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Posted 5/22/2009 9:40 PM (GMT -7)
Bluejet,

I find it interesting that of your several epidural procedures, one helped for 3 days, and the following didn't help at all. I had the same experience with some of my nerve blocks. The stellate ganglion block helped for 3 days after the first one, but did nothing after the following two! I don't think the doc hit the nerve completely on the second try, but I know that he hit it dead on the first & third times. I hadn't heard of anyone else reacting this way. Usually, if the initial block provides any relief, than the subsequent blocks should theoretically cause more relief for a longer period of time. Or so they tell me.

White Beard, I hope you are starting to feel some relief today!

Skeye
Posted 5/22/2009 9:41 PM (GMT -7)
White Beard, I also am checking in with you. I hope and pray that you are finding some relief and hope. As I was thinking about you today, I could not help but contemplate the many things that are going on in your life and you are doing a great job of holding up under the constant pressure of life. There are days that I am wiped out and exhaused at all that I have to deal with but then when I come here, I get encouraged as I know that I am not alone. I want to share a little story with you as I think you will understand as it has to do with the scripture that states take up your cross and follow me.

A man walked into a cross shop to get a new cross as the one he was carrying was not comfortable. The shop keeper told the man he understodd as this is a common reason people visit the shop. The man took off his cross and started to try others on one by one. Each one had something wrong and none of them felt right. Finally when he had thought he tried every one on, he picked one up and as he tried it on it felt better than all the rest. He looked at the shop keeper and he said that this one felt the best. The shop keeper said this always happens. He advised the man that the cross he was now wearing was the one he came in with. As you can tell it is not a  true story. But the meaning often has truth in it. There are times when we are tired of the journey we are foced to take but we have no idea what others may be facing. It would be nice to rid ourselves of the pain and trials but I am not sure anyone has a life like that. I have met people all over the world that have it tougher than me. There are days that I have to refocus and move forward. I explained to someone who asked how I do what I do with all the pain. I simply told them I pray for enough grace for today. All I need to do is get through one day at a time. I do want to encourage you as the many issues you are dealing with weigh you down. Be blessed my brother.

 

Posted 5/22/2009 10:40 PM (GMT -7)
Thank You all for your responses, I do know I got a steroid injection, all day my face has been beet red along with my chest and arms, and very hot to the touch, and I feel like I want to cry! All are typical steroid  reactions for me!, Actually I woke up this morning and to my surprise my left arm felt pretty good! I could stretch it out without any pain, and even lift with it!  and it has really has felt good for most of the day, this evening I have noticed the pain in the elbow is back  but it hasn't returned to my fingers and hands, so I am cautiously optimistic, most of the times when I have had the epidurals, they work, but the problem has always been they just don't last. It is allot of trouble and expense for just a few days or a couple weeks relief!

The realtor came today and checked over the house, gave some pointers on what to fix and not to fix, she is putting it on the market tomorrow! Just one step closer to what ever is next in my life! You know Fatherjohn I do understand,  sometimes I think my cross is to much to bear, but I think of so many others and the cross they carry, mine is Ok I will make it one way or the other.

You know I have been thinking about SnowFlake all day today, and  yesterday too! I don't know why, but I have, and I have been bothered by it!!, I hope it is just me, but I have had a very uncomfortable feeling about her the last two days, I sure hope she is alright! She was not doing good the last time she posted! And I don't know why I keep thinking about her, but I do have this very uneasy sad feeling! And it has been bothering me! Has anybody heard from her?

White Beard

  I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Posted 5/22/2009 11:34 PM (GMT -7)
White Beard,
I'm glad you're getting some relief and I sure hope it lasts longer for you than the other injections. You deserve it so much!

As far as Snowflake, no, I haven't seen her post for awhile. Wasn't she planning on surgery? The best thing might be trying to search for the thread she started, because maybe she has responses linked back to her computer.

Hugs - and take it easy!

