AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 18, 2023 15:43:25 GMT -6
sasamI imagine going without your ms drugs this long has been nervewracking. Glad you have a plan going forward.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 18, 2023 15:52:56 GMT -6
I'm at a conundrum and don't want to pay more $ to see if I can get more Dr's opinions.
Is the muscle stim machine at physiotherapy what is helping nerve pain? Still have numb toes though. Or is it the higher dose of Lyrica? Or stopping amytriptaline? Or all 3 that's helping nerve pain be less?
Do I get us guided piriformis injection from ortho To make piriformis stop cramping and messing with sciatic nerve? It worked for almost a week of no pain AND no numb toes. Or si joint injection from pain doc since it seems to be part of the nerve pain problem Or wait til Nov appt with gyn specialist who may inject piriformis and up to 9 other muscles that are tight and cramping?
I'm not sure what next step is. /Amy's blog
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hawkward
Global Moderator
Loss, Infertility
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Post by hawkward on Sept 18, 2023 20:39:14 GMT -6
AmyG I don’t know how spread out your providers are, so it may not be an option for you, but at my hospital, you can request your docs do a collaboration meeting. I’ve been in on them before and it’s pretty cool. Basically they each lay out their plan and then see what can be consolidated/skipped/otherwise improved.
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Post by Rusty Red on Sept 19, 2023 9:54:38 GMT -6
The more I'm reading about cortisone, the more I'm thinking no. I just don't love the possible further damage to tendons it can cause.
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Post by kittyriot on Sept 19, 2023 10:12:47 GMT -6
The more I'm reading about cortisone, the more I'm thinking no. I just don't love the possible further damage to tendons it can cause. It’s definitely risky. Over the last five years à I’ve only done it three times. I will say, it works well. I just think it’s a treatment you should be cautious with.
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Post by kittyriot on Sept 19, 2023 10:14:38 GMT -6
Ive been home sick.
I travelled for work last week and now im down with a bad head cold and have lost my voice. I tested, and I’m just grateful it doesn’t seem to be Covid.
I also put out my back yesterday. Grateful I have care tomorrow. For now it’s heading pads and tea.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 19, 2023 15:07:01 GMT -6
AmyG I don’t know how spread out your providers are, so it may not be an option for you, but at my hospital, you can request your docs do a collaboration meeting. I’ve been in on them before and it’s pretty cool. Basically they each lay out their plan and then see what can be consolidated/skipped/otherwise improved. My doc in November I haven't even seen yet so they won't weigh in on what I should do until after we have the appt. But they called this morning to move me up to Oct 5th. It is likely pelvic floor injections that I need to deal with this but it's not something I'm looking forward to.
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AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,372 Likes: 33,958
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Post by AmyG on Sept 19, 2023 15:11:49 GMT -6
Rusty Red, Cortisone can be so helpful and like everything it comes with risks. I would talk over those risks with your dr instead of dr google. I know, I do the same thing. Overthinking things to the point of not doing the thing because there is some risk maybe my anxiety talking. and who doesn't have anxiety when it comes to a continuing medical issue that just won't resolve? I imagine dr wouldn't recommend it if they think there's a high risk of negative outcome. My drs recommended cortisone injection for my knee in the joint for excess swelling, and cortisone shot in my piriformis for sciatic pain. two different docs and I asked if they had any negative reactions of any kind including tendon issues, and they both said not with a single injection. more frequent injections are more likely to mess up things. Your doc may have similar info.
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Eagles
Opal
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Post by Eagles on Sept 19, 2023 15:34:46 GMT -6
The more I'm reading about cortisone, the more I'm thinking no. I just don't love the possible further damage to tendons it can cause. My ortho avoids cortisone as much as possible. We talked about it last year when I had a knee injury. She doesn't love the risks or potential side effects, especially in women.
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Post by Rusty Red on Sept 20, 2023 8:26:14 GMT -6
Rusty Red , Cortisone can be so helpful and like everything it comes with risks. I would talk over those risks with your dr instead of dr google. I know, I do the same thing. Overthinking things to the point of not doing the thing because there is some risk maybe my anxiety talking. and who doesn't have anxiety when it comes to a continuing medical issue that just won't resolve? I imagine dr wouldn't recommend it if they think there's a high risk of negative outcome. My drs recommended cortisone injection for my knee in the joint for excess swelling, and cortisone shot in my piriformis for sciatic pain. two different docs and I asked if they had any negative reactions of any kind including tendon issues, and they both said not with a single injection. more frequent injections are more likely to mess up things. Your doc may have similar info. It's not just Google, it's people I have talked to who have had it. It's not worth the risk for me.
