Got some help for my back...

[undergroundpanther]

Yesterday I saw my doc she gave me a shot of nubain.That helped for about 3 hours. Then the pain came back she gave me tramadol which did nothing to ease this pain.So they day wore on and the pain became torturous.I decided to go to the ER hoping I could get help.


Last night I sat in the ER for 5 hours. I spent the time as dissociated as I could get.After 5 hours of sitting in a trance ,I saw some people that had come in BEFORE me, were still waiting to be seen. So I went up to the desk and asked them how long do they think my wait might be? I was told around 4 more hours but not to worry things slow down at 3 am. But it was midnight when I asked them and my ride was falling asleep he had to get up at 4 in the morning to go to work. I could not sit there for 7 or more hours that way, in excruciating pain,on those uncomfortable chairs,and my friend could barely keep his eyes open, that waiting was ridiculous. Maybe if I screamed out in pain instead of dissociating from it to keep from making a ruckus they would have noticed I was hurting really bad, I dunno.

So I signed myself out .I had to go home for two reasons. I was exhausted,sitting there was hurting me worse,I wanted to lie down as the tramadol made me tired,but did nothing for the pain.
And my ride had to get to work at 4 am. So I left without a medical exam I didn't know what else to do..I felt pretty stupid going there at all as I walked to the truck I felt bad like I had put my friend through all this trouble for nothing..

5 hours for nothing.

But my back doc was back today.. I called him and he got me help
I'm back on prednisone.
It sucks but at least the pain is subsiding finally.It has been a very long week I slept all day today.
( I was up in time to watch Baracks speech tho ,thankfully maybe my unconsious knew what time to be up for it..weird..)


anyway,the weather was a merciful 72 degrees today so I had the cool breezes,gentle cloudiness and my two kitties laying beside me it all helped.

I haven't had pain this bad for a long time. It kinda scared me it was so bad. I don't want my future to have more of this kind of pain because it immobilized me.But I guess they call it degenerative disk disease for a reason *sigh*

And here's the last bite in my ass... I was supposed to go to Hershey Park today, been looking forward to it all month dammit,and the weather was beautiful too.shit. Better luck next year I guess. *sigh*

[LiberalEsto]

1. A suggestion or two

I have back problems too.

Here are some things that have helped me.

Lidoderm patches. The doctor gave me a few samples and they help a lot. You just put a patch on the area that hurts and wear it for 12 hours. Now I have a prescription for them, and use them rarely, just for the really bad pain.

Acupuncture. I went to an acupuncturist for my back a couple of years ago, and since then it's been a lot better. I rarely have bad episodes now, unless I stupidly decide to drag a large bag of mulch or compost. Then I take an Aleve and slap on a Lidoderm patch.

Before I had acupuncture I was getting cortisone injections twice a year for the pain,and the need for injections was getting more frequent. The orthopedist said surgery was an option, but didn't think it would be a good idea. He encouraged me to try the acupuncture.

I hope you feel better!