How did/do you deal with the stress?

treefrog · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 04:15 PM

My boyfriend and I did have one argument because he thought I should just deal with the pain, and if it were him he wouldn't choose surgery. But, he's come around.

And like Katie, he respects the research I've done, and knows that this is the best decision for me.

It's difficult when you feel your significant other is not supportive. Or trivializes your pain.

jessmith07 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 04:28 PM

Symara,

I'll post more on this subject when I get home tonight (I'm at work, but not getting much done...

), but if you'll send me a private message with your email address, I'll send you some really good material that I've gathered about the benefits of ADR vs. fusion that you can give to your husband to read, if you'd like.

Jess

mmglobal · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 04:28 PM

We have to understand that they don't necessarily have a frame of reference that would let them understand. It is often terrible when our spouses, families, friends and coworkers don't get what we are experiencing and therefore cannot support us in the way that we hope. However, it is sometimes unreasonable for us to expect them to. This is especially true when they have doctors or friends who are medical professional how have expectations about the options we pursue, without having informed knowledge about them.

Jess... treefrog... I'm looking forward to that iced cafe' in the town square with smiles and hugs all around. See you in a couple of weeks (or less!)

Mark

Eastex · #4 (**permalink**) 05-18-2009, 04:37 PM

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. I see my pain management doctor tomorrow and I am going to tell him that the pain is driving me nuts. I went to see Kenny Chesney Friday night, and I woke up screaming in pain Saturday morning. My calfs were cramping real bad. They are still hurting. I must of done a little too much that night. I have PT tomorrow and maybe we can work them out. I will let everyone know what the doctor says.

Katie · #5 (**permalink**) 05-18-2009, 08:11 PM

Eastex, many of my friends and family, including myself, have discovered that those really bad leg cramps (charlie horses) can be gotten rid of by taking magnesium supplement pills, or even the calcium magnesium ones. They seem to be caused by an imbalance of some kind.

The pain can be excruciating, and I was amazed that taking three or four of those pills that can be gotten from the drug store, can get rid of the cramps really quickly.

Even my mom takes them after getting some really expensive other supplements from her doctor a few years ago. They both work, but hers were breaking her budget

These may work for you, and sure can't hurt to try, as far as I know. I can't remember exactly which dose I was using, but it didn't seem to make that much difference.

This is much different than the nerve pain we experience from the spine, right? This is the cramping that drives you nuts, comes on suddenly and you have to get up and walk around to try and get rid of them? At least that is what it sounds like you are describing. Hope this works for you.

runner · #6 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 06:40 AM

Eastex.

I am so jealous of you that you saw Kenny Chesney. You lucky dog!!!
That is on my list of fun things to do when I feel better.
I hope your pain management doctor can help you with your pain issues.
I went to see a high school senior play piano today. He was fabulous, but I have increased back pain today after got back.
I remember you from before you got surgery. I hope you are soon feeling better. Have to tell you I got those charlie horse cramps in my calves for months before they went away.
Jay Leno is on right now. We had a 4.7 earthquake yesterday. So Leno says that animals can sense earthquakes. He says, "My cat was twittering me yesterday before the earthquake". Something like that.

take care,

Runner

Eastex · #7 (**permalink**) 05-27-2009, 12:01 AM

I should of started another post! But, I think it all reflects on the subject that was started. The pain doc increased my opana, cymbalta, and put me on Naprelan also. Kept me on Hydrocodone at the same amount. I told him that the depression seems to come and go. This divorce and surgery has about drove me nuts! So he has me taking 90mg of cymbalta now. We will see what happens. After my charlie horse problems the physical therapist had me use some stretcher type thing to help. When I was at the pain doc he said he wanted to give me a shot. I forgot what he called it, but damn it hurt. It was worse than my disco that I had. He also put me back on neurontin.