I saw my port and tubing today... no flipped port here!!

I went to the Cincinnati Spine Institute today. I have had low back pain and mid back spasms for a couple of years now. Not only did I see my port.... I saw NO SPACE whatsoever between my vertebrae from L4-5 on down! NO F*CKING WONDER my back has caused pain for the past two years. So apparently my disks... or what used to be my disks are "desicated"... or whatever. What they are not doing is cushioning my vertebrae as they are supposed to. The neurosurgeon says it is not a surgical thing. A fusion MIGHT relieve the pain... then might not. AND..... losing another 50 lbs MIGHT help the pain... might not. Great. At least I know now that I am not just a WUSS..... He referred me to a Physiatrist. Maybe then I may be able to get my hands on some muscle relaxants/pain meds. AND... get SOME pt or some opinion as to what to do next. I now categorically state that many of the double shots of vodka I have had in the past couple of years have been poured thru my band for PAIN relief. The neurosurgeon says that there is a BIG lawsuit going on about a PCP who prescribed vicodin and muscle relaxants for a patient who went out and caused a wreck which crippled a child. THUS... PCP is being sued. If the doc loses, this will be a NIGHTMARE for anyone who needs pain meds and hopes to get them from a pcp. I guess liquor stores aren't liable for selling booze. GO figure.

Wow Nancy, my prayers are with you to find some relief. I am to the point where I freaking hate to ask for pain meds - so I mix things trying to find pain relief. I know that isn't the best choice, but when in pain you do what you have to do. Hopefully this diagnosis will help you get the treatment you need.

Thanks, Chelle. I really was SHOCKED to see the xray!! I have only had the Tramadol from the Rheumatologist and some Flexeril from my PCP, but I have certainly mixed that with a drink or three. What is really astounding is that when the Rheumatologist REFUSED to give me any oral cortisone before my last trip, I .... acquired some and had NO PAIN at all for two weeks!! What a shame there is no medication that works as well without the side effects. I sure will take some on my next trip, though. What I really wonder is if I would have had this kind of condition without the obesity history. I'm 5'10 and peaked at 257. That's obese, but GEEZ..... My mother was NEVER obese and she didn't start having back issues until she was in her mid to late 70's. Obesity really is a nasty disease!!

Wow, Nancy! I sure hope you can find some relief from this. I totally understand! I have osteo-arthritis, through my whole body, and in my spine, it is so bad, it is pinching my nerves, and, there is nothing they can do. So.....I take Vicodin, everyday, low dose, for about 5 years. My stomach is fine, as I don't take that much, but I can see how someone could take too much of it! My heart goes out to you, hon! Back pain, is horrible! ANY pain, actually!

I have osteoarthritis... multiple sites. so I guess we are sisters! This is the first time I ever had an xray of my back. GEEZ. I had explained the symptoms etc MANY times and apparently doctors aren't very good at seeing the whole picture. Seems like a no brainer for one of them to suggest an xray. I was glad to see my port there... the NP at Dr. Curry's office suggested it might be flipped at my last fill after she couldn't seem to hit it and then hit "the side." So it actually was a relief to see it there NOT flipped! I'm also glad this neurosurgeon referred me to the psyiatrist. Maybe I'll be able to get some pain meds, anyway. I know you and your husband have been thru the ringer health wise.... This being OVER 25 years old is tough some days... HA. Thanks, Sharon. I haven't had anything stronger than Tramadol.... which takes the edge off a little... but only if I take about twice what is prescribed.

Wow - that really stinks about your vertebrae. My brother had a bulging disk removed a few years ago. The doctor explained the cushioning acts like a marshmallow squishing up and down protecting the disks. I am sorry you are in this pain. I hope you find relief soon.

Thanks Beth... I'm glad I have gotten rid of almost 50% of my excess weight. I can't imagine how much worse it would be at this point. And now I know I'm not just lazy. I've had SUCH a hard time getting motivated to MOVE due to the pain! Now I KNOW the band has saved me from myself. HA.

Oh boy....you've really got your hands full.....I feel for you. I had a couple of herniated disks that I was getting steroid infections for right around the time I got my band. The pain was all in my leg though it was from the back. The Dr. i go to is an anestheisiologist (referred by my PCP). At my first appt., he gave me a large supply of muscle relaxers and a script for Lortabs (highest strenth) - 60, until I could get in for the shot (about 4 days later). After the shot, he gave me a script for 120 more, with 3 refills. I told him he had given me the script earlier in the week and he told me to hang on to it just in case....no need to be in pain. The 120 was a mo's supply. Every 3 months he did the same thing. Just for the record, they're addicting as hell. I only took one a day unless I was in really bad shape but it was tough to get off of them. I know what it is to be in pain, but be careful what you wish for. And by the way, Tramadol is also really addictive, even though there are no side effects. Your body starts to get a boost of enerfy from them.....I know several people who have been addictied to it. I say this having taken a tylenol w/ codiene a few minutes ago for a somewhat annoying toothache, so please don't take this as a lecture on pain meds. I always keep a supply on hand and would immediately switch to a new Dr. if he didn't treat my pain!! I'd deal with detox if I had to.....just wanted to share the story with you. Now, for the lawsuit.....excuse the expression, but that's just pure bull**** Your comment about the liquor store is a great analogy. What's next, you'll have to go to an infirmary every morning to get your pill? What crap..... Anyway....I hope you get some kind of relief.....If not, may I recommend Grey Goose?

The only pain meds I have been able to get were from the Rheumatologist.... 200 mg/day Tramadol with ONE refill and really, they only barely take the edge off. I really haven't found them to be ANY fun...LOL. What REALLY DID work was the prednisone she wouldn't give me and I bought ONLINE. (I just wanted the prednisone for my cruise in NOV and the WENCH would NOT even give me a Medrol dosepak). GEESH. Well NOOOOOO you don't want that if you are trying to lose weight!! I had NO PAIN for the whole two week vacation with NO pain killers. I was a work comp adjuster for 5 years and I saw LOTS of injured workers who got addicted to drugs like vicodin and then oxycontin. There was actually one young man who had to go to a methadone clinic to get off the vicodin!! (He was in KY and I was more or less required to pay for that treatment too.) I just wish for the opportunity to make my own decisions about what to take without feeling like I have to beg the doctor!! It is MY risk and the frigging doctors I have been dealing with just WILL NOT give me anything much... even the muscle relaxants. WHEREAS... my daughter goes to the PCP (SAME PCP I go to) and CRIES AND screams and gets Ativan and most anything she wants. I guess I need to perfect the scream/cry technique. I just CAN'T bring myself to do that!! Hopefully the Physiatrist will give me some help. I like the Grey Goose...... but then Absolut is pretty good and WAY cheaper! Thanks for your reply. I'm surely didn't take it as a lecture.

I hope that they find a way to give you the relief you need.