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#1
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Pain Clinic Visit
I will keep the good thoughts and prayers going out to you.
Specially with the spinal thing. shuddering I had one several years ago (but won't go into what happened afterwards) Do take the warnings they give you seriously when you have it. I didn't (which will give you a clue why I don't like spinal things) Gentle hugs, -- Debbie (New Mexico) Life is too short "Kathy N-V" wrote in message . giganews.com... Today was the long awaited trip to the pain clinic, and I had high hopes that perhaps there would be some way I could get my life back. OTOH, I've been disappointed before, so I was prepared to hear that I'm supposed to suck it up. Still, if I had heard that I probably would have had to be bodily removed from the place. I got there and the receptionist told me that I didn't have an appointment - uh oh. But I've gotten past many medical receptionists in my time, and whipped out the confirmation letter telling me that I had an appointment today. Surprise, surprise, she "found" my appointment in the computer. She was shocked when she tried to hand me all sorts of questionnaires and I gave her the copies I had done at home, along with copies of all the test results. (I don't trust anyone to forward them to the specialists - I've been burnt in the past) Bob and I got to cool our heels in the waiting room for a little bit, and poor Bob ended up with a migraine from some woman who apparently bathes in perfume instead of water. I tried to read a magazine, but the tension and the pain kept me from comprehending anything. Some guy with no legs kept snuffling, but refused my offer of a kleenex. A woman came in ranting that she wanted a prescription for Oxycontin, and she wanted it now. About 20 minutes later, the nurse called my name and we went into a little treatment room. The doctor, who bore a striking resemblence to Bob's best friend, came in a few moments later. He immediately commented on how rare it was to have all the test results at the initial appointment, and looked confused when Bob started laughing. Bob explained that people with lots of medical problems get used to handling their own paperwork, and the doc agreed. I'm surprised he even commented on it, because I would have thought that most people going to a big deal pain clinic are well versed in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and records. I got to have a long, painful physical exam, with much poking and marking the painful areas of my body on a corresponding chart. Then I got the standard neurological tests, and the doc commented that my results today were even worse than the ones I had a few weeks ago. feh. I got told I am overdue for a gyno exam and was reminded not to forget to have a second muscle biopsy. (Like I am looking forward to either of those two delightful adventures) Then Bob and I got to wait a while, so the doc could consult with my primary care guy and the physiatrist. Dum de dum de dum, wait, wait, wait impatiently. Watch Bob snoop through all the cabinets and drawers and blow up a rubber glove. Bob decided to leave the room for a moment to get himself some Advil for his head and some juice for me. Naturally, the doc and all the students (you knew there were going to be students, didn't you?) came in three seconds after Bob was gone. The upshot is that I have steroid neuropathy (which we knew) and several ruptured disks in my back, as well as fluid in my hip joints (I knew that) and arthritis in my spine, hips and legs. My muscles are weak to the point of being useless, at least on my left side. I'll be a PT goddess once we get the pain under control. I was given a prescription for pain patches, and I'm supposed to wear them 12 hours on/12 hours off. Also, the doc recommended that I have an epidural block procedure ASAP. This is a procedure where they inject steroids and pain medicine into the dura around the spine. It's supposed to be Not Fun, but worth it in the long run. The doc warned me that the first couple of days after the epidural are going to suck, but within two weeks I should be feeling a lot better. I'm going to need several of these treatments, and if they don't work we'll be looking at surgery. I got my prescription and went out to make an appointment for the epidural thing. Wow - ASAP really means ASAP at this place - the appointment lady wanted me in first thing tomorrow morning! We are unable to do that, so I'll be going in on Monday. I was told to plan on the procedure taking two hours and being a mess for at least a day afterward. They also warned me that unless I have a responsible adult around to take me home and care for me afterward, they would not do the procedure. (Guess that would have to be Bob. Glad they don't know about the rubber glove thing.) We got to ride home over bumpy, bumpy Mass. Ave, and Bob was getting greener by the moment. We made quite the pair: me whimpering in pain with every jolt, and Bob half blinded by a migraine and struggling not to barf in the car. Somehow, we made it home in rush hour traffic, and Bob stumbled off to bed to sleep off the migraine. (We never did get a chance to ask migraine questions, because they were so spine focused) I'll fill