Off to the doc

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Haynie

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Well it is all but confirmed. I blew a disc in my lower back. I spent the last two weeks on the highest dose of hydrocodon on the market. It did nothing for the pain but left me a zombie. I don't remember much and apparently did not make any bad business decisions but had conversations I don't remember. If I did something stupid here I apologize. I did try to turn a pen and lets just say my work was less than good.:laugh: I got a new drug Monday and wow does it make a difference. works on the nerve without getting me stoned. Still hurts though but I can function. No more drooling on myself except at night when the doc said to take something to help sleep.

I had my first shot at an MRI for this yesterday but guess what my shoulders were too wide to fit into the machine here. I don't know who they put in that thing but the guy said it is more common for someone to NOT fit in the machine than it is for them to fit. I will go for a second shot at a place with a wider machine. I have been in that one before. It sucked but it got done. Seeing as how I am claustrophobic, this will be a nightmare. I have done this for both shoulders and a wrist and by the time it is finished I am about to crawl out of my skin. I am going to ask for Valium.

Since I am a teacher I want to get better before school starts in 3 weeks. I doubt that will happen but I can hope. Anyone else herniate a disk?
 
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Mine was C6/C7. My time in the MRI was nowhere as traumatic as yours. I had to do it 3 times. The lady tech told me to relax so I did. The image came out blurred, so back for a redo. Same results the second time. This time she ask me, "Are you going to sleep?" I responded, "You said to relax. When I relax it is nap time." Her response was to not relax quiet so much. Third time the charm.

I had my surgery in Jackson, TN with Doctors from Simms Murphy Clinic out of Memphis. Great job with no problems after 2+ years. Make sure you have checked out your surgeon, his staff and the quality of the hospital. All three very important for different reasons. Best of luck and our prayers are with you.
Charles
 
This will all be done at the same facility that did both my shoulders. Great docs, great facility. I hope no surgery but my general physician said the pain was too bog and the length time it has been going on is not promising. I am okay with it I just have to get through friday.

How could you sleep with all that noise?
 
I was volunteer fireman for 8 years. The three most important things I learned was 1) never miss a chance to eat 2)never miss a chance to pee 3) never miss a chance to sleep for it may be a very long time till the chance comes around again. I learned to grab a nap going from one fire to the next riding in the truck with lights and siren running wide open. Great training. Still makes my Bride irritated when my napping gene kicks in in the middle of a conversation.:eek::wink:

Charles
 
I have 5 - from the T6 to the T10 - drugs, well I've tried them all.

The best for me was Synap Forte but they have pulled that from the market here so all I'm left with is Synaleve which isn't too great but better than nothing.

I take it you're undergoing physiotherapy? and of course home exercise is also very good, special stretching exercises work wonders once the disc has settled.

I have actually just got back from the doc, have a pinched nerve in the lower back causing pain down the right leg. All went well for 4 months and now its back to the physio and biokineticist for the forseeable future.

Good luck with the MRI - never a pleasant experience, especially the bang bang bang for half an hour :) 10mg of valium should definitely do the trick!!
 
Mark, I got a blown T5 actually lucky guy mines is on both sides,T4 and S1, it's pretty degenerated, but I'm kind of a degenerate so no big deal, except I can't walk. Hydrocodone, is a joke, I have been on 10 mg 3 times a day for 2 -1/2 years Guess what, they do little or no good. I've had spinal nerve ablation and it worked great for about 2 weeks maybe 3, I still had to take the Percaset which is Oxycodone, but mine doesn't have as much acetaminophen and it still does no good. So today after PT I go for another MRI this time on my hip.
Why I don't know, Mr Cardiologist says no major surgery until they correct an abdominal aortal aneurism. But it's not large enough to warrant operating on.
I was just wondering what the hell he considers major surgery? Oh I guess he has to get his money before I croak on some other DR's table.
Good luck with the MRI, just take your own ear plugs, the funky ones my DR, uses don't want to stay in. so I' taking my sonic valve ear plugs.
too bad the noise can't at least have a nice rhythm.
 
I feel for all of you guys with back problems... knock on green wood... so far I haven't had any problems, but I sure sympathize with those that do... as for the MRI machines, haven't had those yet either, but did have a couple of heart stress tests where they put me on the doppler table... a one foot wide (at least seems that narrow) with a donut hoop that runs around the body... you have to put your arms over your head for the 45 minutes that machine runs... by the end of the test my arms are almost permanently locked in that position... I almost have to have help getting my arms down...
 