PaLady
Posted 5/23/2009 4:39 PM (GMT -7)
Hi White Beard,

I am so glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better from your epidural! That is wonderful! Even if it only gets you a few days of relief, I'd gladly take it! But hopefully it lasts much much longer than that for you. You are quite right when you say that overall, it the epidurals only last a short time, it probably isn't worth the money, the time, or the pain involved in having epidurals done often. I'm sorry you got such a reaction from the steroids, though! Steroids & me are old enemies. I hate them! I decided after the last time that I took prednisone (granted I was taking very large amounts), that I would never ever take it or another steroid again, unless it was a dire circumstance & absolutely necessary. Hopefully your reaction clears up soon.

Skeye
Posted 5/23/2009 8:59 PM (GMT -7)
skeye
Every once in a while I have to take high dose Prednisone for my Ulcertive Colitis if I have a flare and the stuff is a mixed blessing, it stops the UC flare but the side affect are misserable! I get emotional and cry like a baby about everything when I am on it! And it makes me flushed and I don't sleep well and all kinds of nasty side affects!

I will say one thing my arm felt so good today that I really over done it, and did some things I probably should not have done, the realtor pointed out some things that should be fixed on the house in order to get a better price on selling it, sooooo...........I um...well..I .....kind of...did some things.......let me just.....say...... what ever good that injection did, is gone now! Let me tell you! I should have known better! Both my arms and hands are really bothering me, hopefully it will go away once I go to bed and get some rest!

White Beard
  I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Posted 5/23/2009 9:16 PM (GMT -7)
White Beard.... nono But I know one of the many things that makes me cringe at the thought of moving is that I get all screwed up just moving around a few stacks of paper!

Do you have any neighborhood kids that can help out for a little bit of $ (weren't there always kids like that? I can't find any who want to work!! shakehead).

Anyway, I hope you rest your arms and neck, maybe take a warm shower or get out an ice pack or two or three. smurf

Take care!

PaLady
Posted 5/23/2009 9:39 PM (GMT -7)
PALady
Thank-You! The Realtor put the For Sale sign up in our yard today! I am going to start looking for a place to rent in this area, at least for a while untill I decide where I want to go! I have such mixed emotions right now! I felt so sad when I seen the sign being put up in the yard!
You know PALady It is just about impossible to find kids to even mow the grass any more! Things have changed so much from the days when I was a kid, we were always looking for odd jobs to do to earn a little money! Now kids don't want to do that, and what jobs they do, do they want big bucks to do it! I think I will try a nice warm shower and a percocet and try and get some sleep! Thank You again for your concern PALady, it really means allot to me!
Good Night!
White Beard
  I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Posted 5/23/2009 10:17 PM (GMT -7)

Whitebeard,

Take care and finding a friend to take you means they are a true friend so dont feel bad or guilty. One day at a time, it will get better, and it sounds you have a good doctor taking care of you. Hope you get better. Make sure the doctors are honest with you. cshelp

Posted 5/23/2009 10:49 PM (GMT -7)
White Beard,
Thisi has to be a difficult time for you emotionally, too. Feel free to share that here, because we've all been or are going through our emotional turmoil and it certainly doesn't help CP. I would imagine it was painful to see the sign go up, and begin to realize the finality. I'm so very good at avoiding that but you can only avoid to a certain point.

I'm glad you're thinking of just renting nearby for now. Sometimes to make a hasty decision when so much is changing is not the best move. Sounds like you're doing it right.

Just remember we're here.