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AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,372 Likes: 33,958
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Post by AmyG on Sept 20, 2023 12:09:44 GMT -6
Rusty RedWhat are your other options? Is Platelet-rich plasma injections something that might help? That's for your arm? Right? How's hip leg?
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Post by Rusty Red on Sept 21, 2023 9:35:13 GMT -6
Rusty Red What are your other options? Is Platelet-rich plasma injections something that might help? That's for your arm? Right? How's hip leg? We'll be mainly talking about my leg, I think, doc didn't send over info on the arm from what I can tell. I'm going to try treating the arm with an at-home Graston machine, essentially, we'll see what happens there. My guess is he's going to suggest PRP for my leg. My insurance won't cover it, so I'll have to think about it.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 21, 2023 11:32:14 GMT -6
Rusty Red What are your other options? Is Platelet-rich plasma injections something that might help? That's for your arm? Right? How's hip leg? We'll be mainly talking about my leg, I think, doc didn't send over info on the arm from what I can tell. I'm going to try treating the arm with an at-home Graston machine, essentially, we'll see what happens there. My guess is he's going to suggest PRP for my leg. My insurance won't cover it, so I'll have to think about it. Yeah when my ortho said prp for my knee I got a 2nd opinion and then got knee where it's not NY problem body part anymore lol Graston is muscle scraping tool?
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Post by Rusty Red on Sept 21, 2023 12:53:22 GMT -6
We'll be mainly talking about my leg, I think, doc didn't send over info on the arm from what I can tell. I'm going to try treating the arm with an at-home Graston machine, essentially, we'll see what happens there. My guess is he's going to suggest PRP for my leg. My insurance won't cover it, so I'll have to think about it. Yeah when my ortho said prp for my knee I got a 2nd opinion and then got knee where it's not NY problem body part anymore lol Graston is muscle scraping tool? Yes. The machine is electric powered, stays on the spot for 10 min three times a week. Be nice if they had something like that for the hamstring too!
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 21, 2023 15:12:43 GMT -6
Rusty Red, Take a copy of your mri report with you to the doc in case they didn't get the arm only the leg.
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AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,372 Likes: 33,958
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 12:04:28 GMT -6
Called and lined up pain doc appt to be at closer office same office has the chiropractor that does the muscle stim treatment on my butt/hip area. And I can basically choose to show up early or stay late for treatment like a walk in.
If they could do it with one copay that would be amazing.
But that took 3 phone calls and just juggling that into my calendar made me totally wiped. I guess my Dr call anxiety isn't quite under control if it effected me like that?
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AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,372 Likes: 33,958
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 12:05:17 GMT -6
kittyriotAre you feeling any better? I sure hope you don't have covid.
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Post by kittyriot on Sept 22, 2023 15:18:22 GMT -6
kittyriotAre you feeling any better? I sure hope you don't have covid. No Covid, thankfully. Thanks for checking in, I appreciate it. Today was the first day back working in the office. Both my head cold and back are on the mend. But I’m still feeling strained through the right side of my body.
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AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,372 Likes: 33,958
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 16:12:40 GMT -6
kittyriot Are you feeling any better? I sure hope you don't have covid. No Covid, thankfully. Thanks for checking in, I appreciate it. Today was the first day back working in the office. Both my head cold and back are on the mend. But I’m still feeling strained through the right side of my body. I guess back to work means you are feeling ok. but I know when I get a head cold it stays in my head forever. do you need a good massage?
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 16:12:54 GMT -6
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hawkward
Global Moderator
Loss, Infertility
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Post by hawkward on Sept 22, 2023 16:34:28 GMT -6
Like I’ve done a million sit ups. The surgeon warned me I’d have a rough recovery, but i was not expecting this long. It’s been four weeks yesterday. I’m supposed to go back to work Tuesday and I’m not sure how it’s going to go. My supervisors have reasonable expectations for me though. Since I’ve reached my deductible for the year, I think I’m going to schedule another RFA on my back for November or December. My pain guy said the second round is usually more effective long term. Sorry I’m whiny.
