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  • #46
    Hello Rohrer,

    Have been on a marathon work regime, so I haven't had a chance to sit down and let you know how great it was to hear that you made it through this weekend with your plan intact...

    Like Jess said, YOU should be proud of you. I know I am, and we've never met. I don't know much about this process (I am learning vicariously), but it seems like you picked a huge challenge, unaided, and you may be spilling out on the good side. I sure hope so.

    Keep it up, girl. You are in my prayers and on my mind.

    Amy
    Amy
    58 yrs old, diagnosed at 31, never braced
    Measured T-64, L-65 in 2009
    Measured T-57, L-56 in 2010, different doc
    2 lumbar levels spondylolisthesis
    Exercising to correct

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    • #47
      Thanks. I'm down to only percocet 3 times a day. I must admit that I am having a much harder time with the percocet than I EVER have had in the past. My response to this med in the past was pretty benign. I just figure that I came off of two BIG monsters, so a little percocet for now is no big deal. I'm not trying to play the hero on that one, yet. I feel pretty crappy this morning, so I took a whole one instead of breaking them in half like I have been. It is raining here, and I always feel worse when it rains. I WISH I could take NSAIDS. That would help with pain issues as tylenol alone makes me feel sick. My doctor doesn't want me to take ANY NSAID because he is afraid I will go into kidney failure because of taking so much throughout my life. He said something about new studies showing that they have a cumulative affect on the body over time and that some people are going into kidney failure even on "safe" doses. I really don't need to add that to my list of woes right now. Oh, I meant to say yesterday that I asked the doctor if he does botox injections and indeed he does! On the bad side, he said he was afraid to give me any because my spine is not stable. He's afraid that if he paralyzes any muscles around my spine that it will collapse faster. He also said that residual depression can last for a couple of months after being clean from narcotics. He told me that lack of energy and motivation are very common. This I can relate to VERY much. I'm glad to hear that my depression is "chemically" induced and will go away. I can not take anti-depressants because I have a heart arrythmia. My cardiologist said absolutely NO antidepressants under any circumstances as they induce tachycardia in people like me. I have been on them before for pain management and I always had problems with my heart while on them. I'm of the mind that when I know what is causing something, it makes it a little easier to endure. I'm by no means suicidal or anything, just not motivated. My house is a disaster (at least by my standards). Men just don't seem to appreciate things like clean floors and bathrooms, and I don't feel up to doing it as often as I should. I'm on day 8 of no fentanyl. I know I will feel better soon. I can't wait until I'm totally clean and through the withdrawal period. I'm actually looking forward to getting the injections for pain rather than taking pills. Yeah! You all are so GREAT and ENCOURAGING!!!
      Be happy!
      We don't know what tomorrow brings,
      but we are alive today!

      Comment


      • #48
        hey rohr
        yes, the stuff about residual depression...unfortunate that you cant take antidepressants...i've watched them help all kinds of addicts in rehab!

        NSAID's never did anything for me...though i know they have helped lots of folks...but they also can really damage the stomach over time, so they have good and bad to them! i dont regret not taking them! i had enuf stomach damage from long term antibiotics for Lyme!

        you know, in 12 step they always talk about patience...and small steps, etc...i know it is really hard, especially when the hours seem to crawl! i am hoping and praying that things get a little easier for you...it really is one minute at a time sometimes, and i know that can be agony! keep your eye on the goal...you will get there...

        i dont know why your doctor said that about botox shots...my surgeon is fine with it...would just as soon not have to go above T11 for my...eventual...surgery...so all the surgeons i consulted with...over 5...were fine with my getting botox in thoracic region...NONE spoke of spine collapsing...i dont understand what that is about...?

        hope you feel better soon...
        jess

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        • #49
          Maybe because your main problems are in the lumbar region? Mine are in the upper thoracic and unstable. He was really, really intimidated by my condition. They all seem to be at that hospital.
          Be happy!
          We don't know what tomorrow brings,
          but we are alive today!

