Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Added stress!
When I was in the hospital after my surgery, I had some nausea and vomiting. Not fun but fine, it's pain or drug related and I'll deal with it. They treated it in the hospital and I continued to have nausea periodically. Upon discharge the following day, I was given a prescription for nausea medication. I've had bouts of nausea periodically during my recovery. I've dealt with it by taking the medicine or eating chicken noodle soup. Today, I started wondering if it could be related to my surgery. I did a google search and .... sure enough, it can be a complication from the stimulator being implanted in my spinal cord. Perfect! I'll be monitoring it to see if I can find a pattern and keeping my fingers crossed that it's simply a coincidence.
Thankfully!
I was able to see my neurosurgeon last Thursday. He listened to me, the patient and prescribed more pain meds. He was much more compassionate than the nurse practioner who had been responding (or better said, not responding) to my care needs.
Since then, my mid back pain has improved somewhat. The neurostimulator improves my leg pain but not my back pain or upper thigh cramping/muscle spasms. Sitting continues to be a big problem which is very frustrating. Sitting has always been the biggest source of my pain and has been with me for the past 18 years. Trying to find ways to relax, go to a movie, work (the list goes on and on) without sitting is a challenge.
The St. Jude representative has adjusted the stimulator twice in 5 weeks. We have to find the right program to meet my pain needs. The rep. will continue adjusting it until we get it right, hopefully! I have an appointment October 2 with my pain doctor and it will be adjusted again. I'll give it 6 months before starting to freak out that it's not helping my pain enough so I can get off the meds I take for pain.
Since then, my mid back pain has improved somewhat. The neurostimulator improves my leg pain but not my back pain or upper thigh cramping/muscle spasms. Sitting continues to be a big problem which is very frustrating. Sitting has always been the biggest source of my pain and has been with me for the past 18 years. Trying to find ways to relax, go to a movie, work (the list goes on and on) without sitting is a challenge.
The St. Jude representative has adjusted the stimulator twice in 5 weeks. We have to find the right program to meet my pain needs. The rep. will continue adjusting it until we get it right, hopefully! I have an appointment October 2 with my pain doctor and it will be adjusted again. I'll give it 6 months before starting to freak out that it's not helping my pain enough so I can get off the meds I take for pain.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Too much!
I recently had my fourth spine operation. The purpose of this surgery was to provide me with a way to manage my pain without medication. A spinal cord stimulator was permanently implanted.
Three and a half weeks following this surgery, I continued to have slightly debilitating upper to mid back pain. The muscles around my incision and my upper/mid back area are painful and cramp whenever I move. I asked for a change in the muscle relaxing medication. After my 2nd call, they did call in a new prescription.
My pain medication, oxycodone ran out Sunday. Since I was still having pain, I asked for a refill. Seem reasonable? Apparently, the nurse practioner didn't think so. She said, "let's see how you're feeling on Thursday when you come in for your appointment". Really? You're going to discount my pain and make me wait 4 days? I felt like I wasn't being listened to or cared for. I called the office and asked them to let the surgeon know I had pain management issues. After my call, the nurse practioner gave me a prescription for lortab. Hello! You know my history. I'm a pain patient. I've taken lortab in my past 18 year pain history. It doesn't provide me with pain relief and makes me nauseated.
My post op appointment is tomorrow. I'm scheduled to see the nurse practioner who ignored my needs. There's no way I feel comfortable with her as my "healthcare provider". Hopefully, I'll be able to see the surgeon instead!
Three and a half weeks following this surgery, I continued to have slightly debilitating upper to mid back pain. The muscles around my incision and my upper/mid back area are painful and cramp whenever I move. I asked for a change in the muscle relaxing medication. After my 2nd call, they did call in a new prescription.
My pain medication, oxycodone ran out Sunday. Since I was still having pain, I asked for a refill. Seem reasonable? Apparently, the nurse practioner didn't think so. She said, "let's see how you're feeling on Thursday when you come in for your appointment". Really? You're going to discount my pain and make me wait 4 days? I felt like I wasn't being listened to or cared for. I called the office and asked them to let the surgeon know I had pain management issues. After my call, the nurse practioner gave me a prescription for lortab. Hello! You know my history. I'm a pain patient. I've taken lortab in my past 18 year pain history. It doesn't provide me with pain relief and makes me nauseated.
My post op appointment is tomorrow. I'm scheduled to see the nurse practioner who ignored my needs. There's no way I feel comfortable with her as my "healthcare provider". Hopefully, I'll be able to see the surgeon instead!
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