Wish you the best Mark! I find out the results of my MRI tomorrow. I've been in so much pain for the past 2+ months. I can't even sit down without yelling out in pain! I've seen 3 different doctors and every single one thought I was only looking for pain killers. My new doc doesn't want to give me any painkillers either, but atleast he's trying to find out what the problem is. I'll find out tomorrow hopefully and maybe...JUST mabye I'll get to take something to where I can sleep for more than an hour at a time.
 
I've been dealing with two herniated disc, for 6 years now, L4-L5 & L5-S1.

I hear ya on being a zombie, been my life for a few years now.. :eek:

I'd like to know what the new drug your on is, maybe it's something that would help me.

Hope you get better, ask for an open MRI, they are a little easier to do.
 
Thanks folks.

Brooks, Come here, they believe in pain medication. One doctor will drug test you when the pills are gone, though, to see if you actually used them or just sold them. Rumor has it that she has had a few folks arrested because there was not enough in their system. :bulgy-eyes:I am sure it is not true but it does fit her personality

I am on Gabapentin. It is the generic of Neurontin, an epilepsy drug. Also used sometimes for people with MS. I hurt but I can function. This and Ibuprofen keep me going through the day.

Jorge I just counted my blanks. I don't have twenty to send. Guess I am one of those lying junkies.:tongue:

Last time I was in this machine they put some earphone on me so I could listen to music. Problem was, the machine was so loud I could not hear the music.

No can do on the open MRI. It does not give the resolution this doc likes. The MRI at this facility is the strongest in the state. At least that is what they proudly tell you when you go in.
 
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Blew L5 about 27 years ago and blew C4 about 6 years ago. Did the Mylogram first time and the MRI on the second one. I'll take an MRI ANY day to putting dye in your spinal column:eek: Did physical therapy, did Chiroprctor, etc. Finally had to have surgery both times. I am glad I tried the other things first but mine were just so "blown apart" there was no chance. The surgeries were a success both times. Still have small "glitches" but nothing like the pain and handicap condition that it puts you in.

Good luck and keep us updated.
 
Yep, I have a couple herniated, as well as spinal stenosis. I think there's a lot of that around. I do well now compared to when I first was diagnosed two years ago. The secret for me was to be as active as possible. I exercise at a wellness center and work around the house.

At first I thought I needed to baby myself. Not so! I only got worse. My wife talked me into to going to the wellness center and she was so right--always is.
 
ctubbs said:
I was volunteer fireman for 8 years. The three most important things I learned was 1) never miss a chance to eat 2)never miss a chance to pee 3) never miss a chance to sleep for it may be a very long time till the chance comes around again. I learned to grab a nap going from one fire to the next riding in the truck with lights and siren running wide open. Great training. Still makes my Bride irritated when my napping gene kicks in in the middle of a conversation.:eek::wink:

Charles
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If she gets ticked during conversation, I bet she realllllllly gets upset, "lights out" :) :) :)
 
Neurtontin(Gabapentin) was originally developed as a medication for seizures, but not was very effective. During drug trials it showed a lot of potential for blocking nerve pain so it is now used to treat neuropathy, nerve pain, from chemotherapy, diabetes, and spinal pain with good results. It is good because it's side effects are limited and the dosing can be quite high, which allows for good coverage.
 
I have herniated the same disc twice. L5-S1 I suffered for six months the first time and finally had surgery which lasted about 4 years before I blew it again. I went to the surgeon and inside of a week had surgery again. This one has been good for 5 years. I also learned to accept some limitations in lifting, which has helped.
 
Thanks for the info Nava1uni.

Went in Friday for the MRI and the original place was wrong. Where they sent was not the larger bore but they gave it the old college try, before telling where the larger machine was. My insurance was very tolerant of all this and allowed me to get my MRI in what would probably pass as a very spacious submarine. It was very big. Which was good since the Valium had worn off before I had my appointment at 8:30 pm. Those folks worked late. We got home at 1:00am. Nice people though. If I EVER have to do this again I am going there. Now I go to the doc this Wednesday.
 
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