Nerve pain question

[Bummer Knees]

Vickinat, With all the meds you are on, who pays for therm?

Last time I saw my ortho in my back he told me the same thing yours did, there is nothing he can do.

I questioned my PCP about this statement he explained to me what the ortho was saying is; surgery won't fix it. My PCP tells me my back and leg/nerve pain will get worse when going through the knee replacement. This is a big concern for me as I have started having severe nerve pain in my left foot at night and my left knee is the one that will be replaced.

Take Care.
Bummer Knees

[BulldawgOnFire]

Bummer Knees Wrote:Thank you for the information. I do have most of the symptoms of RSD but will leave it up to my doctor to make the diagnosis. He is an osteopath and very well informed, he has no problem with making referrals to specialist.

I am glad you are satisfied with your doctor. In this WC thats a rarity. Heres a little way to find out if your doctor is on top of his game..mention RSD and use the initials to see if he knows what they stand for. Only bcause I have found and read through much research that A TON of docs,even specialists have never even heard of it. My primary didn't know,my P.T.s didn't know and my neurologist THOUGHT he knew so its really messed up if this was first reported and named back in 1864 when soldiers in the civi war with bullet wounds that had already healed were complaining of fire like burning pain and sweating profusely hope its not RSD sweetie..that would suck.Take it from me,it is categorized on the standard McGill Pain Index as a 41--with Cancer being 28 and childbirth a 20 just for fun look at the different rated pains on the scale---PRETTY WILD AND I HOPE EVERYONE GETS A LOOK AT IT.. http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/ma...5/id45.htm

[Bummer Knees]

I was speaking of my family doctor, I haven't recieved and medical treatment from wc for almost a year
and that was for outpatient surgery on my right knee.

Been waiting over 2 years for a decision to be made on treatment of my left and that was made last Tuesday, the wc judge approved treatment and total knee replacement.

[vickinat]

Bummer,
The meds that I mentioned are supposed to be paid for by W/C, but since they stopped authorizing my meds in July, I was paying out of pocket since we started litigation. Then my lawyer sent me a pamphlet about WorkersCompRx.com which is a pharmacy that fills the prescriptions and has them delivered to your home by DHL. I called and found out that as long as the doctor is billing W/C (whether they are being paid or not), that all they have to do is fax the scripts to them and keep the originals in the office. This has saved me alot. If I win my case I will recieve what I paid for out of pocket back. We plan on winning!! I have my health insurance that I pay for thru work that pays for my other 4 meds. that I take for other problems like chloesterol and such. I hope all goes well for you soon.
Take care.
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

Thanks Vickinat, everyone time I go to the doctor he wants to add another medication to the ones I already take.

I am having nerve pain in my left foot tonight and when that happens the nerve pain is full-blown with no chance of sleep.

[vickinat]

Bummer,
I hope your pain subsides enough for you to get some rest. I forget what your taking for the nerve pain, I think you said it was Nuerontin. I took that 1800mg a day a long time ago for the nerve pain from the carpel tunnel but didn't get much relief. I'm doing so much better with the Cymbalta and Ultram combo. My left foot still tingles and falls asleep up to the knee but it not as painfull as it was. Next week I do have to start PT for 3 weeks for the left foot, since the Dr. did new X-rays last week and said the fracture is healing well but the pain is because the muscles need retrained for walking and she is having them try and give me gait training. I did try and explain to her that my altered gait wasn't because of the foot fracture, but began after my back and hip injury. Oh, well we'll see what PT for the foot can do.

I would let your doctor know that you are still experiencing such bad nerve pain, to the point that it is affecting your sleep. He may be able to give you a better nerve pain medication. Good luck, hang in there.

Love
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

Thanks Vickinat,

Guess I didn't realize you also injured your hip. We do have a lot in common.

[vickinat]

Bummer,
The hip was at the same time as the lower back. I have periformis syndrome in the same side buttock. I joke at times that I just need to fix the whole left side of my body before the right side catches up. Unfortuantly it's more true than a joke, lol. You and I have way too many things in common, too bad they weren't good things, hehe. Take care my friend. Let us know when they will be doing your knee replacement and if you can both done at once.
Love
Vickie

[nurse83]

vickinat Wrote:Bummer,
I hope this all gets figured out for you. I take Lodine(NSAID), Ultram(for pain), Cymbalta (for nerve pain and spasms) and Zanaflex(muscle relaxer). I have had the most relief from this current combination of meds. I also continue to use my TENS unit on the low back and left buttock area. I haven't tried it on the neck or shoulder. I will be seeing a surgeon about my neck on the 21st. I recently started Lunesta for sleep, but still end up waking several times a night.

When I asked my Ortho about other test, such as discograms or mylograms for my lower back, he told me that they feel from the Lumbar MRI that there is nothing that can be done, and that those test were for before they do surgery, which the said they can't do on my lumbar spine. This was also when he told me that since the ESI's didn't help that he wasn't going to be my treating doctor anymore, but my PM doctor will be, and that the lower back will continue to deteriate(sp?) with time.

Keep us informed as to what you find out. I still think that other test are available and are not only for prior to surgery. I wish you the best Dear, you have been thru so much already. I'm hoping and praying that this year will be the one that all of our forum family, gets the help we need and get as healthy as possible. Also to get as painfree (what's that) as possible.

Take care
Vickie

ahh comparing notes on meds...........we'd all be typing non stop

but just a thought: ambien made me so hung over and lunesta just didn't cut it for me...........so my dr said what about halcion.........heck i'm a nurse and didn't even realize that was still around LOL but it works so good for me at the 0.25 mg dose
and has for awhile with no noticeable side effects but with all i'm on maybe i'm just not identifying the s/e............i fall asleep stay asleep and wake up easily feeling refreshed........hey i can be their new spokesperson and earn money....must go to notify them of this fabulous opportunity they have

[BulldawgOnFire]

yes nurse, we will be typing all day on comparing meds. Anyhoo..here is my 2cents worth. with my Stage 3 RSD I am on Lyrica(300mg), Morphine(90mg), Elavil(50mg),and Ambien(12.5mg)..so when I say "I am in a narcotic fog", you all better believe it. You guys suck..your'e so lucky to be on less foggening(is that a word Ijust made up or what?)meds. LUCKY! My doctor, the anesth. will not let me go to a less pain med..what is up with that. Wish me luck, for I am going to a blah, blah, blah, B.S. mediation with my atty. and IC this afternoon!