Well, i have been inspired by a friend, The Dragon lady, you can visit one of her blogs over Here. and so I sit down to try to catch my readers, if i even have any, (its always so hard to tell when nobody leaves comments, *hint*) up on my life and what i have been doing.
Its been a long year, one in which many things happened that i hope never occur again, but also a year in which i had some amazing things happen and some incredible milestones achieved,,,
I am very tired at this point in my evening, i spent alot of time, reading other friends blogs and putting comments out there to both friends blogs and random peoples blogs that i like to read and every now and then stick my hand in and give a twist and a spin and see what happens... and some that i felt so strongly about i just had to comment, because there was no way I could keep my mouth shut...
medical Shit:
as many of you know i am disabled and suffer from several c hronic pain related conditions, Chronic Fibromyalgia, Degenerative Disc Disorder and Cauda Equina Syndrome for a start, but lately things have been getting much worse as 5 years after my last L4-L5 Discotomy and 10 years after my first L4-L5 discotomy, i am suffering from incredibly increased back pain and bilateral leg pain numbness and tingling and the sensation of stepping on glass, (all symptoms that i experienced right before my last two surgeries, wwhat a fucked up 5 year cycle, right?) as well as for the first time the same numbing burning sensation that i have had in my feet and legs is happening in my hands and forearms. so they had me come in for a dual MRI, both lumbar region and cervical region to see if i have disc degeneration in my cervical region as well that could be causing the new symptoms.
So now i wait to hear the results from the radiologist and see why my pain suddenly went from a daily 3-5 to a daily 7-9. ( on the 10 bunny rabbit pain scale of hell, one bunny rabbit being a stubbed toe or a splinter, and ten bunny rabbits being the most excrusiating pain you have ever felt in your life...) well, by the time i got home today i was at a 9 and counting, had to double up on my pain meds and i wonder if my current pharmaceuticals arent cutting it anymore... what will? do i go to the pain patch next? i have heard alot about the Fentanyl patch, and it perhaps being the next logical step in my pain clinic process...
But then i find this and some of it is scary, but most of it sounds like it fits me to a T, so i wonder, does anyone reading this have any experience with the Fentanyl patch? when Methadone and oxycodone stop taking working to keep your pain at a manageable level, what is the next step? where do i go from here?
I found the following text at this page and mind you I am using alternative healing methods as well and taking supplements and vitamins and chinese herbal remedies, i have tried many different pharms and tons of other things and feel like im reaching the end of the therapy options available to me, that is scary... but go ahead and read this:
Public Health Advisories (Drugs)
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Fentanyl Transdermal Patch
Important Information for the Safe Use of Fentanyl Transdermal System (Patch)
FDA is issuing this public health advisory to alert patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to important information on the safe use of the fentanyl transdermal system, also known as the fentanyl patch (marketed as Duragesic and generics). The fentanyl patch is a narcotic (opioid) pain medicine applied to the skin for treating persistent moderate to severe pain in opioid-tolerant patients who need to be on a narcotic pain medicine around-the-clock for more than a few days.
Despite issuing an advisory in July 2005 that emphasized the safe use of the fentanyl patch, FDA continues to receive reports of death and life-threatening side effects in patients who use the fentanyl patch. The reports indicate that doctors have inappropriately prescribed the fentanyl patch to patients for acute pain following surgery, for headaches, occasional or mild pain, and other indications for which a fentanyl patch should not be prescribed. In addition, the reports indicate that patients are continuing to incorrectly use the fentanyl patch by replacing the patch more frequently than directed in the fentanyl patch instructions, applying more patches than prescribed, or applying a heat source to the patch, all resulting in dangerously high fentanyl levels in the blood.
The fentanyl patch contains fentanyl, a very potent narcotic pain medicine. It is only intended for treating persistent, moderate to severe pain in patients who are opioid-tolerant, meaning those patients who take a regular, daily, around-the-clock narcotic pain medicine. This is extremely important because patients who are opioid-tolerant are more resistant to the dangerous side effects of narcotic pain medicines than patients who only occasionally take these medicines. For patients who are not opioid-tolerant, the amount of fentanyl in one fentanyl patch of the lowest strength is large enough to cause dangerous side effects, such as respiratory depression (severe trouble breathing or very slow or shallow breathing) and death.
FDA is highlighting the following important safety information on the fentanyl skin patch:
* The fentanyl patch should only be used by patients who are opioid-tolerant and have chronic pain that is not well controlled with other pain medicines. They are not to be used to treat sudden, occasional, or mild pain or pain after surgery.
* Healthcare professionals who prescribe and patients who use the fentanyl patch should be aware of the signs of fentanyl overdose including the following: trouble breathing or slow or shallow breathing; slow heartbeat; severe sleepiness; cold, clammy skin; trouble walking or talking; or feeling faint, dizzy, or confused. If these signs occur, patients or their caregivers should get medical attention right away.
* Patients prescribed the fentanyl patch should tell their doctor about all the medicines that they take. Some medicines may interact with fentanyl causing dangerously high fentanyl blood levels and serious, life-threatening breathing problems.
* Patients and their caregivers should be told how to use the fentanyl patch. This important information, including instructions on how often to apply the patch, reapplying a patch that has fallen off, replacing a patch, and disposing of the patch, is provided in the patient information that comes with the fentanyl patch1 [PDF].
* Heat may increase the amount of fentanyl that reaches the blood and can cause life-threatening breathing problems and death.Patients should not use heat sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, saunas, or heated waterbeds or take hot baths or sun bathe while wearing a patch. A patient or caregiver should call the patient’s doctor right away if the patient has a fever higher than 102ºF while wearing a patch.
FDA is asking the manufacturers of all fentanyl patches to update the information for fentanyl patches and to develop a Medication Guide for patients. FDA will provide updates as new information is available.
So thats where i am in a nutshell with my pain and medical crap, i did manage to get medicare to pay for a incredible new power wheelchair and so just in the nick of time, i got my new Jazzy GT select from Orbit Medical who were amazing to deal with and even let me use a financial hardship so they could cover the 20% that medicare was not going to cover of the cost, (somewhere around $940.oo not chump change to comeone in my shoes, let me tell you, it fefinately made the difference and a huge shout out goes out to Scott from Orbit medical for making it possible, if you need a power chair or scooter or other medical supplies email me, i will give you a referal!) so yeah its not all bad, but definately intense... and thats just one small facet of my life and whats going on with it, but since i was up tonight, not able to sleep with pain i thought i would start with that. Next Time, on reverend purrv's Confessional, I will talk about some of the other amazing things that have happened to me and my amazing GF and what i think this next year might hold in store for us if i can help it!
thanks for reading, and as always if you read this, please leave me a comment and let me know you are out there, it always makes a difference to be writing and talking to an audience, not just keeping a journal, not that there is anything wrong with that, its just a clown craes an audience... and boy, sometimes i feel like a fucking clown...
til tomorrow ( i hope, thats my plan anyway, and im sticking to it!)
The Reverend Purrv23
::::: Creo Ergo Sum :::::
I Make, Therefore I Am.