Procedure today

[mellie4]

Last week I was switched to oxycontin, 40 mg. three times a day and 5 to 20 mg. every 4 hours for breakthrough pain.  I'm not sure I'm at the right dose for the oxycontin as I am needing the 20 mg. every 4 hours pretty consistently, and it doesn't always work.

Today I have a follow-up with the nurse practitioner about the meds.  I'm figuring she is going to maybe increase the oxycontin a bit and see how that goes.  I am hopeful that when we get to the right dosage I'll have better pain control.

After I see her, I'm having a stellate ganglion block.  Cross your fingers I get some relief.  Last night was pretty bad and I woke up several times with the pain despite all my meds plus an Ativan plus an Ambien.  But the pain broke through all of it.

I think this is my 5th or 6th block.  I've had at least some relief with all except one.  I'm hoping that I'll get a few months relief for at least some of the pain and symptoms.  One symptom I had that hasn't come back is before my hand was not an accurate judge of temperature.  If I touched something, like a railing or the counter, I felt like I was touching a block of ice.  Other times I'd be sitting doing nothing, and my hand would be burning and I'd feel like it was sweating, but it wasn't.  That symptom wasn't painful, but it was odd and just one more thing on top of all the rest; so I was glad the block got rid of something completely.

So, cross your fingers or say a prayer for me that today goes well.  For whatever reason, with each procedure I get more and more anxious getting it done.  (They insert some medication into my neck with a needle in the hope it will block the sympathetic nerve.  It's not a painful procedure.  There's one part where I feel a very strong pressure in my shoulder but I wouldn't call it pain and it doesn't last long.  But the whole needle in my neck thing creeps me out, even though it doesn't hurt anymore than a shot anywhere else, but for whatever reason, every time I go I'm a little more anxious than the time before.  They will give me 2 mg. Ativan and oxycodone and that helps a bit.

I'll post an update later.  Thanks.

[namnam46]

Hi Mellie!!


SOOOO Glad that you are getting relief (or at least seem to be). I'm sorry that you had some pain with it!!

I had the same type o thing with the 2 RFA's that I had (3 on each side) the first time(left side) was just as you did such a great job of describing, no more that a shot and pressure the 2nd (right side) they hit a muscle and I felt a pressure pain burning sort of sensation and when I got up to walk th OUTSIDE of my right leg form hip to floor was ASLEEP. LOL  If I took a regular step I would almost go to the floor. But if I rolled my foot so that I put my weight to the INSIDE of my foot I could stand. It lasted a few hours. But I got to ride out to the car in a wheelchair and I'll tell you what as old as I feel some days that was a TREAT for me!!! The feeling lasted about 4 or 5 hours and then it was just fine. (They told me what to expect on how long it would last.) I got to lay around in bed and my daughter got my Granddaughter off of the Special Needs Bus for me and I JUST RELAXED. What a FUN day for me!! The next time that I have a block I'm going to ask him to hit that muscle AGAIN!!!

But really Mellie I truly ame so happy for you and just like Tuck said All My Prayers are with you that this lasts as long as possible!!!.....Sherry

[jamlws]

I am glad you got some relief, I hope it lasts long for you. Neurontin made me gain 30 lbs in 3 months so I know how you feel about that. Plus all the other nasty side effects that go with it.
Jamie

[mellie4]

Wow, they've never knocked me out for the procedure!  A little IV sedation would have bee nice :)  This time it was actually very painful, never experienced that before.  Usually it's only a pressure in the back of my shoulder.

But it seems like it worked.  I have great relief from the pain.  I know I need to wait to see how long it lasts, but anything is better than nothing.  I think this is the most relief I've ever had.

They didn't really change my meds.  She's keeping me on the 40 mg. oxycontin three times a day plus 15 mg. oxycodone every 4 hours for BT pain.  Plus the other stuff I take.  I have to check in with her next week.  She's hoping the block will help and I won't need to increase the meds, which would be nice.  For right now, it's okay.

I've tried Lyrica and Neurontin in the past for the nerve pain.  Both actually helped a little but I can't take either of them due to the side effects.  (Lyrica made me gain 15 pounds in 2 weeks!!!)

[Tuckamore]

I am crossing my fingers for you...and saying a prayer. I hope that today will be a good one for you and that the procedure goes well. And I also hope your meds will be adjusted appropriately. My heart goes out to you.

Please let us know how the appointment goes for you today. I wish you the very best and admire your courage and determination.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[JadedSweetheart]

The thing with the touching things and feeling only cold sounds like a nerve problem, so it makes sense that the procedure would take that away. Another thing that might help with the nerve pain is Neurontin, Lyrica, or I took one called Topomax (the first two make you gain weight, but the last on makes you lose weight).  I've taken them all but liked the topomax most because of the weight loss.
I know the needle in the neck thing *****.  I had to have it done a couple of times as an epidural and it freaked me out, but luckily that doctor's office knocked us out before the procedure.  I had it done twice and it didn't do much for me, unfortunately.
I hope the procedure goes well and that you get lots of relief!  Also that they up your meds.

[jamlws]

I hope you are feeling better today. I also hope the nurse does raise your meds and thsi procedure works today. I will be thinking of you so let me know how your doing when you get done.
Sending pain free thoughts your way,
Jamie