My husband and I drove over 100 miles today to see a new pain specialist who is an anesthesiologist. I can't have steriods so we asked her what she had to offer me. She knows I cannot take anything stronger than the hydrocodone I'm currently taking (and bottoming out on). She offered me the pain patch, lidoderm patch, Baclophen, everything I've already tried and I refused it all. I was so dry, it was hard to talk. But she did have a suggestion. When I was in there the last time (2 weeks ago) she did diagnostic injections into my sacroilliac joints. I got 3 hours of pain relief. It was nothing but lidocaine but it was 3 hours of forgetting I couldn't bend over or walk without a limp.

So she is proposing resiotomies (sp) on both sacroilliac joints. I'm all for it. I'd like anything in my posterior or pelvis that can be destroyed, destroyed. I continue to get worse. The pain level today was bad enough that I was ready for the emergency room again. Yesterday, we were looking at a house for possible downsizing. I had a mis-step off the front porch. It wasn't a fall, it just jerked the holy h*** out of me and my husband caught my elbow and steadied me. I woke up last night in pain and have been in pain all day. (That sort of isn't right...) I'm always in pain, but this was pain over and above the usual pain. Then the long car trip. I'd like to peel my skin off and rearrange and use some duct tape in the pelvic and sacrum area, then see if I could get the skin to go back on where it should be. I wouldn't care if my belly button wound up on my backside if it made me feel a little better. I really feel as if your skin should come with a zipper.

And I'm afraid to do anything. I felt my left foot snap and I'm afraid it's fractured again too. I'm just about ready to give up. But I'm not sure what I'd give up to. Do you know what I'd mean? I hate to even complain. I'm still walking (sort of), still driving (carefully), not screaming with pain (much), and I have a loving family and friends. So I'm one of the lucky ones.

I walk with a wide legged stance now, drag one toe, weave around a little. But I walk altho painfully. I can drive unless it is longer than 50 miles or heavy traffic. The Lyrica and Hydrocodone give me a meager amount of relief with only a few side effects. So I'm not complaining, really just an update.

So anyone with any experience with resiotomies?

Billye

I can't even google it! What are resiotomies?

i hear you, though, on the pain peaks. I have moments that I just want to block out all sensation. I, too, would just like to get through a day with a smile on my face, even if it did hurt a little. Some days are ok, but they seem to be getting fewer and fewer. And my concentration and imagination are gone. . . . and for an artist, that is not a good feeling.

I tried to go to the easel again today, and nothing would come. . . .


Sorry . . . I had hoped to think of something uplifting for you. Some friend I am, eh?

I understand and appreciate that 'step on a crack' aspect of the brittle bones! I've more fractures in my feet -esp. in the last few years than I can count! I would LIKE to think that they are held together by the 'healed' stuffs!

As for this trip to the pain guy? Looks like he is at least trying....maybe he can come up w/some creative combo....?

I looked up about that procedure? 'Rhizotomy' is what it seems like? Essentially cutting/severing/deadening a part of a nerve? Does that sound like it?
From the quick bits I read, sounds like a double-edged sword.... No pain, but then no signals if something ELSE happens -that warn you. Think long and careful...Either way, understand it ALL.

What price relief? Any which way we pay....no?

Lefthanded? Why not paint the nothing? There can be a lot in that, after all.

Hugs and hope always! 's - j

I found this and it accurately describes what she will do. http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...rticle200.html She is doing the facets at the sacroilliac level and the nerves in the sacroilliac joint. I realize that if it works I will still have to limit what I do because of the fragility of the bones, but hopefully there will be less pain. I don't expect this to be a miracle but if it works, it will take one layer of the pain off for awhile.

But all of this is waiting on a pre-approval from the insurance company and you know how this goes. By the way,..I didn't peel my skin off. But I'm still wishing for a zipper.
Billye

Get a little sun. I find that it always brings back my imagination. Just watching the shadows play thru the sunlight. Be still in yourself and take a few long deep breaths. It will help. That's what I'm heading to do right now.

Billye

on Fentanyl patches and Concerta, and antidepressants, when I started one job (my last retail one)...

He was doing so poorly...then we discussed his meds, and placement of the fentanyl to another location (over the heart was not good)...He got off the Concerta, and had this procedure done on his neck. (severe car accident damaged his neck)

Within 6 weeks he was back to work, off the fentanyl (detoxing with Suboxone) and back to work. He came in to see me after a positive interview for getting his job back, as he was moving to be closer to it. It was wonderful to see his progress and the success of the rhizotomy.

So I hope it really works for you, Billye.

totally off topic...

billye..i didn't recognize you. lol.

but what a sweet little face!!!

Oh, hon, complain away. I can't imagine that kind of pain on a daily basis. I'd go ape-*****. I'm praying that the procedure you've mentioned will bring you some relief.

I did the same thing Curious,didn't recongnized Billye either.lol When you jerk
yourself,like you did it scares us so,well it does me,broken bone so on it hurts. I have a dear friend who has MS. Two years ago she was going to a
Dr. with her Mom driving they were in a bad car accident. To make it short,
she suffered,she finally saw the same type of Dr. who did the same type of
procedure..Really she was in pain,she was screaming,I told her try it you can't go on like this..It made such a differece in her,we have a appointment
for Bob. I think you should think about it.

We just have another Levee let loose in St Charles,Mo...And tons of rain here
again.I hope you fine something to help you,sun in small bits helps with engery,but Mo. fogot where it is. LH good luck with your love and joy.My
pain was so bad I could not breath.Hugs all Sue

Sue, I'm so sorry you are having to swim again. My family's all from Mississippi and they have been fighting that river all their lives. I'm just so sorry it has affected you all like it has.

The avatar is my Cami. She's not the youngest but she is my problem child.

While I was at Mayo, my best friend who was the dogsitter, took some photo's of my babies. I didn't know about them and they were a pleasant surprise in my email bucket this morning. I can imagine the shell shocked looks when the flashbulbs went off. (I didn't know about this) No wonder they were loathe to come out.

I'm having this procedure if the insurance comes thru.

Billye