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Author: Subject: Ow-Ow-Ow-----OUCH!!
BajaGringo
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[*] posted on 6-14-2008 at 02:16 PM


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lizard lips
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[*] posted on 6-14-2008 at 02:21 PM


Good luck Cap'n. I saw my doctor last month and again complained about this and he asked just how much pain are you having? I told him it was just tooo much and have even considered telling my wife to kick me in the small ones just to take the pain from my back. He told me to try it! I bet it works...



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[*] posted on 6-14-2008 at 06:10 PM


Good Luck George: Hope all goes well with you as it has with me the past Month.

Sometimes it is good to take a Risk with no Fear?

Your Friend

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[*] posted on 6-14-2008 at 07:00 PM


I was on the oxycontin 10mg time released for three years. You are on the 5mg non time released. You are on a low doseage and will be off it soon after your surgery. I don't want to discourage you from taking this medication, it is a miracle drug for pain. It also lifts ones mood and that can be useful under these circumstances. It is helpful to "stay ahead" of the pain and not chase it. So take your meds and don't worry. It is very fortunate that we have these drugs for extreme pain. I was attempting to provide you and others with a cautionary message, be aware that Oxycodontin and Oxycodone are addictive and the withdrawals from it are simply awful.

I am glad that medication was available to me, it allowed me to go about normal activities for years that I would not have been able to do. I just never expected to discover how horrible withdrawal can be,

I have met people in the past who have used Medical Marijuana for pain relief. Oregon is one of many states that have laws allowing it's prescription and use. I am told that it is helpful to many with severe arthritic pain. I don't use it myself cause all I ever did with it caused me to just stare blankly into space and grin stupidly at people. It also causes extreme food cravings, particularly sweets. A person can also become habituated to Marijuana use. I am not making any medical recommendations here, just sharing what I know.

Again, like any pain medication there is a price to pay, there is no free lunch as far as chronic use of pain medications go.

I too appreciate the generosity of this group as shown in this thread.

Iflyfish
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[*] posted on 6-14-2008 at 08:29 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Capt. George
...I think the pain meds I have are a toned down version..

oxycodone/APAP 5Mg-325mg I believe the 5mg is oxycodonr and the 325 mg is a form of Tylenol...

cap'n g


Capt, the Oxycodone you're taking ("Percocet") is a medium/strong pain pill. It does have the equivalent of 1 regular strength Tylenol in each pill also so be mindful if you take any extra Tylenol on the side for other unrelated pain. Tally up your total daily Tylenol intake because your liver is your friend.

Iflyfish's OxyContin is the same thing (Oxycodone, without the Tylenol) only in a sustained release form that comes in much higher concentrations and lasts 8-12 hours and is about the strongest med you can get in pill form. OxyContin is most often used in severe chronic ,or Cancer pain when someone has built up such a tolerance to medication that nothing else will work.

I am sooo happy that you got relief and that your hip was successful Flyfish! That kind of stuff gives goosebumps to an ol nurse like me.

Captain, take your pain medicine, and anti-inflammatories and augment the effect of the Percocet with your muscle relaxer! Use a good cold therapy ice pack to get a handle on real acute flare ups. But don't be afraid to take your medicine young man or i'll have to give you another lecture.

It sounds like there may be a surgical option for you in the future so take the pain pills if you need them to get you thru this discomfort. I don't know when your pain started but unfortunately it doen't take long to build up tolerance to pain medicine so be honest with your anesthesiologist and tell him how much and what meds you were taking during the time leading up to your surgery so they can adjust your post-operative doses accordingly. You may require more than an "average" dose and sometimes you have to remind your professional caregivers of this.

Also remind your surgeon which pain med and how much you've been taking so he can prescribe your post op meds accordingly. The more relaxed and comfortable you are after surgery, the more blood flow you'll have to the area to promote healing and the easier it'll be to get up and start moving like you should.

My advise about surgery is: The root of all back pain is pressure on the nerves. But fellow back-pain sufferers may have a myriad of different reasons for their pain which can be different than yours. Find a surgeon with a good reputation , who works a facility with a good reputation. If he recommends surgery, have him explain why he thinks it'll help you. If he doesn't explain the risks, benefits, and offer if there are any other options for you then keep looking until you find a surgeon that will.

I'll occasionally hear someone say that they're worse off after their back surgery but wihtout knowing the specifics, who knows what their deal was. And sometimes, no matter how good your surgeon is, the outcome isn't as successful as everyone hoped for.

