Re: To See A Therapist Or Not??

Posted By K on August 09, 1999 at 17:02:15
A couple years ago, while having a C-Section, the nurse anesthiologist (sp) cut a nerve root doing the spinal.
Because of this I have limited feeling in my foot/leg and
limited movement.  Being young and with 2 children, this has
had quite an impact on my life and my husband's  life.
I have been on numerous drugs to control the pain and
have been told that
there is no surgical procedure they can do and that I will
have to live with the pain for the rest of my life - to
seek a therapist.  The psychologist that I spoke to at a
Pain Clinic felt that I was near my breaking point - whatever
that meant and whereever that was.  I am a very strong willed
person who believes in getting help when it is needed and
although I studied psychology in school, I do not feel that
a therapist will be able to help me.  Am I angry?  Yep,
but people get angry and I don't feel that I blow this
anger out of porportion or hurt myself or others
with this anger. Am I moody? Yep, but what woman
isn't (Grin).  The only other thing that I feel they
made the conclusion for me to get help,
is that I have sleep disorders due to the pain - I wake over
10 times a night.  But, they gave me drugs for this
when it gets bad.  The psychologist noticed my apprehension
at seeing a therapist and told me that if I wouldn't get
help to read a few books regarding pain tolerance - which
I have and didn't feel any new knowledge or impact on my life.
Sorry - this is getting long and you do not my medical
history in front of you - but what I said about clears it up.  So..to see a therapist or not?  Or is there an alternative
that you see out there?
Thanks in advance.

[Jef__0__0]

Posted By Jeff on August 09, 1999 at 21:12:45
K:
Please understand when I say that I understand what you're going thru.  I have had 2 microdiscectomies at L4/5 over the past 3 years.  I also have been diagnosed with a herniated disc in my cervical area (C5/6).  Before the 2nd surgery, I didn't know that the first surgeon (an orthopaedist) had missed a fragment of disc material.  He kept telling me that I WAS going to feel better and that the pain was just due to (and I'm quoting exactly) "the nerve root is **ssed off".  I underwent 2 rounds of Prednisone, 3 epidural injections and the clincher was on Christmas Eve when I was given a sleeve injection (cortisone injected directly into the nerve root while under a fluroscope).  That last injection was my downfall..... evidently the needle pushed the disc fragment into the nerve.  During all of this, he was reluctant to give me any pain meds (I am NOT an addictive person).  His statement was "Well, you know I'm not big on giving narcotics."  I guess he didn't have any more solutions, so he pawned me off on a neurologist.  I requested one that I new was compassionate.  In turn, he IMMEDIATELY started me on pain meds to give me relief and also meds to allow me to sleep (by this time, I was in tears at work by 9:30 AM from the pain and in severe sleep deprivation to the point of short-term memory loss, auditory hallucinations, etc.)  He ordered further studies on my back and got me in touch with a competent neurosurgeon who found the problem.  The surgery and PT afterwards alleviated about 90% of my pain.
Now that I've set the background, I can say that I understand what you are going thru.  I was confined to the house for 65 days (before and after the surgery).  I am a VERY active person and became SEVERELY depressed and moody because there was nothing that I could do but lie on my back and stare at the ceiling.  There's only so many books and so much TV.....
I don't really know what type of pain clinic that you attended, but it doesn't seem like they have treated the whole person.  I have found that many hospitals will tout a pain clinic, but it's nothing more than an anesthesiologist and maybe a counselor.  I would seriously check other sources.  I live in the Metro-Miami-Dade area, and I know for a fact that the University of Miami has one of the top-notch chronic pain centres in the country.  They help people with med management, biofeedback, phycial and occupational therapies, and/or psyciatric needs.  I think that your MD was not suggesting that the therapist will take your pain away, but rather help you from getting further and further depressed at the situation.  Chronic pain IS debilitating and can crush us emotionally.
And, there IS merit in other avenues such as biofeedback.... just look at some of the shows on TV where people are actually able to endure tremendous pain thru concentration.  I would also suggest that you find a qualified orthopaedic physical therapist.  These people receive additional training for their certification..... mine has shown me stretching and strengthening techniques that are an absolute godsend.
I know that I, too, got a bit wordy, but I hope that what I have shared helps.
Jeff











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