the prescription for the pain patches tomorrow, because I haven't the heart to ask Bob to go out to the pharmacy tonight. I've been in pain for over a year, one more day won't make a difference. Manda was waiting for info, and interrogated me the second I walked in the door. She is squicked out by the idea of a needle in the spine, but is hopeful it might do something. Amusingly, the pain clinic was all over my primary care doc and now he says he'll write whatever prescriptions I need for the pain. (So I don't have to run into the hospital every time I need a script) So there we are - a little more information and a treatment plan. Now for the weekend of waiting, and we'll see what Monday brings. For now, I'm going to take some pain meds and zonk out on the sofa. It's been a long, pokey and painful day. Your intrepid reporter, Kathy N-V |
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It sounds like a pain clinic I would go to. Yes the procedure is going to
be NOT FUN and you are going to be in pain. The last injection I got was the worst but it is so worth it. Take it really easy afterwards, not that you'll need to be prompted. I'm glad the pain clinic doc got all over your regular doc. You shouldn't have to go to the ER for pain scripts. In the meantime bug hugs to you. BTW - did you get a package yet for Manda? -- Starlia Klopman www.klopmanstudios.com "Kathy N-V" wrote in message . giganews.com... Today was the long awaited trip to the pain clinic, and I had high hopes that perhaps there would be some way I could get my life back. OTOH, I've been disappointed before, so I was prepared to hear that I'm supposed to suck it up. Still, if I had heard that I probably would have had to be bodily removed from the place. I got there and the receptionist told me that I didn't have an appointment - uh oh. But I've gotten past many medical receptionists in my time, and whipped out the confirmation letter telling me that I had an appointment today. Surprise, surprise, she "found" my appointment in the computer. She was shocked when she tried to hand me all sorts of questionnaires and I gave her the copies I had done at home, along with copies of all the test results. (I don't trust anyone to forward them to the specialists - I've been burnt in the past) Bob and I got to cool our heels in the waiting room for a little bit, and poor Bob ended up with a migraine from some woman who apparently bathes in perfume instead of water. I tried to read a magazine, but the tension and the pain kept me from comprehending anything. Some guy with no legs kept snuffling, but refused my offer of a kleenex. A woman came in ranting that she wanted a prescription for Oxycontin, and she wanted it now. About 20 minutes later, the nurse called my name and we went into a little treatment room. The doctor, who bore a striking resemblence to Bob's best friend, came in a few moments later. He immediately commented on how rare it was to have all the test results at the initial appointment, and looked confused when Bob started laughing. Bob explained that people with lots of medical problems get used to handling their own paperwork, and the doc agreed. I'm surprised he even commented on it, because I would have thought that most people going to a big deal pain clinic are well versed in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and records. I got to have a long, painful physical exam, with much poking and marking the painful areas of my body on a corresponding chart. Then I got the standard neurological tests, and the doc commented that my results today were even worse than the ones I had a few weeks ago. feh. I got told I am overdue for a gyno exam and was reminded not to forget to have a second muscle biopsy. (Like I am looking forward to either of those two delightful adventures) Then Bob and I got to wait a while, so the doc could consult with my primary care guy and the physiatrist. Dum de dum de dum, wait, wait, wait impatiently. Watch Bob snoop through all the cabinets and drawers and blow up a rubber glove. Bob decided to leave the room for a moment to get himself some Advil for his head and some juice for me. Naturally, the doc and all the students (you knew there were going to be students, didn't you?) came in three seconds after Bob was gone. The upshot is that I have steroid neuropathy (which we knew) and several ruptured disks in my back, as well as fluid in my hip joints (I knew that) and arthritis in my spine, hips and legs. My muscles are weak to the point of being useless, at least on my left side. I'll be a PT goddess once we get the pain under control. I was given a prescription for pain patches, and I'm supposed to wear them 12 hours on/12 hours off. Also, the doc recommended that I have an epidural block procedure ASAP. This is a procedure where they inject steroids and pain medicine into the dura around the spine. It's supposed to be Not Fun, but worth it in the long run. The doc warned me that the first couple of days after the epidural are going to suck, but within two weeks I should be feeling a lot better. I'm going to need several of these treatments, and if they don't work we'll be looking at surgery. I got my prescription and went out to make an appointment for the epidural thing. Wow - ASAP really means ASAP at