Today’s neurology appointment June 3, 2014

Today I saw Dr. K for my neurology appointment to find out why I am still having so much pain and if there was anything that he could do.

Wow. That has got to be one of the worst doctor visits I have ever been to! First of all, the door to my room was open. He walks up, breezily looks in at us (my husband and I), continues his conversation with someone unseen off down the hall. Then, he calls me by the wrong name, Beverly, shrugs when I correct him, stating “it must have been my other patient.” Uh … okay? I then tell him my case. He is unimpressed to say the least. He literally stares at me and is like, “what do you want me to do?”

Not vacantly stare at me!

I must have asked him in three different ways if he could think of some reason for my pain. He kept saying, “it’s a pickle the situation you are in.” No kidding! I live that “pickle” every day!

He was just so unhelpful. So completely uninterested in coming up with an answer. He didn’t even try! I have never been so disappointed. It was insulting how little he cared to come up with an answer.

**This blog is also brought to you by Petsmart at http://www.scottsigler.com/petsmart-coupons.

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Random Ramblings: Neurology appointment secured May 30, 2014

I want this dog

I, unfortunately, had to cancel my appointment the other day with a neurologist because I couldn’t find a ride. That was quite the debacle. The problem is, I can’t just take a taxi, as I can only sit in an SUV. That because I can’t squat down into a low car. I need to essentially just slide over. I can’t take the bus, because the step up is too high, and, if you are not from San Francisco, you can’t imagine how Kamikaze the drivers are here. I had a friend offer to drive me, that, again, he drives a mini cooper. Not going to work. My car is also in a parking garage a few blocks away, which just adds to the issue.

However, I was able to secure a different neurologist for Tuesday to hash out why it is I am having numbness and tingling when I lay down, if, as the MRI reads, is not coming from my spine. Which, seems, highly unlikely.

We shall see!

This blog is also brought to you by Petsmart at http://www.scottsigler.com/petsmart-coupons.

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Primary Doctor Appointment – Yup, I’m Worse May 15, 2014

After about 5.5 weeks of continued, ongoing, non-improving back pain with new numbness and tingling, I went to see my primary care physician, JD. After explaining my symptoms to him, he decided to do a test. He pricked the sides of my legs to see if I was having any diminished sensation. Well, sadly, I was. He said that it was consistent with an increase in the amount of herniation at my disc site. I’m totally not happy about that. All of this increased pain from going to see a doctor so that maybe I could get better, and instead, I am worse off.

So uncool.

 

Therefore, my doctor is sending me to get another MRI. This time it is at a different campus, and the MRI machine is not as good. Oh, well. I have no idea how I am going to make it through the MRI with this worsening back pain. Honestly? It’s going to be terrible.

 

The other shitty thing is that it’s late in the day – 5:10pm. I don’t know how I am going to make it all the way through the day, trying to mitigate as much pain as possible, then drive there. Jeez, by the time I get there, I’m already going to be done.

 

Since the MRI is so late, I won’t have any results until probably Monday, probably late day at that as well, considering that any emergencies over the weekend will take priority.

 

Unfortunately, now we are talking surgery. Not that I am opposed to surgery, not at all. The only issue is, it will probably only fix the numbness and tingling. That’s why I was never a candidate before, because I didn’t have numbness and tingling.

 

I don’t even know what to think anymore.

 

The other awful thing was that when I asked my doctor how this impacted my long term health of my back, he said “you were going to always have problems before this, and now, yeah, you will always have problems.”

 

I don’t even know what that means.

 

I hate the idea that I’m always going to be in some type of pain. How has this happened? I mean, I know, but, how so bad?

 

This blog is also brought to you by Petsmart at http://www.scottsigler.com/petsmart-coupons.

 

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

 

Does anyone have any information on California Stem Cell Treatment Center? April 24, 2014

I have been looking up clinical research trials for stem cells and places that might do a study. I know that UC Davis does some and that other places in Colorado and Texas have been running their own trials.

