[Rita]

Hi everyone,
I've been trying to keep up with posts, but not saying much lately. With the holidays being here, of course life is a little more hectic. (as if any of us need more stress lol)
Reed saw his PM on Tuesday, and after the SCS company rep reprogrammed my bionic man ( he has a new nickname ) the doc examined him and realized that since going off the lorcet and the dosage of lyrica being lowered, Reed's pain has gotten worse. I could've told him that would be the case, but anyhow, he's decided that the lyrica dosage needs to be raised back up, and in fact raised it higher than it was previously to hopefully make up for the lorcet which Reed is completely off of now. Oddly enough, Reed's blood pressure was normal, and hasn't been really high since he hasn't been on lorcet, so that must have been what was causing it.. I hope anyway.
The pain is getting better now, and the PM is hoping that around February Reed will be ready to start some form of light PT, even if it's at home.
Also, his problems with urination have gotten much better. Apparently, the lorcet was doing more harm than good, and had pretty much stopped helping the pain anyway, so I'm glad he's off it.
I just wanted to update everyone, and let you all know we are wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and blessed new year!
hugs to all!

[dreambeliever128]

I'm from the Bluegrass State also.

I wanted to comment on the meds. I do think that the meds make some matters worse with the RSD. Some bring on more problems and then while on them, a person can't tell what is causing what. The meds or the RSD.

I hope he continues to do better.

Ada

[ali12]

Rita, thank you for keeping us up-to-date with how Reed is doing - I really appreciate it!! I hope things get better for both you and Reed soon and I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

I agree with what Ada said about the meds, I also feel that in some cases they can make things worse. A few months ago, I was taking 10 meds a day and they weren't helping me at all, the only thing they were doing were causing me to have some pretty nasty side-effects.

After speaking to my PM Doctor, he eventually agreed to wean me off all of my meds gradually one by one and see how I felt. My pain is an 8 and a half on the pain scale constantly but because I have come off the meds, I am not as drowsey as I was when I was on them so it has enabled me to do a few more things.

This might not be the case in Reed's case but I honestly feel that if the meds aren't helping, there is no point in being on them and sometimes they just make you worse instead of better. If the meds are working for Reed and they aren't making him all drugged up and drowsey, that is great! The only med I have found that works for me is Ketamine but I only take it on my really bad days as it is too dangerous for me due to my age (13).

I really hope things get better for you both and am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending Reed many, pain-free hugs!

Alison.

[Rita]

Ali and Ada, thank you both! I think that the narcotics were not helping the pain nearly as much as Reed thought they were. he's realized now that he's not in alot more pain than he was. There was a kind of security there, knowing he could take a lorcet if the pain got really bad..even though it rarely done much good.
There really are so many side effects to meds.. even ones we sometimes don't realize. My Grandma used to say "it will cure ya, or kill ya". I think she was right. LOL
I hope you are all doing well, and Ali, I'm praying for a great holiday for you especially. You've had a terrible time lately.
Gentle hugs to everyone!