I need a hug

[HelenG]

Hi BL
BIG HUG:hug99:

I always feel so helpless when someone is in pain - there's not much I can do so I think I come across as totally unsympathetic!

How long have you been waiting for your Rheumatology appt? If it's more than four weeks then you need to start making a fuss. Your GP doesn't get told anything once the referral has gone until they get a letter saying you have been seen. If you have been sent a letter with a telephone number on then keep phoning that number to find out what is happening. Different areas work in different ways - we have to give our patients the booking centre number now as we were spending hours trying to chase appointments for various clinics we weren't able to do all our other work.
If the booking centre say your referral is being triaged ask for a timescale. If the timescale is too long, ask what you have to do to get a faster appointment. Most importantly, find out what the clinic's timescale is for URGENT appointments. Urgent to us is nowhere near the same as urgent to them.

Ring your surgery and you should be put through to the out of hours drs. They should be able to give you injections for pain relief, if not go to A&E - you may even be able to get an urgent Rheumatology referral through that visit!

I don't know whereabouts you live but I would be very surprised if there was no pain relief clinic in your area - they are definately worth a visit if you can get referred.
Hope my tome is of some help!

 

[wizzbang]

Hi BL,
Iv'e just been reading through the thread. Sorry your in such discomfort. It sounds horrendous.
My mum suffers greatly from problems to do with osteoperosis, arthritis, rhumatism etc, so I do know what you are feeling like. My father in law also had spondilitis and he suffered like you are doing too.
Have you considered a TENS mancine? My mum gets quite a lot of relief from hers. You get them from the pain management clinic or you can buy them priavately from the chemist.
I do hope you feel better soon.
I have osteo arthritis in my feet and wrists and take Diclofenec and find that for me it is a wonder drug.
I do hope you get some relief soon.
Sending lots of love and extra strength vibes to you.
Lynnw x

 

[Blonde Logic]

Thank yo Helen and Wizzbang for the good advice....I think I will try and try out a tens machine, as others have reccomended it too. Also diclofenic, or whatever its called, has been mentioned more the once too. I will look into that.

Helen, my appointment is "imminenet" but that could still be weeks. They called me last week to make an appointment - this is really for the pain I have in my hip. They were going to book me in early November, but we will be on holiday so she has put it back to the surgeonstelling them they need to see me before then....so I was waiting thrus and fri for them to call. As they haven't I will chase that up tomorrow.

Thanks for that as well.

xxx

 

[Isis]

Hi peeps.....

I am feeling reallllly low today. I have been in constan pain since last Sunday. I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with Cervical Spondylosis, Fibromyalgia and RSI. Last Sunday my hip went out, and I was in agony so doc signed me off for two weeks. Hip started to feel better, and then 2 days ago my neck started to seize up. And now, its frozen. I can't move it - any move I do make makes me want scream - I can't hardly swallow - even that hurts the back of my neck!

It is the worst pain I have ever had with it to date- my range of motion is about 2 inches left and right and thats is. Its pure agony, and I spent most of last night in tears, and woke in tears and had a right paddy. Piles of pain pills are doing nothing. It just hurts so much I could scream. And I did.

I don;t tend to be too outward with my pain, I try to keep in inside, or cry in private, etc.,but this got the best of me...its just contstant constant constant constant constant. THere is just not a second of relief. ANd its making me crazy.

I am just feeling so rough and so frustrated as there is nothing that can be done for it - just gotta 'live with it' which I do pretty well day to day - but having a reall real low moment.

I have no desire to eat - thats not the worry. I just want to stop hurting and crying....and I just need some TLC. Not my OH's strongest point. He is concerned and feels for me, but hes a man. Need I say more. Bless him.

Please, does anyone have a magic wand? :cry::cry::cry:

I wish I did BL and could wave it all away. :sigh: Constant pain can be so debilitating can't it and make you feel very low...:hug99::hug99::hug99:

As you say, you have tended to keep your pain to yourself and cry alone. Maybe it's time to tell your OH just how much this is affecting you hun? That you really need his tlc, support and big hugs?

Thinking of you and wishing you some pain free time as quuickly as possible,

Lacey..xx

 

[Isis]

.....and failing all that hun....as others have suggested.....off to A&E and a shot of Pethidine/Morphine!!