 

Here is a video I’m currently watching about UC Davis and their program for stem cell in relation to chronic pain.

 

 

While doing my search, I found a place in California that will do non-FDA approved stem cell procedures. This makes me wonder how safe this is. The place is called California Stem Cell Treatment Center.

 

What do you guys think of non-FDA approved treatments? Quite frankly, I really don’t care. What I’m more worried about is their surgical technique. I don’t want some willy-nilly doctor sticking a needle in my spine if he doesn’t know what he is doing.

 

Let me know what you think in the comments.

 

This blog was made possible thanks to GoDaddy coupon sigler295. It allowed me to purchase this blog for $2.95. That way, I get to rant about my back for cheap, and just as cheaply, keep a record about how I was feeling this whole time.

 

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Annular Tear Doctor Appointments: A new doctor. Again. Again, No New Ideas And More Pain. April 4, 2014

I went to a new doctor yesterday. He is an osteopathic back doctor. The last time I went to see JD, my primary, I asked him, as a last result, was there ANYONE he could think of that I should see? He suggested this guy.

 

All in all, he was very thorough. He asked all the right questions, was on point, and really seemed to listen. I did forget about how to talk with a doctor though who is trying to put you through their exam. It’s hard because in my heart, I feel like I should be able to do all the motions he puts me through. It’s like I have a preexisting synapse that says, yes, he should be able to put my knee to my chest. Yet, I was briskly reminded when he just lifted my leg up in the air to “see” where and when it would hurt. I guess I wish they could just ask me first. Maybe say “how far can you lift your leg” instead of doing it. Doing it has caused me to be in a ton of pain yesterday and today. The problem is, these pains, don’t just last a few days. They last weeks.

 

I have to admit, I’m exhausted. I go see these doctors because we are hoping someone can help. That someone will have the answer. There are so many problems when I go see these doctors. One, I sort of still get my hopes up. That maybe, just maybe, he will have the answer. When they don’t, it’s so defeating. I begin to spiral all over again about how much I have lost in life. Everything. The ability to have kids. The ability to make a man happy. The ability to work. The ability to play with my nephew and niece. The ability to be a more happy and less stressed individual. The other problem is the pain. I am in so much pain right now. Standing hurts again. Yes, standing always hurts, but, now, immediately again. Laying hurts. I can’t get comfortable at night. This whole situation is intolerable.

 

And yet, I have another appointment with this guy next week. Why? Because I still hope. I still dream maybe I will get better. I still struggle with the fact that most people get better. That only 10% of us don’t. I struggle with the fact that even though I didn’t have sciatica, which seems to be a worse condition, I don’t get to get better. The guy who drew my blood today (another issue, just routine maintenance), he said he had back pain with sciatica 16 years ago. He had surgery and now he is fine.

 

I’m not fine.

 

** The is blog was made possible because I used Godaddy coupon sigler295 to get a domain for $2.95. If you want to blog, I highly suggest using GoDaddy.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com

Cancelled “Doctor House” appointment — really annoying. March 12, 2014

My make-up appointment with Dr. House was today. It got cancelled.

I’m so annoyed.

I expressed to the lady who runs the desk just how vital it was that I do not stand around forever, waiting on this guy. I can not sit. This was abundantly clear to her.

So I call today, at 2:00 to find out how he is running for my 3:00 appointment. They say don’t bother coming in until 4:15. Smartly, I call at 4:00 to see how he is doing on time. They tell me I won’t be seen until after 5:00. I was like okay, I’ll call you back at 4:45.

This is where it get brutally annoying.

