Update on the Prophetess

[EstimatedProphet]

According to the doctor, it appears she is having a collapse of the L4-L5 vertebrae, which is pinching nerves in her legs (probably the sciatic). According to the physical therapist, this looks like it is compounded by the sacroiliac joint (part of the pelvic complex) forced out of place. We've got some physical therapy exercises which will hopefully improve the situation. Also, we've got some vicodin.

I just want to say that the response you all gave to her thread the other night really made her day.

Thanks to you all!

On edit: here is the original thread

[dolo amber]

1. Mmmmm....vicodin

:D

Please give the missus a :hug: from us. :hi:

[ZombieNixon]

2. Ouch!

Just reading that hurt! :(

[salin]

3. Glad that some possible "answers" are being found.

I hope that more and more relief and healing will be found/lived. Best wishes to Prophetess.

[Left Is Write]

4. I missed the original thread!

It sounds like she's been through hell...please give her my love and best wishes. :hug:

[flamingyouth]

5. I missed her thread.

Wow, I'm sorry to hear about all that. Hope she gets some relief soon. Please give her my best wishes. :pals:

[In_The_Wind]

6. I'm sorry she's in pain.

Physical therapist can help to do wonderful things with the body. Good Luck!

[LSK]

7. be careful about what pain killers they give her

My dad has a similar problem and the painkillers he was taking gave him an ulcer.

Hope she feels better.

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. I really hope she gets better.

Hang in there, prophetess! :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

9. Hi, EP!

Tell your wife that I'm right there with her. I've been having spinal-epidural steroid injections done every two weeks. Before Christmas, I couldn't even walk, and I was certain that I was destined for surgery. I've had back problems since 2000. I have a broad protrusion in my L4-5 and deterioration in L2-3, 3-4. Before this past time, pain would come, last about three days, I'd take some flexeril and naprosyn, and take it easy, and the pain would go. This time, the pain would not let up. My dr referred me to the doctor I am now seeing, and he's been a miracle worker to me!

If the Prophetess would like to PM me, I can tell her much more. Believe me, I know how she feels, and I'll be glad to give her some empathy and emotional support while she's dealing with this crippling pain.

:hug:

[EstimatedProphet]

11. I'll pass this on

She's been on the flexoril/naproxen bit, but it hasn't really done much. Last couple days she's been on Darvocet, and that had no real effect at all. Last night she woke up at 4:30 screaming.
At least the vicodin is working.

[Maddy McCall]

15. PLEASE tell her to PM me.

Trust me. I can point her in the right direction. She doesn't have to suffer this pain...there are alternatives.

This episode of back pain began for me on December 5. On January 11, I had my first shot. I could barely walk prior to January 11. It took everything I had just to get myself to the bathroom, and I actually lost 10 lbs in December simply because I couldn't even get up off the couch to cook anything. I have never been in more pain in my life--even childbrith was less painful. Like I said, on January 11, I had my first shot. On January 15, my pain had subsided from 10 on a scale from 1-10 to maybe a 6. I had my second shot two weeks ago. My pain is down to a 2 now. I have one more shot scheduled, two weeks from today. And I begin physical therapy next week, just to help me undo the muscular problems that tense muscles produce. If you had asked me on New Years Eve if I believed that there was any hope that I'd be pain-free without surgery, I'd have been very pessimistic. I'm almost there now.

Please have her PM me. Tell her there's hope, and I can help her find a decent doctor by telling her the name of the procedure so that she can call and ask specifically if the dr. does this procedure. Even my primary physician was astonished that this procedure made such a vast difference--he had never referred anyone to this doctor, had never even heard of him. I had seen the doctor on a news program, and had read about him in the newspaper's lifestyle section...he brought this procedure to my homestate. It has an 80% success rate... so I went to my dr and demanded a referral, and he got me in with this doctor within five days. And everything's been steadily improving since. Sorry to go on an on about me, but I just want TP to know that surgery is not the only alternative.

:hug:

[Blue-Jay]

10. *sending my best wishes to the EP house*

:pals:

[MrScorpio]

12. Please send my get well wishes to her, My Man

A swift recovery, please

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear EstimatedProphet!

I too missed that original thread.....

However, I am happy to hear that help has arrived, and hopefully she will soon be on the road to complete recovery!

PT is indeed a lifesaver (I've had it for my lousy shoulder joints) and when you combine it with drugs....

Well....then it gets good, hopefully quickly!

:grouphug:

[Redstone]

14. Tell her two things for me, please:

1) Keep moving, and

2) keep moving.

The ONLY thing that saved me through the two hideous shoulder surgeries was that I never stopped moving it through the years between the initial injury and the surgery. That made the PT last about half the time it could have.

Keep moving, Prophetess. That's what the pain pills are for, to help you do that.

Except when you're soaking in a nice tub of hot water, which you should do every night. It may not actually heal anything, but it'll give you some pleasure and relaxation. You can stop moving when you're in the tub.

And the best of luck to you.

Redstone

[u4ic]

16. I did not catch the original thread

but I wish her all the best! Hopefully the exercises will help (the meds sure will!), and she is out of pain soon. :hug:

[TheProphetess]

17. From the bottom of my heart, thank you everyone!

I really appreciate your well wishes and good vibes. :grouphug:
(And thanks, honey, for posting an update - if anyone deserves a special place in heaven, it's you for taking such good care of me night and day.)

Today was an encouraging day. I got a shot of some type of pain killer (I asked what the name was twice and still cannot remember it for the life of me!) and some good vicodin. Finally, I am having more relief than I've had in a long time - not pain-free but definitely very bearable. The physical therapist sounds encouraging and I am committed to putting in my time doing the exercises and stretches at home and moving as much as I can (thanks, Redstone!).

I'm really tired - after several nights of interrupted sleep from the pain and now the good meds to make me sleepy - so I'm going to head to bed. I will have happy dreams of all of you sweet and caring DUers.
Your kindness is very much appreciated. :loveya:

[Maddy McCall]

18. Check your PM when you feel better.

[Whoa_Nelly]

22. Have been thinking about you since your original post

gentle :hug:

keep us updated...and scream here whenever you need to! :pals:

[Floogeldy]

19. I guess I missed the original thread.

I strongly wish for Prophetess to be pain free and healthy. :)

[Cathyclysmic]

20. Sounds painful

Keep us posted. And let her know we are thinking of her.:hug:



Is this going to effect her ability to make salsa? j/k

[uppityperson]

21. painful bummer there, hope she feels better

get massage also. It helps the muscle spasms related to this kind of stuff. Good luck.