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Back Pain Community

Reply: Spinal Cord Stimulator Problems

Hello!, I have been told, prior to SCS implant, patients should have an MRI. This should...

Posted by aprilrose9

17 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Spinal Cord Stimulator Problems Hello!, I have been told, prior to SCS implant, patients should have an MRI. This should...

Reply: I had a phone interview with disability insurance

Dear Tim, Oh, that awful number crunching, which those of us who are dealing with...

Posted by aprilrose9

14 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I had a phone interview with disability insurance Dear Tim, Oh, that awful number crunching, which those of us who are dealing with...

Reply: L5/S1 post surgery issues

Hello!, You are on a boatload of meds. You should check out pain specialists in your...

Posted by aprilrose9

27 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:L5/S1 post surgery issues Hello!, You are on a boatload of meds. You should check out pain specialists in your...

Reply: I had a phone interview with disability insurance

Dear Tim, What is going on? You do not sound like yourself. Did I write something stupid...

Posted by aprilrose9

14 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I had a phone interview with disability insurance Dear Tim, What is going on? You do not sound like yourself. Did I write something stupid...

Reply: L5/S1 post surgery issues

Hello, Thank you for explaining the complexity of your situation. Excuse me if I...

Posted by aprilrose9

Hello, Thank you for explaining the complexity of your situation. Excuse me if I question a few things which may have previously been stated in your posts.

Which level did you have your surgery? Was this a single or 2 car MVA? If 2 car, were you able to receive a settlement from both insurance companies?

You seem to be very intelligent, I just wondered about a couple of these issues. You have to excuse me, because I am in pain and forget many things which have already been discussed in a post.

Your Mother is correct, ASA is a very cheap wonder drug, but too much can lead to hearing loss, cause clotting issues and since drugs are metabolized in the liver and excreated through the kidneys you do not want to stress organs with medications which have little efficacy.

You do not say the dosage of the medication. Norco has never worked for me. The dosage of your neurontin(generic) could possibly be increased or you could change medications. A small dose of methadone worked for me and it is an inexpensive medication. Many of us at this site have had positive and negative experiences with steriod injections.

The financial aspect of your situation does complicate things for you. I am unaware of treatment options for you, which could be paid for by another party. Perhaps one of the monitors would have some good suggestions for you.

I along with many others at this site, understand the problems you have described in trying to deal with severe chronic pain. I have been in so much pain, bedridden, unable to turn myself in bed, unable to watch TV, flip through a magazine or speak on the phone. I understand trying to cope with the pain.

If you could give a bit more info about the level of the surgery, perhaps others on the site could come up with some ideas to help you get some relief until your financial situation changes. I once went two years without treatment because of financial difficulties. I was homebound, my husband sold my car because I never felt good enough to go anywhere.

File for disability on your own, if you have not already done so. Appeal within the deadline. As previously mentioned, I was young when I was injured and that does make getting disability difficult, because they do not want to pay for an extended period of time. I was fortunate and found a wonderful attorney who took my case and worked like crazy on my behalf.

Keep in touch. The monitors and others may have some good ideas for you. Sorry, I wish I could be of help to you.

April-rose9View Thread

Posted byaprilrose9

27 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:L5/S1 post surgery issues Hello, Thank you for explaining the complexity of your situation. Excuse me if I...

Reply: I had a phone interview with disability insurance

Dear Tim, This is very exciting! I am not surprised to hear you are highly regarded and...

Posted by aprilrose9

14 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I had a phone interview with disability insurance Dear Tim, This is very exciting! I am not surprised to hear you are highly regarded and...

Reply: Chronic pain and permanent nerve pain after L4-S1 ...

Hello!--I agree with Tim(TRS1960) about getting a second opinion. A second opinion may...

Posted by aprilrose9

Hello!--I agree with Tim(TRS1960) about getting a second opinion. A second opinion may shed some light on the surgery you had, your progress and another course of treatment with your medications.

I get the feeling you may be a little skeptical of your current surgeon. You refered to someone as an "assistant". I recommend patients ask staff members what their title is and there roll at the office. Someone has frightened you and they may have limited or no medical training.

Maybe, a change of medication or an increase may help at this time. You do not say how much neurontin you are taking and an increase may bring you some relief while you heal post op. Bone growth occurs slowly. You listed 9.24.13 as your surgery date. Do you mean last September? You are only six months out.

I say the same thing to everyone due to my own poor experience with surgical intervention. Having more surgery does not always make you better. In my case, it made me much worse and cannot be undone. Try to get as many answers as possible. Seek a physician from the largest teaching hospital in your area. Try consevative measures while you are waiting for union of the fusion. Despite the MRI report, you may not be having pain from all or non of the discs discussed in the radiology report. Besides, a radiologist, spine surgeon and neurologist will all read your MRI differently. The fifty shades of grey--medicine style. Discography could possibly answer the question about the source of your pain.

If you have just filed for disability, make sure you appeal if you are turned down for benefits. You do not give your age, or the level of your anterior fusion. It is difficult to comment without having the complete picture.

Emotional support is so important when you are facing surgery, recovery from surgery, chronic pain, legal issues with disability, financial stress and the isolation and depression which comes with the whole mess. This site can be invaluable to people seeking information and emotional support.

Good luck, I hope you get some answers and some relief very soon.
April-Rose9View Thread

Posted byaprilrose9

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Chronic pain and permanent nerve pain after L4-S1 Fusion surgery Hello!--I agree with Tim(TRS1960) about getting a second opinion. A second opinion may...

Reply: Compression fracture extreme pain!

