Humpty Dumpty strikes again

ARGH! I just want to scream! Or jump off a roof, or in front of moving bus, but there's that daft thing in my head called a conscience that won't let me. I CAN NOT TAKE THE PAIN ANYMORE.
Tomorrow will be FIVE WEEKS of agony with this neck thing. And it's bad. I can handle "normal" pain, after all I've been through I definitely have a very high tolerance, G-d knows, but this is slowly driving me delirious.

I am sad to report that the shoulder cortisone injection and the trigger point injection did absolutely NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING. I emailed Dr. Panagos on Monday and didn't hear back, he's busy I get it but I'm being a selfish person for once and need help. Tuesday I rang his office, and his assistant said he was on the phone but would ring me back directly. Unfortunately he didn't get to until Wednesday am. He did leave a message apologising and I rang him back as soon as I received it. He asked me a bunch of questions and agreed that something needs to be done. I have no life, I get to work, by about 16.00 I'm dying in agony, then I go home directly after work and lay on the couch until bedtime, and in the middle drink wine and take klonopin hoping it will help me sleep. I still can't even lie flat on my back. Anyway I digress. Dr. P said he had put a call into Cornell for a consult as he wants me to have the spinal epidural in a hospital setting. I'm ok with waiting an extra day or two so it's done correctly but I need to know that it's going to be done soon. He said he'd ring me back and I told him I'd be in the office until 16.00 and then had a hand dr appointment and he could ring me on my mobile. Sadly I did not hear from him at all. I ended up sending him an email around 20.30 asking if he had "any news at all???". My mother laughed at that. Hey, I'm desperate. I did ring his office about 20 minutes ago and spoke to his assistant. She said he was doing a procedure and would get to him as soon as possible. I said even if he just has a message and she rings me back, I just need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel because I'm in misery. I did apologise for being completely brain dead as all this pain has made my brain turn to mush, even more than normal!

On another note, I saw Dr. Melone yesterday. I've been putting off this appointment because last year he said if the cortisone injection didn't work I'd have to have surgery. After my trip to London though and only using my big camera for 3 days, then suffering for a week after, I had to sort something out. At least the surgery is much more minor that the last 4, and the recovery seems to be quicker. I will have a splint on but will be able to use my fingers and go back to work in a day or so. I need to find out how long it will take for my hand to be in "working order" as well as if I will need PT after. Both from a time and health insurance perspective, since they only give you a very limited number of PT visits TOTAL per year. That might work for regular people but not the special ones! I also can't schedule it till I have this back thing sorted out. I can't believe I have to have another hand surgery. It didn't really sink in until today.

Anyway that is where I am at the moment. At least I have a gorgeous new niece and brilliant nephew to divert me on occasion.

Nothing changes

Unfortunately I was in agony all weekend. I was back at the chiro yesterday and today. Yesterday he suggested contacting my physiatrist because even though we've loosened up the muscles, the pain has not gotten any better. I was able to speak to Dr. Panagos today and he put be on Prednisone for a few days. You take 6 the first day, then 5, then 4, etc. I drove the pharmacist lady nuts because I kept ringing to see if the script had been called in. Finally it was about 15.30 so I went across the street and picked it up. I took 6 pills around 16.00 and so far nothing. I read online sometimes it can work v. fast, which is what my dr said, but he also said it could take days. I don't have days! I am so worn out from no sleep and all this pain that I just want to scream (I've been doing the almost daily crying meltdowns already).

I asked him about an injection like I had in my hips, and he said something similiar could be done but since it's the spine it would be in at least two joints, as opposed to the one. He said if the Prednisone doesn't work (G-d forbid!!!) then that would be the next step.

Please please please let this work and quickly. I am truly at my wits end!

No one likes to be pinched!

I saw the chiro on Wednesday at lunch. The massage and stretching I went through was v. painful, they were trying to loosen up the muscles in the trapezius and neck. Next day still in as much pain though. Went again yesterday at lunch. Went through the same beating up - it was like being on the rack. Still in agony. Icing every hour or more per chiro. Last night went to acupuncturist. He definitely thinks it's the muscles putting pressure on the nerves and my stenosis. He did a lot of needling and hit some majorly tender trigger points and released them. He said not to ice last night but can today. Also suggested Naproxen and as I magically had some lying around I took one last night and another this am. I am feeling very mildly better today but it still hurts a lot and walking is still one of the most unpleasant things I can think of at the moment. I am going back to the chiro in about an hour. The acupuncturist said it would be a good idea as he is hoping after loosening up the muscles last night, the chiro will be able to realign my spine and get the pressure off the nerves. Here's praying it works as it's Friday and I will be s.o.l. until Monday. Also on Monday a friend will be in town for her first visit here and I really don't want to be a misery when she's over. Fingers crossed I am greatly improved in the next few hours!

Continuing on that "never a dull moment" theme

(The return of the pinched nerve and cervical stenosis)

Last week my neck was starting to bother me again. Mildly, nothing major. I went to the acupuncturist on Thursday night and mentioned it, along w/ catching him up on all the other fun I've had. We were going to do the neck but the jaw and tmj and intestines and the fact that my circulation was off and I was grayish, distracted both of us and we forgot the neck thing. Friday my neck was less happy. By Saturday morning I could barely move my neck. The pain was horrible, stabbing sharp pain in my neck and right shoulder that travels down my arm and lower back. I tried stretching it to no avail. Then I tried the pool, just floating w/ a floatation belt to try to loosen up my spine. It was nice when I was in the water but unfortunately couldn't stay there all day. Then I even tried the sauna (I hate the sauna) to get some heat into the muscles to loosen them up. I was great until I started walking home again. Just my feet hitting the pavement sent stabbing pains throughout my body with my neck as the epicenter.

I spent all Sunday on the bed or the couch, resting my head and neck. I tried heat. That didn't work. I tried ice. No results there either. I tried more stretching. By Sunday at least I was able to move my neck down to the side. Pain definitely not gone though. In fact the pain is just as bad. I've been popping NSAIDS like they're candy - again no help. Never fails for a long weekend to be the time my body wants attention. It is quite spoiled and likes to throw tempertantrums at the worst times possible.

Yesterday I had to get out of the house for want of not going stir crazy. My parents came in and we went out for a bit. I was ok for part of it, but then too much walking and I was shot again. Rested and then went to dinner, where I barely made it sitting upright.

I tried to reach the acupuncturist today, hoping somehow he could see me, but when I did hear from him no appointments until Thursday night. I don't know if I'll make it till then. I caved and rang my chiropractor, whom I've not seen since November or December. Thankfully they were able to get me in tomorrow at noon. So now have to get through the next 19 hours. Wish me luck. I sure as hell am going to need it!