Just a quick little update on one of my last posts where I was VERY concerned about my weight. At that appointment, my thyroid labs were a bit off, so I began synthroid (It also helps with crazy pills work better which is always a positive!) I left that appointment and was scheduled to return in 8 weeks. Well, that was this past Wednesday and I was ever so nervous as I knew that I would face the scale and since I am still dealing with swelling, there is no telling WHAT it could say. . .
As always, I very carefully picked out my clothes, putting a lot of thought into what I would and would not wear. Finally the time came and we were called back. Ms. Hannah was there with me and she held my purse and 'watched' my shoes as I stepped onto the scale. I was scared. I could feel tears in my eyes, I was SO incredibly scared. Never would I have guessed what I saw next. . .
I was 6 pounds lighter than I was just 8 weeks prior! I was ecstatic! My doc saw me at the scale and came over and I quickly whispered in his ear 'my good news' and he gave me the evil eye as he knows all to well my obsession!
Anyhow, so that is where we stand. I still have 6 pounds to go to my pre-hyst weight, but I am not worried anymore. . . well, at least not obsessing anymore!
Friday, November 18
Tuesday, October 25
Nerve Block #__
I had another appointment with my new pain doc - I know that I have said it before, but I really like him! He takes his time. He listens. He explains things. He understands. He sees me as a person and not just a patient. Both he and his staff are great. And, he is by far, the most committed to helping me with this pain -This is what happened:
- He agreed that the swelling is probably just taking its sweet time leaving my legs, thanks to the Lyrica. He again said that it was nothing to be concerned with, so I will do my best to not worry about it! Just leave the occasional fingerprint!
- We spoke about other medications and realized that I have exhausted most of them.
- We spoke about the intensity of the pain - on here, I can put down my guard, but in person, I can *nearly always* put that smile on and pretend. Today, that smile left, and I was able to let him know just how tired of this I am. He listened and was an incredible comfort.
- After a brief belly exam, and because I had no kiddos (thank you SO very much Mackenzie!), the decision was made to start the process of a combination of nerve blocks, while trying to break up some of the adhesions in that lower right quadrant. (I did not even flinch!)
Saturday, October 22
In my last post, I was VERY discouraged. I was at a point of hopelessness. The one thing that I had prayed for and hoped for was, in combination with another medicine, causing adverse side effects. I was completely beyond myself, feeling like everything was crashing down on me. The tears were flowing most of the night. I needed to be alone as I did not want the kiddos or my devoted spouse to see me THIS upset, but once you become a mom, there is no such thing as alone time or privacy. . . and maybe that night, that was a good thing. . .
After talking with the doc, it was decided to take one Lyrica only at night. I began this immediately and at first it helped. Then after a week, the swelling came back and this time, it was MUCH worse than before. I immediately went up the road to have my blood pressure checked (103/68) to make sure that was not the culprit, and it obviously, was not. So, I once again called the doc, but this time I not only called my pain management doc, but also my primary. Pain Management doc wanted me to come in the next morning, and while I was grateful that he did not think I needed to be seen right then, I was scared. My ankles were HUGE. I could not slide my feet into shoes, they were that huge. It was ridiculous.
So, since I was not comfortable, and I am persistent, I knew how to get in touch with my primary when I need to, and I took full advantage of it! I am grateful that I did, as he was able to connect the dots and tell me that it was the COMBO of 2 of my meds that were causing this. He said that although it was not dangerous, that I needed to stop the Lyrica. . .Not what I wanted to hear. It was stopped and within about a week, the swelling was nearly all gone. I still have some residual that just is not wanting to go away, but for the most part, it is resolved. To say that I feel defeated is an understatement. I wanted this to work. I want to be free of this. But, I guess I just need to be patient and trust that this is His will for now. . .
After talking with the doc, it was decided to take one Lyrica only at night. I began this immediately and at first it helped. Then after a week, the swelling came back and this time, it was MUCH worse than before. I immediately went up the road to have my blood pressure checked (103/68) to make sure that was not the culprit, and it obviously, was not. So, I once again called the doc, but this time I not only called my pain management doc, but also my primary. Pain Management doc wanted me to come in the next morning, and while I was grateful that he did not think I needed to be seen right then, I was scared. My ankles were HUGE. I could not slide my feet into shoes, they were that huge. It was ridiculous.
So, since I was not comfortable, and I am persistent, I knew how to get in touch with my primary when I need to, and I took full advantage of it! I am grateful that I did, as he was able to connect the dots and tell me that it was the COMBO of 2 of my meds that were causing this. He said that although it was not dangerous, that I needed to stop the Lyrica. . .Not what I wanted to hear. It was stopped and within about a week, the swelling was nearly all gone. I still have some residual that just is not wanting to go away, but for the most part, it is resolved. To say that I feel defeated is an understatement. I wanted this to work. I want to be free of this. But, I guess I just need to be patient and trust that this is His will for now. . .
Saturday, October 8
Say it ain't so. . .
I am full of fear right now. Full of anxiety. Full of questions. . .
About 2 days ago, I noticed that I was retaining fluid in my ankles, having some crazy headaches, and my vision was becoming quite blurry. I kind of buried it in the recesses of my mind as there were far more important things happening. Then last night, I noticed that my ankles had turned into 'kankles,' the vision was quite bad, and the headache was very present. I e-mailed a pharmacist friend and she advised to call my doc as it could potentially be a reaction to the Lyrica. When I read her response, my heart sank. I excused myself to the bedroom where I just sobbed. . .
When I began the Lyrica on September 28, I also began a Novena to St. Gianna Beretta Molla. I asked her to intercede on my behalf. To make this medicine the one that I needed. Last Sunday, October 2, when the pain level intensified greatly, I began one to the Blessed Mother. I needed this medicine to work. It had to work. . .
