Health Update: Cautiously Optimistic

[Edsel-Dan]

Have you tried a Heating pad? or Cold pack??

I have used both on Headaches

Asked why they lasted for days, and moved from one side to the other then back

Got told Migrain and 6-12 hours

I laughed and said try DAYS!!

Last doctor got it Right CLUSTER

had me on a GOOD prescription, but

Company's merged and my brand's dose was dropped for some time

Next does was $70 PLUS for 15 when I paid 20 for 60!!

I dropped it and went back to Heating pad on my head around my eyes

It worked good enough and being in Dark was an additional aid

Luckily, after that, and Him moving to Mayo Clinic to teacher

I have not had headaches since!!!

was a time though...........

Now I always have a Cold pack over my eyes

Wrapped in Cloth diapers and tied with a Robe sash

 

I know pain down there too

But more in the Groin area

Had me worried an OLD Hernia was back

More likely a Bowel block

LOTS of liquids and a few sit downs on th Toilet and...........

was to the point I could not even move my leg

 

Pain is NOT fun, and Not being able to sleep is At Least as bad!!

 

I hope all goes well too

[GTJUNIOR]

Have you been checked for a pinched nerve in the spinal area. I recently suffered from intense pain in my right shoulder and splitting headaches, turned out I had a pinched nerve in between  my c4 and c5 vertebrae. Five sessions with a physiotherapist and the pain and headaches were gone. Some posture and work place adjustments were made and I'm  virtually pain free.  I really hope your doctors are able to find the cause of your pain and find a way to give you a good prognosis. 

As always, I will keep you in my prayers. 

[Harry P.]

I have an appointment with an orthopedic specialist tomorrow (Monday). Hopefully he will be able to identify the problem and the treatment. Until then it's painkillers every day, twice a day. It's the only way I can deal with the pain.

[cobraman]

Can't imagine what you must be going through. We can only hope that whatever the problem is that they discover it and can treat it so you can get back to your old self. I'm sure everyone here is pulling for you. That doesn't really help you much but you must know you have a lot of friends here that honestly care about your health. I'm just not one of them ! That's a joke.

[Harry P.]

Thanks, Ray. I do know that there are people here who do care, and I'm very grateful.

[1930fordpickup]

More than you think Harry. 

Edited June 27, 2016 by 1930fordpickup

[DaveM]

I hope things go well for you, Harry.  I have dealt with some pretty major health issues, including 19 surgeries and procedures.  (All abdominal in my case.)  Sometimes, it seems like there is no solution coming quickly enough, but eventually, you will feel better.   I have discovered the hard way why Doctors call us "Patients".  

Hopefully, you will start getting some answers and some real relief.  Painkillers are a really crummy way to live.  

[Harry P.]

Saw the orthopedist today. He showed me my hip X-rays and said they showed absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. So it's not a case of joint deterioration or arthritis or anything like that. He's pretty sure I have sciatica, which is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, a large nerve that runs from the base of the spine down your leg.

So now I go on a six day steroid medication regime... 6 pills the first day, 5 the next, 4 the next, etc. Plus I have to go to physical therapy for stretching and other exercises. I see the orthopedist in two weeks for a follow-up. He's pretty confident that between the steroid treatment and the physical therapy, this will be taken care of. Worst case scenario, I don't feel any relief after two weeks... then he wants to do an MRI.

But I have my fingers crossed that the steroids and the exercises will do the trick.

Man oh man, I hope so. The pain that I have been going through for the past 3-4 months is something I've never experienced before. I can't even describe how painful it is sometimes. But God willing, this will soon be over.

Thanks so much to all of you who have given your support and best wishes.

[crazyjim]

Hopefully the meds and PT will do the trick Harry.  Good luck.

[cobraman]

Sure hope that will be the solution to your problem. Fingers crossed !

[bobthehobbyguy]

Hope the treatment plans work. Have dealt with sciatica and it is no fun.

[Harry P.]

Have dealt with sciatica and it is no fun.

Man, you aren't kidding! It blows big time.

