Fractured L1 vertebrae has interrupted and changed my life

I finally bought some MEMP lotion. I put it on my neck every time my pain starts up. I also crushed my Vertibra. I used a cane when I first came home from hospital. It was great and made me feel steady. But, I got tired of it. I can't keep my house up like I did. Now I tackle one mess at a time. I usually end up in bed for a nap after doing so little. My daughter hired a housekeeper for every two weeks. Thats great. she changes my sheets (I do the off week) cleans kitchen and bath and dusts etc. But, after she has come a few times and done well, I am finding some things that it is obvious she is not cleaning. Might half to let her go. It is easier than redoing her work. I am not being picky. When the corners of the tub are still dirty and the top of the toilet has not been wiped off, you know you have a problem. But, I am blessed.

I am so sorry, pain is very wearing. I have been taking Norco for years. After having the 17 vertebrae fused I was told not to return to work. After months of recovery I did. This was a major mistake, as getting through each day was just miserable. When I was working I was taking 8 Norco a day. Luckily for me it never made me sleepy but obviously my body became addicted to it. I haven’t worked in over 6 years now and since leaving work I went down to 4 Norco a day. Like most everyone else, it does not take the pain away, just allows us to function as normally as possible. Unfortunately for me, I am on a blood thinner due to having had aortic vavlve replacement surgery way back in 2001. Being I have a mechanical valve the blood thinners are for life and because of this no anti inflammatoires for me! Actually this is a nightmare for me because anti inflammatoires would allow much more relief. I am sick of these pills and am now trying, very slowly this CBD oil. I am hoping that this will work and my goal is to get off Norco. I have cut back by half a pill, so down to 3 and 1/2 per day, wish me luck.

Lynn Is CBD Oil the same as Hemp Oil?

@lynn12 Yeah for being able to cut back a half pill a day! Little baby steps to wean yourself off gradually is always a great idea. Wishing you a comfortable day, and cheering you on from the sidelines,
Ginger

Talk to your pain control doctor about a pain pump. Must be a pain control doctor , they are usually anesthesiologists. I was on many types of pain meds until my implant and I got my life back. A catheter is placed in your spine and the small pump is in your tummy. It is refilled approx. every 3 months with a needle. Not really painful and they will numb the site if you ask them to. I don’t find it necessary. The medication goes to the area where the pain is. Because the medication is intrathecal it does not cross the blood brain barrier and therefore your speech is not slurred as well as other side effects of oral meds. The pump also has a device that you can hold over the pump and give yourself an extra dose of medication if you need it. Limits are set by the doctor. No more failing drug tests if you go back to work. As a matter of fact once you have a pump implanted you and your doctor will discuss what meds you can take and you will be drug tested intermittently.

@isabelr I understand what your going through I fractured my L5 what did Dr do for you and why didn't he give you a pain med? Go back to him and insist in the meantime go to rite aid and get Arnica tea it helps to take away the pain these are suggestions for you also muscle rubs ,arnica is one emu cream, aspercream there are so many to choose from from my experience these are some that help me I know have a bulging disc so in Sept will see a neurosurgeon.

@oregongirl yes you are I also have a cleaner every 2weeks she is good I love Rosie dont no what Id do without her ,have you talked to her?maybe this would help you both?

Pain Pump and catheter in your spine sounds like a lot of surgery. I see the doctor Monday.

@oregongirl

I agree with Lioness, talk with your housekeeper first. You don't have to be critical, instead think of your talk as information and feedback now that she's been working for you for awhile. Show her the areas where you have noticed things that were missed in her previous visit. You might also ask her to accompany you after she cleans next time so the 2 of you can review her work. That way, she will see for herself any areas she missed. The more specific the better. This can be a learning experience for her, and also for you if you're uncomfortable giving feedback. Don't forget to tell her where she's done excellent work as well as that will help her see that you aren't being primarily critical. It's hard to give feedback about negative things, but if you are factual and not personally critical, it helps. Last, most people know when they haven't done a good job, so if you are factual they have an easier time accepting it.

I'm speaking here from my many years of experience as a Human Resource professional. I had to give negative feedback about performance on a regular basis, as well as terminate the employment of people. I was so extremely uncomfortable about having to do this that I searched for the best ways I could give feedback and help people understand that perhaps they were in the wrong job and encourage them to find a good job for their skills. You don't want or need to do that with your housekeeper, but you can give feedback in an unhurtful way. Good luck, and please let me know how it goes with her if you decide to give her feedback.

Thanks so much, I will look into this.