They say I have to come in by 4:15 because the lady who is going to take my blood pressure and EKG is leaving by 4:30. I’m like, I don’t need those. That’s not why I am coming in. So we get into a mild argument and she says I HAVE to get those done. There. I can’t fax them over from any other doctor. Really? It’s not like when you get your blood drawn it is only good at one location. So stupid. I explained to them that it was ridiculous for me to have to wait, and be in excruciating pain, to get two “tests” done, that only take 5 minutes. Well, maybe 10 with the EKG. They would not budge. I think it’s one thing that they need them, but can’t they be a bit more flexible, especially since they expect their patients to be flexible with a two or three hour window? Seriously, Comcast has a better window of service than this guy. Besides, the more I pressed them, it was clear that it was going to be well past 5, if not 6 before I would be seen. Really? They would make someone wait 2 hours!

So I had to reschedule. I really do hope this man can fix me, because, if not, I have waited 4 1/2 months to see him. If he says hmm, nope, nothing I can do … I will scream. Especially since my friends stopped by his office to hand him my health history, which, if you know me, is very detailed.

My husband is going to go nuclear on them tomorrow.

**I wrote this blog using my GoDaddy account. If you want to write your own blog use GoDaddy coupon code sigler295 is a great code that will purchase a domain for $2.95.

Also check out this website to learn more about GoDaddy promo codes.

To learn more about my book Crossed the Line, check out this great Blogger website.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com.

Random Ramblings: Changed the date of my doctor appointment and had a tweak from a bike February 26, 2014

I finally just decided that I wanted to bump back my appointment with the doctor “House” type doctor until my husband can drive me. It’s just that … I’m a terror in the car. It’s just so painful to sit there. I get cranky that we aren’t making the lights fast enough. I also get cranky if you drive too fast because then I’m worried about stopping. Plus, my husband is used to how much pain that I am in. If the doctor office is taking too long to see me, he won’t hesitate to say something. I need that. I need someone to have my back. Not that my friend won’t … it’s just that with her there, I would be more likely to try and grin and bear it because I don’t want her to think I’m a baby. Plus, with my husband, if I can’t make it, I can’t make it. He will understand. If we have to abort mission on the way there, he will know why. He will know that I’m not being a baby. I need that kind of support, especially since I’m so nervous about this appointment.

Plus, I had a minor/moderate tweak this week.

Here’s what happened. I was doing slightly better! My stretches were going well. I was able to walk farther and with less difficulty. I was also able to stand at my work desk for longer and without too much pain. You know, the kind of pain where you can’t stop digging subconsciously at your back because it hurts so much?

So, because of this, I decided to get a stationary bike.

When I was doing better, at PT, I rode one. I thought, well, I’ve done it before, why not get one for the house?

Therefore, I went online and tried to find one. It’s hard in San Francisco because there really isn’t a place that has a large selection of bikes that you can try out. I did find Sports Authority and they had several bikes online, but only two in the store. My husband went to see the one I liked and he bought it. When it was delivered everything seemed fine. My husband was going out of town and wanted to see me ride it before he left. I’m only telling you this because it adds to why and how I hurt myself again. First off, it was late. I wasn’t thinking clearly, I was already spent from my whole day, and thus, I wasn’t really focused. Secondly, he was in a hurry because he needed to go to bed since he had to be up at 4:00am for an early 6:00am flight. Therefore, everything was kind of rushed.

I tried to lift my leg over the middle of the bike and it was quite high. Again, I didn’t feel anything tear or anything like that, but I knew it was too high (after the fact). We aborted mission and hoped that nothing would come of it.

Sure enough, the next day, the annular pain was back in full force. It was hard to sleep, hard to stand, and just generally more painful. As the days have gone by, about 6, it has sort of gotten worse. It’s almost like the annulus hurt, then it moved to the nearby muscles, and it just keeps spreading as each new muscle group gets more and more tired from compensating. Writing this blog now is difficult. I have a burning pain just over my right butt cheek where the butt meets the pelvis. That’s on top of the annular pain and the erector spinae muscles screaming at me.

I’m also telling you this to learn from my mistake. My husband and I made up some new rules.

– No new activities after 6.

– No being in a hurry.

– No rushing each other. If someone wants to talk it over again, so be it. Better to over analyze everything than to miss something.

– Go slow in case there is something that might have been missed.