this place - the appointment lady wanted me in first thing tomorrow morning! We are unable to do that, so I'll be going in on Monday. I was told to plan on the procedure taking two hours and being a mess for at least a day afterward. They also warned me that unless I have a responsible adult around to take me home and care for me afterward, they would not do the procedure. (Guess that would have to be Bob. Glad they don't know about the rubber glove thing.) We got to ride home over bumpy, bumpy Mass. Ave, and Bob was getting greener by the moment. We made quite the pair: me whimpering in pain with every jolt, and Bob half blinded by a migraine and struggling not to barf in the car. Somehow, we made it home in rush hour traffic, and Bob stumbled off to bed to sleep off the migraine. (We never did get a chance to ask migraine questions, because they were so spine focused) I'll fill the prescription for the pain patches tomorrow, because I haven't the heart to ask Bob to go out to the pharmacy tonight. I've been in pain for over a year, one more day won't make a difference. Manda was waiting for info, and interrogated me the second I walked in the door. She is squicked out by the idea of a needle in the spine, but is hopeful it might do something. Amusingly, the pain clinic was all over my primary care doc and now he says he'll write whatever prescriptions I need for the pain. (So I don't have to run into the hospital every time I need a script) So there we are - a little more information and a treatment plan. Now for the weekend of waiting, and we'll see what Monday brings. For now, I'm going to take some pain meds and zonk out on the sofa. It's been a long, pokey and painful day. Your intrepid reporter, Kathy N-V |
#3
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You're in my thoughts, Kathy. I hope the epidural block is a huge success!
-- Jerri www.beadbimbo.com |
#4
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Wow Kathy...sounds like you had a LONG day...I hope this pain clinic works
out for you, and that this spinal block thingy works out for you too. I hope Bob feels better tomorrow! Marissa "Kathy N-V" wrote in message . giganews.com... Today was the long awaited trip to the pain clinic, and I had high hopes that perhaps there would be some way I could get my life back. OTOH, I've been disappointed before, so I was prepared to hear that I'm supposed to suck it up. Still, if I had heard that I probably would have had to be bodily removed from the place. I got there and the receptionist told me that I didn't have an appointment - uh oh. But I've gotten past many medical receptionists in my time, and whipped out the confirmation letter telling me that I had an appointment today. Surprise, surprise, she "found" my appointment in the computer. She was shocked when she tried to hand me all sorts of questionnaires and I gave her the copies I had done at home, along with copies of all the test results. (I don't trust anyone to forward them to the specialists - I've been burnt in the past) Bob and I got to cool our heels in the waiting room for a little bit, and poor Bob ended up with a migraine from some woman who apparently bathes in perfume instead of water. I tried to read a magazine, but the tension and the pain kept me from comprehending anything. Some guy with no legs kept snuffling, but refused my offer of a kleenex. A woman came in ranting that she wanted a prescription for Oxycontin, and she wanted it now. About 20 minutes later, the nurse called my name and we went into a little treatment room. The doctor, who bore a striking resemblence to Bob's best friend, came in a few moments later. He immediately commented on how rare it was to have all the test results at the initial appointment, and looked confused when Bob started laughing. Bob explained that people with lots of medical problems get used to handling their own paperwork, and the doc agreed. I'm surprised he even commented on it, because I would have thought that most people going to a big deal pain clinic are well versed in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and records. I got to have a long, painful physical exam, with much poking and marking the painful areas of my body on a corresponding chart. Then I got the standard neurological tests, and the doc commented that my results today were even worse than the ones I had a few weeks ago. feh. I got told I am overdue for a gyno exam and was reminded not to forget to have a second muscle biopsy. (Like I am looking forward to either of those two delightful adventures) Then Bob and I got to wait a while, so the doc could consult with my primary care guy and the physiatrist. Dum de dum de dum, wait, wait, wait impatiently. Watch Bob snoop through all the cabinets and drawers and blow up a rubber glove. Bob decided to leave the room for a moment to get himself some Advil for his head and some juice for me. Naturally, the doc and all the students (you knew there were going to be students, didn't you?) came in three seconds after Bob was gone. The upshot is that I have steroid neuropathy (which we knew) and several ruptured disks in my back, as well as fluid in my hip joints (I knew that) and arthritis in my spine, hips and legs. My muscles are weak to the point of being useless, at