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Post by Kenny1980 on Sept 22, 2023 16:50:29 GMT -6
Sorry to everyone dealing with pain still. I finally feel like I am getting somewhere with what is causing my pain. My new pain doctor had me do an MRI of my neck and back. Based on that she ordered PT. This was the first time someone suggested an MRI. Years ago I did PT, but didn't find it very helpful. My new PT did some spinal manipulation and graston on my neck and shoulder. I was really tender after, but I think it will be very effective. It also made me feel not so crazy when she was telling me my issues were not normal and not just in my head. I feel like some of my previous providers didn't believe me that I am truly in pain every day and just dismissed me.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 17:50:57 GMT -6
Like I’ve done a million sit ups. The surgeon warned me I’d have a rough recovery, but i was not expecting this long. It’s been four weeks yesterday. I’m supposed to go back to work Tuesday and I’m not sure how it’s going to go. My supervisors have reasonable expectations for me though. Since I’ve reached my deductible for the year, I think I’m going to schedule another RFA on my back for November or December. My pain guy said the second round is usually more effective long term. Sorry I’m whiny. Ouch. So sorry to hear that. Hope work is very accommodating! How often should you need this? I thought it was closer to a once and done thing.
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AmyG
Ruby
Posts: 15,372 Likes: 33,958
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 17:53:00 GMT -6
Sorry to everyone dealing with pain still. I finally feel like I am getting somewhere with what is causing my pain. My new pain doctor had me do an MRI of my neck and back. Based on that she ordered PT. This was the first time someone suggested an MRI. Years ago I did PT, but didn't find it very helpful. My new PT did some spinal manipulation and graston on my neck and shoulder. I was really tender after, but I think it will be very effective. It also made me feel not so crazy when she was telling me my issues were not normal and not just in my head. I feel like some of my previous providers didn't believe me that I am truly in pain every day and just dismissed me. I feel like years ago when I went to pt for back pain it was just lets see how many exercises we can make you to to increase your strength even if it increases your pain. But recent my pt experience has been worlds of difference, so many other techniques and procedures they can use to help you out, with a goal of like NOT increasing your pain. So hope your PT continues to provide care that at least makes you feel hopeful. And a doc that listens and doesn't just blow you off is sooooo reassuring I think a LOT of women deal with way more pain every day that is dismissed where a guy would be taken seriously.
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hawkward
Global Moderator
Loss, Infertility
Posts: 19,638 Likes: 123,092
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Post by hawkward on Sept 22, 2023 20:26:30 GMT -6
Like I’ve done a million sit ups. The surgeon warned me I’d have a rough recovery, but i was not expecting this long. It’s been four weeks yesterday. I’m supposed to go back to work Tuesday and I’m not sure how it’s going to go. My supervisors have reasonable expectations for me though. Since I’ve reached my deductible for the year, I think I’m going to schedule another RFA on my back for November or December. My pain guy said the second round is usually more effective long term. Sorry I’m whiny. Ouch. So sorry to hear that. Hope work is very accommodating! How often should you need this? I thought it was closer to a once and done thing. Every 6-12 months at first and then the more you age the longer you can go until it’s permanent. It’s kind of like microwaving the nerve to damage it, but it doesn’t completely kill the nerve so it can regrow. Eventually for a lot of people it does destroy the nerve. It’s actually a really cool process. I love doing them (from the nursing side, the patient side is not so fun). My provider is an amazing educator and lets me work to the full capacity of my scope of practice, so I get to do the actual burning after he places the needles.
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 22, 2023 20:35:52 GMT -6
hawkward, well knowing how the process is done exactly like that at least takes out that wonder and worry. Sounds like you are having a slower than usual recovery though. Hope you feel better soon!
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Post by bustedbiscuits on Sept 24, 2023 6:48:10 GMT -6
Sending love to all those going through pain.
I'm having a flare-up of back pain from my arthritis. A huge part of me knows it's linked to moving less. After H came for a visit in May, I've felt depressed/missing him. I stopped working out and also started feeling extremely exhausted. I took it as a sign to rest but my recent labs came back showing my TSH levels have shot up above 3. I know I feel great below 1. Maybe it's time to up my dose as I've been on the same dose for 7 years (25 mcg of levo).
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 24, 2023 11:04:14 GMT -6
bustedbiscuitsDefinitely talk to dr about tsh levels. Low can make you tired i think? which will make you want to move less. Moving less does make that arthritis pain worse-talk to my arthritic knee and back. Gosh
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 24, 2023 11:05:11 GMT -6
Someone nag me Monday or Tuesday or Friday to go get bloodwork again. Gotta check my iron. My blood count went from 10.5 to 9. I'm tired
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AmyG
Ruby
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Post by AmyG on Sept 28, 2023 14:39:13 GMT -6
hawkward, How did first days back to work go?
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