PaLady
Posted 5/24/2009 8:08 AM (GMT -7)
White Beard, been thinking about you and I'm glad you got some relief from the injections,
Time to get focused on graduation, I'm making a small memory book for my daughter and teared up
a bit looking through it, but she's all grown up and turned out okay, so it's time for her to
move on into college life and all the wonders she'll have with that...
sorry, I've not heard from snowflake, maybe post on her thread, Just have to believe she's
okay...
Hope you get some more relief this week whitebeard and keep us posted when you can..
HUGZ
(((((((((((((((((((((((WhiteBeard)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
**********************************************
* Asthma, Allergies, Osteoarthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Degenative Disc, Fibromyalgia, Gerd,
Enlarged Pituitary Gland, Sjogren's and Ocular Migraines

********>^..^<********>^..^<********>^..^<********

Posted 5/24/2009 9:05 AM (GMT -7)
Chartreux
Graduation is always a bitter sweet time for parents! Your happy to see that your children are finally growing up! But sad that they are not the little ones that they once were! Take lots of pictures, as years from now you will be glad you did, nothing will rekindle memories like good pictures! Sending your kids off to college is another whole experience! I remember those days, for awhile we had two in college, at the same time, but both wanted to go to different places in opposite directions, ( kids can never make it easy!)

Thanks for your support Chart! I really appreciate it!

White Beard
  I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Posted 5/24/2009 5:09 PM (GMT -7)
Hi White Beard,

I hope you are feeling a little better today from overdoing things yesterday (doesn't that always seem to happen when we are feeling good)!

(((((((((hugs))))))))))))
Skeye
Posted 5/24/2009 10:01 PM (GMT -7)
You know I am definitely having regrets that I did the things I did yesterday, I knew last night I over did it, and I had a rough night last night! and today my left arm is hurting as bad or worse than it did before the injection! I am also having a hard time straighting it out again. I am agravated because I knew deep down I should not have been doing the stuff I was doing. The realtor said my back porch that my father inlaw made 10 or more years ago was rotten and a hazzard and needed to be replaced. So I went and got a load of treated lumber, and decided I could build a new porch myself! I have some power tools and I am pretty much a handy man, I can fix most things, around the house and I often do! I now have a 4X6 foot porch in my garage with 4 steps and stands 2 feet tall. The top boards are not attached, so if I can find about a half dozen big strong men to lift the frame and carry it around the back of the house and put it in front of the frenchdoors by the dining room. I will then be able screw down the top planking and have it done. Today I have not been able to do anything as my arm and neck hurt to bad! I think it was the stooping and bendiong over, and straining with the boards that done me in! as I wasn't doing any really heavy lifing because I can't! There were a few times yesterday that I got to hurting real bad and I would go into the house and sit back in my recliner, but it wasn't enough I guess! This gets back to one of the earlier post that fatherjohn made about CP being our identity, and how it limits what we can do! I HATE IT! I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT!! I set the top board in place on the porch and looked at it, it looks nice, I had done a pretty good job, if I do say so myself! But I hurt so darn bad! and I am paying the price, I should not have to pay in pain for doing something that I should be able to do! It is so frustrating, I enjoy doing stuff like that! It is like I have accomplished something! I have made something!

I am sorry for venting! but it is so frustrating to me, I get the injection and I get what? one or two good days out of it? , and then when I try doing something I like to do, and really need to get done, and now I am then back to square one? And am worse off than before I got the injection! Was the injection even worth getting?
Thank You everyone for letting me rant! I hurt and I am frustrated with myself because I know I shouldn't have been doing the stuff I did! But!!!........I did and I am paying for it!
White Beard
  I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Posted 5/24/2009 10:39 PM (GMT -7)
Whitebeard, I know what you are experiencing all to well. I am sorry that the price you are paying is so deep in pain. I wish I could come over and help you with your porch. Misery loves company right. I hope that you get the things done around the place that need to be addressed so you can move on with life, whatever that means. Wouldn't it be nice to know what this life controlled by Cp is going to be like? Oh to do the things we used to. To do anything that does not increase the pain would be a welcomed event. I almost forgot that this is your thread and your rant and vent session and here I go hijacking it. All to say I understand all to well what you are putting up with and the feelings that accompany it. My you have a restful night and a better day tomorrow. My prayers are with you. 