[maltsr]

All the best, Harry.  I sincerely hope this treatment works.

[Harry Joy]

I hate to be negative, but sciatic nerve pain can also be caused by something pressing on the nerve. X-Rays will often come up clean and not show some problems. Ten years ago, when I had my first hip done, orthopedic surgeons would do MRIs at the drop of a hat - I had many. But in the past five or six years, insurance companies started refusing to pay for MRIs in some cases, so doctors use them less now. They have to be able to prove to the insurance company the necessity.

(This is why my second hip replacement was such a miserable experience.)

I hope it is just inflammation. Sciatic pain is something most people cannot begin to understand. I liken it to having an invisible stalker hitting you randomly with an electric cattle prod.

[Harry P.]

Sciatic pain is something most people cannot begin to understand. I liken it to having an invisible stalker hitting you randomly with an electric cattle prod.

Exactly. It's no fun.

I can't imagine what childbirth feels like, but I'm pretty sure sciatic nerve pain is worse.

[High octane]

Saw the orthopedist today. He showed me my hip X-rays and said they showed absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. So it's not a case of joint deterioration or arthritis or anything like that. He's pretty sure I have sciatica, which is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, a large nerve that runs from the base of the spine down your leg.

So now I go on a six day steroid medication regime... 6 pills the first day, 5 the next, 4 the next, etc. Plus I have to go to physical therapy for stretching and other exercises. I see the orthopedist in two weeks for a follow-up. He's pretty confident that between the steroid treatment and the physical therapy, this will be taken care of. Worst case scenario, I don't feel any relief after two weeks... then he wants to do an MRI.

But I have my fingers crossed that the steroids and the exercises will do the trick.

Man oh man, I hope so. The pain that I have been going through for the past 3-4 months is something I've never experienced before. I can't even describe how painful it is sometimes. But God willing, this will soon be over.

Thanks so much to all of you who have given your support and best wishes.

I'm surprised that your doc didn't give you an epidural for your sciatic problem as it worked wonders for me back in '98. Of course everyone is different.

[Harry P.]

I guess the theory is to try the mildest treatment first and see if it works. If not, step up to more aggressive treatment.

[slusher]

I guess the theory is to try the mildest treatment first and see if it works. If not, step up to more aggressive treatment.

Glad you have an answer, Harry. The Steroid dose pack my keep you up a couple nights. They will help nerves twice as fast and help inflammation.    

[1930fordpickup]

Some good news , this is what we wanted to hear.

  

[XJ6]

Glad you have an answer, Harry. The Steroid dose pack my keep you up a couple nights. They will help nerves twice as fast and help inflammation.    

that is true been on the steroids for two weeks and just can't sleep at night (prednisone) 

Hang in there Harry wishing you the best the little pills should help you ?

[disabled modeler]

Another thing that might help is to place a pillow under your knee while in bed it helps take the pressure off your spine,etc. some.  I know how it is to not be able to sleep...I have gone 4 nights and 5 days straight before without any...real bad place to be.  I have to take pain and sleep meds in order to sleep at all every night...good luck.

[sjordan2]

My brother had sciatica that ran down his left leg, and eventually got over it with treatment. Before he recovered, however, he had to sell his Porsche because using the clutch was too painful.

[Harry P.]

My brother had sciatica that ran down his left leg, and eventually got over it with treatment. Before he recovered, however, he had to sell his Porsche because using the clutch was too painful.

That's exactly my problem. It's very hard to drive my car because of the pain in my left leg.

[signguy2108]

sorry to here this,Harry. I havent been keeping up on here lately. Hope treatments work. On top of all my other health problems i have arthritis in my rt hand & yes im rt handed! Days like today with it raining it hurts so bad i just want to cut it off Hope they find a way to fight your pain.

[sjordan2]

That's exactly my problem. It's very hard to drive my car because of the pain in my left leg.

The upside is that he has since switched to paddle-shift cars including a Ferrari Modena, an Aston Vantage and now a Mercedes AMG GT. See? You have lots of options.

Edited June 28, 2016 by sjordan2