havanaholly Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Atta girl, Deb; sic that rheumatologist on all those other slackers and get the ball rolling! I have been really praying HARD for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otterine Posted June 28, 2010 Share Posted June 28, 2010 Three cheers for Dr. H for not only being a good listener but fighting along with you! I really hope she makes some headway with these people. It's great news to hear your back pain is going to be addressed in the meantime. Big hugs, Deb...hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 How wonderful to have a doctor who actually supports you and encourages you to push for more help! I'm very, very glad to know that she made you feel good ... and that she cares so much about your wellbeing. Any pain relief is going to be tremendous - and it makes me feel better just to know you've made a huge step forward in that direction! Hip, hip hooray for the rheumatologist. I'm not going to focus on the frustrating setbacks - except to say that I feel badly for you, Deb. I'm sorry that you're on such a rocky road ... but I'm sure it will lead to greener pastures eventually. I'll be away for a few days at a friend's cottage - but the candles are going with me, never fear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Hooray to Dr. H!!!I am glad she is getting the ball rolling in the right direction Deb! I hope these other Doctors get on the bandwagon and get things heading in the right direction so you can get total body relief. I am so happy to hear that you'll get to see a specialist about your back pain!! When your back hurts, everything else hurts too cause you don't stand or walk properly because we tend to stand or walk in a way to relieve or avoid pressure or pain points. Sending gentle hugs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodland_miniatures Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Deb, I am SO glad that you have at least one doctor who isn't an incompetent idiot completely lacking in human compassion!! Hooray for this lady, and I hope she goes to bat for you big-time!! I swear, the way you've been treated goes beyond sheer carelessness into out-right malpractice, and I am praying that this lady helps to turn that around. And that you get some relief NOW from at least some of the pain. BIG, gentle hugs {{{{{{{DEB}}}}}}} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selkie Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Oh Deb, I'm so happy for you that someone is finally listening and doing something. I feel so bad that you have had to suffer for so long. Let's let this one be the final one to make it all right. Healing thoughts and energy to you ........................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Yay, finally a great doc who actually cares!!!! Sending lots and lots of happy hugs your way Deb and also a lil' nudge for the other docs to finally get going as they ought to!!!! Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Yay! Finally some encouraging news! And 3 cheers for Dr. H! I do so hope this may finally be a sign of better things to come for you Deb...you SO deserve relief from the horrible situation you've endured for so long! My thoughts and prayers are with you - Sending gentle {{hugs}} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 9, 2010 Author Share Posted July 9, 2010 I saw the spinal doc earlier this week and have an appointment for the first round of shots on the 26th. He said that they'll do about 60 injections in the sacrum part of my spine and two weeks later they'll evaluate how many are needed in the lumbar. Oh, and when I mentioned that I needed to get a "cortisone refill" on my hands, he said that they could do those the same time they do the sacrum. Yay! I'm all happy about that coz I'd much rather get all that pain over with in one day, especially since they're going to give me the "amnesia anesthesia" and I'll be out of it for most of the day. I'm almost happier about getting my hands working again than the shots for my back. LOL! He's really concerned about the cyst on my right kidney, especially since that's the epicenter of most of the pain. He thinks it's probably a result of the old injury there (domestic violence; the gift that keeps on giving) but he can't figure out why nothing has been done about it. He was especially upset when I told him that both my internist and the PA had given me the test results but neither one of them had mentioned that I have a cyst there............especially since the reason for the MRI was to find out why my back hurt so bad. <shaking head> He said that we'll get the shots going and if the pain is still in that spot afterwards I need to find a good internist and tell them that it's definitely the kidney. So I'm adding that to my to-do list after "being able to breathe" and "getting the elephant out of my throat". I had an awakening moment while I was there. The doc asked me how I control pain, especially pain that I've had for over 20 years. I explained that I don't try to fool myself into thinking the pain doesn't exist, I simply trick my brain into thinking that it's normal to feel that way. So he had me turn around with my back to him and started pushing and tapping on my back with the side of his fist and asking me to tell him how much it hurt. He got to the S1 and waited until I was exhaling and then tapped it hard. I screamed and my knees buckled. Bruce jumped out of the chair and got my cane under my hand before I hit the floor. Tears were running down my face and the pain was so intense that I was gasping for air coz I couldn't inhale. The doc kept tapping all the rest of the way down before I could catch my breath and that's the most painful experience I've ever gone thru. I understand that he needed to evaluate the exact amount of pain without me controlling it but that was really bad. Apparently that's the level of my back pain that occurs when I'm off guard. The awakening part is realizing how bad it really is. I'm not sure if the doc understood that there are other medical issues that have made my back a much