the pain clinic, round II
Hello, internets, it’s me, Emily.
So Tuesday I went to see the pain clinic – this time for my back. And things are going to be very different this time around. Hopefully that means we make some improvements! Ha. But seriously, I went to the appointment, and my first appointment was with the physical therapist and doctor, then I had an appointment with the pharmacist.
So there was a doctor there who was interning with Dr. D (my doctor), but Dr. D. himself did not appear until later on. Apparently his time is valuable. Fair enough. There was also a pharmacy intern and a medical student. Also, the physical therapist, Tami. Of course, I put on the gown right away, and if it didn’t feel like Grand Central station before, it sure did then! They tried to keep me as covered up as they could, but basically there’s not a lot to be done. So for the first hour I was ‘evaluated’ by the physical therapist. Of course this involves testing my pain, when it appears, when it doesn’t. There was a lot of poking and prodding of my back, as well as twisting and measuring. My right leg is 1 cm shorter than my left leg! How do you like them apples? Apparently, anything up to 2 cm is still considered normal. The PT felt that the leg thing combined with the accident may be causing the perfect storm of pain in my back. No mention yet on why this started last October. I’m pretty sure we’ll never know that.
So after that, I got dressed again and we talked – she warned me that PT is very different in the pain clinic. I figured. And then Dr. D made his appearance. He went over the broad strokes of things (often making mistakes, which I corrected), and said he thought they’d be able to help me. He cautioned that he was not a pain eradicator, but a pain manager. I think he was just trying to make sure my hopes weren’t *too* high. Then it was off to the pharmacist.
The pharmacy intern took me and we went to a room with a comfortable chair. HALLELUJAH! That was the best part of this appointment. We basically went over all the meds I’m taking, why I’m taking them, when I started taking them, and how much I feel like they work for me. 90% of the pills are for my headaches, so we talked a fair amount about that.
And there it is. The appointment. I felt good about it, I’m looking forward to working with the physical therapist and hopefully figuring some stuff out. I would LOVE it if we could improve or do away with the back pain with just exercises; more or different exercises. The needles, I’m hoping to stay away from as much as possible. The pills….we shall see. The one I’m on now isn’t helping and is causing side effects. Brain fog, myoclonic jerks, etc. I want off this ride!
All the people I met with (Dr. D, the pharmacist, the PT, and the therapist) will all get together and talk about my case. Then I’ll see Dr. D Friday, November 6 to go over their plan of attack.
Filed under back pain/problems | Comments (9)I’ve been too long absent
I’ve been out of town for a week (visiting my parents) and catching up at home. Finally my husband came home last night. He was on a tour of sorts, going to a conference in Brazil (I know!), Chicago, and Michigan. He’s a man in demand.
I was listening to this song the other day and found it really inspirational. I think it’s about a breakup, but parts of it really spoke to me regarding pain. It’s by Lizz Wright – a fantastic alto jazz singer. You can check her out on Amazon, I love their song previews. Here are the lyrics…
Trouble :
Trouble in the air
I don’t want it
But I have to breathe
It´s coming through the door
Behind the shadows that surround me when I sleep
Somehow I know
that I can´t pray this away
I´ll keep my head down and get up on this train
This train
I´m gonna ride this pain like a wave
Lord, make me over I don´t want to b e afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go
What if I get lost
I call out to you and you don´t save me?
The water comes too close
I don´t have the time to give
what you gave to me?
Well, as long as my name don´t change, I´ll be the same
I loved you more than time
Forever can´t take that away
Can´t take that away
Just let me ride this pain like a wave
Lord, make me over I don’t wanna be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go
There is a river
Running by the train
It ain´t troubled
It´s just laying there, wading in the wind
Just let me ride this pain like a wave
Lord, make me over I don’t wanna be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go
Let me ride this pain like a wave
Make me over I don’t wanna be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go
I´ll move on
…I’ll have to give more updates later, to be honest not a lot is going on with me. I have my evaluation appointments at the pain clinic coming up (for my back). I want to stop taking Neurontin b/c of the side effects (fuzzy head, tired) but also because it’s not helping the nerve pain (coming from my back).
But I have so enjoyed having some time with family, and now I’m really glad to have my husband back. I think that’s the longest we’ve ever been apart.
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