Posted 5/24/2009 11:17 PM (GMT -7)

Whitebeard:

Don't be mad at yourself - we all want so much to do what we used to do, even if just for a day. 

Lorie

Posted 5/24/2009 11:30 PM (GMT -7)
I agree with Lorie..
but I'll send ya some more soft hugz....
((((((((((((((WhiteBeard))))))))))))))))))))))))))
**********************************************
* Asthma, Allergies, Osteoarthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Degenative Disc, Fibromyalgia, Gerd,
Enlarged Pituitary Gland, Sjogren's and Ocular Migraines

********>^..^<********>^..^<********>^..^<********

Posted 5/25/2009 12:01 AM (GMT -7)
White Beard,
Please don't apologize for venting, ranting, or whatever you need to do. I could so relate to your screaming out how you HATE what pain has done to your life. I'm sure we all can, and when we read eachother's posts like that in an odd way it makes us more of a family. Certainly we'd all prefer to be family based on something other than pain, but guess we have to take what we get....so to speak.

I hope you can find someone to help you with the things around the house. I have no idea how I'd ever get my house ready for sale - probably would just take a loss on things because there's no way I could fix them or pay to have them fixed. And you know, if that happens (and it may) I can be ok with it. So ask yourself what's worth the trade off with your health and what's not. I'm so sorry the injection didn't last, but maybe another one will still help calm it down.

Please give yourself some TLC.

(((((((((WhtieBeard))))))))))

PaLady
Posted 5/25/2009 8:32 AM (GMT -7)

((((((((((WhiteBeard))))))))))

WOW I can't believe you took on that big of a chore.  I should tsk you for you are a nurse and know better.. nono

But on the other hand I also know how you feel of wanting to create something and to sit back and look at it and say "Hey I did good"  Its that now we live in another chapter of our life when dealing with CP.  Venting and frustration naturally go along with dealing with the new chapters as we go.

In regards to the injection, give a day or two to recover from your chore.  See if it starts to feel better.  Over use even for someone who is healthy can be issues.

Its so strange telling you this for you are a nurse.... turn    But then my mother was a wonderful nurse and she was the worst one to follow her own advice.

I pray you have a low pain day maybe tomorrow???

Laurie

39 yr young female with,

Chronic Kidney Stones, PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), Chronic Kidney Failure, Severe Hypertension, Urological RSD

Also CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) and Sleep Apnea

Hopefully NO MORE........ I think I have it all

Posted 5/25/2009 9:55 PM (GMT -7)
You know I can't even begin to tell you all how much your support means to me, Last night was a real bear for me! I have had allot of pain in my left arm and neck and it is not settling down! I think I might have really screwed things up a bit, as I haven't been able to do much of anything today, and as if the neck and arm pain isn't bad enough I have been really having a hard time with the gag and throat spasms!

Anyway I just wanted to let all of you know, I don't know what I would do without all of you? It sure doesn't seem like anyone else understands what it is like to have pain like I do! And how frustrating it can be! But all of you do! I Thank-You all so much, for not only being here with me, and giving me support! But for letting me share my pain and frustrations with you!
You Guys really are Terrific!

White Beard
  I'm Retired USAF, went back to school and became an RN, and now am on full disalbility!--Degenerative Disc (affecting mostly the thorasic disc but all levels involved), C6/7 laminectomy/diskectomy& fusion, Osteoarthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia, Complex Sleep Apnea, and host of other things to spice up my life!(NOT!) Medications: Oxycontin, Percocet, Baclofen, Sulfasalazine, Metoprolol, Folic Acid, Supplemental O2 at 3lpm with VPAP Adapt SV

Posted 5/25/2009 10:44 PM (GMT -7)
Best of luck, dear friend! Will be praying for some healing for you.