Dear Dan, In response to your post concerning the extreme pain you are experiencing, due...

Posted by aprilrose9

Dear Dan, In response to your post concerning the extreme pain you are experiencing, due to the T-9 and T-10 fractures and your other medical issue with Crohn's disease, I wanted to just send a note your way. First, I am so sorry to hear what you are experiencing at your young age.

Many of us understand the depression, fear and isolation which accompanies severe pain. Sometimes, we all wonder if the pain will ever get better and will we turn the corner with improved health.

You do not say what your physician has told you to expect in terms of the outcome of the fractures, the steroids and the relationship to your diagnosis of Crohn's disease. While you have youth on your side, the healing time is prolonged due to your other medical/medication complication. What is the expected time period for the fractures to heal? Getting further information from your physician can sometimes help to alleviate some of the stress of an illness. Bring a list of questions when you go to your next appointment, so you can get your questions answered before your doc does the famous "backward walk out of the doorway". I swear, this is the first thing they learn on the first day of medical school.

You do not mention anything about pain medications. To get your pain under control and to be able to sleep would help a great deal with the fear and depression. Is your physician aware of the extent of your pain? Don't worry about making noise when you are in severe pain. Do you have a relative who can step up and be a strong advocate for you? Sometimes, it takes someone to voice observations concerning the severity of your pain and the limits on your activities of daily living.

There have been so many young people who have left info on this site this past week. It is truly heartbreaking to hear their stories and to hear your story. I can tell you sleep would help. Have you tried a heating pad? I don't mean to ask stupid questions, but sometimes we all miss an obvious, simple palliative measure. Check into pain medication or a change in medication. If you hit a roadblock, request a consult to a pain management clinic. Many worry about the addictive issue of opioids, but your pain may not require that course of treatment. Clearly, your pain is not acceptably managed at this point and that is unacceptable care.

Keep in touch with people who are understanding of your current medical situation. Despite the pain, due the best you can to not isolate yourself due to your current homebound situation. Try to remind yourself that this is a temporary situation. Many of us understand the loneliness and isolation you are experiencing. I was bedridden for a long time and often wondered if the pain would ever end. While my situation is different, I do understand the pain and the emotions which accompany chronic pain. Reach out to the people at this site. There are many kind people here, who will send good information and emotional support your way.

Remember, the muscle spams are only due to the nerve irritation. While they hurt, it is only a symptom. Our good old muscles cannot work without our good old nerves. Just try to move slowly, and ask for assistance if needed. Sometimes, the walker is not enough support.

As always, I am very long winded and did not send much in the way of information. I wanted to say hello and let you know I do have an understanding of the emotions you are experiencing.

Take care,
April-Rose9View Thread

Posted byaprilrose9

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Compression fracture extreme pain! Dear Dan, In response to your post concerning the extreme pain you are experiencing, due...

Reply: L5/S1 post surgery issues

Dear L1-S5 post surgery issues, I can completely identify with your story. I was a bit...

Posted by aprilrose9

Dear L1-S5 post surgery issues, I can completely identify with your story. I was a bit older at age 32yrs. old when I was injured and know it is a painful, frustrating and scary time to be young and in chronic pain.

Depending on where you live, I would recommend you see a physician at the largest teaching hospital in your area. First see a spine specialist. A neuro doc and an ortho spine specialist will interpret your situation differently. I personally would go the neuro route first and if you hit a roadblock with this appointment, next visit should be to the ortho spine specialist.

There are two different approaches for pain clinics. Some provide nerve blocks and some provide opioids for pain relief. I had three surgeries in three years and it only made me much much worse. I always caution people to think seriously about further surgery and try conservative measures as a first form of treatment. Of course, surgery can be a medical necessity and cannot be avoided in some cases.

Also, when you see further physicians, listen very closely to the words they chose. I am a little,( just a little) suspicious of your story, in that I wonder if there was something other than the incisional closure post op infection. The medical community can be very tight lipped if a problem has occured as the result of surgery. If something did go wrong surgically, you will have just one year or less to file a claim against the surgeon. I am not an attorney, but this was info from a family friend(attorney).

Speaking of time. If you have filed for disability, check with a disability attorney immediately, if you do not have one and make sure you file an appeal within the specific time frame or you will potentially loose out on benefits for that period. I did not file with an attorney, did not appeal and lost out on 25K in benefits. I had received poor advise from my mother (an HR director).

I have forgotten some of your story, so forgive me if I have written some things that do not make sense. Have you been on something for nerve pain. Neurontin(may be spelled incorrectly) a non narcotic for nerve pain can be helpful. Originally it was used as an anti seizure medication. Due to your other medical diagnosis, I am not sure if this would be contraindicated, but I would request a script for this as a starting point. You need something for pain relief while you are waiting to get in to see a physician.

In the meantime, try heat on your back. Some people say ice, but that only makes my back worse. I have had many heating pads over the years, far too many to count and this can be a pallative short term measure.

Good luck. I have had many long periods where I wondered if I would ever feel better. Many of us at this site completely understand and are a source of emotinal support. There are monitors of this site, who check this page very often and they can be a great source of information in all areas of back injuries, complications and treatment options for those posting.

Take care,
April-Rose9View Thread

Posted byaprilrose9

27 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:L5/S1 post surgery issues Dear L1-S5 post surgery issues, I can completely identify with your story. I was a bit...

Reply: I had a phone interview with disability insurance

Dear Tim. You have so much medical documentation, the recent high BP with the increased...

Posted by aprilrose9

14 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:I had a phone interview with disability insurance Dear Tim. You have so much medical documentation, the recent high BP with the increased...

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