least on my left side. I'll be a PT goddess once we get the pain under control. I was given a prescription for pain patches, and I'm supposed to wear them 12 hours on/12 hours off. Also, the doc recommended that I have an epidural block procedure ASAP. This is a procedure where they inject steroids and pain medicine into the dura around the spine. It's supposed to be Not Fun, but worth it in the long run. The doc warned me that the first couple of days after the epidural are going to suck, but within two weeks I should be feeling a lot better. I'm going to need several of these treatments, and if they don't work we'll be looking at surgery. I got my prescription and went out to make an appointment for the epidural thing. Wow - ASAP really means ASAP at this place - the appointment lady wanted me in first thing tomorrow morning! We are unable to do that, so I'll be going in on Monday. I was told to plan on the procedure taking two hours and being a mess for at least a day afterward. They also warned me that unless I have a responsible adult around to take me home and care for me afterward, they would not do the procedure. (Guess that would have to be Bob. Glad they don't know about the rubber glove thing.) We got to ride home over bumpy, bumpy Mass. Ave, and Bob was getting greener by the moment. We made quite the pair: me whimpering in pain with every jolt, and Bob half blinded by a migraine and struggling not to barf in the car. Somehow, we made it home in rush hour traffic, and Bob stumbled off to bed to sleep off the migraine. (We never did get a chance to ask migraine questions, because they were so spine focused) I'll fill the prescription for the pain patches tomorrow, because I haven't the heart to ask Bob to go out to the pharmacy tonight. I've been in pain for over a year, one more day won't make a difference. Manda was waiting for info, and interrogated me the second I walked in the door. She is squicked out by the idea of a needle in the spine, but is hopeful it might do something. Amusingly, the pain clinic was all over my primary care doc and now he says he'll write whatever prescriptions I need for the pain. (So I don't have to run into the hospital every time I need a script) So there we are - a little more information and a treatment plan. Now for the weekend of waiting, and we'll see what Monday brings. For now, I'm going to take some pain meds and zonk out on the sofa. It's been a long, pokey and painful day. Your intrepid reporter, Kathy N-V |
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Hi Kathy,
It sounds awful. Never-the-less it sounds like a successful appointment. Hopeful. Better understood. Etc. Now rest. Tina "Kathy N-V" wrote ... Today was the long awaited trip to the pain clinic, and I had high hopes that perhaps there would be some way I could get my life back. OTOH, I've been disappointed before, so I was prepared to hear that I'm supposed to suck it up. Still, if I had heard that I probably would have had to be bodily removed from the place. I got there and the receptionist told me that I didn't have an appointment - uh oh. But I've gotten past many medical receptionists in my time, and whipped out the confirmation letter telling me that I had an appointment today. Surprise, surprise, she "found" my appointment in the computer. She was shocked when she tried to hand me all sorts of questionnaires and I gave her the copies I had done at home, along with copies of all the test results. (I don't trust anyone to forward them to the specialists - I've been burnt in the past) Bob and I got to cool our heels in the waiting room for a little bit, and poor Bob ended up with a migraine from some woman who apparently bathes in perfume instead of water. I tried to read a magazine, but the tension and the pain kept me from comprehending anything. Some guy with no legs kept snuffling, but refused my offer of a kleenex. A woman came in ranting that she wanted a prescription for Oxycontin, and she wanted it now. About 20 minutes later, the nurse called my name and we went into a little treatment room. The doctor, who bore a striking resemblence to Bob's best friend, came in a few moments later. He immediately commented on how rare it was to have all the test results at the initial appointment, and looked confused when Bob started laughing. Bob explained that people with lots of medical problems get used to handling their own paperwork, and the doc agreed. I'm surprised he even commented on it, because I would have thought that most people going to a big deal pain clinic are well versed in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and records. I got to have a long, painful physical exam, with much poking and marking the painful areas of my body on a corresponding chart. Then I got the standard neurological tests, and the doc commented that my results today were even worse than the ones I had a few weeks ago. feh. I got told I am overdue for a gyno exam and was reminded not to forget to have a second muscle biopsy. (Like I am looking forward to either of those two delightful adventures) Then Bob and I got to wait a while, so the doc could consult with my primary care guy and the physiatrist. Dum de dum de dum, wait, wait, wait impatiently. Watch Bob snoop through all the cabinets and