Think it is safe to start doing a final count down to getting the pain pump... think it would be a real creul joke on either the doctors or insurance companies part to cancel it at this point <Wednesday is the day and being his OR schedule was open, requested 1st slot, will know on Tuesday afternoon as to what time to report to the hospital>.

Karen, it was basically the same site (Brain Talk), that I wondered across when I was first diagnosed with TOS which truthfully kept me sane **OK I NEVER WAS SANE, BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY**. Never did I feel alone and should I ask a question there was always somebody there with an answer! The out pouring of love and kindness, a place where I could come to laugh, share, explore, and vent led me to the point, where I consider the members an "extended family" !

JoKat- I had SoCal in mind when I thought of the mid-70's year round..... San Diego Forecast thru 2010: 75 and sunny, slight chance of afternoon showers.

Mark - I do hope that they get your pump implanted without a hitch.

I am up in NYC this week.....I'm writing this post from the Memphis airport 2.5hrs after my flight was supposed to leave. So instead of getting in at 11am, i won't g et there til 6 or 7pm. arrrrgh. stupid me forgot my little luggage roller at home. Oh well.... it could be worse. at least i remembered to bring my meds in my carry-on this time.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable low-pain Sunday!

wish a good monday = a good start in this new week to everyone here!!!

From thursday to saturday, in the city where I live was a street-theater-clownery-acrobatic-fire spectacle and I love things like this very much. I was so tired and nevertheless, I wanted to see all the shows.
If you want to see some pictures:

http://www.pflasterspektakel.at/eng/157_197.asp

http://www.nachrichten.at/regional/574266
click on "Bildergalerie" to see some pictures, if you want.

I hope dabbo that you arrived without pain in spite of the delay.

Mark, I wish you all the best!!!

Very nice greetings to all members
Barbara

A local Houston woman, 31 yrs. old, died over the weekend from cervical cancer that went untreated for 5 yrs. because the 5 doctors and one ER that she went to blew her off, because she was "too young to have 'anything' like cancer wrong with her' ". She first went to the drs. in severe pain and symptoms and had numerous abnormal pap smears. By the time it was caught it was too late to do anything to help her. Why is this all so familiar.....I know there are many good drs. and they're all human just like us, but....WHY DIDN'T ONE PERSON LISTEN TO HER"?!

Dabbo... I hope that your Botox gets a chance to work with all the stress of flying and carrying your baggage! If I can suggest, if th hotel has a hot tub or sauna do take advantage of them if not take some nice long warm soaks in the tub to give the injections a chance to work as you relax.. hopefully your delay did not last to much longer after you had posted!

Barb... seems as though there is always some form of bizzare, ethnic or cultural event that takes place within your nearby sorroundings every weekend, what a wonderful place... it is unfortunate that you are not always up to your best to enjoy the moment. Than again your resolve does not allow anything hold you back from experiencing what life has to offer truly you are an inspiration

Red... that is an example of the worst kind of just how far the medical system fails ths patient. The first "other than NORMAL" or elevated Class PAP should have been a flag and persued, this with the pain she fell through the cracks and for this there is no excuse. We all need to speak up and be heard, if we went to a restaurant and a meal was not done properly one would send it back... health care need not be no different, we are the consumer, we can not let them intimidate us it could be a matter of life or death

Lin Jane... just wondering if anybody heard how she made out with her appointment with Dr T on the 17th ???

DiMarie... have you made it out to any of the local bizzares, don't know about you but I luv the potato pancakes and haluski

Hope all have a good Monday !!! Mark~n~Goober

Mark, I made out ok with Dr. T. He gave me Skelaktin(?) and told me NOT to exercise or do PT. He gave me injections in my neck and shoulder. Hurt worse for a couple of days. Still about the same. Says the muscle in the back of my neck and shoulder are causing the pain. I'm just trying to be really careful. Thanks.

Hope everyone has a good day, Linda

LinJane:

I've been taking Skelaxin for 6 years, since my car wreck. It works pretty good. You build up a tolerance for it after a while, so your mg will have to be increased eventually. I started out at 250 mg 4 x's a day and I was SOOOOO drowsy, but now I take 800 mg 2-3 x's a day and it helps the pain but I'm not drowsy.

Hi Shellie, Dr. T. gave me 800mg 2x per day but I only take it at night. I take percocet during day for pain and I cannot take anything else that will make me tired. I'm hoping atleast at night it will help the muscles. My husband just had surgery and is up at night so I am too. Still have to get kids up for their sports schedules in the early mornings. I'm tired by mid-afternoon. We do have a hot tub out by the pool so I'm going to try to get in today. Too bad you're all not close by, we could have a hot tub party! There's a bar out there too!

Dr. T also prescribed lidoderm patches. So far no relief but I thought I would give it a try.

Linda

My computer issues sorted!!!!!!!!!!!! The online computer company....you can fill in the name you all know it! Has finally decided to help me with my issues after over 250days of poop with a capital P.....they are now going to exchange my cpu for a brand new one! Comparable......but now has VISTA a little scared about that one.....we shall see how it goes...as for backwards compatible...who knows......anyhow excited but now in hellish pain....

on phone for over an hour...didn't put the ;headset on and was bending or leaning forward in my chair to write on my lap....bad girl I know...ok about an 8/10 for pain!!!!!!! diazepam time with a few percocet for good measure! This hurts too so no more typing...

love to ya'll

I am off to Ontario to visit everyone except the evil parents.. opps sorry just mother...can we have the dogs out please!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I leave on the weekend for my best girlfriends wedding! SOOOOO excited about it.
Problem is PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eeekkkk

ok my cyber pals....take care today and don't over do it!!!!

love and hugs,
Victoria

are my bestest friends......

I stick them right on the spot by my upper left shoulder blade that hurts and hurts and hurts...

It doesn't totally go away, but since that is my greatest source of point pain i can use the lidoderm to reduce the oral med increase when it is really really bad.


Lin- a newer long acting pain med that Dr J prescribes a lot is called Opana ER. I have 10mg pills that I take 2 x a day (morning and night) it is a slow release pain med, and therefore no ups and downs like the shorter acting stuff. I have had a lot of good success with it, doesn't really make me drowsy, and no tylenol component (good for the liver).

I mention it specifically because nobody knows what it is when i mention it by name. It is actually just oxymorphone, which is another in the family of opiates (percocet is oxycodone+tylenol, vicodin is hydrocodone+tylenol) . It doesn't make me near as constipated as the other two types, either.

anyhow, just something to think about, I would encourage anyone to ask their doctor about it, it is new- I pay the non-formulary co-pay for it, but I really like it.

otherwise, having a tough day today...last week my kids were sick so they were home with me every day and i did a lot of stuff i am trying to avoid because they were just both so needy. Big sis had a soccer tourney this weekend so i spent the weekend alone with them as well since hubby had soccer duty Anyhow, I am really paying for it now. going for a massage this afternoon, so keep your fingers crossed for me.

I hope you are all feeling better than me.

Johanna