Last night, I decided to not call the doctor and when I woke, I had ankles again! Although they were still a bit fluffy, there were there! Within a few hours, they had disappeared again. This time, I went up the road to my pharmacy and spoke with the pharmacist face to face. He asked questions and looked on the computer and then told me that I needed to all the doctor today. When we came home I did. . .
Now, I sit and wait for the return phone call with the tears running off of my cheeks. Incredibly fearful of what might be said or done. I am praying that this is okay and that I can continue on the medicine. That this is just no big deal. But, the fear has taken hold and I am scared as this medicine HAS to work. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
UPDATE:
I just got off of the phone with the doc and we are going to decrease the Lyrica to once a day. He said that this is a rare complication of the med and so decreasing the dose or tapering off will help. I see him on Tuesday as a follow up to the pain increase from last week and we will come up with a plan then. My emotions right now are all over the place. I wanted and needed this to work, but it looks like my body just will not tolerate it. So, we wait and see. . .
My novena to the Blessed Mother ends on Tuesday, so maybe this is a good sign. . . At least I pray it is!
About 2 days ago, I noticed that I was retaining fluid in my ankles, having some crazy headaches, and my vision was becoming quite blurry. I kind of buried it in the recesses of my mind as there were far more important things happening. Then last night, I noticed that my ankles had turned into 'kankles,' the vision was quite bad, and the headache was very present. I e-mailed a pharmacist friend and she advised to call my doc as it could potentially be a reaction to the Lyrica. When I read her response, my heart sank. I excused myself to the bedroom where I just sobbed. . .
When I began the Lyrica on September 28, I also began a Novena to St. Gianna Beretta Molla. I asked her to intercede on my behalf. To make this medicine the one that I needed. Last Sunday, October 2, when the pain level intensified greatly, I began one to the Blessed Mother. I needed this medicine to work. It had to work. . .
Last night, I decided to not call the doctor and when I woke, I had ankles again! Although they were still a bit fluffy, there were there! Within a few hours, they had disappeared again. This time, I went up the road to my pharmacy and spoke with the pharmacist face to face. He asked questions and looked on the computer and then told me that I needed to all the doctor today. When we came home I did. . .
Now, I sit and wait for the return phone call with the tears running off of my cheeks. Incredibly fearful of what might be said or done. I am praying that this is okay and that I can continue on the medicine. That this is just no big deal. But, the fear has taken hold and I am scared as this medicine HAS to work. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
UPDATE:
I just got off of the phone with the doc and we are going to decrease the Lyrica to once a day. He said that this is a rare complication of the med and so decreasing the dose or tapering off will help. I see him on Tuesday as a follow up to the pain increase from last week and we will come up with a plan then. My emotions right now are all over the place. I wanted and needed this to work, but it looks like my body just will not tolerate it. So, we wait and see. . .
My novena to the Blessed Mother ends on Tuesday, so maybe this is a good sign. . . At least I pray it is!
Tuesday, September 27
SO. . .
We, well I guess this should be I, have heard yet again, from yet another doctor the exact same thing. I truly thought that, with the hysterectomy, that my days of second, third, fourth, and so on opinions were over. Hopefully they are now as the diagnosis of illioinguinal neuralgia and, possibly genitofemoral neuralgia is what I am still given, much like I was always told a hyst was the only way. . .
He was not a 'pill pusher' or appeared to be a doc that would be shut down by the FDA like this local clinic. Always a HUGE relief when you hear that this is a 'pain clinic.' I feel confident in his knowledge and LOVE his nurse practitioner - she is a very holistic lady and not only saw me as a patient, but one that is also struggling. She helped me greatly and acknowledged my pain. She in a way, understood like not many others can. Together, they all make a great team. . .
After a physical exam and history by both he and his nurse practitioner, we spoke about what the diagnosis is and what it means in terms of living. While I still push myself to extremes, I would like to do so without hurting greatly. After speaking openly and honestly, we were given options. Some were the same as last time, others not so much. They included: *Nerve Blocks; *Radiofrequency Ablation/Cryoablation; *Spinal Cord Stimulators; *Lyrica
After speaking openly and honestly, we decided to go with the least invasive - the Lyrica. I will start the med tonight and pray that it goes well. I return in 2 weeks to see how it is going, if the med is working, etc etc. I feel hopeful and renewed. He was completely different from the doctor here at UF/Shands and so was his clinic.
So, I guess that time will tell! I am VERY optimistic that this IS the answer!
He was not a 'pill pusher' or appeared to be a doc that would be shut down by the FDA like this local clinic. Always a HUGE relief when you hear that this is a 'pain clinic.' I feel confident in his knowledge and LOVE his nurse practitioner - she is a very holistic lady and not only saw me as a patient, but one that is also struggling. She helped me greatly and acknowledged my pain. She in a way, understood like not many others can. Together, they all make a great team. . .
After a physical exam and history by both he and his nurse practitioner, we spoke about what the diagnosis is and what it means in terms of living. While I still push myself to extremes, I would like to do so without hurting greatly. After speaking openly and honestly, we were given options. Some were the same as last time, others not so much. They included: *Nerve Blocks; *Radiofrequency Ablation/Cryoablation; *Spinal Cord Stimulators; *Lyrica
After speaking openly and honestly, we decided to go with the least invasive - the Lyrica. I will start the med tonight and pray that it goes well. I return in 2 weeks to see how it is going, if the med is working, etc etc. I feel hopeful and renewed. He was completely different from the doctor here at UF/Shands and so was his clinic.
So, I guess that time will tell! I am VERY optimistic that this IS the answer!
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