Words to live by!

I’ll let you know how long this setback was/is. I was thinking about the setback with the car, thinking maybe it was three or 4 weeks … SEVEN! It was SEVEN weeks! That was a long time!

Oh, and if you are wondering why I didn’t just get the same bike from PT, it’s because that bike was $2000!

The internet is just so hard to gauge sometimes.

Best of luck to you all!

**I wrote this blog using my GoDaddy account. If you want to write your own blog use GoDaddy coupon code sigler295 is a great code that will purchase a domain for $2.95.

Also check out this website to learn more about GoDaddy promo codes.

To learn more about my book Crossed the Line, check out this great Blogger website.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com.

Annular tear doctor appointments: Tricyclic Antidepressants February 19, 2014

I love him and this puppy.

One of the things my pain management doctor RS suggested was taking antidepressants. I know, I know. The last time I took an antidepressant, Venlafaxine, I didn’t like it and had horrible withdrawals.

 

However, he stated that he thought this class of antidepressants would be better.

 

He probably went on about the Tricyclics for thirty minutes or so of the appointment. He felt that they had a lot of benefits — more so than the class of antidepressants that I went on early.

 

The Venlafaxine was supposed to prevent a chronic pain syndrome from occurring. Well, we all know THAT didn’t happen. Yet, this time, he spoke about the drug having anticholinergic effects, antihistamine effects, and about locking pain signals from reaching the brain.

 

I just copied and pasted this from Wikipedia (thanks Wikipedia!):

 

Chronic pain

The TCAs show efficacy in the clinical treatment of a number of different types of chronic pain, notably neuralgia or neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.^[11][12] The precise mechanism of action in explanation of their analgesic efficacy is unclear, but it is thought that they indirectly modulate the opioid system in the brain downstream via serotonergic and noradrenergic neuromodulation, among other properties.^[13][14][15] They are also effective in migraine prophylaxis, though not in the instant relief of an acute migraine attack. They may also be effective to prevent chronic tension headaches.

 

However, because of the awful withdrawal from the Venlefaxine, I called my primary care physician and asked his advice on whether or not he thought it was a good idea, especially since the Venlafaxine didn’t help at all. He said he would try it if he were me. He said, unlike the Venlafaxine, which he stated I had to be on for a good three to 6 months to see if it was working, that the Tricyclics I only needed to be on it for a few weeks.

 

We went back and forth, but I agreed that I would try it for a good 4 weeks to see if it would work or not. I have to admit, not having to commit to them for 3 to 6 months helped my make the decision. Oh, and the best part? He said, unlike the Venlafaxine, that the Tricyclics were easier to withdrawal from.

 

Phew! That’s all I needed to hear.

 

I like the fact that I don’t have to commit to it for that long and that the risk of withdrawal symptoms are minimal.

 

There was a snafu though. I called the pain management doctor’s office to tell them I’d go on the meds. They called me back later and said that they needed my pharmacy’s phone number so they could call in the Cymbalta. Thank God I am a nurse, and for whatever reason, remember that Cymbalta and Venlafaxine are in the same antidepressant class! I was like, woah, wait a minute, I don’t think Cymbalta is a Tricyclic. Sure enough, they were going to order the wrong med for me! Ugh! People! You HAVE to check up on your doctors!

 

So, I have been on the drug for 8 days now. Quite frankly, I have not noticed a difference. It has helped me not drink though, which I am grateful for. The side effects can be drowsiness and I just don’t want to be walking around like a zombie.

 

There is one side effect, that I can’t tell if it is from the Desipramine or the Forteo, is that about 30 minutes to an hour after I take it, I really have to pee. Like, a LOT. I have even tested emptying my bladder right before I go to bed, but, sure enough, 30 minutes later … it’s like a racehorse. It really is disturbing my sleep.

 

Oh, and yesterday I moved up from 1/2 a pill to a whole pill.