drawers and blow up a rubber glove. Bob decided to leave the room for a moment to get himself some Advil for his head and some juice for me. Naturally, the doc and all the students (you knew there were going to be students, didn't you?) came in three seconds after Bob was gone. The upshot is that I have steroid neuropathy (which we knew) and several ruptured disks in my back, as well as fluid in my hip joints (I knew that) and arthritis in my spine, hips and legs. My muscles are weak to the point of being useless, at least on my left side. I'll be a PT goddess once we get the pain under control. I was given a prescription for pain patches, and I'm supposed to wear them 12 hours on/12 hours off. Also, the doc recommended that I have an epidural block procedure ASAP. This is a procedure where they inject steroids and pain medicine into the dura around the spine. It's supposed to be Not Fun, but worth it in the long run. The doc warned me that the first couple of days after the epidural are going to suck, but within two weeks I should be feeling a lot better. I'm going to need several of these treatments, and if they don't work we'll be looking at surgery. I got my prescription and went out to make an appointment for the epidural thing. Wow - ASAP really means ASAP at this place - the appointment lady wanted me in first thing tomorrow morning! We are unable to do that, so I'll be going in on Monday. I was told to plan on the procedure taking two hours and being a mess for at least a day afterward. They also warned me that unless I have a responsible adult around to take me home and care for me afterward, they would not do the procedure. (Guess that would have to be Bob. Glad they don't know about the rubber glove thing.) We got to ride home over bumpy, bumpy Mass. Ave, and Bob was getting greener by the moment. We made quite the pair: me whimpering in pain with every jolt, and Bob half blinded by a migraine and struggling not to barf in the car. Somehow, we made it home in rush hour traffic, and Bob stumbled off to bed to sleep off the migraine. (We never did get a chance to ask migraine questions, because they were so spine focused) I'll fill the prescription for the pain patches tomorrow, because I haven't the heart to ask Bob to go out to the pharmacy tonight. I've been in pain for over a year, one more day won't make a difference. Manda was waiting for info, and interrogated me the second I walked in the door. She is squicked out by the idea of a needle in the spine, but is hopeful it might do something. Amusingly, the pain clinic was all over my primary care doc and now he says he'll write whatever prescriptions I need for the pain. (So I don't have to run into the hospital every time I need a script) So there we are - a little more information and a treatment plan. Now for the weekend of waiting, and we'll see what Monday brings. For now, I'm going to take some pain meds and zonk out on the sofa. It's been a long, pokey and painful day. Your intrepid reporter, Kathy N-V |
#6
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Kathy:
The epidural block will likely be a godsend. I was hit by a car a few years ago while rollerblading, and broke just about every bone from my tailbone down to my toes. I had several over the course of 5 years while I went to PT. Now the pain is manageable, so I only get shots of cortisone in my heel (I feel like Achilles), but when my back and hips and knees were unable to be pain free, the epidurals were a godsend. Good luck...here's to pain-less days ahead. Lisa "Kathy N-V" wrote in message . giganews.com... Today was the long awaited trip to the pain clinic, and I had high hopes that perhaps there would be some way I could get my life back. OTOH, I've been disappointed before, so I was prepared to hear that I'm supposed to suck it up. Still, if I had heard that I probably would have had to be bodily removed from the place. I got there and the receptionist told me that I didn't have an appointment - uh oh. But I've gotten past many medical receptionists in my time, and whipped out the confirmation letter telling me that I had an appointment today. Surprise, surprise, she "found" my appointment in the computer. She was shocked when she tried to hand me all sorts of questionnaires and I gave her the copies I had done at home, along with copies of all the test results. (I don't trust anyone to forward them to the specialists - I've been burnt in the past) Bob and I got to cool our heels in the waiting room for a little bit, and poor Bob ended up with a migraine from some woman who apparently bathes in perfume instead of water. I tried to read a magazine, but the tension and the pain kept me from comprehending anything. Some guy with no legs kept snuffling, but refused my offer of a kleenex. A woman came in ranting that she wanted a prescription for Oxycontin, and she wanted it now. About 20 minutes later, the nurse called my name and we went into a little treatment room. The doctor, who bore a striking resemblence to Bob's best friend, came in a few moments later. He immediately commented on how rare it was to have all the test results at the initial appointment, and looked confused when Bob started laughing. Bob explained that people with lots of medical problems get used to handling