MRI today

[RunningMom]

I'm so glad I had my MRI done today.  My pain is unbearable still and it was very difficult to lay there.  Again, I almost had an anxiety attack.  Ugh.  I brought the disc home and I know I'm not educated enough to read the MRI fully but, I do know a little bit about it and there is something that is sticking right smack dab into my spinal cord.  I don't know if my disc ruptured, if there is a disc fragment left behind, or possibly scar tissue.  I guess I will find out more soon.  I have an appointment on Friday and hopefully the report will be faxed into the pain clinic by then.

[SueHannah7]

What had been he results of the MRI and the recommended treamens in relation to the right hip and lower back issues.
Thank you.

[TrudieC]

So glad you got the films and hopefully very soon some answers and solutions.  So sorry you are suffering so much.

[Sarajmt]

Hi!  Just wanted to say I'm glad that's over for you!  Maybe now your pain source can be isolated and treated.  Keep us updated!
Sara

[mummy3too]

I am sure you already know you can do this... but I always pick up a copy of the written radiologists report before I head to the Dr's office. We are all entitled to a copy of it (not just the films).. all you need to do is call the MRI place and tell them when you had your MRI - ask them when you may pick up the radiologist's report. They will have it available to you as soon as it is ready for the Dr - usually 24-48 hours. This way you can review it BEFORE you go in for your appointment and write down any questions you might have.

Sometimes if you just wait for the report from the Dr, then you are hit with a diagnosis and do not have enough time to ask the right questions...

The other good thing is that you will have a copy for your own records!!

Good luck - wishing you the best!!!

Hope you do this - it will help when you go to the Dr on Friday!!

[Tuckamore]

Hi Runningmom,

I am so glad you now have the MRI over and done with. I to am hopeful that it will provide you with some answers. You've been through so much and my heart aces for you.

It's especially frustrating when medications are of little effect on our pain. When I was recently in the hospital with acute pain it took a ton of IV meds and four hours (second round of meds) to bring my pain down to a tolerable level. I had enough to put an elephant down.....and I was only taking some vicodin prior to all of this. One RN told me the amount of meds I had would have killed her. No one understands until they have been there. I've been there and I can empathize with what you are going through.

Two days will seem like an eternity but hang in there you are almost at the end of the race!  I know that you will update us...and I will be watchful for your post.

Gentle ((HUGS))
~Tuck

[RunningMom]

I have not been offered the fentanyl patch yet.  I'm almost at the maxium allowance the pain clinic offers with the oxycontin.  The maxium is 40mgs, but I really don't want anymore oxy.  I do not like the oxycontin, but it's better then nothing.  My NP is on maturnity leave now for 3 months.  I won't ask for a certain med, but I will take up the offer if it is offered.  

If I do go into surgery in the next couple of months, I'm assuming I need to quit the current medications I'm on now.  I don't know how I'm going to do that either with the pain being so bad.  

I did try the lidoderm patch a while back.  My insurance does not accept it, plus it never worked.  They also gave me voltaren gel, which is basically the same thing, but in gel form.  The gel helps with the muscle spasms.

I know how your boyfriend feels.  I don't know how he works.  I'm stuck at home and I rarely leave.  I can't leave for very long.  I need my ice packs, couch and bed with my pillows.  I hope he gets into pain management too.  I also had a very bad experience, but now I'm at a wonderful place.

[mellie4]

Isn't it awful when you take so much medicine and it doesn't help?  Mine was just taking the edge off, too.  I was on the oxycontin 40 mg. and oxycodone 20 mg. for BT pain.  That's when she switched me over to the Fentanyl patch.  I'm finding it to be a better fit for me than the oxycontin as far as long-acting medicine.  I haven't had any side effects from it.  Have you tried that or have they offered it?  I know Sherry loves it.  I was very against using the patch initially but after reading about some people's experience here and doing some other research, I decided to give it a shot and I'm happy I did.  I still have to work on the BT meds, and hopefully I'll be talking to her about that today.

My boyfriend has 3 herniated disks in his neck, too.  He's been trying to find a solution to his pain but struggles with it.  He doesn't want to go the surgical route at all.  (He's a mailman and even though the doctor put him on light duty, it still aggravates things.)  He uses ice packs a lot (I can't tolerate ice and have to use heat for all my issues.)

Have you tried the Lidoderm patch?  It certainly won't take all your pain away, but in combination with other things, it might help a little.  I was given it by the anesthesiologist at the pain clinic.  It's a fairly large patch, and I cut it to fit.  Initially he gave it to me to help desensitize the scarring on my hand but I've found it works a bit on the whole hand.  And I used it on my hip for the really bad pain I have there, and it helps.  You can wear it up to 12 hours.  Yesterday I as at the doctor with Michael and we asked about it for him.  (He's being managed by our primary care doctor right now until I can convince him to go to a pain clinic.  He had a bad experience with one and is reluctant to try it again.)

I always look at my films, too.  Usually I can't tell exactly what's wrong but I can tell that something's not right.

[RunningMom]

Mellie, I take pain medications.  They just don't work.  Sometimes the medicine takes the edge of the pain, but the past week or so the pain has been unbearable.  I have to have an ice pack at the back of my neck too.  The ice packs only help when applied and it has to be plastic with the ice against my skin.  I take the long acting 30mg oxy tid with the percocet for breakthrough.

Your right Jamie, I keep looking at the film.  My appointment is in two days.  I hope the results are back with the pain doctor, so I can hurry with the next course of action(if possible).

[jamlws]

I am so glad you got your MRI and I hope time flys til Friday. It will drive you crazy looking at the cd but I do the same thing. I will look at tests that i have no clue what they are.
Best of luck
Jamie

[mellie4]

I hope they have some good answers for you and can figure something out.  And I'm sorry to ask this, but I am still learning here and I'm always mixing up who is with what story or meds and treatments.  I forget why you're not getting anything for the pain now?

Waiting for appointments is very  frustrating.  I've been very lucky that when I call for an "emergency" appointment, the pain clinic (and surgeon) will always fit me in.  My previous ortho doctor was not like that.  It was the main reason I left his prac  tice.

Can't wait to hear updates.

[melissaky]

Oh I hope this is the answer for you ! Also as Sherry said I hope you can get some relief for the awful pain you have been in .You have my best wishes as well .I really want things to work out for you Take care Melissa

[RunningMom]

Thank you.  I hope this is the answer.  I still have two discs that are herniated, but not that badly that I'm aware of.  I can see those as well(I think).  Hubby wants me to make the mayo clinic appt. right away, but I want to hear the results first of this MRI.  

[opus88]

Oh I just hope they can give you some answers too and be able to do something for your terrible pain, its not fair to have to live like that.....my very best wishes RM.

[namnam46]

I'm so happy that it looks as if you are on your way to getting a diagnosis that HOPEFULLY, will lead to a diagnosis that will bring you some pain relief!!

I can hardly wait (I'm sure YOU are even more anxious than I am :)  ) until Friday when you get the answers and I hope, HELP!!!


Congratulations....Sherry