How long were you off work after ADR surgery?

[Michelle Maree]

Thank god others feel the same.
Here I have been feeling completely inadequate not wanting to get out of bed in the morning but having to at some point because of pain.
I am having a nervous breakdown from the stress of indecision. Wanting surgery but not sure if I can live with the outcome if not a success.
How do others keep going?
How do you keep moving forward?
How do you keep positive?
Do others see a psychologist to help them cope?
Please tell me some coping strategies because I have none left to draw from.

[jessmith07]

Michelle, one thing I've learned in the short time I've been on this forum is that I've found a wonderful group of people who KNOW what I'm going though, either because they've been there, they are there, or they're heading there. Yes, there are others who feel the same as you. I, myself, have taken the day off from work because I'm so exhausted, and I just need a quiet day. How do I keep going? Honestly, my family keeps me going. My husband is my rock and if it weren't for his patience and understanding I couldn't do this. My children NEED me to get out of bed every morning, because I don't want their childhood memories to me filled with a mom who was there but unavailable. How do I stay positive? Sheer gut force, but it gets harder and harder as the days go by because the stress is wearing me down. That's when my husband steps in and stays positive enough for both of us.

You have to have a strong support system. I am blessed to be surrounded by people that I can draw strength from, and I think that God led me to this forum as a further means of support. If you can see a psychologist, then do. It certainly can't hurt. But hang in there, and keep talking to us. It's what we're here for.

[jessmith07]

Fuzzy...lorazapam...isn't that Xanax? I have some of that somewhere. I have a fear of dentists and I've been having some reconstructive work done over the last couple of years so I have to pop a couple of those before I go so that I don't say bad things about my doctor and his mama (I actually said that to him as he was leading me to "The Chair"...no kidding! ) As for the wine, my husband and I are what you would call wine enthusiasts, and we always have a couple of glasses in the evenings to help us relax (we're both pretty uptight people naturally )...which is why I HATE taking pain medication (like the narcotics).

[fuzzy]

Xanax is short acting so it wears off after 2 to 3 hours and that together with the pain build up would cause me a major axiety attacks, like a flash i would sit straight up at 2 in the morning and that was it for the night. I could set my clock by it. My doc tried several of the others and when he heard about my xanax complaint he quickly switched me. The lorazepam is longer acting and doesn't fall of the cliff as fast as the xanax which I think it meant for anxiety (dentist) but it is weaker then the loraz which the doctors don't like to write up unless they know you real well and you can manage it as it has a addictive tendency. What happens is the usual dose does not work any more and one "ups" the dose. Not good. Luckily that doesn't happen with me but it really helps with the pain constant axiety and the fact that I might get some sleep at least for the first few hours. Last night by the way was a bad night for me has my lower half tingled, when numbish etc depending how I lied and if I move arround from not being able to sleep makes it worse. I hate this neck!

I think the Dr.s don't like to write these meds especially for chronics like me due to the abuse issue. He want me to take antidepressants instead as pain causes depression, well known fact. But I had such good luck with this simple med as it helps other ways too (not documented) that I like it for that and rather not take the other.

Oh edit: I am quite into wines myself but I had to lay really low on the wine due to my problems I had to chose, the wine, or better sleep. I have friends with fine wineries. I can go enjoy the winery have a quarter of a glass and that is all I can handle...

[symara]

I've read in other places that anti-depresents can help with nerve pain also... i haven't been put on any yet, but I'm thinking of trying this, for both depression and the pain. I have a history of chronic depression anyway and the pain is making it come back on me full force here lately.

[dshobbies]

Michelle,

Aside from drugs, it is our support system that keeps us going.

My husband is absolutely everything to me. He kept me going. If I couldn't depend on him, my life would be 100 times harder. The reverse is also true and I couldn't/wouldn't let him down.

When someone is more important than you, you do it for them. You draw from their strength.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time but others have been where you are and have come out whole. Hang onto that hope and don't let go. Don't lose sight of the other side. It's there, even if the tunnel looks dark, the light is there. My tunnel was 3 years long and now it's gone. Yours will be gone too!

Please don't give up the hope, Dale

[treefrog]

I enjoy wine too. But I have given up drinking at all, while I am on pain medications. I can't wait to be able to have a drink again, one of these days. Maybe it won't take all summer before I can stop taking the meds, and I can enjoy sitting on my deck in the evening with a glass of wine.....that would be lovely.