But more often, I'll look at a patient's surgical history of a lumbar laminectomy (young & old) and be surprised, because they gave no indication of any limitations.

And I can't count how many times I've seen the zipper on a patient's lower back and say "hey, you didn't tell me you've had back surgery" to which they'll reply, "oh, I forgot all about it".

So I'm hoping that whatever you decide, you're "forgetting all about it" real soon.
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[*] posted on 6-14-2008 at 11:54 PM


Thanks oladulce

Great summary and advice!

Iflyfish
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Capt. George
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[*] posted on 6-15-2008 at 05:53 AM


This site is still the best! From Amigos de Baja to Nomads, always entertaining, informative and filled with friends, seen and unseen. I am very glad to be a part of it.

Baja Gringo, you are certainly serving well.

Skeet, I'm almost as stubborn as you, things will work out. How is Todd?

Lips, Deborah has already kicked me there, many times, don't work!

oladulce, great information, and nurses always get my attention. Especially St Paddy's Day in Manhattan...what parties, nurses and firefighters!!

iflyfish, me too with the grass, wander around and grin, eat anything that does not move and occasionally wonder who I am. Been a long time though, maybe too long?

thanks Nomads cap'n g




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[*] posted on 6-15-2008 at 06:56 AM


George: my experience with Pain/Drugs tells me that Get Rid of the Perocet as soon as you can and Go for the Surgery.

Since I am of the Old School and think all Narcotics are "Bad" including DOPE called Weed etc. Please understand where I am coming From.

In 03 I was the Victum of a "Bad Operation" from one supposedly good Doctor Hanson out of Fresno. He was in a Hurry, left the Cuff on the Right Leg, cut a Ligement, nipped a Nerve.
I used only Tylenol until05 when I went to the Vets Hospital in Amarillo, where a rather tall and Skinny Women Chinses Doctor prescribed Tylenol/Codiene and Valaium with Nexlocam. My pain went away in 3 days times so I stopped the Pain Medicine, still take the Nexlocam. No more Pain.

Next Pain Problem; Coming Awake after a Triple ByPass on May the 28th I sufferred the worst Pain I have ever Known--Catherther Tube_ It is like Torture!!! But necessary to keep you Alive.

After the Tube was removed I was given one Vicadan, which made me Goofy as a March Hare. After that Tylenol extra Strength was enough.

Todd is Looking for a School for his Daughter who is Majoring in Japanese International Business. His New Job is Great, He Travels Houston, Austin, San Antonio.

Debroah; Keep Him Safe.

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[*] posted on 6-15-2008 at 09:39 AM
Don't screw around---


as one firefighter to another , do the same as Ken and I did, a good neurosurgeon and git it done !!!!!!!!!!


Quote:
By Ken
My sympathies. I had the same thing, large herniated disc L4-L5 (1/2" bulge pressing directly on the sciatic nerve). Pain was excruciating, could hardly walk. After unsuccessful treatment with chiropractic, accupuncture, epidural injections (3), I finally had a laminectomy in 2003. The operation was completely successful, I have never had a recurrance. I had a GREAT neurosurgeon!


[Edited on 6-15-2008 by beercan]




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[*] posted on 6-15-2008 at 09:54 AM


Thanks Brother

you still "on the job"...........I been out since '89

my major back injury in the FDNY, was doing a search and falling through a floor and landing flat on my feet on a cross beam, dropped from the sixth to the fifth floor. Think I lost 3 inches of height..

Was in a "booby trapped" (common in the seventies) abandoned building in the South Bronx. Left Nam and went to the Bronx, thought I was back in Nam (without a weapon, just a hose.)

surgery for me? the sooner the better!




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[*] posted on 6-15-2008 at 03:23 PM
George, I sent you an email !!






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[*] posted on 6-16-2008 at 08:13 AM


Hi George & 'hugs' to Deborah!!
I'm sorry to hear about your 'pain'. I've been there done that. Even to the point that the "bone bender" almost 'killed me' one time. If I'd been carrying a pistol, he'd be dead today!!!!!!!!!! Did the laying in bed for three months with very little activity. Finally, referred to a specialist in Eugene Oregon.!!!!++++++ Was L3/L4 Was 2000 that I had the operation. Thought at first after awakening, I'd never be able to straighten up again. BUT. Thanks to this "gorgeous" (yes guys there are still gorgeous nurses out there, though I think they are becoming scarce these days). who encouraged me to walk the halls most of the time I was in recovery. It worked. Today I've still not had any problems. I try to walk at least a mile a day. Looking back at those "pain days", I can remember a lot of the "ten" days. Ten is when you pick up the phone and dial g o d and say, It's time to come & get me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's to a speedy recovery, and future years of enjoying your most (second most??) sport of fishing.!!!! See you in Baja somewhere.
Phil & Wendy
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[*] posted on 6-16-2008 at 09:03 AM


For those of us where another surgery is not an option, try the medication lyrica....I'm using it now and have been for over a year...It's not addicting and was actually developed to treat seizures but they discovered it treats sciatica pain very effectively...all the pain goes away in my lower back and down my leg...ask your doctor about it as i find it miraculous.