their own paperwork, and the doc agreed. I'm surprised he even commented on it, because I would have thought that most people going to a big deal pain clinic are well versed in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and records. I got to have a long, painful physical exam, with much poking and marking the painful areas of my body on a corresponding chart. Then I got the standard neurological tests, and the doc commented that my results today were even worse than the ones I had a few weeks ago. feh. I got told I am overdue for a gyno exam and was reminded not to forget to have a second muscle biopsy. (Like I am looking forward to either of those two delightful adventures) Then Bob and I got to wait a while, so the doc could consult with my primary care guy and the physiatrist. Dum de dum de dum, wait, wait, wait impatiently. Watch Bob snoop through all the cabinets and drawers and blow up a rubber glove. Bob decided to leave the room for a moment to get himself some Advil for his head and some juice for me. Naturally, the doc and all the students (you knew there were going to be students, didn't you?) came in three seconds after Bob was gone. The upshot is that I have steroid neuropathy (which we knew) and several ruptured disks in my back, as well as fluid in my hip joints (I knew that) and arthritis in my spine, hips and legs. My muscles are weak to the point of being useless, at least on my left side. I'll be a PT goddess once we get the pain under control. I was given a prescription for pain patches, and I'm supposed to wear them 12 hours on/12 hours off. Also, the doc recommended that I have an epidural block procedure ASAP. This is a procedure where they inject steroids and pain medicine into the dura around the spine. It's supposed to be Not Fun, but worth it in the long run. The doc warned me that the first couple of days after the epidural are going to suck, but within two weeks I should be feeling a lot better. I'm going to need several of these treatments, and if they don't work we'll be looking at surgery. I got my prescription and went out to make an appointment for the epidural thing. Wow - ASAP really means ASAP at this place - the appointment lady wanted me in first thing tomorrow morning! We are unable to do that, so I'll be going in on Monday. I was told to plan on the procedure taking two hours and being a mess for at least a day afterward. They also warned me that unless I have a responsible adult around to take me home and care for me afterward, they would not do the procedure. (Guess that would have to be Bob. Glad they don't know about the rubber glove thing.) We got to ride home over bumpy, bumpy Mass. Ave, and Bob was getting greener by the moment. We made quite the pair: me whimpering in pain with every jolt, and Bob half blinded by a migraine and struggling not to barf in the car. Somehow, we made it home in rush hour traffic, and Bob stumbled off to bed to sleep off the migraine. (We never did get a chance to ask migraine questions, because they were so spine focused) I'll fill the prescription for the pain patches tomorrow, because I haven't the heart to ask Bob to go out to the pharmacy tonight. I've been in pain for over a year, one more day won't make a difference. Manda was waiting for info, and interrogated me the second I walked in the door. She is squicked out by the idea of a needle in the spine, but is hopeful it might do something. Amusingly, the pain clinic was all over my primary care doc and now he says he'll write whatever prescriptions I need for the pain. (So I don't have to run into the hospital every time I need a script) So there we are - a little more information and a treatment plan. Now for the weekend of waiting, and we'll see what Monday brings. For now, I'm going to take some pain meds and zonk out on the sofa. It's been a long, pokey and painful day. Your intrepid reporter, Kathy N-V |
#7
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Kathy,
Jon's grandmother gets epidural treatments for her (very bad) osteoporosis, and they help her quite a bit. She is usually up and around later that same day, not 2 days later, but ymmv. Hope it works well for you and I'll be thinking of you this weekend and on Monday! Barbara |
#8
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Why is about places like that - they always "lose" appointments etc. The
first time my Mom went for Chemo they tried the same thing. I put a stop to that (Mom would have, but she was a bit pre-occupied with why we were there) - pulled out the appt card etc. We also learned (the hard way) to have copies of all the tests, reports, etc. We got burned with the "of course we faxed it" only to be told at the receiving end - "no we haven't received that" Glad to hear that you got some prescriptions that may help. Best of luck with the procedure Monday. I'll be think about you. Kathy K "Kathy N-V" wrote in message . giganews.com... Today was the long awaited trip to the pain clinic, and I had high hopes that perhaps there would be some way I could get my life back. OTOH, I've been disappointed before, so I was prepared to hear that I'm supposed to suck it up. Still, if I had heard that I probably would have had to be bodily removed from the place. I got there and the receptionist told me that