That would definitely give you some pain free time, even if it made you feel detached for a while

xxxx

 

[roundrachel]

Hey BL. Sorry to hear you're in so much pain. I used to knock back the tramadol like smarties but thankfully paracetamol usually do the trick.
I found that amitryptaline helped combined with Declofenac, tramadol and paracetamol when things were really bad. They make you incredibly spaced out but as a combination they're as good as morphine which has always made me a bit sick. Plus, I used to actually get some sleep when I was taking them which made things slightly more bearable.
I'm sure you know this but take care of your tummy too as you can do some real damage on an empty stomach as I unfortunately know and now suffer the long term effects.
I thought I was looking after my body when I was young but all the sport I did has destroyed my spine. Can't win either way it seems!
Hope you feel better soon. See if they can give you a cortisol injection, that can give you a longer lasting relief.
Just keep taking the pills and they'll build up in your system and eventually the pain will ease a little. And if it doesn't, make sure you kick up a fuss till it does. It took me months before I got the right combination for me.
I really do understand how you feel right now. You'll get through this as you have with everything else.
And one day, who knows, there may be no battles to be fought!
Take it easy and let us know how you're doing xx

 

[roundrachel]

ps. TENS machines are great too. I know they don't work for everyone but they can really help hit the spot. Go and get one from Boots now (or send someone to do it) that's an order!

 

[lynnwilliams]

Aww i do really feel for you, i too have been given diclofenic for my tendonitis in my ankles, but scared to take them incase it messes about with LL. What with my tooth pain too. Pain is the worst ever to have, when you can not control it, brings you right down!I too have family wqorrying about me and all the tablets i have been taking it, i know its not good, but when the pain is unbearable your hand automatically goes to the pill box. I so hope you will get it seen to and stop the pain.
All the best BL, we are all thinking of you lots here.
LW
xxxxxxxxxxxxx BIG HUGZ

 

[Blonde Logic]

Thanks Lynn and Rachel. <hugs>

Well, I was trying to get through the day - the morning at least, without taking anymore tramadol - but you are right - I did reach for them.

What is diclofenic? Is it a pain reliever, muscle relaxer? Ant-inflam?

THanks Lynn, we're a pair, ay? <hugs to you too>

Adn Rachel, def will see to the tens machine. And, micht I add - I just took notice of your ticker! WELL DONE Rachel!! You surely are not round Rachel anymore! COngrats on your acheivement!!

 

[Blonde Logic]

Hi BL
So sorry you are in such a lt of pain. It seems so unfair after the tremendous achievement you have made with your
fabulous weight loss. I know your pain must be extreme because you are always for everyone so strong for everyone else on here.
It's your turn now for us all to support you.
I think asking your GP for referral to a pain management clinic is a good idea.
You will need to learn to have control over your pain rather than it control you. It cane done - and with the will-power you have already shown - you WILL do it.
Good luck, LOTS OF LOVE coming your way
:vibes::vibes::vibes::flowers::flowers::tear_drop:

Hi hon - sorry, I missed this!

Yeah, its never been like this before...after Mama Mia I could feel it shifting, and by morning it was absolutely seized. :cry: (but I loved to movie so much!!!)

I am going to look into the pain clinic. This is what frustrates me SO MUCH aboiut the NHS. Why do people have to learn of these things the hard way? Why don't the docs just hook you up??

Anyway - thanks for your support hon,and I'll see you Monday.

XX

 

[lynnwilliams]

After this year i do not have much faith in the NHS anymore, they have really let me down, the government need to get this sorted. Its not fair. I feel for the nurses.

 

[karmawitch]

Diclofenic is a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), it is stronger than Ibuprofen, and has to be monitored to some degree as it has potential to cause stomach problems (as does Ibuprofen).

Amitriptyline is very good for nerve type pain, and you take it at night, it has a slight sedation effect, it is also used in larger doses as an anti-depressant

 

[roundrachel]

Thanks on the congrats on my weight loss BL. Almost there now and not so round any more either! Just in time for seeing my sister for this first time in over a year at Christmas (she lives in Oz)
I hope things settle down with your pain. Really do sympathise with you.It's just horrible when no matter what you do you can't get away from it. It's not like having a broken leg when you can just put it up to ease the pain.
I have degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine. five of my discs have basically disappeared and it's bone on bone. Have been offered a fusion but I'm too young at the moment (only 31) and just about managing it. I'm not sure my weight loss has made any difference but we'll have to wait and see.
I find I can go months with nothing then go through what you are. It's horrible but it will pass trust me. Just make sure you make plenty of fuss and if they tell you to 'learn to live with it' tell them they want to try it!
Hope things have got a little easier as the day has gone on today.
Have a restful evening xx

 

[Blonde Logic]

I have degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine. five of my discs have basically disappeared and it's bone on bone. Have been offered a fusion but I'm too young at the moment (only 31) and just about managing it.