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[*] posted on 6-16-2008 at 10:58 AM


phil/wendy

L3-L4 pretty sure that is where mine is. Seen the MRI pictures and notes, now don't remember...percocet! No problem the surgeon has them now. The road to Ojos has gotten a little better..maybe ten miles left? We will be there as soon as my back allows travel, 3600 miles.

michael, the info went in my notebook re pain med...thanks

gracias




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[*] posted on 6-16-2008 at 11:54 AM


Capt. George, Walk! :bounce: It's painful and you'll be listing to one side or the other, but walking will do more for you than any drugs and it won't fry your kidneys and liver.:D
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[*] posted on 6-16-2008 at 12:37 PM
I sent you an Email, CG.


Sorry ~ I'd totally missed your thread George.
I hope you are feeling much better and landing fish soon!
David and Shing in Idaho.




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[*] posted on 6-16-2008 at 06:34 PM


Another surgery success tale. My wife Paula had the microdiscectomy surgery in February this year. Prior to that her ruptured L-5 had her totally disabled and in extreme pain. You can only imagine what our 12 mile dirt road did to here every time she went to town. And she as allergic to the really good drugs so there was not ever enough relief.

I'm very happy to say the surgery was a great success and she is almost pain free today. She is back to her old self and life is good. We highly recommend her doctor. For you west coasters he is Dr. Frazee at UCLA Medical center. One of the top in his field, he has performed many, many of these.

Good Luck Captain George from another retired FD guy (three years out and loving it). Jefe




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Capt. George
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[*] posted on 6-17-2008 at 04:54 AM


Thanks Brother

Certainly your wifes success is great news and another boost to my morale.

I was suprised to note that micrdiscectomy has been around for quite some time, more good news. Consukt with surgeon tomorrow.

I've been off "The Job" since '89. Twenty years and out, at over eight thousand runs a year I had enough!




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[*] posted on 6-19-2008 at 06:46 AM


Seen the surgeon. July 1 microdiscectomy. The herniation, unfortuneately occurred is a location that is not typical. The operation is a little more involved but still a microdiscectomy.

Really no other choice but to go ahead, this is not going to fix itself. Hopefully a rapid recovery and back to Abreojos before August!

Thanks Nomads for all the info, advice and good wishes..

Glad to be a Nomad




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[*] posted on 6-19-2008 at 07:45 AM


George, did you TELL the surgeon you're hoping to be making a bazillion mile drive (because that's what it's going to SEEM like!) that soon after surgery?:?: The reason I'm asking is because I was banned from driving PERIOD for 30 days for 2 reasons, first, if you get into an accident before your body has fully healed, you'll be worse off than before your surgery & secondly, driving puts a lot of strain on your lower back; sitting in one position for hours/days at a time, and having all four of your appendages (both arms & both legs) extended at the same time is a killer! You'll learn rapidly, to just use one side at a time rather than a right & left side combination.

Have you discussed your post-op follow-up appoint schedule with your doc? I think it might extend into your anticipated hitting the road time-frame! Although each person's surgery & recovery is unique!

Even if Deborah drives 3/4's of the time & distance, you're going to be one weary, hurting puppy. I know 30-45 days SOUNDS like a long time for full recovery, but I think you might want to ask your doc what he recommends/predicts the time-line for your resuming the full range of activities you want to get back to. IMHO & personal experience, I believe you have over-optimistic expectations of when you might once again qualify to apply for a job with the Flying Wallendas! Not to mention hooking a trailer up, stocking it, getting your rigs road-ready, changing a tire on the road if need be, or simply stocking it with beer!:o I KNOW Deborah can do all this with one hand tied behind her back, but....doing all that AND playing nurse to one hurting whining puppy at the same time, just might be putting a tad bit of strain on your relationship! ;):yes:

From a much more optimistic viewpoint, you might just leave the hospital doing cartwheels!:lol:
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