1. < Spine Health

Chronic Back Pain for Years

Posted by jlfisher56 @jlfisher56, May 2, 2017

6 back surgeries (extensive cervical and lumbar fusions) with neurological complications. Left with chronic pain. Accident happened in Nursing career 1992 and worked with first fusions until 1999 (failed fusions). At my age, and as a former nurse educator, I never wanted to had to rely on medication/s for the severe pain. Having thoroughly exhausted exploring sites using non-pharmaceutical methods, using psychological methods, biofeedback, trying to accept my limitations, i.e., I still believe somewhere...out there...is hope. The strong medicine has caused gastroparesis, further complicating my health problems. They are too numerous to write and I will not focus on them. I am looking for "help" and guidance. If I can be of assistance to anyone throughout their trials, (perhaps similar to some of what I have gone through), I will.

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qball2019 | @qball2019 | Oct 21, 2020
In reply to @wisco50 "That’s great that it helps you! We used it in certain anethesia patients when I worked..." + (show)
@wisco50

That’s great that it helps you! We used it in certain anethesia patients when I worked as a nurse in recovery room.
Just yesterday I was having a conversation with a fellow RN, who is still working. She just had hand surgery on her dominant hand, for arthritis. Short term disability Insurance company decided she only needs 6 weeks off! 😳 Her hand surgeon said NO, she needs to be off for 12 weeks! Pathetic when insurance companies try to overrule doctors! 😡

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@wisco50
My insurance co. at one time told me right out that... "well, it is a business"!!! Who says that? I had called because they denied something else and I wanted to know exactly why. Then I told them that it's ridiculous to pay $875 per month for insurance that refuses to pay for anything that is the answer I got. I wasn't even being rude. You would think the customer service reps. would have better response. I know they're out to make money, and they seem to make plenty of it, but God, just cover something!! I never realized exactly how crooked they are as well a many doctors until I got hurt and got the hang of the "system".

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2 replies
wisco50 | @wisco50 | Oct 21, 2020
In reply to @qball2019 "@wisco50 My insurance co. at one time told me right out that... "well, it is a..." + (show)
@qball2019

@wisco50
My insurance co. at one time told me right out that... "well, it is a business"!!! Who says that? I had called because they denied something else and I wanted to know exactly why. Then I told them that it's ridiculous to pay $875 per month for insurance that refuses to pay for anything that is the answer I got. I wasn't even being rude. You would think the customer service reps. would have better response. I know they're out to make money, and they seem to make plenty of it, but God, just cover something!! I never realized exactly how crooked they are as well a many doctors until I got hurt and got the hang of the "system".

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It’s very frustrating! I remember thinking I was going to have to take a second mortgage or similar on my house to pay for my jaw joints/surgery. Then the hospital where I was going to go for my surgery - THEY told ME that they had an agreement with my insurance company for such surgery! MY insurance company never bothered to tell me that! 😳 I was having anxiety and stomach problems over it all - would have been nice to know so I could have “just” worried about such a major surgery, instead of also worrying about how to pay for it all!

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1 reply
Stephen | @wsh66 | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@wsh66 It's not highway miles. There are 3 routes, and they all cross the Cascades Range...." + (show)
@jimhd

@wsh66

It's not highway miles. There are 3 routes, and they all cross the Cascades Range. It's a scenic drive, but pretty much all 2 lane, winding roads, with the likelihood of substantial snow, 55mph. Getting close to Portland, there's a lot of slow traffic. Anytime we go over the mountains, it's an overnighter, which makes for an expensive drive to a doctor appointment. Theoretically, it could be done in one day, but it's too much pain to drive the 6 hour round trip. I will ask about the possibility of someone coming over here for the medication refill.

I've never been one to stand up for myself, or to self advocate. I encourage others to do it, but it's not easy to do it myself.

Jim

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Buck up Jim. Only the squeakiest wheels are getting greased these days. Think about what you need to say before your in the room. Imagine the questions that will come and be ready with answers. You pay the bills, you are in charge.

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Faithwalker007 (Renee) | @faithwalker007 | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@wsh66 It's not highway miles. There are 3 routes, and they all cross the Cascades Range...." + (show)
@jimhd

@wsh66

It's not highway miles. There are 3 routes, and they all cross the Cascades Range. It's a scenic drive, but pretty much all 2 lane, winding roads, with the likelihood of substantial snow, 55mph. Getting close to Portland, there's a lot of slow traffic. Anytime we go over the mountains, it's an overnighter, which makes for an expensive drive to a doctor appointment. Theoretically, it could be done in one day, but it's too much pain to drive the 6 hour round trip. I will ask about the possibility of someone coming over here for the medication refill.

