Great that the back pain is subsiding! I can't believe you are getting up and down off the floor. I can't do that! And making food for your husband? (Forgive me here) Shouldn't he cook when he's home??? (sorry.).
Amazing, though, how well your leg pain is going!

Is your hypersensitivity effected by your pain level? Mine is.

I think I maybe mentioned this before, but I have a much easier time showering since I switched out my showerhead to a Delta In2ition.

Glad to hear you're doing so well.

I would say it's definitely worse when my pain level is higher...like if I'm flaring I really can't handle ANYTHING touching me. I would actually try a shower if it was just my leg...but my upper body is still a baseline 8 and even a rain drop hits my skin and I feel like I've been shot...it's pretty severe. Even light fizzy jets in tubs send me reeling...so no showers for me at the moment. It's a real bummer...so ready to be done with sponge baths.

Gah...don't get me started with my husband and how much he does or does not help. In some ways he's great...in other ways I seriously want to wring his neck. I'm sure most relationships have those moments. I am super frustrated by how little he's been helping the last 6 months or so and especially now when it's like I NEED him to do some of these things. But if I don't do them they just don't get done...and that's fine to a point when it comes to SOME things but others have to get done (like the toys NEED to get cleaned up in the living room so I don't kill myself trying to walk through the room...but the other day he slid them over so that's just as good as picking them up, right??). He's a wonderful man...but I think he's just...tired. He's hit a wall I think after 2 years since my accident that made it impossible to use my left arm without severe pain (on top of everything else). The man naps SO MUCH...but he legit looks exhausted and I feel bad that he has to do so much and is so tired all the time. But...doesn't change the fact that right now I NEED his help and I NEED him to recognize what I need after I've told him once because to keep having to tell him the same thing over and over that I can't do something really just is getting to me. He's not an idiot...has an almost photographic memory, so when he claims he forgot something or can't remember it REALLY gets to me...especially when it's important he remember so I don't hurt myself. He's the first one to give others a hard time when they forget themselves and hug me, bump into me, make me sit in a spot where I will get bumped, etc...but lately he seems to be forgetting more than anyone. Ah well...hopefully better (less frustrating) times are ahead. :)

Just a quick update today. I had my 2 week follow up today (because actual 2 weeks is Christmas Day). Everything is healing up well. They cleaned the dressings and put new ones on. My next appointment is January 10th. Basically it's just more of the same restrictions. They said I could try to drive if I want to, but to just be careful not to twist too much (which...backing up I don't know how you don't twist too much unless you have a rear camera? So I think any driving will be extremely limited and if it hurts at all I will just wait.

That's got to be super frustrating. I'm so sorry. I'm sure he is having a hard time. As a spousal caregiver myself it is a difficult place to be. If he is the type who would use online support in a forum, I found Well Spouse Association to be a lifesaver. There is a small fee ($30) to join, but it is worth every cent. IF it is a hardship he can contact them it can be waived. Perhaps getting some support for how he feels will help him manage better.

Anyway, maybe if you try to have an honest talk where you acknowledge the additional pressure he is under, and clarify the most important needs, and then the things that you think you can be ok if he lets them slide sometimes, and then the things you can handle, he will feel more like a "team" ? I don't know your situation and how you have handled things, but I know what it is like to be married to someone with a disability.

Thanks. I don't think there's a chance my husband would be interested in something like that. We keep having talks about what I need from him...and I really think he does try...but I know he's frustrated by all of it. Not at me...just with the situation.

Thank Catra121
 

A heartfelt thank you Catra. Your very concise description of your DRG stimulator trial experience has been very helpful to me. I am a very weeks behind what you have gone through and have followed your posts. They have comforted me in realizing that what I am going through is normal.

I had my permanent drg stimulator put in yesterday. I was rather surprised in that the trial was so easy. I thought "nothing to this". Even to the point of telling the fellow prior to the permanent implant that I probably wouldn't need paid meds- just Advil. Didn't need anything much for the trial so why would I need anything for the implant?

Boy was I wrong. Yesterday I looked at your posts and saw that what I was experiencing was pretty much what you had gone through. Much thanks for that. The permanent implant surgery was pretty uncomfortable.

As a side note, I think we go to the same group of drs. Based on your timeline, I think we have been missing each other by about a day. Maybe one of these times our visits will coincide and we can meet.

I'm glad things are going well for you and I am sorry that you have had to got through the back pain. It definitely does get better...took about 10 days but then there was a definite decrease in the back pain. I'm now at 17 days after the procedure and for the most part the back main is minimal (though it does itch and is driving me a bit crazy for that..lol...but that's just the healing). I can sit and lay down pretty normally now...so it will get better. :)

Well...the Christmas holiday (24th and 25th) was a bit rough for me. Probably overdid it helping my daughter with gift opening...extra bending and reaching. Around noon on the 25th I started feeling...weird. Not more pain and not sick...but super exhausted and my back felt...weak?? I guess that's the best word for it. Thinking maybe it was just muscle fatigue or something...was having almost free fall sensations. Didn't really get to rest much the 26th either since family came over to help but...well...that's never as restful as it should be for me. But yesterday and today I have just been sitting in the recliner and resting all day and I am starting to feel better. So I think it was just overdoing it and my muscles just aren't ready for things.

Otherwise everything is going great. Leg still feels great despite the below zero temperatures (which my upper body isn't liking at all and I'm not in full blown flare up but the pain is a 9 and I'm having a hard time with the hyper sensitivity on my upper body. I haven't left the house in several days because of the cold but will need to soon (running out of food).