Hi, I'm a newbie.....

totoes

... and needing a moan. not the best way to start I know & I apologise for that :oops:

Over many years I've been contending with a chronic cough that threw my my back out resulting in an op 13 months later. I felt great initially, came off all the painkillers, even my long-standing hip pain had gone - or so I thought.

Along came the snow, I took up knitting again & noticed my left hand (I'm left-handed) kept getting pins & needles that went when I put my hand down again. This persisted and a resulting MRI revealed

"Muli-level foraminal stenosis in my neck" - 3 areas;

impinging on both my arms but only symptomatic in my left. My left shoulder aches like mad which is also awaiting investigation next month, as they think that's something else - oh joy!
They won't operate on my neck until the pins & needles becomes pain. I don't particularly want another op actually, as my microdiscectomy resulted in scar tissue on my spine with persistent weakness and ongoing leg & foot pain which isn't going anywhere.
I'm due to see pain management in January as the nerve pain-killers affect concentration / driving - which I can now only do in short doses. I see the cough specialist again on Friday to discuss taking low dose morphine to control the cough.

I get low rate dla cos I can walk albeit slowly at my own pace, tho' use supermarket scooter. Recently had the esa medical & have applied for the blue badge - neither of which I think I will get.

The consultant told me that as my spine had endured a LOT of trauma, I REALLY had to take care of myself- HOW??
I'm on a rant / roll & could go on, but I think if you've read this far, you'll have had more than you can digest from me.
I'm just so fed up with it all, I could cry
Thankyou x

frogmorton

Hello Totoes

Lovely to meet you it is

You poor thing your spine is playing up all ways! l too have had back surgery and also got some cervical spondylosis as well.

there are a few of us on here and one just had neck surgery and another about to Another had it a bit back so l think you will fit in pretty well

personally l also have sero-neg arthritis - one of the inflammatory ones.

I am ever so sorry you are feeling so down at the moment, but you do have a fair bit to put up with :???: This is a good place to rant as we do understand and wont make you feel guilty for feeling down.

The cough needs sorting surely if you are to take care of yourself....it sounds a real pain :sad:

Is it the pain clinic you are going to? Have you been before? l have just been on a course run by a/c (6 weeks) how to manage your condition. Was very good.

Anyway welcome to you and please do join in anywhere

love

Toni xx

totoes

Hi Toni & thanks for your kind reply

Yes I went to the pain clinic before my back op, the chap was excellent Unfortunately the epidural didn't work, hence the very effective painkilling cocktail followed by surgery. We were both very happy with the initial outcome.....BUT, here I go again :roll:

The cough I've had for 9 years or so. I did get a diagnosis by CT, but then it vanished! I wish the flippin' cough did! :x

Is sero- -ve arthritis, rheumatoid? Sounds really painful, glad your course seems to be helping you, love Totoes xx

barbara12

Hi totoes
Dont you apologise for having a good moan, you poor thing having that cough for so long and on top of your spinal trouble, I have stenosis in my lower back and this causes sciatic pain down my leg.
Anyway I must say welcome to the forum, you have come to the right place we are very supportive of one another.
You take care, and I do hope you get some relief very soon.

dreamdaisy

Never apologise for moaning, totoes, you're talking to the initiated here, we all know what it is like. I know that my problems aren't like yours but we are all in pain to some degree or another, all facing difficulty in living life and we know how distressing, demoralising and downright UNFAIR the ill-health malarkey can be. I am in the middle of cooking dinner so won't be here for long but please post again, talk to us, we do understand. I wish you well and I'll be back tomorrow: I hope you will be too. DD

skezier

hi Totoes,

welcome from me as well

backs and necks are no fun that i do know, so moan away cus necks hurt and really cause trouble..... and they don;t like operating on thing that involve widening the cavity cus of the risks....

for what its worth mine is beyond surgery..... don't ask but with a lot of tablet and pain clinic help its not too bad.... if i don't annoy it

they can do a lot more than the epidurals (i guessing you had the epidural nerve blocks? they never worked on my spine before i had a decompression but after that some do, some don't but always worth a go......

for the neck i have the by laterals with medrone and then a ton of triggers with botox and that really can help.

just now i have annoyed it and one handed as near as but thankfully its settling.