lesser priority, but he's definitely made his point that it needs to be helped. If I'm focusing less energy on controlling that pain, I'll have more energy to use in fighting other things. There's nothing that can be done to stop the DDD and arthritis, and surgery is something we want to put off as long as possible, but I can accept living with the periodic shots (only 2-3 times a year if I'm lucky). And this doc said that he'd be happy to consult with an internist about my kidney if needed so that's good too. I've been limping around and not moving much since the appointment coz it still hurts like crazy but I'm really looking forward to the 26th when they'll make me feel better and get my hands back to working again. I see the pulmonologist on the 27th and the thyroid surgeon on the 29th so it will be a busy week, but hopefully it'll be a productive one. Oh, and I had this doc confirm that the pain in my collarbone isn't caused by anything skeletal so that's two doctors who can tell the thyroid surgeon to think again if he tries to tell me that pain isn't being caused by the bone jamming into my thyroid. I finally realized I'm playing "Doctor Poker". LOL! "I see your BS excuse and raise you one rheumatologist and one spinal specialist". If I see enough doctors maybe I'll finally get a winning hand. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starfire Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 You will be on my mind over the next few weeks Deb and I will keep my fingers crossed that you will continue to have good interaction with really good doctors. Positive thoughts and good energy on its way to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatColorado Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Keep after them Deb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodland_miniatures Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Deb, that's abominable that you've been "controlling" that degree of pain. I am amazed you've been able to function at all, never mind at the very high level that your mini workmanship shows - some of the best I've ever seen. Yeah, you've been playing medical poker all right, and until now you've drawn nothin' but busted straights, but I do think you're on your way to at least a full house, and if the power of prayer and good wishes has anything to do with it, you'll soon have a straight flush in your hand! Behind you all the way, my friend!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 More Reiki tmo at 1:00 pm my time! Pick it up anytime after :) Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Med Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Deb, I'm so glad that you are finally being heard and look forward to the day when you post on here telling us that you are pain free and back to miniing big time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Thinking of you lots Deb, sending good thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 This is all quite an inditement of the medical profession. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 I am happy that you are starting to "fill the hand" with aces so to speak and that things are finally getting where they should be, ie you getting help and getting rid of a lot of pain but wish you didn't have to go through even more pain right now, sending gentle bear hugs your way and keep poing 'em!!! Will poke alittle from over here as well HUGS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 If my leanings followed yours & Anna's, right now there'd be a lot of "physicians" in your area with the most uncomfortable boils in the most uncomfortable places! I suspect this doctor was also a bit sceptical, based on all the other doctors' reports, but I think that was an unnecessarrily sadistic way of verifying your statements. On a pain scale of 0-10 yours is probably around 12... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Deb, I'm relieved to hear some good news finally! Sorry for the ordeal you had to go through so he could get the full "feel" for your pain - but at least it made things crystal clear. The balance is shifting ... slowly, but surely. Going with a pale blue hydrangea candle next - just because. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidiiiii Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Thinking of you! Next week is going to be a busy one for you. I will be sending out lots of positive energy. You have to start feeling better soon! You and I have evil doings coming up..hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbresr Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Sending prayers and thoughts out to you. You will be busy next week and here's to everything working out for you Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Thanks guys. I'm really looking forward to getting the cortisone shots in my hands so I can use them again. We're once again at the stage where they're curling into claws and I can't straighten them out anymore so the shots are way overdue. I know what to expect from those but I have to admit I'm nervous about the back shots. They'll put me into "conscious sedation" and do 60 individual shots into my spine to distribute the cortisone thru each of the facets. I'm more nervous about the sedation than the shots just because I don't like not being in control like that. <deep breath> But it's all for the best and by the end of next week I should have my hands again and either less pain in my back or a firm diagnosis to take to a kidney specialist. And hopefully some kind of progress with the pulmonologist and the thyroid surgeon too! Deb <keeping fingers crossed> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodland_miniatures Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Hon, got you on my big-time prayer list and pulling for you all the way. Here's to immediate and drastic relief for you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otterine Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Sending you my very best wishes for some relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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