Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Embeda recall
So, I went to the pharmacy last week to fill a script of Embeda and it had been recalled. It would have been no big deal, but the pain clinic wouldn't replace it with anything until I came back in. So, I get to drive 2 hours again tomorrow to get a new med. So so so frustrating!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Botox and the Blues
I have been such a slacker with this blog. Sometimes I feel like laying it all out there for the world to read(if they found it!) means that the pain is winning. I don't like the person that I have become. I have always been the fun, quick with a quip or comeback, sassy girl. More and more, that person seems to be disappearing. It is like my best friend has moved a million miles away and refuses to communicate with me!
I have to say that the brightest spot in the last week has been reading Chocolate and Vicodin. I told my hubby that I feel like the author is inside my head! Strangely, we have gone through so much of the same treatments and procedures. I hate to laugh at her eagerness before "the next great cure" but I have been there and back many times over. It is a great read for anyone with headaches or chronic pain, or for that matter, their friends or loved ones. So refreshing a read! I know that this sounds ridiculous considering it is her day to day, doctor and quack memoir about living with chronic, unrelenting headache pain. I personally have chronic daily headaches and migraines and know what it is like to be the headache chick! Thank you, thank you for a great book that I can recommend to all the headache friends and those who love them and want to understand what we go through!!
Well, my insurance company finally paid for Botox. I had it done last week. No relief yet. At least that's something else to check off my list.
There have been lots and varied nerve blocks done over the last few months and med changes galore. I will try to tackle them next time!
I have to say that the brightest spot in the last week has been reading Chocolate and Vicodin. I told my hubby that I feel like the author is inside my head! Strangely, we have gone through so much of the same treatments and procedures. I hate to laugh at her eagerness before "the next great cure" but I have been there and back many times over. It is a great read for anyone with headaches or chronic pain, or for that matter, their friends or loved ones. So refreshing a read! I know that this sounds ridiculous considering it is her day to day, doctor and quack memoir about living with chronic, unrelenting headache pain. I personally have chronic daily headaches and migraines and know what it is like to be the headache chick! Thank you, thank you for a great book that I can recommend to all the headache friends and those who love them and want to understand what we go through!!
Well, my insurance company finally paid for Botox. I had it done last week. No relief yet. At least that's something else to check off my list.
There have been lots and varied nerve blocks done over the last few months and med changes galore. I will try to tackle them next time!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
another block
I have not posted in quite a time. Holidays and headaches can really make for some bad times for me.
I am going through rounds of blocks in hope of riding myself of all headaches. The blocks that were done in the first 2 rounds have been helpful. Now, I am feeling the headaches at the front of my head. Those have always been there, just not as bad as the headaches that I would feel at the base of my skull and down my neck. The blocks there are working for now. I wont be picky. There is intermittent pain back there, just nothing like it was before. NOw...on to this week
They describe it as ticks and fleas at the pain clinic. First, you get rid of fleas, then you have to get rid of the ticks. So, I guess we are fine tuning the pain now. The headache pain upfront has almost gotten unbearable. They have kept me almost constantly bedridden. So, we tried a new approach. They have stopped working across my neck and the base of my brain. The doc did a new to me block for the front a couple of days ago. I made the ultimate mistake and watched this procedure on YouTube. First of all, the video looked like it was made in like 1987. His block was done through the nose. gag!!! I was so scare going in, that I called and had nurse talk me through it in detail. It was performed by going in right in front of my left ear. They started with the left side, because it is the area of most pain.The block that was given is called sphenopalatine ganglion block.I am finding it hard to find good info about in on the web. Presently, I don't have any headache pain,, but it could be masked by the pain at the injection site.
Wish me luck, I have at least 2 more on the left side and then how many they decide for the right. My face swelling on the left side kinda makes me look like a confused squirrel storing muts only in one cheek! Let's just hope this works.
hoping to be painfree- Angie
I am going through rounds of blocks in hope of riding myself of all headaches. The blocks that were done in the first 2 rounds have been helpful. Now, I am feeling the headaches at the front of my head. Those have always been there, just not as bad as the headaches that I would feel at the base of my skull and down my neck. The blocks there are working for now. I wont be picky. There is intermittent pain back there, just nothing like it was before. NOw...on to this week
They describe it as ticks and fleas at the pain clinic. First, you get rid of fleas, then you have to get rid of the ticks. So, I guess we are fine tuning the pain now. The headache pain upfront has almost gotten unbearable. They have kept me almost constantly bedridden. So, we tried a new approach. They have stopped working across my neck and the base of my brain. The doc did a new to me block for the front a couple of days ago. I made the ultimate mistake and watched this procedure on YouTube. First of all, the video looked like it was made in like 1987. His block was done through the nose. gag!!! I was so scare going in, that I called and had nurse talk me through it in detail. It was performed by going in right in front of my left ear. They started with the left side, because it is the area of most pain.The block that was given is called sphenopalatine ganglion block.I am finding it hard to find good info about in on the web. Presently, I don't have any headache pain,, but it could be masked by the pain at the injection site.
Wish me luck, I have at least 2 more on the left side and then how many they decide for the right. My face swelling on the left side kinda makes me look like a confused squirrel storing muts only in one cheek! Let's just hope this works.
hoping to be painfree- Angie
Thursday, September 30, 2010
more light at the end of the tunnell.
