Where to start?

[Katie]

Oh Cin, I'm so sorry. I wish there was something I could do or say to make things better. <--- This is the best I can do :-( We'll chat, OK?

[Cindylou]

Thank-you Hooch and Katie.

I feel like I made some progress today. I called and made my appt. with a new back doctor, 3 weeks from today. I also had my monthly pain management appt. this morning. We are, once again, going to try and double my fentanyl patch starting tomorrow. She (NP) said no one is really on the low dose patch like I have been on. So time to bump it up. She also said if the lumbar rhizotomy (still haven't heard from insurance yet) doesn't bring the necessary relief then we need to pursue the spinal cord stimulator. I tend to agree with this, but I still want to meet with the new back doc, with fresh eyes, and pick his brain as well. Oh, I am so tired and in pain, so am gonna cut this short. Will post more as I think of things tomorrow......

[Greg]

CL,

Sorry I'm so late in chiming in on this thread but I take full advantage of the emails I receive when someone replies to a thread I have subscribed to (get them instantly on my phone) so the moajority of the time I read someone's post right after they put it up and then forget to reply.....I know, excuses, excuses 2 Things I want to say:

1) I am so happy that the PM place you are at seem like "somewhat" of a compassionate and understanding group that most importantly listens to your needs and is increasing your dose because it is needed and you asked for it. I have used the fentanyly patches before I found them to be completely ineffective UNLESS you get to a high enough dosage.....could have been because I had nasty pain though! Especially since their 72 hour patches so if your on a small does thats not a lot of medication every hour! So I am happy they are increasing your meds and hope it is to a level that satisfies you and brings you pain to a tolerable enough level to be able to function in life.

2) OMG!!!!! CL, I knew you've had lost of issues with your spine and body with all kinds of diagnosis' and subsequent surgeries but I had NO IDEA you had so much going on. It makes me feel bad for whining about my SI joints hurting when you were given a book for your MRI report. I cant believe with everything you've been diagnosed with that you still function and live a life. I'm sure spending time at the cabin helps relax and occupy the mind and hopefully subdue some of your pain. So.....WOW! God Bless your soul and you are truly an inspriation to me now to keep my head up high and realize that my problems arent that bad. With everything you listed in the beggining of this thread describing your diagnosis' are all of them causes (or potential) causes of pain? Just wondering.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well with the upcoming appt with the new back doctor. Hopefully a lot of your issues can be solved with conservative treatment as you have been through so much already and such a wonderful person like you doesnt deserve to have to endure many more spine surgeries! Wishing you the best CL and I hope it all ends well......well, at least the increase in patch does will help

[ajj1001]

I feel like a made some progress today.

Thats really good news, was thinking of you yesterday. Hope the patches start to work quickly.

[Justin]

Cindylou --> <-- Pain

[runagain]

Holy Cow!!!!!
Cindylou.

IMHO, I would maybe treat first what is the worse or more potentially damaging and then I would tackle the next problem.
Just be careful that you don't do something that might land you in worse shape.
Some things might be incidental and others not.
Having a spine surgeon who specializes in complex cases is not a bad idea.
Sorry, because I know what the pits is when you have to take pain medications. I really don't get it when people suggest you can go without. "Yeah, only if you want me to go stark raving mad".
You deserve a break.
If you want the name of my surgeon, give me a PM.

R