Gunny Fitz,
How did Russell enjoy the end of Eight Below? Perhaps you could pop up a pic of your Companion on the Pets and Wildlife Forum.
As to meds, remember they act differently on/for EVERY individual so advice can only be generalized. Secondly, what stage are you at with the Infusions? Ketamine, being an anaesthetic, works totally differently on the body to pain killers - but you know that. I'm interested to hear how it stacks up against my Lidocaine Infusions.

Dave.

I know I owe some replies here and promise i will get to them for everyone. Just going thru some bad times right now personally. I laughed that you remembered 8 Below and Russell - matter of fact I played it again and sure enough he was sitting up in chair watching just as intently as the first time! AMAZING!

Ketamine didnt do jack for my pain and Im running so damn low on meds Im freaking out bigtime since i wont make it to refill date! This is adding a TON of stress to me right now!

Gunny Fitz,
Of course I - and others - remember Russell, we care. Glad you had a laugh about it. Use him as your stress reliever as much as you can. Remember we are always here for support.

Dave.

Its absolutely amazing the things that go thru ones mind while in withdrawal from this medication! Not well at the moment and it can only get worse until Im able to refill. I am in such physical and mental pain at the moment that Im surprised I could even get the energy to write this. EVERYTHING hurts!

And yes, my friend Dave. I have tried to stay close to Russell right now but even that doesnt come close to help. Damn what I have I done to myself with these things!

Gunny Fitz,

Fight the Demons of Turmoil and I will fight mine with you. Missing my Infusion last week caused a 'Timberrrr!!!' fall onto my face and fist-into-the-ribs this morning to make a change from the usual, graceful collapse. Feel like 007's Martini - well shaken. Bruised ribs and my nose doesn't feel too good to add to everything else.

At least I have the rest of my meds to take the edge off. You just hang in there, everything will ease and I am convinced they will find a combination that gives some relief.

Don't give up.

Dave.

I'm really sorry you both are in such a bad place right now.

Dave, what on earth?! Hopefully you've not broken a rib or something else.

Hang on there you two.

Thanks Lara,

No creaking or bubbling in my breathing, just an additional hurt and I can't stop shaking more than usual. Hand took a bit of a battering as well - no strength in arms so it was a complete fall. Shame I didn't have a camera running, those like me who love Schadenfreude would have sent the video viral

Dave.

Dave,
That's the last thing you needed to happen. I'm glad you're reasonably OK. I had a bad fall on my noggin not so long ago and it threw me off kilter for a couple of months really. I'm glad to see that you checked in before I log off for the night. I was worried actually.

Wow. Very sorry to hear of your injuries and also missing the infusion most of all. Did you get back on track with that and recover OK too?

As far as I'mdoing, ran so low on meds a few weeks ago I started to cut back intake so low to stretch them out I went into a brutal withdrawal. When I got myself an app w my pain doc and explained all the symptoms the first thing he asked was if I was out of meds!
Thankfully he gave me something small to get me thru the mental and physical pain which truthfully lead me.to some of the worst thoughts ever , I now have to be so damn careful I don't run so low again since I don'tthink iI'll get another 2nd chance w the doc after the warning I got too!

My tolerance is too high, my dependence is been too long and too deep, and my pain is off the charts still no matter what. So where does a broken down disabled Vet do?
Speaking of that- did any of you all hear about VA cracking down on all patient opioid use? Well, this is how my VAcare went down.
1. They stated they were going to cease issuing me opiods for my service connected (combat caused injuries) unless I go thru the ENTIRE process all over again that I did back in 2007 by every part of the investigation and treatment again. Unbelievably unreal statement.

2. What would ANY Dr do when bringing a patient down off opiods that they've been issuing them for at least 8 years? They would bring them down slowly and properly - SAFELY off of them using the tirate method which has been written in stone for decades. Guess what they did to me, and hundreds of other vets they'vebeen prescibing these pain mmedications to?

They entirely and suddenly stopped ALL issuance and ALL medications to ALL these Vets immediately!

Too be continued with an article on this mess as inclusion.

Gunny Fitz,

It would be different if just one Politician suffered a percentage of the pain we see here. I have unspoken thoughts about that - and ideas appertaining to Guy Fawkes if they ever treat us so cruelly over here.

I have recently found that the Topiramate I take (it is an anti-convulsant) for Cluster Headaches also helps dull the Neurological pain. It's a sledgehammer/nut option, but…

Jump (crawl) through their hoops, don't let them drag you down. Heck, wish them into your position if it helps.

Be Strong.

Dave.

PS. Cannot get Lidocaine until my next date in 3 weeks, pain is escalating daily. Ribs are now stabbing when I move or breathe deeply, leaving it to improve 'til Wednesday, then having Hospital checkup.