Checked in with the pain clinic yesterday. Progress good. I still feel like I have a sunburn on my neck... the stigma of being a TN redneck that I have tried to run from for years! The actual needle holes are still sore to the touch and I feel like I have a hunchback. I don't- i checked. It is just sore in the area.
I have had quite a few days of no headaches. That is such a total blessing and gift from God. William says it is like he is getting his old wife back.
I have had quite a few days of no headaches. That is such a total blessing and gift from God. William says it is like he is getting his old wife back.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
still sore
If I didn't know it, I would think that someone shoved an ice pick in my neck a few times. The pain is still there and curiously it feels like I have a sunburn there. The nurse told me to expect that and other wierd things. come on, already I want to see if this is going to work!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
the big block
I usually do my research before a procedure. I went in a bit blind on the 3rd nerve block. It was so painful. I am hopeful that it will help. The process was using radio freq at the c2/c3/c4/c5. I am still very sore and having side effects from it, but I feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. This is the best that I can find to sum it up...
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat to create a lesion (damaged area) on the medial nerve. The lesion impairs the medial nerve’s ability to transmit signals about facet joint pain. Because the nerve is “turned off,” pain is not felt.
A cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy is an outpatient procedure. You will wear a gown for the procedure and be positioned lying face down on a table. You will receive relaxation medicine before your procedure begins. The back of your neck will be sterilized and numbed with an anesthetic medication.
Your doctor will use a live X-ray image (fluoroscopy) to carefully insert and guide a needle-like tube (cannula) to the affected medial nerve. A small needle-like electrode (radiofrequency electrode) is inserted through the cannula. To ensure the cannula is in the correct position, a very mild electrical current is delivered through the electrode to the nerve. The nerve will briefly conduct pain signals and cause a muscle twitch, confirming that the correct nerve is targeted. Next, numbing medication is provided to the nerve in preparation for the treatment. Heat is delivered through the electrode to the nerve. The heat creates a lesion on the nerve. The heat disrupts the nerve’s ability to send signals about pain. At the end of the procedure, the cannula and electrode are removed. The process can be repeated for additional nerves that require treatment.
You will be monitored for several minutes before you can return home. You should have another person drive you home because you received sedation. Use care while resuming your regular activities over the next several days because your neck or back will feel sore. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, rest, and instruct you to use heat or ice packs to ease the pain.
It usually takes three to four weeks for the treated nerves to completely die. During this period, your neck may feel weak. You may experience pain until the treated nerves are dead.
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy typically results in pain relief for about 9 to 14 months or longer. About 50% of people experience pain relief for as much as two years. A small percentage of people do not experience any pain relief from the procedure. Over time, the nerves will grow back (regenerate). Some people will not experience pain again. If you experience pain, the procedure may be repeated.
This is all I have for now...
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat to create a lesion (damaged area) on the medial nerve. The lesion impairs the medial nerve’s ability to transmit signals about facet joint pain. Because the nerve is “turned off,” pain is not felt.
A cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy is an outpatient procedure. You will wear a gown for the procedure and be positioned lying face down on a table. You will receive relaxation medicine before your procedure begins. The back of your neck will be sterilized and numbed with an anesthetic medication.
Your doctor will use a live X-ray image (fluoroscopy) to carefully insert and guide a needle-like tube (cannula) to the affected medial nerve. A small needle-like electrode (radiofrequency electrode) is inserted through the cannula. To ensure the cannula is in the correct position, a very mild electrical current is delivered through the electrode to the nerve. The nerve will briefly conduct pain signals and cause a muscle twitch, confirming that the correct nerve is targeted. Next, numbing medication is provided to the nerve in preparation for the treatment. Heat is delivered through the electrode to the nerve. The heat creates a lesion on the nerve. The heat disrupts the nerve’s ability to send signals about pain. At the end of the procedure, the cannula and electrode are removed. The process can be repeated for additional nerves that require treatment.
You will be monitored for several minutes before you can return home. You should have another person drive you home because you received sedation. Use care while resuming your regular activities over the next several days because your neck or back will feel sore. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication, rest, and instruct you to use heat or ice packs to ease the pain.
It usually takes three to four weeks for the treated nerves to completely die. During this period, your neck may feel weak. You may experience pain until the treated nerves are dead.
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy typically results in pain relief for about 9 to 14 months or longer. About 50% of people experience pain relief for as much as two years. A small percentage of people do not experience any pain relief from the procedure. Over time, the nerves will grow back (regenerate). Some people will not experience pain again. If you experience pain, the procedure may be repeated.
This is all I have for now...
Friday, September 3, 2010
pain clinic revolving door...
I didn't know that there was a revolving door at the pain clinic when I started my treatment there. Aparently, the place can't keep a nurse practicioner in place from one month to the next. I have been there four times now and have seen 3 different ladies now- no 2 in succession. I am ready for cervical block #3 in 2 weeks. This will be the long burn. It will be the HIT or MISS! I am hopeful. As for meds, I am taking nucynta for pain to see how that works. We shall see. I hate to be so cynical about the process, but after all these years, it just gets old!
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