Pam, What's with the bladder control??? The situation in the hospital with a male patient and your accident had to be very embarrassing. Please see if you can go to a Uro gynecologist (sp?) who specializing in incontenence issues as well as female gynecological issues.

I had issues with my bladder dropping about 7 years and had to get a Cystocele to raise the bladder in a sling. It still is in the sling. I believe it came down because of all my forcing form opioid med constipation.

I just wish I had known about Urogynecologist (Urogyny). I went to my husband's Urologist who is a male and should have referred me to a Urogyny but instead he did the surgery. Put extra mesh, etc., problems....

Also when you have a Cystocele, you need to have a Rectocele done at the same time.....that is to suture the bowel from dropping afterwards which; as the Urogyny told me when he did the Rectocele said It is a fact that when a Cystocele is done; the bowel will drop; no if and or but....it will and it did within 2 months requiring a second surgery. By this time tho, I was aware not to have the Urologist touch me again I learned the hard way. The Urogyny also cares for incontinence patients.

You have so much going on. You might mention to DB that maybe you need to get a smaller place without all the animals because it is getting too difficult to maintain (especially without more help on his's part).

I'm afraid he got accustomed to your soothing and handling everything; especially early on during his recovery. I had mentioned previously, while our husbands may be very good men; the compassion for a wife that has physical issues often appears to be detached if any mention is made not feeling well or a difficult painful day.

It has to be a "downer" that you have gone thru so much and nothing has changed as far as the pain is concerned.

Gerry

Hi Gerry, the bladder problem is a common occurrence after epidural procedures unfortunately. It's also a very well kept secret!! The epidural as we know numbs the muscles so we don't feel pain, it also works on the bladder sphincter muscle. I've encountered it previously only not to this degree, it will be due to me having had 3 epidurals within 10 weeks. It takes bladder training to get it back to normal and luckily I know what to do. I'm lucky in that I'm getting the sensation I need to go so saving further embarrassment from wet couches or beds. It's the sphincter muscle that's affected, but, just to be careful I will follow up on the bladder with a specialist as I was told back in 2001 when I had the first bowel resection I will have difficulty with my bladder in the future. I'm worried you say not to see a urologist. Perhaps I should see a general surgeon instead. My mum saw a urologist some 15 years ago and had some sort of bladder surgery, she ended up with leakage for months and still has "accidents" ... have enough going on without having to deal with that as well.

Pam, The Uro Gynecologist is a Urologist and a Gynecologist so he/she is able to handle female issues with a specialty in bladder. The Urologist was a surgeon; but just did not seem to be able to handle the female anatomy. Again, I hope you can locate the Urologist/gynecologist.

If thinking of going to a regular surgeon; then a Urologist would be probably have about the same issues. Within a little of a week of the Cystocele surgery by the Urologist, my legs/feet started swelling, I had developed Edema and Stasis Dermatitis. I have been on water pill called Spironolactone daily for the past 7 years. When I went to the Uro/gyny who later did the Rectocele, he told me (as well as 2 previous progeny's that he should never had put the mesh in. There are issues with the internal area/vaginal using this material reported by the FDA.

I was concerned about you having so many of these epidurals/root steroids. That really is quite a lot to deal with.

Take care my dear friend.


Gerry

The procedure hasn't worked on my upper back. Pain this morning about 6, I've taken 2 x 20/10 Targin & 2 x .200 Temgesic, nothing seems to be helping. I'm tossing whether to go to work today, but given I forced DB out the door yesterday & assisted him go again today I feel bad to give in myself.

I will be turning the SCS back on this Friday & go through a charted program to note what or when I get relief, hope it works.

Additionally, I have the normal familiar lower back pain at a constant 4 each day since the Feb 1 procedure. Feb 17 procedure has made zero difference. None of the epidural procedures seem to have taken, other than to affect the bladder!!

I learned last week the nerve roots for S1 are unable to be injected as it's where the fusion is. So in my mind that means he can't inject L4 or L5 as they are fused to S1. Perhaps he's only been able to give me epidurals in that region and that's why I've not had the success rate others seem to achieve. The T3,4,5 & 6 were definitely root sleeve injections on Feb 1 & I believe they've worked but the T11 & T12 has over taken everything.

You know I wouldn't know about the inability to nerve root inject S1 if it hadn't been for me reading the letter to my GP on my file while he was on the phone. When I see the PM next I will ask him if anything can be done for the lumbar region and see what he says. I don't think he has deliberately withheld information, he's just a very busy man and mildly forgetful, as I say he has written and told my GP but she hasn't relayed the information. I discussed my PM with the male patient in PCU that night, he tends to us both. We agreed he is a brilliant man, expressed our concern he is nearing retirement and how here in WA there are few young PM specialists coming through. Bit of a concern....

Have attached a photo of DD1&2 this morning after DB left for work with DD3&4. They give me so much comfort.

My fusion is L4-5, as well as the laminectomy in the same area. This was done in Nov. 2006. The surgeon said there were more issues including the spinal stenosis; but said he did the areas that were causing the biggest issues., The narrowing of the spinal cord in that area was quite considerable; thus the laminectomy

Even with all my Oxycontin and Percocet, my pain level is always present to what I consider a 6/7. The spine issues continually, as well as the PN; especially the burning ankles/feet. Added to that was the rectal cancer and removal of rectum and continual stomach pain, along with all the laxatives because of the opioids. I am grateful the tumor was at the top of the rectum so even with of the rectum removal, along with a couple of feet of colon, I was able to maintain enough muscle to attach to the "potty" area below. (if I use the a....l word, it just gives a lot of stars/astrics.

The dogs are beautiful and obviously resting well. Did you decide to go to work after all??? How many days do you usually go into work during the week?

Hope something can be done about the SCS. You certainly do not want to deal with another implant. The past couple of months or so, beginning with the bowel obstruction has been one thing after another for you. I hope/prays all will calm down to a more tolerable level.


Gerry

Yes, I'm at work, having my lunch break. Working hard on convincing myself there is no need to go home yet. My pain score for the thoracic is about an 8, it's like a lump of coal burning in one particular spot. Anxiety levels at an all time high... if it's not one thing it's another.

MY GP is on annual leave, won't be back until the 15th. I'm seeing the PM again on Monday 13th, the epidural hasn't made any difference to this pain in my thoracic T11/12 region. I'm aware of it as soon as I awake & throughout the day it gets gradually worse. Being moderately active exacerbates it, i.e. walking & living life in general. By the end of every day it's like a lump of hot coal burning in my back. I've noticed in the last few days along with the burning I'm getting a tingly sensation at times. Mum thinks I've got a trapped nerve.

Another procedure again next Monday, he said yesterday he did the epidural from S1 to T10. But the area I'm having trouble with is T11/12. He works off of his notes, that's twice now he's written down something different to what's been discussed. ie. he said he would inject T11/12 but did T10. & he wrote down I was taking tapentadol when in fact I said Im not taking tapentadol..

Pam,
Am a bit concerned with so many Epidurals, as well as the doctor's inability to look at or keep very important notes.

Pray all will be good.


Gerry

I agree, if the pain I have was bearable I wouldn't go ahead, but I can't keep taking the high dose of pain meds I'm on as I'm walking the thinnest of lines with bowell obstructions, eating 1 solid low fibre meal a day along with Ensure for breakfast & 2 non consecutive days of just water. I think the diet is what's causing the significant increase in headaches. I'm booked in for overnight so at least DB doesn't have to worry over whether I will or won't need a ride home.
Thanks for thinking of me :hug::hug: