topic Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue in Wellness

"sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 06:53:19 GMT

Hello Everyone!

I'd like to thank everyone who provided prayers and kind thoughts on my original thread; and, those who most recently asked for an update. I've had to remain off of my laptop, as it increases pain literally by the minute.

Though I have yet to see my new neurosurgeon, his nurse practitioner was available, so was evaluated by her a week ago yesterday. Then, yesterday had a lumbar MRI. Will see the neurosurgeon on 23 SEP - darn - so far out!

In the meantime, the pain is getting worse and I'm sleeping worse. Am also unable to tolerate more then 10 minutes in a car and can no longer drive.

On Wednesday the 28th, had a dreadful set-back, which may bring tears of laughter to some of you. It was mid-morning and I was in my "electric" recliner positioned as far back as it would go, as this is the most comfortable position for me. Then all of a sudden - the power goes off - and I am stuck in that freaking chair. At the 2 hour point, it is a must for me to exit the chair to make a bathroom trip, so I ask my husband to get behind the chair and tip it forward, so I can sort of gently slid forward - "gently" being the operative word. Well, I became stuck, as it were, on the foot rest of the chair, which hurt like heck, so remained there about 2 minutes in great pain while I gave the situation some thought.

This was NOT good, as subsequent to my botched left knee replacement, I've developed more than moderate effusion (water on the knee) in my left knee, so it does not bend at all well and no knee doc will touch me. Then I have CRPS in both hands, meaning I'm unable to place either hand flat on the floor.

What to do, what to do.

I tried of couple of maneuvers, with my husband making things worse and making my sciatic pain worse. After about 15 minutes of this craziness, I looked over at the 2 square, low profile coffee tables we have and told him, "Drag one of those over here, please. That's just what I need to drag myself up into a standing position." Sure enough it worked and am so glad I didn't get rid of them the 10 times I wanted to bring in a replacement. But, man, did that experience jack up my pain and just wreck my back more than ever. Come to find out the power people were replacing a transformer, thank you, and it took nearly 5 hours!

Then yesterday upon arrival for my MRI, I was dreading walking up to the Siemens MRI machine, as nearly all institutions these days have Siemens, but those darn things have a rather high sliding table and the 5" steel edge on each side hurts like the devil when mounting and dismounting. I knew beforehand that this was going to be a killer. So, in I walk, only to behold a General Electric MRI (these have reps not as good as Siemens); however, this puppy had a sliding table that was at least 8-10 inches LOWER than the Siemens, with only 3" steel edges on each side. AND, the "step-ups' they have were the tall ones, not the 8 inchers. So, all of those pieces could not have been any better. Plus, I started up a conversation with the MRI tech, only to discover he was former Navy and had been stationed at the same command where my surgical training occurred. We had great chat, prior to going into the tube.

Since I had with and without contrast, the MRI took FOREVER - just short of 90 minutes and I wanted nothing better than off of that table! When the table slid out, what I beheld was a number of Radiology folks waiting to help me down off of the MRI sliding table. I don't know what the MRI former Navy tech told the Radiologist, but I was ever so grateful for all of the help!!!

Right now I'm sleeping 2-4 hours a night and during the day can do nothing but take a shower and wash my hair. I am able to fix my own breakfast and lunch, but preparing dinner is beyond me at this point.

So looking forward to September 23rd when I see my neurosurgeon for the first time. And, continue to thank each and every one of you for your prayers, thoughts and kindness.

God Bless ~ Rebecca

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

Kachina624 — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 07:30:50 GMT

@sfnative. Rebevca, If you ever get in a situation again where you're stuck, don't hesitate to call 911 and ask for some help from fire and rescue. That's a lot of what they do.

My friend fell one day and couldn't get up and asked. that I come and help her. I was there in 3 minutes. I couldn't get her up, I have back issues too and can't do much lifting. I told her I was going to call for help and did. I explained to the dispatcher that no one was injured and we didn't need sirens and whistles. The two paramedics who came were wonderful with her and had her up and on her scooter in no time.

I have one artificial knee and back problems but I occasionally get on the floor and practice getting up just so I know I can do it. I just need something to steady myself with as my balance is poor.

I'm so sorry you have to endure the pain you're suffering and hope your medicos can find a way to alleviate it.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

cherry — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 08:39:43 GMT

Hang in there better times are coming..I haven't forgotten my promise

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

RealtyGal2 — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 09:10:29 GMT

So sorry you are having to endure all this pain. I understand the frustration of not being able to get up. I came in my laundryroom about 6 months ago with a coffee in one hand and my purse in the other, tripped and fell face first (knees first actually) on concrete as my flooring had been pulled up. I could not get up since my knees were really hurt and there was nothing to pull myself up with. Thank goodness for my cell phone and friends who lived nearby. That was a reality check. You are in my prayers and I hope your next appointment brings you some positive news.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

violann — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 09:50:14 GMT

@sfnative I think it is INCREDIBLE of you to share a “funny”/AWFUL story about yourself that SO CLEARLY ILLUSTRATES what it’s like to live day to day.

You are moving through a journey, heading toward finding relief, AND YOU WILL find the solution, even if the road to it seems tangled and it’s difficult for you to see the end. Between your sense of humor and your drive to find the solution, YOU WILL FIND IT.

Hoping the neurosurgeon has the brains of Einstein, the skill of the finest, and looks just a bit like Cary Grant (or someone more contemporary, your choice).

Keep the Faith!

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

Skyegirl21 — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 10:49:54 GMT

Thanks for the update. Omg, you poor thing! It’s awful to be in such pain... Hoping you can hang in there and stay strong- 💝

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

godi — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 11:24:18 GMT

Your story of being caught in the chair, I’m sorry but it made me laugh. All I could think of is this would be a great storyline for a sitcom. Take care @sfnative ❤️🙏

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 11:54:11 GMT

@sfnative I am sorry you are still in such pain. Nothing I can say will make any difference but there are many that are praying for you...hang on,the best you can.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

hopi — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 12:05:07 GMT

@sfnative Prayers for you

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

PamfromCT — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 12:59:43 GMT

You poor girl! I can’t begin to imagine the pain you are going through. And the chair fiasco, to boot. You are what I call a “braveheart,” and my wish is that somehow or another your surgery date can be moved up. If I lived close to you...but I don’t, so I send you my prayers, virtual hugs, and virtual flowers. I will be also praying for a brilliant surgeon to take your pain away.

All my best wishes,

Pam

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

Desertdi — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 13:41:12 GMT

@sfnative I am so sorry you are going thru this ordeal. People who have never experienced sciatica and other back issues don't seem to "understand."

Take @Kachina624 's advice, and experiment with ways to get yourself out of difficult situations if you find yourself home alone, or call 911.

I wish you success with your surgery. Your insurance should provide an occupational therapist to assess your home and rearrange furiture, order "assistance devices" etc., for your maximum comfort and safety while recovering. Best wishes, di

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

Mindy D — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 16:48:42 GMT

I don’t know if this could work for you or not. My mother was a stroke victim. Physical therapists taught me how to stand her up and transfer her using a belt that fit around both of us. Ask when at PT, if you go, about this technique. They can even run a try out with you and your husband to see if it works.

I also can not get up from certain positions. I can not get up off the floor. I was trying to change my air conditioning filter when I ended up on the floor. I can not use my knees to push off a hard surface due to injuries. I has to ‘walk’ by scooting with my backside, all the way to a stairway. Then I had to use my arms to hold onto the bannister to pull myself up to a low step and then two more low steps and finally hold on and rise up. If the stairway had not been there I would not have been able to get off the floor.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

vsm — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 17:17:25 GMT

@sfnative A Life Alert button (or something similar) could spare you a lot of unnecessary agony. You're so right -- 9/23 is a long time away, and as you just found out, anything can happen. An alert button will also give you and your husband some much needed peace of mind. Hang in there!

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

hckynut — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 19:20:57 GMT

Hi Rebecca @sfnative ,

Only you could write such a descriptive post of the ordeals with which you had in it's content. I mean, describing your battle with your electric recliner(which I, fortunately, or in this situation, unfortunately, recommended) in a manner in which one needs to have been in that position to understand. And? I am 1 of them. Same deal for me with a power outage, but I have no mobility issues.

You mention your husband in your explanation "making things WORSE". I could tell you a story about a situation I encountered years ago when my wife definitely did not help a very painful situation. There was really nothing she could do, but now, sitting in the car, in a self clean car wash, laughing? Every once in awhile I throw that at her for a good laugh, now, not so much when it happened.

Then comes your MRI! I have had many, but describe by name and structure of the tables? Not a chance in he!! I could do either. All I know is for mine I want pillows under my knees, when possible,and hoping it is not over an hour. As you well know, my reason for sleeping in a recliner for decades now, is lying down on any surface, much less a rock hard one.

I really hope your Neurosurgeon can find something that will help remove your terrible pain, or at least lessen it. You are tough cookie, but being in constant pain wears on every human being.

Thank you for your update and detailed post. I read all your posts, but many times do not respond because I don't want to repeat things I have already said, not too many times anyways. My thoughts are with you every time I see your nic, and even at random times throughout my days.

Keep up your good mental and physical work and I will close with my usual reminder to everyone. "Optimism can be your best friend in all the toughest of times"!

Your friend,

JOhn

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 20:01:50 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@sfnative. Rebevca, If you ever get in a situation again where you're stuck, don't hesitate to call 911 and ask for some help from fire and rescue. That's a lot of what they do.

My friend fell one day and couldn't get up and asked. that I come and help her. I was there in 3 minutes. I couldn't get her up, I have back issues too and can't do much lifting. I told her I was going to call for help and did. I explained to the dispatcher that no one was injured and we didn't need sirens and whistles. The two paramedics who came were wonderful with her and had her up and on her scooter in no time.

I have one artificial knee and back problems but I occasionally get on the floor and practice getting up just so I know I can do it. I just need something to steady myself with as my balance is poor.

I'm so sorry you have to endure the pain you're suffering and hope your medicos can find a way to alleviate it.

@Kachina624

Hi Kachina,

Thanks for your response. You and I have been on these boards together for quite a while now and have some like experiences. Yes, believe me, I thought 20 times about calling 911. Two things prevented me from doing so: I was still in my nightgown and had yet to shower and wash my hair (right before the power outage, I was just about to hop into the shower, as I'm one of those people who perspire a lot, whereas my daughter and husband barely break a sweat); then there's the budget issue in my city. Due to gross mismanagement, we have many services which are now terribly under-budgeted. What I did not want to do was to bring an emergency vehicle with personnel to my house for this issue, when someone's life could have been adverse impacted, due to this idiotic power outage and me stuck in my electric recliner.

There's really a third "You gotta be kidding" I'll share and that is the fact that I had ordered and just received 2 days prior my "MobileHelp" device(s), with all of the various attachments and instructions, which I hadn't yet gotten through and installed. This is the one you wear on your wrist and it looks like a watch, without a watch face. The center is a button. There's also a bedside somethingorother. I honestly believe most people my age wouldn't have ordered one of these, but I've had such dumb-luck, plus my husband is away from the house being the HOA head of maintenance and an alcoholic, that I felt it wise and the right time to do so.

Next time I'll be pressing the button on my wrist, for sure!!!

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 20:18:51 GMT

@violann wrote:
@sfnative I think it is INCREDIBLE of you to share a “funny”/AWFUL story about yourself that SO CLEARLY ILLUSTRATES what it’s like to live day to day.

You are moving through a journey, heading toward finding relief, AND YOU WILL find the solution, even if the road to it seems tangled and it’s difficult for you to see the end. Between your sense of humor and your drive to find the solution, YOU WILL FIND IT.

Hoping the neurosurgeon has the brains of Einstein, the skill of the finest, and looks just a bit like Cary Grant (or someone more contemporary, your choice).

Keep the Faith!

@violann

Hi Violann,

First of all, please do read my response to Kachina. Hers was the first response to appear directly above my post, so there's information contained within it that might interest you.

Then, I really must thank you for such a kind post, so full of positivity, which I so need at this time. I'm getting nothing from my husband and my daughter who suffers from "hyper sensitivity" is attempting to come down off of a highly stressful week wherein her daughter, our granddaughter, graduated pre-school and will be starting kindergarten on Sept 9th. This means lots of transition stuff like parent-teacher-school meetings, all of which are good, but due to her hyper sensitive nature, she suffers meltdowns on occasion. I'm the exact opposite and am one to thrive in chaos, which is why I loved Emergency Medicine/Trauma/Ortho.

Anyway, to one of your big points, I've decided that if my new highly touted neurosurgeon cannot get to the root cause of my problem, even if he orders a CT scan after I see him later in the month, I'll be heading back to my ortho spine doc at Scripps in La Jolla, CA, who performed my L5-S1 surgery a few years ago. Then to a former colleague in San Diego who is a super specialist in knees, to address the effusion issue in my left knee.

As you said, I will find it! And, wouldn't mind it looking a bit like Cary Grant. Just Watched "An Affair to Remember" the other day. I always tear up when I watch that movie.

Thank you so much, Violann for your response.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 20:22:44 GMT

@Desertdi

Hi desertDi,

Thanks so much for your response. Please do look for my response to Kachina. You'll find answers there that will let you know what page I'm on right now.

Again, appreciating your kind post.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 21:21:45 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
I don’t know if this could work for you or not. My mother was a stroke victim. Physical therapists taught me how to stand her up and transfer her using a belt that fit around both of us. Ask when at PT, if you go, about this technique. They can even run a try out with you and your husband to see if it works.

I also can not get up from certain positions. I can not get up off the floor. I was trying to change my air conditioning filter when I ended up on the floor. I can not use my knees to push off a hard surface due to injuries. I has to ‘walk’ by scooting with my backside, all the way to a stairway. Then I had to use my arms to hold onto the bannister to pull myself up to a low step and then two more low steps and finally hold on and rise up. If the stairway had not been there I would not have been able to get off the floor.

@Mindy D

Hi Mindy,

I know exactly what you're referring to, but cannot use such an aid, was I have a pre-existing L5-S1 fusion with hardware and now this vertebral issue, which may be somewhere between L1 and L4-5. Just cannot "mess" with that area any more than I have to. Am still recuperating from the recliner incident the other day. Whereas your stairway was your savior, my low profile coffee table was mine. Please do read my response to Kachina and you'll see that I now have MobileHelp, which had just arrived 2 days prior, but was not yet charged and installed.

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 21:24:03 GMT

@vsm wrote:
@sfnative A Life Alert button (or something similar) could spare you a lot of unnecessary agony. You're so right -- 9/23 is a long time away, and as you just found out, anything can happen. An alert button will also give you and your husband some much needed peace of mind. Hang in there!

Hi vsm,

Please read my response to Kachina. You'll read my recent purchase of MobileHelp (worn on wrist), which had just recently arrived, but not charged, etc., etc. Arrrrgh!

Re: "sfnative" Update on Sciatic Pain Issue

sfnative — Sat, 31 Aug 2019 21:41:55 GMT

@hckynut

John,

Thanks for your email today. I really did enjoy it.

I know you know it, but will cover this ground, because I need you to hear it from me to you: I asked for chair advice prior to my December 2012 W/C related lumbar surgery, knowing that someone/people would be able to help me. After I read your reply regarding the purchase of a recliner and the reasons it should be an electric one, we hopped on it the next weekend. Though the chair purchased was a cheap one (husband would not budge), it still works, though the padding badly needs replacing and is becoming uncomfortable.

Even though I became stuck in my chair, I'm glad 1,000 or more times that I did not purchase a mechanical chair. To me, a mechanical chair equates to pain. If you have no source of pain or chronic pain issues, that is, if you're normal, then purchase a mechanical recliner. Even on a bad migraine day, I wouldn't want to reach way over for that handle!

John, thank you for your kind, kind thoughts and reminding me that "Optimism can be my best friend in all of the toughest times." My current state, plus other pain issues are testing my optimism for sure. Perhaps I need to type and print your quote, then tape to the side table next to my chair.

Thanks, again, John. Please say hello to Cindy for me. XXX ~ Rebecca