hawkward
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Loss, Infertility
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Post by hawkward on Nov 11, 2024 18:11:14 GMT -6
It’s been a bit. How is everyone doing?
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 11, 2024 18:16:00 GMT -6
Surgery is a week from today. I’m excited/terrified/happy/nervous.
I just did my pre-op physical today and it went well. It’s super weird being on the other side of things. Everyone at work is happy and excited for me. My family is scared/happy. I’ll be spending my 40th birthday recouping.
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Nov 11, 2024 18:57:48 GMT -6
I was just thinking of you hawkwardI certainly hope everything goes smoothly for you. |
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Nov 11, 2024 19:12:22 GMT -6
My epidural injection at L5-S1
Seems to not have had any impact on my pain. None nada
It had to be ruled out as a contributing factor.
So now I'm at choose my own treatment-
3 rounds of steroid piriformis injections 1 month apart
Or
Large dose botox injection in piriformis muscle
Or get approval from dr plus insurance for surgical release of piriformis from strangling the sciatic nerve
I like none of these options.
And over already spent all my $ on medical this year plus I need a crown and 2 small fillings
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gingy
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Post by gingy on Nov 11, 2024 19:53:50 GMT -6
Well my full-body rash is creeping back in. Even with my "normal" labs, that plus the muscle weakness means my rheum is working on getting IVIg approved for me. Just waiting to hear from the infusion center. That'll rack up some medical bills.
I know part of it is due to cutting down the oral meds that were helping but also killing my WBC, but I wouldn't doubt for a second that election- and work-related stress are triggering some extra action. I'm just tired of being tired.
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gingy
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Post by gingy on Nov 11, 2024 19:55:48 GMT -6
hawkward, hope everything goes perfectly and you get some relief!
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 11, 2024 20:10:39 GMT -6
AmyG as much as I really am a fan of ESIs, I’d look into the other options personally.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 11, 2024 20:11:17 GMT -6
gingy I’m sorry. That suuucks.
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Nov 12, 2024 5:00:28 GMT -6
I finally got healthy enough to start my humira and a month in it isn’t not helping… and then I woke up Sunday with a blood clot in my finger and it’s probably from the humira. My body continues to be a hot mess. The ER was like 🤷♀️ to me on Sunday (like am I going to be getting more or worse!? they wouldn’t do blood work).I’m getting in with my PC today and my rheum on Thursday.
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sudsy
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Post by sudsy on Nov 12, 2024 7:40:14 GMT -6
My laundry list of issues has gotten significantly longer since my last check in. I now have TMJ episodes that get completely out of control, and because I can’t take regular anti-inflammatories like a normal person, I’ve been put on Tylenol arthritis and muscle relaxants. I clench my jaw all day, and not at night much to the surprise of my doctor who says “what the heck happens to you during the day??” 👀LIFE! Friends are telling me to get Botox but I don’t know the first thing about all that.
I now have hypertension, and my doctor has now had to change dosing 3 times since starting meds because it’s not helping. But I had a CT cardiac scoring done and it was zero so 🙌
Finally I think I’ve self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis. Walking is a bitch and worse after I’ve been sitting or laying down for a while. I usually wear crocs to work because it helped my hip pain, but now my feet hurt, so go figure 🙄
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STP
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Post by STP on Nov 12, 2024 9:36:47 GMT -6
byjove, them shrugging that off is infuriating, I'm sorry.
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STP
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Post by STP on Nov 12, 2024 9:38:13 GMT -6
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sudsy
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Post by sudsy on Nov 12, 2024 9:46:49 GMT -6
STP Thanks! I’ll order those and give them a shot with gym shoes. I think part of my problem is that I’m a hillbilly that hates shoes and socks, so I’m constantly barefoot when not working. Which apparently is a no no for foot pain.
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STP
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Post by STP on Nov 12, 2024 9:52:11 GMT -6
STP Thanks! I’ll order those and give them a shot with gym shoes. I think part of my problem is that I’m a hillbilly that hates shoes and socks, so I’m constantly barefoot when not working. Which apparently is a no no for foot pain. Yeah, I'm at the point of wearing Birkenstocks slippers bc of arch issues. Getting older is such bullshit. |
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Nov 12, 2024 11:40:35 GMT -6
I am a Birkenstock year round gal, no shame.
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Nov 12, 2024 11:41:14 GMT -6
STP that is terrifying. If you think something isn’t right, I’d try to follow up with your primary for reassurance at least.
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Nov 12, 2024 11:41:51 GMT -6
15!! tubes of blood today. FX I get somewhere. Doctor was also concerned since I was so sick with Covid most of September.