I've never been one to stand up for myself, or to self advocate. I encourage others to do it, but it's not easy to do it myself.

Jim

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Jim, all I can say is to weigh the pros and cons.
You may call and ask if they can do a virtual appointment this month with you due to financial difficulties? Tell them you don’t have money to make the trip or whatever your reason is that you can’t go. Be courteous and polite and professional with your request.

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ellens | @ellens | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @wisco50 "It’s very frustrating! I remember thinking I was going to have to take a second mortgage..." + (show)
@wisco50

It’s very frustrating! I remember thinking I was going to have to take a second mortgage or similar on my house to pay for my jaw joints/surgery. Then the hospital where I was going to go for my surgery - THEY told ME that they had an agreement with my insurance company for such surgery! MY insurance company never bothered to tell me that! 😳 I was having anxiety and stomach problems over it all - would have been nice to know so I could have “just” worried about such a major surgery, instead of also worrying about how to pay for it all!

Jump to this post

Our medical system, in which care depends on corporations' bottom lines, is so screwed up. At least Medicare is doing it much better (not medicare advantage which is private). Even with a gov't plan, Medicare, we need Medigap policies to get things paid for. Everyone except for the ultrarichies is liable to bankruptcy over medical costs.

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1 reply
ellens | @ellens | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @qball2019 "@wisco50 My insurance co. at one time told me right out that... "well, it is a..." + (show)
@qball2019

@wisco50
My insurance co. at one time told me right out that... "well, it is a business"!!! Who says that? I had called because they denied something else and I wanted to know exactly why. Then I told them that it's ridiculous to pay $875 per month for insurance that refuses to pay for anything that is the answer I got. I wasn't even being rude. You would think the customer service reps. would have better response. I know they're out to make money, and they seem to make plenty of it, but God, just cover something!! I never realized exactly how crooked they are as well a many doctors until I got hurt and got the hang of the "system".

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Once again, our health care should not depend on a business!!!!

REPLY
Stephen | @wsh66 | Oct 22, 2020
In reply to @ellens "Our medical system, in which care depends on corporations' bottom lines, is so screwed up. At..." + (show)
@ellens

Our medical system, in which care depends on corporations' bottom lines, is so screwed up. At least Medicare is doing it much better (not medicare advantage which is private). Even with a gov't plan, Medicare, we need Medigap policies to get things paid for. Everyone except for the ultrarichies is liable to bankruptcy over medical costs.

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Fact! Medicare is more efficient than any private American health insurer.

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 24, 2020

I'm grateful to have Medicare. When I retired on disability at 55, there was no way I could have afforded health insurance premiums. And the out of pocket cost would have been impossible for me.

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mommacat2 | @mommacat2 | Mar 24, 2021
In reply to @wsh66 "Gabapentin is a great drug, for controlling seizures. It is not a pain med. I took..." + (show)
@wsh66

Gabapentin is a great drug, for controlling seizures. It is not a pain med. I took it and it was not effective as a pain med. It is very effective at putting money in the hands of big Pharma especially if they talk you into taking Lyrica instead of Gabapentin

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Hi Stephen ..I’m new to this support group. I was Rx’d Gabapentin about a year ago for nerve damage caused by surgery I had in Dec 2019 (insertion of a titanium rod in my badly broken tibia) . It may help a little (300 mg 3x day) but don’t think my leg has recovered much. Also tried the Lyrica for a short time, but didn’t think it was very effective (I don’t want to be on high doses of anything!). The Gabapentin does nothing for the tailbone area pain (as I have a few Tarlov cysts at S2 ... the only thing that helps take the edge off (though not always) is Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen... and ice packs. Life is forever altered by all of this ...geez, isn’t Covid enough?? 😫

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1 reply
schamp | @schamp | Nov 17, 2021
In reply to @2011panc "@jakedduck1 and @grandmar FYI: True medical marijuana is not inhaled. If someone is inhaling they are..." + (show)
@2011panc

@jakedduck1 and @grandmar FYI: True medical marijuana is not inhaled. If someone is inhaling they are using marijuana recreationally. Medical marijuana is either drops in the mouth or an oil or cream placed on the skin.

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Not true!

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