Back from the Doctor!!

[Still in Limbo]

I returned from the Dr. a while ago, and the News isn't good. I wrote myself a list so I wouldn't forget anything, and we went over it all. I have to say My Dr. has been absolutely Great to me, She actually Cares and takes the time to listen. To sum up the appointment, there is a problem with the Left Side, She feels the half of a disc at L5 may have blown, and I have to go for another MRI with/without Contrast. If She can't see what she needs to on the films, I may need a Myleogram CT Scan! She doesn't want to do that unless absolutely necessary, She says it's very painful. My Meds. are only lasting me about 6 hrs., I'm talking about the Morphine 200mg. that I take every 8 hrs. Upping my Morphine Dose right now to 260mg. She feels is going to start working on my Liver and I sure as Hell don't need any problems there right now!! So here's the Med. Plan we came up with: I am going to start on the Duragesic Patch to see if it works for me, She says the usual normal starting Dosage is 25mg. but due to my Pain She is starting me at 100mg. These patched are supposed to last three days, and I'm going to have 30mg. Morphine IR as a Breakthrough, allowed in 6hr. doses. For the first Patch, I am to stay on my Morphine as usual, She says it takes 7-10 days to get the Medicine in my system,and She wants me to stay on the Morphine so I don't have to deal without Medication until it does. When I use the second patch, I'm to start dropping back on my Morphine and stop when the patch starts functioning properly. What she is trying to do is stop the up and down effect my current Meds. are giving me, the Duragesic is supposed to supply a steady stream for the entire three days. My current Meds. are only lasting about 5 to6 hrs. and then the Pain gets pretty Bad. But I was told that the Duragesic patch doesn't work well for everyone, so She is also filling my Morphine 200mg. as a back-up in case it doesn't work, and raising my Breakthrough to 30mg IR every 6hrs. I'm also to stay on all of my other Meds. and we are going to see how this works for me. I have a follow-up Appt. in Three Weeks to review my MRI Films, and see how the Meds. are doing. I'm to limit my activities as much as possible, and if the MRI shows something serious, She will contact me sooner than the three Weeks. I am really Bummed and disappointed right now, I knew I was going to get worse as Time went on, but I NEVER thought it would be this soon!! I'll be on and off the Boards for the next couple of Days, I guess I just have to take a little time to set back, reflect, and adjust to this new situation. Some of you have shown interest in hearing my whole story, and I'm going to do that through PM's starting Friday. I'll probably do it in three Sections over three days, so if you would like a PM of this sent to you, Please PM me and I'll add you to my List. I really need someone with Computer skills to receive my PM's and list of others who want to read it, and forward them for me. I'm not too good at that kind of thing, so if someone would like to volunteer, I would appreciate it! I'm getting Pretty Sore right now, so I'm going to Hit the Recliner. I Hope everyone of you are doing well, and I'll talk to you all soon! God Bless!!

[Bummer Knees]

Still In Limbo

I have been thinking about you all day.

Take care,

Bummer Knees

[red1030]

Still ...thanks for the update. Your doctor sounds like she is on the ball. I love to hear that. Please follow her directions about continuing to take your typical medications. The patches don't work for some people mostly those who have liver or metabolic issues that slows down the absorbtion of the medication in to the body. You should be find with it. It is different than taking a break through type of pain relief all the time. You should not have the ups and downs. You may continue to experience some pain, but hopefully it will be manageable and then nver get to the point that you can't cope with it. Of course she gave you the break through medication to help with this. Be sure to take this as soon as you begin to climb in pain at all....as long as you stay within your time frame. However if you find that you are climbing a lot you need to make a not of your pain ... I would rate it on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being the worse you have ever felt before and then keep track of the number of times you have to do this. This will help the doctor monitor and treat your pain more affectively.

I know that you are going through a lot right now with all the possible losses that you are experiencing or may experience sooner than later, I understand it all very well. Please PM me any time you need to talk. We all, I care about you Still. You have so much courage and stamina for all you are going through.

If you need someone to work with your emails, I can do all the forwarding for you. I am more than able to do this. Love Red

[jayne]

sweet friend my prayers as always are with you if you need and ear to listen mine is all yours....

[Sithie]

Limbo, I would love to recieve a pm, and also I would like to help in any way I can. I don't mean to discourage you in any way, but I feel I need to let you know my experience with the patch. I cannot take it because for some unknown reason it overdoses me every time. I have tried it 3 times. I know I was told, and found it to be true, that the meds get in your bloodstream good at about 17 hours. I am concerned that if you are on your regular meds, and add the patch, you could have problems at that time. What I have done in the past is schedule it to be peaking when hubby is home, because I REALLY get sleepy, and have stopped breathing. Again, I am not trying to discourage you in any way, I only want you to be safe.

Hugs ya,
Sithie

[Bummer Knees]

Still In Limbo

I would also like a PM

Take Care,

Bummer Knees

[Tuffy]

Still, Yes I also would like to receive your PM, and if there is anything else I can do, Just ask. and take care my friend. You are loved.

[Spring]

Hi Still...Thank you for letting updating us. Sorry you had to hear news of that kind...but you do have a Dr that is on the ball..and is very caring....that is so important.

I wanted to tell you I also use the patches...the Pharmacy told me I would start to see the effects of the patches in about 8 hours...and it was about 12 hours. I am sure you have been told about the warnings...but just in case...You can't wear the patch in like a hot tub..it may cause you to asorb the medication to fast. I had tried alot of pain medications before using the patch and I find the patch is for me...although it does wear off sooner then the 72 hours....but that is a new concern for me just recently. I also use a lollilop of the very same medication in the patch for break through pain..also another pain pill. But when the patch was first started for me it was the first time I ever had some relief around the clock...I hope this works for you. Also I had trouble with keeping the patch on...and the Dr had told me you can't just cover with anything...he had to give me a special medical tape to help me keep them in place. So if you have trouble with that let me know and I will let you know what I use. Also there is two different kinds of the patches...so try both of patches till you see which one you like. I like the bigger patch...the smaller one I just can't keep on. But everyone is different. They do come in genric...I have tried both..and can't tell a difference. You have any questions...I am here. I will pray this help you.

[monster]

Still ~ I have pancreas and or liver problems (no one seems to know for sure) and had bad reaction to the patches. Please be careful it can depress your breathing and all sorts of other things. Do you have someone at home with you that can keep an eye on you for a few days? If you do please make sure that they read all the side effects and are aware of what to watch for. It sounds like you are taking a great deal of pain meds which is understandable and I am very worried about you with the patch and the morphine as well.

Please add me to your PM list so that I will know you are okay and can keep up with you

Hugs,
monster

[Pooh]

still

My heart goes out to you. (((((((((((gentle hugs))))))) I just wish there was some way to take away the pain for you. I don't know if the patch is the cure all or not. If it doesn't work for you, maybe you can talk to the doctor about the spinal implant that they are using for pain relief these days. I am not sure what level of the spine the leads connect to the spine at so that may be a concern - but it may help. They try and do a trial period before they do the spinal stimulator first.

Of course if they plan on doing surgery on your spine yet they may not do it yet that may be the down fall. I hope they can help you soon and that your attorney kicks some butt and makes the IC do what is right to begin with.