Hi Rachel

That is exactly what I have, but in my neck. At the moment, fusion is the only option, and there is just no way I would want to spend my life unable to look around, etc. There is disc replacement being done in Germany - someone mentioned that and I was aware of that company as ironically, a friend of mine in America recently applied to work for them. But the last I looked, it was not available for the neck - I think it is a little trickier there, but fingers crossed they will come up with something.

With regards to weight loss - I was so happy to have already been halfway through LL when I was diagnosed. If I was still fat, and they diagnosed me with that and told me I HAD to lose weight I don;t think I could have - not so easily - so that was a relief. But because its my neck - I have not noticed any difference, but I imagine you are far better off minus the weight.

I just had 6 really good weeks - and then this. I don't understand if I did something to bring it on, or if thats just how it goes. Its all still relatively new to me. The pain has been present over a year - but only recently diagnosed. Its a lot to learn and soak in, and I think I sort of put my head in the sand. Its too depressing thinking about the future.

Roll on medical advancement,ay!?

THanks Rachel. Appreciate your posts.

xxx

 

[roundrachel]

Hi BL,
This has turned into a medical advisory thread!

I have a friend who has the same as you and has had a successful disc replacement in her neck but she had it done in Oz where she's from and the same thing isn't available here (typical eh?)

I had some surgery last year to basically stabilise what was left of two of the discs. They stick an electrode in them and melt them. It seems to have done the trick but there are still two vertebrae with so little in between them they can't even get a needle in there.

The procedure is called an IDET (intra discal electrothermal therapy)
Not sure if you can get it done further up your spine but worth asking. It's a really new procedure that's an alternative to a fusion which is always good.

I've had problems since I was 18 but they only did an MRI when I was 29 (yes, 11 years of complaining and asking to be referred to a specialist!) and found out the extent of my problem. I paid £100 to see a private specialist and he was completely different. So positive that he could help me and not leave me to take pain killers the rest of my life. Best money I've ever spent. And then I jumped right up the list on the NHS and everything was done within 6 months.

I've not got a long term solution and still have pain. There's a chance it could all collaspse again tomorrow but I just have to be really careful.

You'll find a solution I'm sure and I'm here to sympathise. You don't have to put up with it. Shame I didn't learn that one earler.
Try to keep smiling if you can if it doesn't hurt too much

Love and hugs (but not too big-don't want to hurt you!)

 

[roundrachel]

it's a sign...just seen a LLoyds pharmacy ad on tv saying their TENS machines are now only £19.99!

 

[minime]

Hey BL, feel for you hun, nothing worse than constant pain. Others have suggested pain meds/pain clinic, which I think you really need to look into, but in the meantime, you should try a heatpack, you can buy the herbal type heatpack that you put in microwave for a few minutes. I've found that with patients in severe pain (I'm a nurse) and they've taken all their pain meds that they often get some relief from this. You could also try calling NHS 24 for some advice, if still severe they can arrange for you to attend an out of hours surgery or attend A&E. Hope the pain eases off soon.

 

[Blonde Logic]

it's a sign...just seen a LLoyds pharmacy ad on tv saying their TENS machines are now only £19.99!

Rachel, that is so funny. Right after I read your last post, I saw that add too and immediately went to their website. There is no Lloyds in our town, but I was speaking to a friend at work, and she is going to buy one tomorrow and send it home with a neighbour of mine who works there too! Bless her heart. She is even refusing to let me pay her for it. WHich I will insist on, but how sweet is that!

Providential that was! So tomorrow will give it a test drive - I can't wait.

 

[Blonde Logic]

Hey BL, feel for you hun, nothing worse than constant pain. Others have suggested pain meds/pain clinic, which I think you really need to look into, but in the meantime, you should try a heatpack, you can buy the herbal type heatpack that you put in microwave for a few minutes. I've found that with patients in severe pain (I'm a nurse) and they've taken all their pain meds that they often get some relief from this. You could also try calling NHS 24 for some advice, if still severe they can arrange for you to attend an out of hours surgery or attend A&E. Hope the pain eases off soon.

Hi Minime....thank you.

I hasve one of those heat pads with the seeds and have been using it a lot. It doesn;t heal, but definately sooothes. Just about to warm it up. It has lavender in it too so smells lovely.

I am probably going to see my doc tomorrow unless there is some improvement.

THank you very much.

xx

 

[roundrachel]

great stuff. let me know how you get on with your new toy!