[fionab]

Hi folks! Haven't posted in a long time...seems like forever

Have been holding off, waiting to be able to report how the botox shots went for my upper back pain that can't be helped with either of my cervical or lumbar SCS's. Well, the news isn't good. I've been feeling worse since getting the shots, which is confusing my pain mgmt. dr. I don't know if it was the actual botox itself (he doubts that), or the process of getting the shots (he did them like trigger point injections, in about 6 places in my upper shoulders).

Anywho, he's referring me on to another pain mgmt. dr. who he says is more up on pain injections and that I don't need to come back to see him unless I have problems with my SCS's or need tweaked. So, looks like I may have 2 pain mgmt. doctors.

In the meantime, I'm using a flector patch on each shoulder blade (cost for one month's supply is $100!!), and my current pain mgmt. dr. has also sent a rx. off to some compounding pharmacy in Alabama and they're supposed to put together a cream that has anti-imflammatory, analgesic, muscle relaxant and nerve relaxant properties in it. Supposed to apply twice daily. Can't wait to see the price tag on that one as my ins. co. usually doesn't cover compounded prescriptions.

The flector patches are helping, and taking the edge off, but my husband is having to put a lot of tape on them to keep them on my upper back, because when I move around at night in bed they tend to come loose. So the extra tape has been hard on my skin, pulling off some skin in places, but I'll deal with it if it means getting some pain relief.

Then, to top it off my podiatrist informed me this week that he thinks both of my Achilles heel tendons are torn and is talking aobut "elongating" them??? That's a whole other issue that's going to go on the back burner for now. Can only deal with so much at one time. Makes we wonder if there's an underlying muscle condition causing some of my problems???

The SCS's have really been a God-send and I don't know how I'd be doing without them, but it just seems like there's always something that keeps coming up that has to be dealt with. Sure feela like God is streeeetching me

Rae: Am I allowed to say on here that I'm starting to build a blog, and that I'm now on facebook? Can I add links to them or is that a no-no?

Fiona

[Rrae]

Dearest FIONA!
It's always such a sweet surprise everytime I log on and see YOU here!
I'm so sorry to hear the botox was a bust
We get our hopes up when we opt for a different procedure and it's so disappointing when we get no results. I'm sorry.
So, how has the botox affected you in a negative way? Is it just an overall ill feeling or are you in more pain?
I was intrigued about the botox and was hoping for a breakthru of some sort...

I hope the compounded cream will do you good. Hopefully your Ins will cover it. I'm glad you are getting some relief from the Flector patches. I wear patches too, and I have to use that clear medical tape.

We'd LOVE to know more about your blog! It's ok to post, lots of people do. That would be a great way to keep tabs on you

It's so good to hear from you!
Rae

[Mark56]

Oh Fiona- This issue of Botox and all just sounds awful.... awful. I am sorry this has manifested even with your twin SCS units doing their thing as advertised.

What can I possibly do but pray for you?
Mark56

[fionab]

Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome back. I feel like the stray lamb that goes off for a while and then returns with tales of adventures (that's if you can call medical issues "adventures")

The botox shots haven't caused overall body pain, just the areas (upper back/shoulders) that they were supposed to calm down over time (botox is supposed to start affecting the nerves around the injection sites, which in turn gradually disallows a muscle to go into a spasm/cramp). So, my pain in the aforementioned areas went to way worse than it was before the botox shots.

I'm slooowly building my blog so will let you know when that's up and has something worth looking at. One of the topics I'll be discussing there will be living with chronic pain and, of course, will be mentioning the SCS's and how great they've been.

My facebook page is rather limited, too, but does have some photos I've posted recently: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf

Keep in mind that on facebook other people insert their stuff (like some of my relatives and other acquaintances, as well as friends so I don't always agree with topics displayed or comments made!!) That's why I prefer to have my own blog as no one can post objectional material and I have more control over it.

[fionab]

I added a topic earlier to give ya'll my blog link but looks like my blog link has been removed?? So will try to post it again, here:

http://fionab-lessonslearnedfromlife.blogspot.com/

[Mark56]

I visited your blog, and you are the best....... what a joy to read. I tried unsuccessfully to subscribe, so a few hints will be helpful. And if the blog link police remove your link, I will post it in a post of my own..... yes, I will.

Merry Christmas,
Prayin,
Mark56

[JoanB]

Good to see you, Fiona! I'm so sorry that the shots didn't help, though. I hope that you find something that works for you.

[fionab]

Mark: will try to figure out how you can join my blog. Still a babe in the woods here


See my 2nd pain mgmt. dr. Jan. 19. Have had to stop using the flector patches for a while as I was getting side effects...lethargy, very low respiration and bad fatigue.

Was able to go to my in-laws yesterday. Was the first time in 13 years that I didn't spend Christmas by myself....yippee...thanks to "the twins". Did take some pain meds. and feel a little rough today but was well worth it to be back in the real world for a while.

I'm really enjoying doing my blog. Hopefully, over time, I will better educate myself so I can figure out how to make it easier to be accessed/joined by others, as its purpose is to give hope and information to others, as well as being a creative outlet for myself.

Making lemonade out of lemons!!

[fionab]

Mark: I checked into subscribing to my blog and I think this MAY be the way:
you need to subscribe to my blog by the RSS if you have a newsreader you use. If not, you can use "Google Reader" if you have a Google account, which is free. If you have Google Reader, you just bring it up, click on subscribe button, paste in my URL for my blogsite:
http://fionab-lessonslearnedfromlife...o-my-blog.html

Once you do this, it will automatically update Google Reader whenever I add to my blog.

Hopefully this works for you. Would love to have you as a "cheerleader"...without the pom-poms, of course