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Nov 12, 2024 11:46:09 GMT -6
sudsy every time you sit down roll your foot/feet on a frozen bottle of water. It helps reduce the inflammation while doing some stretching too.
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Nov 12, 2024 11:51:19 GMT -6
AmyG as much as I really am a fan of ESIs, I’d look into the other options personally. The botox is between $800 and 1400 depending on how they code it. Gotta see if dr office + insurance can dial that number in closer for me. But I had botox in pelvic floor which did nada With Dr saying oh maybe you are just one of those people that botox doesn't work for. So I'm hesitant to spend the $. 3 rounds of steroid injection will be pretty cheap usually cost of copay ish. But that dr said well maybe you should just go with botox if you can afford it. Ive had 1 of 3 piriformis inj that actually helped. So that might not work either. The surgical release prob need another round for imaging to see if it shows that piriformis is clamping down on sciatic nerve. That will be $203 Everything too much $. Ive spent so much already chasing the dream of un-numb leg and no pain Arg |
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Nov 12, 2024 11:52:18 GMT -6
15!! tubes of blood today. FX I get somewhere. Doctor was also concerned since I was so sick with Covid most of September. Omg I'd be running on empty. Isn't there a limit on how many tubes they can take at a time? Gosh Hope you get some kind of answers |
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STP
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Post by STP on Nov 12, 2024 14:46:06 GMT -6
STP that is terrifying. If you think something isn’t right, I’d try to follow up with your primary for reassurance at least. Sorry to delete. The whole thing is so…STUPID I don’t know what to do with myself. |
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STP
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Post by STP on Nov 12, 2024 14:46:25 GMT -6
15!! tubes of blood today. FX I get somewhere. Doctor was also concerned since I was so sick with Covid most of September. Holy moly!!!!!!! |
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 12, 2024 18:26:34 GMT -6
STP I didn’t see what happened but I hope you’re okay. AmyG everything is so fucking expensive. It’s so frustrating to make medical decisions based on money. byjove that is very upsetting that they didn’t take you more seriously. Hopefully all that blood work gets you somewhere.
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Nov 12, 2024 18:34:29 GMT -6
15!! tubes of blood today. FX I get somewhere. Doctor was also concerned since I was so sick with Covid most of September. Omg id be running on empty. Isn't there a limit on how many tubes they can take at a time. Gosh Hope you get some kind of answers I googled and it said 88 tubes before adverse effects. The fuck. A standard blood donation looks to be close 50-60 vials. |
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 12, 2024 18:38:40 GMT -6
sudsy pain docs can do Botox and it’ll be more likely to be covered by insurance.
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AmyG
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Post by AmyG on Nov 12, 2024 18:56:15 GMT -6
I completely forgot about the Botox savings program!
Basically you sign up and then use their code if you get the botox at a pharmacy to take to your provider, and you'll get a discount.
or you get your botox from your provider directly and submit an EOB from insurance showing what they cover for your botox, and they'll send you a check.
The amount can be up to like $1300.
So I'm putting Botox closer to on my christmas list lol.
I'm contemplating if I can get the dr that says 3rounds of steroid injections for piriformis syndrome,
and the pain dr that recommends botox injectio for piriformis syndrome
to like maybe they could just talk to each other and then tell me which to do next.
I feel like I'm in a choose your own adventure book and keep choosing the wrong option.
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angelashly
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Post by angelashly on Nov 13, 2024 8:54:48 GMT -6
STP that is terrifying. If you think something isn’t right, I’d try to follow up with your primary for reassurance at least. Sorry to delete. The whole thing is so…STUPID I don’t know what to do with myself. I missed it but ((hugs)) |
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 18, 2024 20:05:04 GMT -6
Today was the day! It hurts like hell but everything went well and I a lot ready have some feeling back in my numb foot!
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byjove
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Post by byjove on Nov 18, 2024 20:19:23 GMT -6
Today was the day! It hurts like hell but everything went well and I a lot ready have some feeling back in my numb foot! Heal well and fast 💕 |
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Nov 22, 2024 20:49:28 GMT -6
I totally don’t remember posting that…
But holy hell it’s been an awful week. I’m starting to come out on the other side. I had the nurse from hell two nights in a row who wouldn’t give me my pain meds until I got it together enough to actually call out to the hallway for someone to help (I asked her politely and then angrily several times to get someone else).
The set back of swelling landed an extra night in the hospital so I didn’t get home until last night. I can walk around with a walker for short bouts, but otherwise I'm mostly flat on my back still.
I think I’m glad I did this though. The grinding pain in my lower back is better, and I’m about half an inch taller (as I was before) from the straightening and decompressing. Now my pain is mostly in the “wrong” spots, like my good leg. The surgeon said that’s a good sign.
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