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Living with Neuropathy - Welcome to the group
Neuropathy | Last Active: Oct 27 5:51pm | Replies (6152)Comment receiving replies
I’m so glad to have found this group. I broke my back 15 years ago, 8 surgeries later and two implants of nerve stimulator, the second one with 16 leads in my spinal column I’m still in relentless chronic pain. I’m prone to falls, my balance is severely affected. I’m the object of what they call failed fusion surgery, of which I had two. 15 months ago I had a bad fall in the shower and sustained a severe brain trauma. Coma scale 4 for a week. Subdural hematoma, filled half of my brain. Emergency surgery, followed by another to replace the 4 inch hole in my skull with an acrylic plate.
I’m aware that I’m a walking, talking miracle. However, the headaches are debilitating, sensitivity to noise and bright light, instances of slurred speech and memory loss, more balance issues and my back pain is worse than ever. My quality of life sucks and sometimes I wonder if it’s worth trying to carry on. I’m but a shell of who I used to be.
I am useless to my family. Just a subject of constant worry for them. I used to write, but I forget words all the time, it takes me forever to write even this because I know what I want to say but it takes forever to put together a sentence which makes sense. I was condsidered intelligent and eloquent, was fluent in three languages.
I am on Neurontin but can’t take opiates because I developed an addiction. So I’m left to over the counter stuff, which actually works on my headaches if I alternate between ibuprofen, Tylenol, and naproxen. It does nothing for the relentless back pain. I feel I’m at the end of my tolerance and although my family is supportive I know they are tired.
Any advice?
Replies to "I’m so glad to have found this group. I broke my back 15 years ago, 8..."
I no longer believe in miracles.
Welcome to Connect, @sabinebloomquist
I, too, speak 3 languages. Judging from your message posted here, your fluency in writing English remains at a high level. Have you noticed that your injuries have affected the languages differently?
I do not either. At the same time it was a "miracle" of sorts to find this group. Yes,the cane,the pain, the depression - all still here. But there are voices with the same with suggestions,maybe a joke or squirrel pic, to lighten the day. Thinking of you.
See below. (Keep trying)
Thank you for your reply. Yes, I noticed that I frequently forget which language I am speaking, aka mixing up words, especially on a high pain level day. Some of my friends find this very funny.....
I tend to mix words within languages, and/or am I able to remember the correct words in any language.
I recently learned that this is not unusual for having those symptoms, especially considering the extent of the brain injury I sustained.
However, that is the least of it. My neuropathy is through the roof. Does anyone know of any natural remedies for the constant pain?
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@sabinebloomquist
I'm impressed with how far you've come. I understand having to sit and wait for the right word to come. That's surely a benefit of being able to communicate online. No one has to know how long it took me to put the last sentence together.
I have a spinal cord stimulator for peripheral neuropathy pain in my feet. It really reduced the amount of pain I have. Are your stimulators treating your back pain?
I'm trying Gabapentin for the second time right now, and take morphine sulfate contin. The morphine is the only thing that's touched the pain. At this point, I'm not addicted to it, but if I can't find some other medication, I'm going to ask my doctor to increase my dosage, which is really low right now. It's good that you've found a rotation of OTC meds that work for you. I do have oxycodone if pain is really bad, but I rarely take it.
It's really helpful to have a supportive family. Can you move around enough to get a bit of exercise?
Jim