          Comment


          • #50
            no..my botox shots are only for thoracic...for muscle spasms that were so painful! but yes, my biggest problems come from lumbar, and also that is where my discs are all degenerated...and the stenosis is...etc etc...

            in NYC, doctors seem to accept botox as a valid treatment for muscle spasms...i found out about it from someone who got the shots in her hips...though botox hasnt worked for me in lumbar region...just upper back...i dont think the surgeons would have OK'd it if they had doubts about my spine collapsing...they are happy i found this tx...and that it helps!

            jess
            Last edited by jrnyc; 06-08-2010, 06:12 PM.

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            • #51
              Mahor congratulations to you, rohrer! Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!

              I'm glad you were warned about depression. It really helps to know it's there and that it's "exogenous" (from outside your natural system). Depression was always THE great problem for me in the past, except for that hellacious period of near complete insomina when I went off my high dose of opiates last June.

              But yes, depression is a big deal. As I said, my mantra became:
              "it's all chemical and "it's temporary". That helps. AFter all, since they are euphoragenic, there is the rebound effect from that as from every other effect they have.

              I'm reading up on the NSAIDS news thanks to your notice. Disturbing to me considering how MUCH I've taken in the past - Relafen and Vioxx especially. The latter was fabulous for my pain - far better than opiates. And I'm trying to lower my already low opiates dose now by increasing ALeve (which also helps a lot), so this is BAD news. Don't know how I'll cope with post surgery pain without it. Is there nothing left?

              Hypnosis,,,
              Last edited by Back-out; 06-08-2010, 02:06 PM.
              Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
              Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
              main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
              Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

              Comment


              • #52
                As far as the NSAIDS go, I think I have taken far less than my doc thinks. I'm hurting pretty badly today because it's cloudy and rainy and cold. I don't want to up my percocet any and disturb things as far as the withdrawal goes. My only options are to take more percocet, take an NSAID or be in PAIN... I think I'm going to take some naproxen if it gets any worse. It seems to be the least irritating for my stomach and hasn't put me into tachycardia like ibuprofen and fenoprofen have. I'm sure one dose won't hurt me. It's so very, very frusterating because I feel like my hands are tied. I have had the beginnings of an ulcer before, so my tummy is VERY sensitive to NSAIDS and I can't take too many for the reason of stomach pain. Arghhhhhhh!! I really don't know why my doc freaked out about kidney failure. He hasn't even run a kidney function test. I haven't had any symptoms of kidney failure either, so this just came out of the blue for me.
                Be happy!
                We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                but we are alive today!

                Comment


                • #53
                  I just read that Naproxen is among those LEAST apt to cause cardiac symptoms though its GI risks are much higher. So!
                  Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
                  Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
                  main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
                  Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    Thanks! That's strange though, because ibuprofen seems to be the worst offender to my stomach...
                    Be happy!
                    We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                    but we are alive today!

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Everybody's different Personally, I've at least stopped swallowing it bedside PRN or even with small sips of water. Belatedly reading directions, I think even at the risk of an extra pit stop I'll take it with that full glass of water they specify! Er, don't want to think of how long I've done it wrong. Man, it DOES taste acidic to the tongue, though - outright burns!
                      Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
                      Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
                      main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
                      Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        hey rohr
                        am concerned about that "ulcer" comment...i have had major GI problems, most began from long term oral antibiotics, some reactivated old problem...but please be very careful....cause i have found, in my own experience, that once those stomach problems take hold, they are very difficult to get rid of!!

                        also, i once took an all day "pee in a bottle" (with a chemical inside bottle) test for kidney function from a specialist...did they give you one of those tests...?

                        feel better...i know how bad chilly damp days are!

                        jess

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                        • #57
                          Don't worry about me. I got my painful stomach again and decided against the naproxen. Soooo here I sit, hurting and grouchy. I can't take anything for a couple of more hours at least. YES, the stomach problems just don't seem to go away once they start. I, personally, am more worried about that than kidney problems. It's hard to stop a GI bleed.
                          Be happy!
                          We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                          but we are alive today!

                          Comment


                          • #58
                            so sorry, rohr...do you think you need an endoscopy or some other test...or just some rest for now?

                            feel better soon...
                            jess

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                            • #59
                              I'm just having a bad day... Tomorrow will be better. It is getting better each day, minute by minute, hour by hour. I'll be okay.
                              Be happy!
                              We don't know what tomorrow brings,
                              but we are alive today!

                              Comment


                              • #60
                                good to hear...

                                jess

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