Esi..csf leak..pdph.. X 2 blood patches..now what!!

[mary.mary]

Muscle spasms eh? Well, if I told you I felt like I was in labor again would you believe me?? I had some Robaxacet and that is doing NOTHING! I really don't know what else to do, how much longer is this going to last? I don't have a prescription for muscle relaxants, I am assuming all the ones you guys mentioned have to be.

Ugh...all I know is I am NOT liking it very much, doesn't matter WHAT position I am in it keeps going and going and going, like the Energizer bunny!! Every 5 - 10 minutes it hits and lasts about 3 or 4 minutes.

Anyways, I am going to go now and STOP complaining, I am sick of hearing myself talk about the same thing OVER & OVER!! I can only imagine how you guys are feeling about it....

Hope everyone is having a good day!!

All the best,
Mary

[treefrog]

Mary, do not feel bad about coming here and complaining, even about the same thing over and over. We are here to listen to you, no matter what.

You are in pain, and not getting any relief. We understand. I am mad on your behalf, that your doctor canceled your appointment on Friday. But I really hope that he helps you on Monday. You need some relief.

I hope that it comes soon.

[dshobbies]

Mary,

Ditto Cathy. When you're in pain, life is crap. Nothing is good but when doctors make it worse, you have no where to turn. That's where we come in, to support you, recommend what we can, and tell you to give all that crap right back to that doc.

Cry, laugh, complain, whatever. No sweat!

Dale

[Katie]

Didn't someone else on a recent thread have a similar problem and went to the hospital for a morphine IV mixed with a muscle relaxant or valium or something?

The muscle had started spasming and she needed the above to break the pain cycle, I think. It was the morphine drip that helped so much, to let the muscle and brain rest from all the pain.

I'll try searching here and on another forum, but it was a recent post...like in the last week. I'm sorry you are in so much pain, and please do NOT stop posting. That's what we're here for...we understand like no others do. Hugs, my dear. Things will get better......

[Katie]

Oh, forgot to add to be very careful about asking for pain medication by name if you go into a hospital and talk to someone who does not know you well.

The staff is very well versed in looking for 'people like us' who are just working the system to get a 'fix'. Take all medical documents with you to verify your medical condition to prove you are not looking for a quick 'trip'. Unfortunately there are others out there who ruin it for us who truly need help with pain.

Gain their trust, then maybe suggest that this procedure has helped a similar case that you know of, etc.

This is in no way a diagnosis, etc. or a suggestion on what you should be taking...I am not a doctor, but understand pain very well, and will try to find that other post which might help.

[Katie]

Here is the post from Cindylou, after she ended up with a lot of pain after having a steroid injection. I haven't gone through both threads, so don't know how similar they are. Hope this helps.


" Just got home from the ER
Hi everyone,

Well, we finally got home from the ER. They had to hook me up to an IV and give me some morphine and ativan to finally break the pain pattern. Then the ER doc (who was terrific by the way) thought it best to do a brain Cat Scan, as he wanted to check for an aneurism, any bleeding on the brain. Fortunately, that came back ok. He said it's not 100% accurate, but still a good diagnostic test. That morphine is a complete miracle drug. They had to give me two rounds, and then we all concluded it was very likely that the injection irritated the nerve big time, and then it snowballed into spasming, etc. He discharged me with something stronger than Vicodin, but not a stupid large script of it. And he wants me to call my neck doctor's office tomorrow morning, and be seen by my GP within 3 days.

How about a little UN-excitement for a bit, no?

Thanks again everyone, for all the good advice,

Cindylou"

[mary.mary]

SERIOUSLY!! If I walk back into the ER they are going to look at me like I am CRAZY!!

Although Katie, that is an AWESOME idea to carry my reports around with me, especially to the ER, at least when they give you that 'eye' you can pull out the MRI report and say READ!!! LOL!!

I have had enough of these spasms, I am assuming thats what it is....Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

[dridobits]

Hi Mary, so sorry to hear about the terrible spasms. I have this from time to time. So far what seems to help for me if I'm acute is oral prednisone (as per discussion with doc re: how long etc.) and also a Toradol shot which makes things bearable. It's the shot that really acts fast for me tho and takes the edge off.

[runner]

Mary,

There are all kinds of ways that you feel back pain. Yes, muscle relaxants are by prescription only.
I take the generic for Flexeril and that is a safer drug over time according to research.
There are several muscle relaxers. They kind of relax the brain and they do work. The important thing is to get your pain under control. I know that "take your breath away kind of pain".
Right now, my pain is out of control despite the medicines and I am not sleeping very well so I may have to call the doctor's office on Monday and tell them about it so I can get it under control.

It is ok to vent on here...we get it.

Take care,

runner

[Katie]

Dear Mary, So WHAT??!!

They can do something for you for the pain, they are just choosing not to, probably because of what I've mentioned before. I have taken my hospital records from previous visits regarding weird allergy reactions, plus pain, and it really speeds things up. They even seem to appreciate it.

We have to face the fact that they get an awful lot of people in every day, trying to get narcotics for the wrong reasons. The nurses are really just doing their jobs and saving their own behinds, but sometimes forget that there are legitimate pain patients out there.

I have also taken along my prescription bottle, outlining the extraordinary doses I am supposed to take, and that settles things quickly too.

You have been in pain long enough and need to be proactive, but in the right way, by proving your case. Good luck.

[mary.mary]

OK!!

I am biting the bullet and taking my behind to the ER. Enough is enough, I am going to start having preferred patient points soon, lol!!

I will let you know what they say and do when I get back, HOPEFULLY the wait won't be too long, that is the WORST having to wait in a busy ER when you are in unrelenting pain!!

Thanks for everything!! Keep you posted!!
Mary

[Katie]

Good on you Yes, please keep us posted, and don't forget your past records that show you NEED this stuff!