Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Good Morning All!!
It's been 6 weeks since I had my X-Lift Fusion surgery for L3/4. I went to the neurosurgeon for my check-up. I'm not quite where I should be, which is a surprise since I usually heal faster than expected. Anyway, another 6 weeks of wearing a back brace and taking all the precautions. One good thing added is the ability for me to go into my pool. I live in Florida and it is still in the mid to upper 80s and sunny. I can't swim, but at least I can walk around. The doctor does not want me to us any assistive walking devices. That's harder than it sounds since I've been using the walker since surgery (as per the physical therapist in the hospital said) and a cane before that. He told me that if I fall it would be a disaster. Needless to say my hubby and I are now nervous. So, for now, I try to walk unaided only in the house and use the walker outside.

The pain has eased up except in the mornings! The pain when I try to sleep, getting up and in the morning is HORRIBLE. I not only have pain, but I get spasms, too. I rarely take pain pills but I do take meds for the spasms. When I went to the surgeon, I told him it would have been helpful to be told what to expect. I told him, too, that because I had no problems with the cervical surgery, I expected the same with this surgery. He said not everyone has the issues I do. I suggested that telling patients what they might expect would be very helpful!

Tomorrow I go to the pain doctor for my leg. He will be doing a test tomorrow and next week to see if the procedure he wants to do will help. Sadly, the pain in my leg is not helping with my overall pain. I hope these tests will prove that the procedure should help.

Beyond that, last night, Halloween, was so sweet. I live in Florida so I am able to sit outside to hand out the candy. The kids are as sweet as the candy.

Hoping for a pain-free day for us all!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Hello @franle

I have had good success with Duloxetine/Cymbalta. I started using it a year ago, and it took several months before the benefit began to be noticed, so don't give up hope if you do not notice a difference right away. It works wonderfully for me for both pain and sleep. I take it the morning, rather than at night.

If you decide to give it a try, will you post and let me know how you are doing with it?

@franle
Welcome.
I cannot address Cymbalta but I would like to chime in on the other things you mentioned.
First, congrats on your granddaughter.
I know how you feel, since my 3 grands were born during the most painful part of my life. I too would not do anything that wouldn't let me pick up and hold my babies. Regardless what I was told, I wouldn't listen when it came to them.
I would like to tell you that I had my 2 discs replaced with artificial ones in my cervical spine. The recovery was surprisingly easy and I am very happy I did it. I've also had shoulder surgery, twice (my fault....didn't listen to the doc and started lifting weights). The first time I did not get my range of motion back. The second time, only months later, I went for PT first and the recovery was so much better. I mention all this just as a frame of reference. Of course, all people heal differently.
Lastly, I am sorry that people do not understand your health struggles. Sadly, unless people can 'see' your struggle, they assume things are not so bad or there is a bit of exaggeration. It is the same issue many people with psychological problems (depression and/or anxiety) face. Ignore, if possible, others, and continue with what works for you. You know you and you have the support of your hubby, that's what counts.
Keep up with your positivity, it certainly helps to make things better than they would be otherwise.

Here's to a pain-free day!!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Good Morning All!!
It's been 6 weeks since I had my X-Lift Fusion surgery for L3/4. I went to the neurosurgeon for my check-up. I'm not quite where I should be, which is a surprise since I usually heal faster than expected. Anyway, another 6 weeks of wearing a back brace and taking all the precautions. One good thing added is the ability for me to go into my pool. I live in Florida and it is still in the mid to upper 80s and sunny. I can't swim, but at least I can walk around. The doctor does not want me to us any assistive walking devices. That's harder than it sounds since I've been using the walker since surgery (as per the physical therapist in the hospital said) and a cane before that. He told me that if I fall it would be a disaster. Needless to say my hubby and I are now nervous. So, for now, I try to walk unaided only in the house and use the walker outside.

The pain has eased up except in the mornings! The pain when I try to sleep, getting up and in the morning is HORRIBLE. I not only have pain, but I get spasms, too. I rarely take pain pills but I do take meds for the spasms. When I went to the surgeon, I told him it would have been helpful to be told what to expect. I told him, too, that because I had no problems with the cervical surgery, I expected the same with this surgery. He said not everyone has the issues I do. I suggested that telling patients what they might expect would be very helpful!

Tomorrow I go to the pain doctor for my leg. He will be doing a test tomorrow and next week to see if the procedure he wants to do will help. Sadly, the pain in my leg is not helping with my overall pain. I hope these tests will prove that the procedure should help.

Beyond that, last night, Halloween, was so sweet. I live in Florida so I am able to sit outside to hand out the candy. The kids are as sweet as the candy.

Hoping for a pain-free day for us all!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Did all the warnings of suicide scare you? Also I enjoy wine at night watching TV with my husband and I’m afraid of what that will do. I’ll be getting my PC’s opinion when I see her next week.

It is a good idea to get your doctor's opinion on alcohol and meds, @franle. I'm a non-drinker (I have Parkinson's and drinking makes me more clumsy than I already am) so I don't have any experience with wine and meds.

It is important to start off any antidepressant at a low dose and build up. I started with 20 mg. once a day and I've been there for a year now. It is always my goal to take the least amount of any med needed to have some improvement. For me, 20 mg, helps with pain and sleep without any undue side effects.

Did your doctor give you a titration schedule so you start off with a small dose for a month and then work up if needed? If not that might be another good question for your next appointment.

Hi, My name is FranLe and I have had back issues all my life. At 54 I no longer work. I am lucky enough that my husband is able to handle our finances on his own. I feel guilty about that at times. I have friends that at times wonder why I don’t work yet they know my health struggles. Even my current physical therapist says if she didn’t know the mess I am, she would never know. I stay positive no matter what for the most part. It’s not always easy and I do get down about it but I keep pushing forward. Eventually I will have to have neck surgery. I currently need both shoulders operated on but I’m holding off because I have a beautiful 1 yr old granddaughter that needs her Mimi’s love and attention. I suffer terribly after picking her up but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m currently trying to come to terms with yet a new medication that I was prescribed that is called Duloxetine. I believe it is the generic form of Cymbalta. I filled the prescription but haven’t started it yet as the print out of possible side effects are concerning to me. Anyone have success with this medicine?

I completely agree and will ask my regular doctor for advice. I was prescribed 20mg to take daily for 2 weeks then increase to 40mg. This from my pain management PA. I also take the minimum of meds prescribed always. I also have a prescription for Celecoxib 200mg that I take 2x a day as well as Titanidine 2mg that is prescribed for me to take up to 2 pills 3x a day. I only take 1 at night to help with sleep. If I’m in too much pain I will take up to 2 before bed. I don’t like feeling groggy the next morning but sleep is a wonderful thing. I just started on a CPAP machine in June and it is life changing for me. My pain management PA recognized that I may have sleep apnea and boy was she right.

@grandmar I hope that your appointment with the doctor will be fruitful next week. It is my hope that as you look back at your recovery time you can see a trend towards recovery even though you are still suffering extreme pain.
Ginger