I had an appointment at the Alaska Spine Institute this morning. I liked the doctor, he explained the MRI films to us so we could understand what was going on. He also confirmed that there were brain cells in my skull. He had a sense of humor but also took my case very seriously. I have a ruptured disc. The disc fluid is putting pressure on the spine and thus, all the pain in my right shoulder and entire right arm. He prescribed pain medication for me, and tomorrow I will go back for the cortisone shot. It's considered a "procedure" and I have to fast beforehand, will need a responsible adult to drive me home afterwards, etc., etc. They will prep me with vallium and whatever else I need for numbing and anxiety. I should generally not care once that is done. Will have to hang around for about an hour afterwards. The doctor said that I won't need surgery, but this will take 6-8 weeks to heal up. I took a pain pill right then and there at the pharmacy. This pain is unlike anything I have ever experienced. "Next time" I will cut to the chase and get the pain medication right off the bat. The past 5 weeks have been hell, lots of time spent/wasted for "relief to come in a couple of days" until I got to feeling so sick that I cannot eat or sleep and just barely want to live. But I have hope now that we know exactly what the problem is and what can be done about it. Thanks for all your good thoughts and rays. Willy and Alex have been good cuddlers, and great company. Dan has been a saint.
YEA!!! Patty - sounds like you are on the right track - that is such a relief. Sending rays that those pain meds and the shot tomorrow give you some pain relief. Let us know if you are able. Rays and prayers and soft doxie snuggles to you !
:thumb: for you Patty. I hope all goes well and you are pain free sooner than later. Do keep us posted on your "procedure".
Darcel
Finally sounds like things are going forward for you Patty, I am so glad. I know when Hallie went bad this time, she had a dexasone shot that stayed in her system for 24 hours. She had no further meds and the next morning her pain came back with a vengeance. I am sure if we had kept with the meds, it would have been much more manageable, so I totally agree with you about getting pain meds on board right off the bat. Good news you aren't looking at surgery at this point! Hang in there, you will get through this!
Oh, Patty, I didn't realize you had NO pain meds! I can understand the type of pain you were having and without pain meds, it would be unbearable. With the meds and the cortisone shot, you should feel much better. I've heard of many people being helped by the shot and it lasts for quite awhile. Hopefully it will get you through most of the healing phase. Did he give you any idea of when you would feel like returning to work?
I hope you feel much better by tomorrow evening. Good luck in the morning. I'll be saying some prayers for you.
Go girl, at least you know what is wrong and can now tackle it. hugs and dachie rays
Roberta
Yes Pain meds first with a ruptured disk I know that pain & not wanting to live my doctors gave me the run around for about three weeks. Glad to hear you are now on pain meds the shots should help but you can only have three a year.
Papbouv
RAYs to you
Sounds like you have a very good Doc and on the right road to recovery. Thinking and praying for you, my friend.
Yea Patty :hello2: So glad you do not require surgery :hello2: Sounds like you have a really good doctor working with you now....let us know how you feel tonight after your cortisone shot/pain meds kick in.... :comfort: hugs to you to feel better real real soon :comfort:
Glad to see you back on line! I've had disk problems in the past, and I know how miserable it is! DO what the doctor says, and I know you'll be feeling better before long. Meanwhile, Pfeffernusse and I will be keeping the rays coming!
That is great news Patty! I am so glad that at the very least you have some medication to take away some of the pain. Let us know how you make out after the cortisone shot. Hang in there girl!
Yay! At last there's some helpful information for you, and some pain relief! Continuing rays...