September 9th surgery

[mabeckoff]

It depends on his office rules, but I'm guessing that he'll help. At the UCSF Spine Center, we have a nurse practitioner who handles drugs for 3 months postop, but then then prescriptions have to be transferred to patients' primary care doctors or pain management doctors.

--Linda

I just sent him an email and he answered that we will figure it out Wednesday when I see him

[debbei]

I just sent him an email and he answered that we will figure it out Wednesday when I see him

I'm glad Melissa. I do remember having the blues a few months out and couldn't really figure out why.

You have been through SO much the last few years, it's not surprising that you're having these feelings.

[mabeckoff]

I'm glad Melissa. I do remember having the blues a few months out and couldn't really figure out why.

You have been through SO much the last few years, it's not surprising that you're having these feelings.

Thanks at least I know that I am not abnormal

[JenniferG]

I'm so sorry to hear about your pain. I do hope that settles down quickly - I'm thinking it might be a reaction to the PT? And I agree with others, it's hardly surprising that you're feeling depressed, after everything you've been through. I hope Dr. Bederman can help on Wednesday. Sending warm cyber-hugs.

[rohrer01]

There are a couple of antidepressants that are also approved for pain. They are Cymbalta and Lyrica. I'm not sure, but I think they are SSRI's or SNRI's (maybe both?). Not everyone can take antidepressants. The Nortriptaline that Linda was talking about is from an older class of antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants. They work differently than the new ones. So I would suggest talking about all of the choices with your doctor to come up with the best solution for you, as we are all different. I certainly hope you feel better soon. Wednesday seems so far away when you don't feel good today. Again, gentle (((hugs)))

[mabeckoff]

There are a couple of antidepressants that are also approved for pain. They are Cymbalta and Lyrica. I'm not sure, but I think they are SSRI's or SNRI's (maybe both?). Not everyone can take antidepressants. The Nortriptaline that Linda was talking about is from an older class of antidepressants called tricyclic antidepressants. They work differently than the new ones. So I would suggest talking about all of the choices with your doctor to come up with the best solution for you, as we are all different. I certainly hope you feel better soon. Wednesday seems so far away when you don't feel good today. Again, gentle (((hugs)))

I have been taking Cymbalta and Lyrica since 2008 for my fibro. I hope that I can get some help soon as I am unable to sit for any length of time.

[mabeckoff]

I am just miserable. I am in so much pain that I do not want to move. I just want to feel better. Is that too much to ask?

[golfnut]

No, Melissa, it's not too much to ask. Hopefully, Dr. B. will get everthing under control for you so that you start feeling better emotionally and physically.

[titaniumed]

Melissa

You know about the sitting. Its hard right now and its going to take time. Do you think that the PT is making things worse? If so, let them know. I didn’t feel like doing much at all when I was at your stage but every day, the only thing that I could count on was the fact that I knew that I would eventually get better. Hope is a good thing. Your arm will eventually recover.

Hang in there, 4 weeks post was an extremely difficult time for me.
Ed

[LindaRacine]

Hi Melissa...

I'm so sorry that it continues to be so difficult.

Not that there's not something wrong with your spine, but I wonder if the issue is actually your fibromyalgia. Several times, I've hear surgeons tell patients that a big surgery might make other conditions flare up. Did you take any anti-inflammatory medication before you started the surgery journey? That can also make you feel pretty crumby.

Hang in there. This is the tough time. When I couldn't get comfortable in bed, and couldn't sit in a chair for more than half an hour at a time, I thought I'd go crazy. Eventually, I figured it out. (In my case, my recliner was the thing that saved me, but it took me several weeks to figure that out.)

Regards,
Linda

[mabeckoff]

Melissa

You know about the sitting. Its hard right now and its going to take time. Do you think that the PT is making things worse? If so, let them know. I didn’t feel like doing much at all when I was at your stage but every day, the only thing that I could count on was the fact that I knew that I would eventually get better. Hope is a good thing. Your arm will eventually recover.

Hang in there, 4 weeks post was an extremely difficult time for me.


Ed

I am only having one more session of PT. I have 9 more sessions of OT scheduled. I think that they are helping. It is just so hard right now because my arm is still not working and it will be a month tomorrow from my last surgery.

[mabeckoff]

Wish me well. I am off to see Dr Bederman today at 10am. I will let you know what we figure out

[mabeckoff]

Well, I saw Dr Bederman today and first he listened to me talk for 15-20 minutes. Then he said that he really feels that most of my pain problems are due to my
fibromylagia. So he is sending me to a fibro specialist . Then we talked about my right arm/shoulder pain. I am having a MRI done on Tuesday and after reviewing it he will set me up with Dr Grupa, who does shoulders.We discussed when to do the shoulder surgery and he feels the sooner the better, bit if I do it the first
quarter of next year, that should be Ok.He also feels that I am doing too much and I need to take better care of myself. Finally, he reminded me again that it will
be 18-24 months before I can consider myself healed

Thanks for listening

[JenniferG]

I'm glad you're going to see a fibro specialist. Have you ever seen one before? I'm glad to hear Dr. B's not giving up on you. And sending you to the right places.

Slow down and take it easy Melissa. Nothing is as important as your health.

[jrnyc]

Melissa, i am also glad the surgeon is sticking with you, and referring you to the correct specialists according
to what you need...

as to what he said about doing too much....
true true true!
just glance at your signature....how many surgeries...how many in 2011 alone!!
you HAVE to slow down and give it time....
your body has probably felt like it has been assaulted by surgeons....
one surgery after the next...after the next, after the next....
so much so fast...it is almost like an assault on the entire body....
it takes a loooong time to be all healed....
please try to lower your expectations as to how FAST things will happen...
not lower them for a life free of pain....just lower them for how long it will take to get there...
i don't think you can speed it up in any way....

hope you feel better each day...
jess