its horrible and i do sympathise with you but maybe the pins and needles will ease up with a bit of help and the pain wont come in behind them. nice to meet you. Cris x

totoes

Thankyou Barbara12, DD & Cris for your kind replies too. I think I've overdone it a bit today as I can't concentrate on my knitting pattern tonight at all :x , (damn those meds!)
Lack of energy & stamina doing the activities I've always done is so frutrating. I get told I shouldn't be doing something and should be taking it easy. If i did tho', it doesn't get done! No-one takes the initiative to run round with the hoover or peg the washing out / hang it up then bring it in etc. I usually have to ask and I don't like that.
Since the weather changed, I'm all in by mid afternoon. Simple every day tasks are becoming such an ordeal. People look at me strangely cos I walk funny & often stop dead in my tracks due to spasms in my calf or my foot feels like I'm walking on broken glass or my heel has split open & I'm walking on the bone. Sigh!

bubbadog

Welcome to the forum Totes, I suffer from pain in the lower back from my Osteoporosis, so I understand the sort of pain you suffer with. I know it can bring you down. I hope you get some sort of pain medication and get some answers to the questions you have and get the arm pain sorted with an operation soon. Enjoy the forum.

dreamdaisy

Pegging out washing? I gave that up years ago. It all gets hung on indoor airers, it dries just as well, it's less strain on my hands let alone the legs When I need to vacuum it's done with me sitting and working in a circle, or standing with one crutch to prop, I cook, iron and occasionally wash up sitting down because the chores still have to be done and we have to find ways round doing them. I've had years to adjust and it still grates, but at least I can still do stuff. Everyday life brings a fight - the fight to wake up, the fight to get washed and dressed, the fight to do the chores, the fight to stay awake, the fight not to wallop people on the nose when they say 'My gran had arthritis but she got better.' We know what it's like, totoes, it's tough. DD

traluvie

Hi totoes,

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum..
I see you have had some great advice already..
Hope your feeling a bit better today..
Look forward to seeing you around the forum..x

suzygirl

Hi and welcome from me!!! Moan away, we know what it is like. I have inflammatory arthritis and OA in my neck and spine and they cause me a lot of pain. My lower back hinders my walking and I have RS weakness from the injuries caused by it all. It is wearing and even standing causes immense pain.

I have found the forum a life saver, as to offload to people who understand is such a relief and spares friends and families ears.

I hope you can get something sorted with regards to pain relief. Maybe the pain clinic will prove to be a good option for you.

Take care

totoes

Thankyou everyone for your kind and very supportive replies, especially the offloading bit, that is so soothing .

I am learning how to do household chores sytematically, and to make sure I leave things I need / use, where I'm going to sit. I guess it all takes time & I'll just have to be patient - ish!

Right, I've just had something to eat & now my cough's kicked off as usual :roll: , appt tomorrow.

Chat again soon, & thankyou all again, very much xx

stickywicket

Hello Totoes. I'm sorry I'm a bit late arriving but welcome from me too. Mine's RA but pain is pain is pain whatever label you put on it. I felt I had to reply here because one of the really hard lessons I learnt was to relax about housework. If it doesn't get done it'll still be there tomorrow. Does it matter? Usually not. I iron as little as possible, leave the iron out all day and do it in short bursts - 3-4 items at a time. I do still peg out my washing, weather permitting. I see it as good exercise for my arms. But, on a bad day, I delegate or dry stuff indoors. There is a way round most things. Have you looked on the 'Simple Ideas' thread for some good tips? When there doesn't seem to be a way or you just feel totally brassed off come her and tell us. We do understand.

totoes

Oops! Missed one, sorry stickywicket, I've not replied to your warm welcome. I acted on it & browsed the simple ideas thread as you suggested tho', so thankyou! xx

totoes

Hi all, not been on for a few weeks. In that time I've been turned down esa as I only scored 6 points as I can't walk far. I know it's virtually unheard of for anyone to qualify 1st time around, but I've also been turned down for a blue badge :sad:
My family tell me to appeal for esa (nothing I can do about blue badge - yet), thoughts?
Thanks, Totoes xx

dreamdaisy

It's worth appealing Totoes, if you can summon the required energy from somewhere. Given the date it may be best not to begin that process now as everyone shuts down for a good long while but come the early days of 2012 well, why not? As for the BB, well I don't know how to help on that front, I have one as I am on crutches (have been since 2002) so I guess that swayed things in my favour. Again, if there's an appeals process it may be worth trying. I wish you well and I hope your Christmas goes smoothly. DD

totoes

Thanks for your reply D.D. My appeal has to be delivered by the 7th Jan, so I've a couple of days left to dot the i's etc before posting it.

Merry Christmas everyone! Love Totoes xx x:-)