Chutzie
Co-Moderator Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Forums
~~~
Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative Colitis, Insulin dependent diabetic, PTSD, dermatitis herpetiformus, osteoarthritis and a few other side dishes.
***************
Happiness is something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for."
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

Posted 5/26/2009 5:49 AM (GMT -7)
WhiteBeard,

I feel so sad reading your post. I can certainly relate. I miss doing the simple things, like cleaning my house. I used to be able to do that without even thinking about it. Now my back and legs won't let me go for more than a few minutes at a time. I need to sit and rest all the time. My husband pays for a maid to come in to help me once a week. With two big dogs and this big house, there is no way I can even approach cleaning the floors.

I feel badly about your having to sell your house. I know when we were planning to move to our dream house that we built for our retirement, I still had bittersweet feelings about putting our old house up for sale. After all, that's where my kids grew up. We spent over thirty years in that house!!

Well I pray that God gives you strength to not only feel better, but to help you with your feelings of frustration as well. I am with you my friend.

Hang in there WB.

Lindaloo
Moderator Chronic Pain

Believe in yourself.  Be kind to fellow humans and animals.  Take time to smell the flowers and the coffee.

And by all means, when you are down, ask me for help.  I will be there.

Linda

Posted 5/26/2009 5:33 PM (GMT -7)
W.B.
Sorry I haven't been around in a few days. Sounds like you really pulled a "Pete" didn't you? Oh how I know how you feel. It's so dam depressing not being able to do all the things that used to come so easy! I guess the steroids masked the pain enough to let you trick yourself into doing what you know very well in your heart that you can do! Sometimes the heart overpowers the brain and you act like a Nike commersial and "Just Do it!" I know and I'm sorry that your having to deal with the pain and also the fact that you know you could have prevented it!!! You and F.J. and I are so alike when it comes having a caveman mentality doing things we know we shouldn't. I guess I've beat the three of us up enough. Get well my brother!!!
Believe it will get better! Thats all we can do.
Your Bud,
Pete
56 years old, Surgury, Radical Prostatectomy 8/20/03, PSA 6.6, Gleason 3 + 3 = 6, Adenocarcinoma extent (moderate) Stage & Margin:T2NOMX, No Metastases, Organ Confined, bone scan: Neg. 3 1/2 years of depression after surgery prior to Hypogonadizm DX, Testosterone Theropy> new 2/6/09> 400mg injections once a month. 56 and so glad to still be here to see my two sons grow up to be fine young men. They are both serving in the US Navy, Joseph is on the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis headed for Hawai and Pete Jr. is on The Asault Ship USS Bataan "The Jaws of the Fleet" on their way to the Middle East w/ 2,000 Marines aboard. I am one very proud (what they call me)> Big Pops! 

Posted 5/26/2009 5:37 PM (GMT -7)
Ok, now we've got a new expression - Pulling a Pete! And Pete, I'm glad it was you who wrote about the caveman mentality and not me!!!

Some of us women do the same thing, believe it or not, and maybe in different ways (at times). I have been a workaholic in the past, and probably still would be trying to push myself if i had a job. However, I feel I would have collapsed by now!

Anyway, I want to see all of you guys take care of yourselves a little better, but I know it's not easy. I also know I see glimpses of improvement from all of you, so you should be proud of eachother, too!

PaLady
Posted 5/26/2009 9:10 PM (GMT -7)
Oh Whitebeard, I'm feeling really sad for you. It is so wonderful to be able to be handy and do things yourself, I'm really impressed with your carpentry skills! But the dreaded cortisone I can totally relate too, I hang out to see my rheumy to inject my hips, knees, wrists sometimes elbows and then burn with hot flushes and can't sleep for nights on end to maybe get 3 weeks relief!!! 2 days is really sad!!! I'm always told to rest for 3 days to let the jabs take their full effect??? Now I realise backs or necks are a different kettle of fish but ... I think we all grieve for what we have lost, those wonderfully able bodies of ours. Mentally I'm still there and any mask of the pain I can really understand you just wanting to be normal again.
But its positive it worked, even for 2 days, maybe next time you can have relief for longer. Take care, best wishes, golitho
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