complainer...

[lisanicole]

So I just need someone to complain to..
The weather has been super humid here lately (unusual - usually it's very dry) and my arthritis has been acting up. I have missed two days of work, and I'm in so much pain I can only sit or lay on the couch and read or watch movies. I am used to a busy busy lifestyle and I cannot stand it!! I'm just a bit depressed, and knew someone here would be able to identify with what I'm feeling.

Last time I went to my specialist (October) for this pain, he was three hours late seeing me. Once I finally got in, he offered me more drugs and recommended I check out this website for yoga for scoliosis that ended up being more for preventative use, not for fused spines. My dad tells me I should call my doctor and see him if I'm having trouble, but he didn't really do much for me last time. Is there really no option other than just more drugs? I mean there's massage but at this point it hurts even to just touch.
*SIGH*

I'm having lots of hot baths, sparingly taking the drugs I have for arthritis & inflammation, and using anti-inflammatory cream. Any other recommendations of stuff that works for the rest of you?

Thanks for listening.

[Susie*Bee]

So sorry to hear you are having a rough time-- but yep, this is the place to share when you're feeling down. I agree with your dad about talking to your surgeon. I think with some doctors you have to be a bit aggressive-- and if he doesn't help you then maybe it's time to at least consult with another scoli specialist. I couldn't tell if the pain is from your back or from your arthritis -- or both. If it's your arthritis, then can you talk to your family doctor about that? Do you have osteo or rheumatoid arthritis? You seem so young to be having those problems, but I know arthritis is no respecter of age... I know I had a hard time getting an arthritis medicine that did very much for me-- we (my doctor and me) kept trying different ones. And then when I found one that finally worked, it was taken off the market-- vioxx. I was on it for about 3 years. The one I take now isn't one of the newer ones, but does seem to work for me pretty well most of the time. It's Voltaren (diclofenac).

Hopefully the humidity in your area will let up and you'll be feeling better soon. Hang in there.

[debbei]

Lisa,

You are a beautiful young girl, and it breaks my heart that you are in such pain. I agree that you should go back to the Dr. and see what they can do for you. You have your whole life to live. There has to be something they can do for you.

I can't give you any other advice since I'm not yet fused, but just know that you can vent here any time you want. And also, get great advice from all these other folks who have so much good info.

[lisanicole]

Thanks ladies.

Thanks for the sweet words ladies!
The arthritis is supposedly because of my fusion?? In response to my fused spine I have inflammation in and around my vertebrate? I won't contend to know exactly what I'm talking about, listening to all the posts from the states I feel quite under educated about my scoliosis and my surgery.
I take voltaren too, but it really knocks me on my ass, so I don't take it as much as I'm supposed to, only when I'm really desperate (as I have been the last few days).
I rarely ever take time off work, and I have such a guilt complex that because I've taken 2 days in the last week I keep worrying my boss is going to think I'm not sincere and I'm just trying to get out of work.
I'm feeling a bit better today...
There's only one scoliosis specialist in my city... I guess I could see my family doctor about the arthritis pain, I have mostly just seen my specialist about it and he is the one who prescribed voltaren.
How do you react to voltaren Susie*Bee? Does it make you all foggy in the head & sleepy?

Thanks for listening

[Susie*Bee]

Lisanicole... thanks for explaining your situation so well. I have no noticeable affects from the voltaren-- other than helping with the arthritis pain. My dose is one (1) 75 mg. pill, twice a day. I feel like my mind is clear and it doesn't make me groggy or fuzzy at all. Of course, that's my interpretation of how I'm doing... But I really think it doesn't affect me at all. It's funny/peculiar how different meds react so differently with people. That's probably why we (my doctor and me) tried probably 7 or 8 different arthritis meds. Most of them didn't seem to do anything at all. The problem is that you have to take them for about a month before you know how they'll be for you. The voltaren doesn't ALWAYS keep me pain free, but it makes it pretty livable if it doesn't. I sure noticed the difference during the time I couldn't take it after my surgery... Now, those pain meds from the surgery DID make my thinking foggy/fuzzy. Like when I tried to tell my family that the keyboard on this computer was smaller than normal ones... and back then I know my thinking process was just plain slowed down, period.