Update

[GoingToMakeIt]

Long time since I have posted. I have been doing good with pain management and not using anything other than Ibuprofen and Zanaflex to control pain.
     Last month, I got rear-ended. The force was so hard that I bent the driver's seat on a Volvo. Even the rear-view mirror was throw into the back seat. This was almost 8 weeks ago. (Mother's Day weekend) The first few weeks I thought I would be OK, but then the low back pain started increasing. I was actively pursuing medical treatments. Chiropractic, Massage, Epsom salt baths, Ice etc...The pain has steadily gotten worse. I had X-Rays and then a week ago had a MRI of low back which showed a ruptured disc. I now am having to go back on pain pills (Vicodin & Tramadol) to even be able to cope. There is no position that provides comfort. I will be having surgery soon. I don't feel that this decision is out of line or even back to 'using'. As soon as the surgery is done I will be getting back off the meds.
GTMI

[GoingToMakeIt]

    Well today was a lot of pain. I must have overdone it this weekend. I did take 1/2 Norco this afternoon, and again, tonight. Ibuprofen, muscle-relaxers and ice weren't cutting it. I guess my body is telling me to 'slow down pardner'.

[dominosarah]

Congrats on being pain pill free for a week!!  This surgery was a huge success. How great is that!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

    It has now been only 16 days since the surgery and I feel great. I have been pain pill free for at least a week! My outlook on life has been getting better. I have lived with this back pain for a long time, but when I got rear-ended and the disc ruptured, well that made life not much worth living. I am looking forward to being able to be more active again. I hope that works out. I have my first follow up appointment this Monday.

[GoingToMakeIt]

I know all too well !!!!!!!

[dominosarah]

Oh i am getting ready to head out to work.  Why i was born with a plastic spoon instead of a silver one is still a mystery!!!  LOL

Take it easy today.......remember we arent 20 anymore!!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

Why fine, and you?
Actually I woke up quite sore today. I must have overdid it yesterday or the day before & its catching up with me. I am just getting up and moving. 8:00am, sleeping in today. I am taking a supplement called Boswellia complex. It is supposed to help with pain and such. It does take a few days to kick in so we'll see. My nutritionist says it can be as effective as vicodin once it starts working. I guess we will see. Thanks for checking in on me.

[dominosarah]

How are you today?

[dominosarah]

Yep it does!!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

Triathlon, why yes. I might take 3 walks today. I did yesterday, does that count as tri-athlon. LOL

[dominosarah]

Maybe it is that "fog" so many of us talk about??  Oh i am just grasping at straws here!!

Are you ready for a triathalon today??!!!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

    I have been sleeping and restin alot. The thing is, I didn't/don't understand why it seems these drugs are hanging on. Even today I woke up from sleeping 10 hrs and I feel groggy. Like the drugs are still in me. It was 2:00pm on Thursday when I had my last pain pill. I do understand half-life but I am wondering if my body is somehow not metabolizing them properly. Hence they catch up with me. Hence they drag on.
    On the plus side, if the pain levels feel like this, I won't be needing them anymore! As long as the pain doesn't get much worse than this. I can certainly live with it. What I am feeling now is fa less than what I was dealing with prior to surgery.

[dominosarah]

Our body has to work overtime to heal up.  Take advantage of the napping as soon you will be feeling better and up and at em again.

[GoingToMakeIt]

I had a similar experience yesterday with the 'over doing the drugs'. I haven't taken any pain pills for 27hrs and I still feel groggy?? I slept until 9:00 and then napped until 3:30. I do not understand this. I am doing fine otherwise.

[dominosarah]

I am so happy that the surgery was a success.  Now it is just the healing period.  Keep us updated.

[GoingToMakeIt]

     I am hanging in there. Have been trying to adjust meds from 4hr to 6 hr. Have gone from Oxy's to Vicodin (Norco) 7.5/325s. Since I was precribed, 2 tabs every 4-6 hrs and I am taking 1 every 6 hr (a little more at night to sleep), I think I am doing OK on dosages. I can't function, pain wise, without taking them yet, but that is my goal. I am able to move around a bit more. Walking in short spurts feels good. Not having to live with the nerve pain is wonderful! It was only a week ago yesterday when I had the surgery.

[dominosarah]

How are you today??

[dominosarah]

I like elevated toilet seats!!!  That will be my next one!!!

GoingTo Market........that was still the funniest dam thing ever!!!!

[GoingToMakeIt]

The radiating pain that I had is now gone! The pain I am having now, is from the surgery.

Now for a funny...I was told to buy an elevated toilet seat, which I did. And yes it was probably good because it did make it easier to get off of. So yesterday I removed it, not needing it now. The thing is, the seat must have pressed on a nerve in the glutes because I was having radiating pain down my right leg. That pain is all but gone now too. Go figure!

GoingToThe Market!!

[dominosarah]

You sound like you are covering all the bases and the doctor sounds like he knows what h e is doing too as you mention a step down.  You dont have that radiating pain anymore now do you??  I thought you mentioned that part was gone.  Recovering after surgery takes some time and we arent 20 anymore so takes a bit longer.  Just continue on your road to recovery as it hasnt really been all that long since you had surgery.       sara

[GoingToMakeIt]

I thought it was a fair question. Especially since on the 10th I told Vicki the pain was mostly gone. I went almost  24hrs w/out pain medicines. But then the pain has come back. I checked in with the surgeon's nurse today about pain and pills. She said I would need them for awhile. The Dr does a step down dose type of a program.

[dominosarah]

That was rather a dumb question wasnt it!!!  It's late here, well that is my excuse anyways!!  

[dominosarah]

Are you still having alot of pain?

[GoingToMakeIt]

This was from the surgeon. My GP is aware of the problem, as is my wife.

[dominosarah]

Can you talk with the doctor and tell him your concerns?  Maybe there is something else you could take.  If not, have your wife hold them and stick close to the forum.....We are here for you GTMI.         sara