Pain and Depression

Roblin · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 04:44 AM

Mark,

"With such a significant structural problem, it would seem that symptom maskers like SCS would only be after reasonable options to address the mechanical problems have been exhausted. I have several clients with SCS... some have them after ADR, some have them removed when they get ADR."

I also wanted to comment on this. I couldn't agree more, but do you know of anyone who has had 2 ProDiscs removed? I haven't heard of anyone. I not only need those 2 removed, I need a 3rd level fixed. Has anyone heard of anyone that has had such a surgery? If so, I would very much like to be put in touch with them. If not, does anyone know of anyone anywhere that has had 2 ProDiscs removed at the L4/5 and L5/S1 level? I am not sure at this point I am willing to be another doctor's guinea pig! Thanks for your help!
Roblin

mmglobal · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 05:44 AM

I have a client who has had 2 Charite's removed. (L3-4-5). Contact me off the forum and I'll give you details and contact info if you would like.

IMHO, each revision is a one of a kind surgery... each revision is a unique case. Unfortunately, we'll ultimately see the day when revision experience will be so great that revisions won't seem like the great unknown.

Mark

KL Aguilar · #3 (**permalink**) 06-28-2008, 11:32 PM

I think I should look into antidepressants. The pain I have most of the time now is more or less tolerable, but the other things (dealing with WC who takes months and months to authorize anything; lack of money--also partly due to WC who pays me, then stops until ordered by the court to begin paying me; dealing with the huge bureaucracy of my job AND WC--each blames the other; being disabled; making medical and surgical decisions; my MIL recently diagnosed with terminal cancer; having a baby grandson who I cannot take care of even for a few hours as I can't pick him up; gaining weight) all of these are causing me to begin each day feeling overwhelmed.

I take Flexeril when I get muscle spasms (frequently), Vicodin on occasion, but not much else spine-related. What antidepressants work with these medications?

dshobbies · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2008, 04:59 PM

Do you have a pain managment doctor who oversees your meds? Living in constant pain isn't easy and there's help out there but you have to pursue it. Tell him/her about your depression and it might take a few tries/combos before finding what's right for you but it is so worth it. You'd be amazed at the difference it can make.

Wishing you better days, Dale

Roblin · #5 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 04:31 PM

Dear K L Aguilar,
Please check in to an anti-depressant as they can be helpful. The pain meds alone can cause depression not to mention pain and an altered lifestyle being major contributors of depression. I am on Cymbalta which also has the added benefit of some pain relief although I can't tell that it is doing anything for my pain. Sometimes I don't believe it is helping my depression until I miss taking it or try to take my self off of it and then I am so depressed I want someone to shoot me and put me out of my misery. LOL but not at the time. Be careful on what you choose to take because many of them can cause weight gain which can also be a cause for increased depression at least it is for me. Cymbalta doesn't cause weight gain but many of them do. I am still waiting to hear from Dr. Regan to see if a revision for me is going to be possible with a 3 level problem. I sure hope so or I don't know what I will do.
Best wishes on getting some help with the depression!
Roblin

KL Aguilar · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 08:37 PM

Roblin, Dr. Regan is wonderful--I hope he can help you.

I saw the pain management doctor today and I broke down and cried as I described all I am dealing with. Yesterday I was informed on the phone that my position has been terminated, meaning that I haven't been fired, but no longer have the job that I had; when I return after surgery, they will place me wherever there is an opening, whether or not it is what or where I want or am best qualified for; undoubtedly this will result in a pay cut as I had a special position.

The pain management doctor gave me a prescription for Lunesta, a sleep medication. Maybe just sleeping all night will help.

I go to court next week, to try and get surgery authorization and my pay nightmare resolved.

Maria · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 03:45 AM

I'm not experiencing high level lumbar pain right now however my neck is really driving me crazy. Migraines too. I'm definately very anxious lately, not so much depressed, but worried about several things. Oh well, perhaps it's depression as well but I've been so nervous I don't feel depressed, just anxious.

KL, sorry to hear your position has been terminated. I've been thru this quite some time ago (several times) because of my low back probs and each time it caused me some high anxiety as well as depression..

I wanted to add that I had taken Lunesta for almost 2 weeks but it didn't agree w/me even tho I fell asleep 10 -30 mins. after taking it and slept well. I had GI probs with it.

I'm thinking for relaxation from nerves I'd want to have a few doses of a benzodiazapine around.

Good luck with your court date and hope the Lunesta will be ok for you.