 

I’m gonna give it three more weeks, but, if I don’t see a difference, then I will stop taking it. There is no need to be on any more drugs than I need to be.

 

There it is! I’ll keep you posted.

 

P.S., the picture in this blog is of Olympian Gus Kenworthy. He decided to stay a few extra days in Sochi in order to adopt some of the stray dogs there so that they wouldn’t be shot by the Russians. He deserves a gold medal for that! Good job Gus! Way to be a stand-up human being!

 

**I wrote this blog using my GoDaddy account. If you want to write your own blog use GoDaddy coupon code sigler295 is a great code that will purchase a domain for $2.95.

Also check out this website to learn more about GoDaddy promo codes.

To learn more about my book Crossed the Line, check out this great Blogger website.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com.

Annular Tear Doctor Appointments: Pain management, original doctor revisited February 13, 2014

I saw the original pain management doctor who did my epidural steroid injections, RS. I should have been seeing RS all along. He had so many suggestions for me. He thought we could try antidepressants, Valium, (for pain relief), he thought about doing PRP, minimally invasive fusions, and perhaps disc replacement. He had great suggestions for doctors. He also took all of my questions and thoroughly explained all of them. I was probably in his office for about an hour and a half. Even as we were walking out the door we decided to try, and schedule, a medial branch block of L4-L5 and L5-S1. I had the medial block last week. It told me a little bit. It gave me a 30-40% pain reduction. However, it’s hard to tell if that is because the Lidocaine numbed the muscle and ligament that has been giving me problems or if it really was just the nerve. After much discussion, and a lot of back and forth with phone calls, we are going to try another medial branch block a little higher up. Hopefully, my insurance will cover it, but since it’s not the actual “spot” on the MRI, they are feeling doubtful. Oh, well, I still need to know what is going on with my back, so it would be in my best interest to get it done. 

The only sad thing is that he is going out of town for three weeks, so I have to wait for him to come back before I can get the procedure done. That sucks a bit. I tried calling his office on Monday and leaving a message, but the receptionist said she never got it. I tried back today and got an appointment. Part of me wonders that if perhaps I had gotten through on Monday that I would have been able to get an appointment. However, she made it sound like there were people far worse off than me, and that she may have not “given” me an available appointment that day anyways. So much for trying to get this all done before he left for his trip. I was hoping to get this test done, and then, based on the results, determine what to schedule for when he got back.

Well, at least I have an appointment with him post procedure to talk about it all. That should help expedite as well.

**I wrote this blog using my GoDaddy account. If you want to write your own blog use GoDaddy coupon code sigler295 is a great code that will purchase a domain for $2.95.

Also check out this website to learn more about GoDaddy promo codes.

To learn more about my book Crossed the Line, check out this great Blogger website.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com.

Annular Tear Doctor Appointments: appointment with endocrinologist for Forteo February 2, 2014

So I saw the endocrinologist on 1/30/14 to get the Forteo pen. The needle is so small, I’m not too worried about it. It seems fairly straightforward. I put on a need, twist it on to secure it, pull back the plunger, insert the need subcutaneously, and then depress the plunger.

I’m a bit concerned still about actually having to inject myself though! That will be a unique experience.

The doctor said it should take a few weeks to see any results, but it will be hard to gauge. I mean, how does one tell overnight if they are healing more. We presume that after 4 weeks I should be able to tell. I mean, I’ve made such little strides with my improvement thus far, that any real improvement might be able ot be contributed to this drug.

So I am to start this week and once per day and see how I do. This would be the week to see if I have any nausea or any side effects from the hormone. I need to be careful of my calcium, so I will get my blood drawn every three days or so.

Alright, I guess we will see how it goes …

**I wrote this blog using my GoDaddy account. If you want to write your own blog use GoDaddy coupon code sigler295 is a great code that will purchase a domain for $2.95.

Also check out this website to learn more about GoDaddy promo codes.

To learn more about my book Crossed the Line, check out this great Blogger website.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Francisco. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at madelinefresco.com.