Finally; A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Discussion in 'Personal Diaries' started by Lois Winters, Jun 21, 2023.

  1. Lois Winters

    Lois Winters Veteran Member
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    Had the MRI of the right hip today. I had worked myself into a real lather anticipating this test due to the racket it makes. My last one was 5 years ago and I came out of that, totally unhinged as a result of all the noise. Well, today was a piece of cake. I listened to some great Glenn Miller music and no more jackhammer pounding all around me. I'll have the results in a day or two and then my consult with an orthopedist. From there, back to the neurologist and a course of treatment.

    I must say, the past few days have been much better for the most part. I can walk with minimal pain, using a cane. I've been taking care of the garden, and walking to work on my balance.

    I still haven't heard back from Al.
     
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  2. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Glad things are somewhat better for you, and that the MRI wasn't horrible. Now we wait for some good news and effective treatment!

    Thanks for the update on yourself and Al. I hope he's doing OK.
     
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  3. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    Glad to hear things are improving for you @Lois Winters except for not hearing from Al.
     
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  4. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    That is great to hear @Lois Winters! So glad you are getting relief. Glenn Miller eh? I keep forgetting you are old enough to be my mother and the big band era was the music of your youth. Did you ever listen to Django Reinhart? I love his Gypsy Jazz. When I voluntarily went into therapy for my extreme OCD, the doc was a Django fan and we spent the hour allotted me for the entire 8 weeks swapping our improvisions on songs like Sweet Georgia Brown. On the last session, he said in all the time we were talking about Gypsy Jazz guitar, he didn't note any tics or gyrations.

    The way I dealt with the MRI magnets pounding was to hypnotize myself. My last MRI was 2 hours long and it seemed like 10 minutes. The handsome hunk running the big magnet invading my body, kept asking if I was ok since I was so still. I made him laugh when I said, " The water is fine, come on in baby."
     
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  5. Lois Winters

    Lois Winters Veteran Member
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    Never heard of this Reinhart fellow, Faye.

    Have been down most of the day with a pounding Migraine. Pay back for the silent MRI?
     
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  6. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    If it isn't one thing it is another with us old girls. Testing may help find a problem while it creates another. :( I hope that migraine goes away soon.

    Django was the inventor of Gypsy Jazz before WW 2 and the underground swing music during WW 2.
     
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  7. Lulu Moppet

    Lulu Moppet Veteran Member
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    I am thrilled to hear this Lois!
     
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  8. Lois Winters

    Lois Winters Veteran Member
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    I know I've made reference on here at various times regarding my health. As many know, I've been suffering severe sciatica for about 6 months now, and when I say severe, it's no joke. I normally have a very high pain threshold since, I've played multiple tough sports most of my life. In addition, since I was raised in a neighborhood of just boys, I ran with them, and did the nutty things boys do.

    Well, I have periodically been beset with various joint, tendon, and ligament issues throughout my life. Then I developed Cardiomyopathy, for which there is no cure. Thankfully, it is treatable, and I've adhered to that treatment. So far success as I reached the tender age of 90 in January.

    Just a couple of weeks after my birthday, I awoke one morning in searing pain from my right sciatic nerve. I'll leave out the miserable details, as those who have had bouts of this already know what that entails. Only, this was 10 times worse. We tried everything known to treat this to no avail. I've had all the necessary tests and have seen many specialists.

    Today, I saw a Sports Medicine Orthopedist, and he went over all my x-ray exams as well as other imaging tests. He told me I had 2 options, Injection into either the spinal canal or nerve root, or a hip replacement. My back is so messed up, he was amazed that I actually was walking. Thus, the latter option was out. At my age, it would have been anyhow.

    So, I two weeks I will be on a cortisone injection regime with a pain management doctor 2x a year. I am so relieved after all this time.

    Thank you to each and every one who has wished me well and prayed for me. You all are the very best.
     
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  9. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    I'm so happy to hear that there may be some relief for you, Lois! Thanks for the update; I was waiting to hear what you found out. This is wonderful news. Sending you a big hug, my friend.
     
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  10. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    That's good news, Lois. I've had disc issues in my neck and in my back. There is no pain like it when a nerve gets pinched.
     
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  11. Thomas Stillhere

    Thomas Stillhere Very Well-Known Member
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    I hope you have relief and no pain soon. My back and neck is a wreck and at 75 I can just make it thru the bouts of pain that come and go. It's those hamstring lockups that really test me, I learned to not stretch my legs if I am laying on my back, if I forget I pay for it. I live on Tylenol and a nerve blocker without the nerve blocker it becomes harder to control so I try to keep it all the time but it does run out and I find myself without for a few days, I can really tell the difference. Wish you well
     
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  12. Don Alaska

    Don Alaska Supreme Member
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    I certainly wish you the best @Lois Winters. I hope the pain is at the least abated to the tolerable level, if not resolved totally.
     
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  13. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
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    So glad to hear @Lois Winters - soon you will be up and running :)
     
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  14. Faye Fox

    Faye Fox Veteran Member
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    Many thanks for this post @Lois Winters Since we had some similarities in our growing up around boys and work in male dominated jobs, I can identify with your back pains and take no crap attitude. Your making it to 90 with still a strong quick mind and the ability to walk, has you high on my idol list.

    I am so glad you finally are going to get treatment. The steroids injections is all that is left for me, when physical therapy fails. I was on them years ago but taken off due to the steroid causing severe cataracts. Now that my cataracts are removed, both primary and secondary, the only reason my sports med doc is holding off, is because with my other still unresolved esophagus issue and history of cancer, he wants to wait until absolutely necessary and my pain can't be controlled with diclofenac sodium gel, heat and cold therapy, and physical therapy.

    Thanks Lois, your post is encouragement for me to keep walking and stay fit as possible. My new mantra is, "Lois made it pass 90 and so can I." :)
     
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  15. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I am so pleased that you are getting some relief from it.
     
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