a med is working well...that being said, I am with the folks above....the meds will work as long as we are sensible (I sound like one of my friends who loves to tell me all the time...
Jim, what I like so much about your story is the slow and steady way you helped him to achieve his goal. That is cool....your son has a very determined attitude and so must you for helping him to...
Thanks Jim... my doc has sent me for quite a bit of blood work and I went back today but didn't get to see my regular doc so I wasn't really listened to which is too bad. I was sent though for more...
Thank you SE.... Oh dear Anthony... what I just read sounds very complicated and difficult to have to deal with. I will keep you in my prayers......
Both my feet are swollen to the point that I can't wear any of my shoes other than flip flops. My left is much more swollen - it looks really bad. I am going to the doctor tomorrow but it isn't my...
I appologize for my lack of knowledge but do want to educate myself so that I can be supportive. What is RSD? I can tell that it is something causing you to be very upset and so I am sorry that you...
Interesting...I live in Nova Scotia and you have to go throught the hospital where we do have a pain clinic (I think there is only one for the province). The wait time got so long (2+ years) that...
Thanks for all of the suggestions. It is carbs...killers...so I did buy some fresh berries and carrots today as well as some melatonin. I will start it tonight (in a few minutes actually...lol) and...
I eat (which is NOT good and I am trying to find ways to stop doing it), read, check my email, or sometimes turn the tv or portable dvd player (I use earphones so as not to wake my son) on for a bit....
I hope your out of pocket expenses end at 1200...I can only imagine the stress that is added to an already challenging issue. Here, it can be difficult to get surgery and the wait times are long but...
Suzane, Thanks for your wonderful Canadian welcome. I am sorry to hear that you can't work anymore...you wrote with an emotion that tells me you were truly in love with what you did. The children I...
Thanks for your replies and I did look at the chronic pain 101 already... :) I will load up on the rabbit food idea...it is a good one. I dislike water but do find myself drinking tons of it now...
Thanks for your response. I will head to the pharmacy in the morning and will do some googling tonight....
I will be in prayer for you. I have just found this group today for the very reason you wrote about - not wanting to be a whiner and feeling as though my family is getting tired of hearing about my...
I have been diagnosed with failed back syndrome (3 failed back surgeries for disks) and arachnoiditis (nerve block gone wrong) and so am now dealing with extreme chronic pain (ranging between 5-9 on...