I didn't have an appointment - uh oh. But I've gotten past many medical receptionists in my time, and whipped out the confirmation letter telling me that I had an appointment today. Surprise, surprise, she "found" my appointment in the computer. She was shocked when she tried to hand me all sorts of questionnaires and I gave her the copies I had done at home, along with copies of all the test results. (I don't trust anyone to forward them to the specialists - I've been burnt in the past) Bob and I got to cool our heels in the waiting room for a little bit, and poor Bob ended up with a migraine from some woman who apparently bathes in perfume instead of water. I tried to read a magazine, but the tension and the pain kept me from comprehending anything. Some guy with no legs kept snuffling, but refused my offer of a kleenex. A woman came in ranting that she wanted a prescription for Oxycontin, and she wanted it now. About 20 minutes later, the nurse called my name and we went into a little treatment room. The doctor, who bore a striking resemblence to Bob's best friend, came in a few moments later. He immediately commented on how rare it was to have all the test results at the initial appointment, and looked confused when Bob started laughing. Bob explained that people with lots of medical problems get used to handling their own paperwork, and the doc agreed. I'm surprised he even commented on it, because I would have thought that most people going to a big deal pain clinic are well versed in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and records. I got to have a long, painful physical exam, with much poking and marking the painful areas of my body on a corresponding chart. Then I got the standard neurological tests, and the doc commented that my results today were even worse than the ones I had a few weeks ago. feh. I got told I am overdue for a gyno exam and was reminded not to forget to have a second muscle biopsy. (Like I am looking forward to either of those two delightful adventures) Then Bob and I got to wait a while, so the doc could consult with my primary care guy and the physiatrist. Dum de dum de dum, wait, wait, wait impatiently. Watch Bob snoop through all the cabinets and drawers and blow up a rubber glove. Bob decided to leave the room for a moment to get himself some Advil for his head and some juice for me. Naturally, the doc and all the students (you knew there were going to be students, didn't you?) came in three seconds after Bob was gone. The upshot is that I have steroid neuropathy (which we knew) and several ruptured disks in my back, as well as fluid in my hip joints (I knew that) and arthritis in my spine, hips and legs. My muscles are weak to the point of being useless, at least on my left side. I'll be a PT goddess once we get the pain under control. I was given a prescription for pain patches, and I'm supposed to wear them 12 hours on/12 hours off. Also, the doc recommended that I have an epidural block procedure ASAP. This is a procedure where they inject steroids and pain medicine into the dura around the spine. It's supposed to be Not Fun, but worth it in the long run. The doc warned me that the first couple of days after the epidural are going to suck, but within two weeks I should be feeling a lot better. I'm going to need several of these treatments, and if they don't work we'll be looking at surgery. I got my prescription and went out to make an appointment for the epidural thing. Wow - ASAP really means ASAP at this place - the appointment lady wanted me in first thing tomorrow morning! We are unable to do that, so I'll be going in on Monday. I was told to plan on the procedure taking two hours and being a mess for at least a day afterward. They also warned me that unless I have a responsible adult around to take me home and care for me afterward, they would not do the procedure. (Guess that would have to be Bob. Glad they don't know about the rubber glove thing.) We got to ride home over bumpy, bumpy Mass. Ave, and Bob was getting greener by the moment. We made quite the pair: me whimpering in pain with every jolt, and Bob half blinded by a migraine and struggling not to barf in the car. Somehow, we made it home in rush hour traffic, and Bob stumbled off to bed to sleep off the migraine. (We never did get a chance to ask migraine questions, because they were so spine focused) I'll fill the prescription for the pain patches tomorrow, because I haven't the heart to ask Bob to go out to the pharmacy tonight. I've been in pain for over a year, one more day won't make a difference. Manda was waiting for info, and interrogated me the second I walked in the door. She is squicked out by the idea of a needle in the spine, but is hopeful it might do something. Amusingly, the pain clinic was all over my primary care doc and now he says he'll write whatever prescriptions I need for the pain. (So I don't have to run into the hospital every time I need a script) So there we are - a little more information and a treatment plan. Now for the weekend of waiting, and we'll see what Monday brings. For now, I'm going to take some pain meds and zonk out on the sofa. It's been a long, pokey and painful day. Your intrepid reporter, Kathy N-V |
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