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Topic: What the heck is wrong with me??? - A DING update, rant & recipe


Topic Posted by: DING
Date Posted: Tue Jun 24 15:15:51 2008
Additional Comments:

WELLLLL....

whoopty-mofo-doo. I'm at a brick wall.

Had two MRI's this morning, then saw the doc. Phhhhhttttt...

GOOD NEWS: I don't have any *disc related problems* in my lower back.
BAD NEWS: Still don't know what's causing the pain that radiates in my lower back, left hip & left leg.

GOOD NEWS: I don't have TWO herniated discs in my neck, as was previously diagnosed.
MORE GOOD NEWS: The ONE herniated disc in my neck that showed on today's MRI isn't "badly herniated" & wouldn't be the reason for all my *pain*. (?)
EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS: There is no IMMEDIATE cause for surgery ON that one herniated disc. Doc says that I've been "dealing with this pain over a year now, so it must not be THAT BAD..." (I felt like slapping his ass right then & there! WTF is he to tell me MY PAIN is not that bad???????)

BAD NEWS: WTF am I supposed to do now? This is the SAME doctor that told me last year that I would be "begging for surgery in about 6 months" IF I could stand to wait THAT long... Rolling Eyes

He also told me that my left shoulder/elbow problem is NOT related to my herniated disc problem. But he's still *quite perplexed* that I don't have any pain at all on my right side (shoulder, arm, etc.) WTF? I know where my damn pain is. Again, I say Rolling Eyes

SO at this point I am thinking I need a 2nd opinion. I mean hell, if it's not the herniated disc that is causing me so much pain, the WTF is it?

I have tingly, pin-sticky ouchiness all across my upper back, down my neck & into my middle back. I am stiff as all get out & have pain in my joints, mostly my LEFT hip & my RIGHT knee. I've been so clumsy the past couple months... dropping things, tripping on *air*, etc.

I see my ortho-doc this Friday. I'm READY to have elbow surgery - left elbow - the thing is driving me crazy; I can't even straighten my arm all the way out now, & it's red & swollen. Friggin' OUCH.

TOTALLY BAD NEWS: Looks like I'm in for doctor paloozah the upcoming months, to try to get a definite diagnosis of what is causing me so much pain. Freak'n yippee. Referrals, doc visits, more referrals, tests, more doc visits, try this, try that, nope it didn't work, but this might, blahblahblah... angry3

I swear... I'm about at my wits end here! Arrrgggghhhhh!!! -thanks for listening!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RECIPE: Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

  • 1 (1 pound) sweet potato
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

    Directions:

    1. Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.
    2. Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.
    3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.


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    Posted by: shar
    Date posted: Wed Jun 25 8:45:43 2008
    Message:

    Ding,that sucks.I would find another doctor. I would go to a neuro-surgeon. That is who my primary doctor referred me to when I had my neck problem. That surgeon had me in surgery within six weeks. That is BS you should suffer in pain.

    Did the doctor do any strength testing to see if your muscles have been affected? With my disc at C-6, it was lying on a nerve and caused my arm to hurt like crazy and eventually go numb.The pain was horrible-actually the arm pain was worse then the neck pain. When I first saw the neurosurgeon, he tested the strength in my arm and found the muscles were atrophing and my biceps and triceps were actually smaller then the other arm.

    Also, when they did the surgery, my surgeon told me the disc problem was much worse then what was showed on the MRI. He said that is often the case.

    I would get another opinion. You should not have to suffer.

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  • The doctor I saw *IS* a neuro-surgeon. I'm just surprised that I got two different diagnosis from the SAME doctor... ya know? ~DING

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    Posted by: cc
    Date posted: Wed Jun 25 2:31:09 2008
    Message:
    Ding, I"m sorry you are in so much pain & so frustrated.  I hope you get some answers, but it's good to see you here.

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  • thank you cc! ~DING

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    Posted by: DENIM
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 23:40:23 2008
    Message:

    I am sorry you are having so much pain.  I do wish you could get it all figured out!

    Are you against chiropractors?  It may be a pinched nerve.  Of course, I am sure you have already looked into it being a pinched nerve.

    I know the chiro helps me so much!  I only go 2-3 times a year.

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  • Hi Denim! - nope, not against chiros, matter of fact, I saw one for nearly three years. He did wonders for my pain. But the one morning I woke up in such horrible pain & couldn't move, I described it to him & he said ''You don't need to see me; it sounds like you've got a bulging (herniated) disc - you need to see a specialist''.... and he was right, because I DO have a herniated disc. I may end up going back to him, tho. He is a good doctor, & not a *quack* as some people think of chiros. I really liked him. ~DING

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    Posted by: susienews
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 21:08:17 2008
    Message:

    Since I've worked for attorneys that do Personal Injury and Workers' Comp, I know how serious pain can be and how doctors don't seem to take patients seriously.  I'm so sorry you're in pain!!!  I have back problems, too, and it can sometimes be unbearable.  Needless to say, constant pain also turns me into a total BITCH!  LOL!

    It's so nice to "see" you again.  Your absences from this board are FAR to long and I miss my funny smart-ass DING!  HUGS to my sistah! 

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  • Hey Susienews! - I wouldn't say I'm *back*... cause I don't think I ever really left... I just, you know, get in here when I can! But it's good to see you too! ~DING

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    Posted by: Carissa
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 18:32:57 2008
    Message:

    Well, I'm glad your disc problem isn't as serious as was feared.  But still, something is causing the pain.  Nerve pain is really difficult to diagnose because the pain can be felt very far from the actual problem.

    I never had surgery for my herniated disc (lower back, L5-S1).  It eventually got much better.  But it took YEARS!  I still have occasional problems if I sit too long, especially in a car.

    I so remember the look on my doctor's fact (orthopedic surgeon) when he saw the MRI report and learned that YES, I REALLY DID HAVE AN INJURY!  I know he thought I was just a hypochondriac hysterical woman.  It took 6 months for me to convince him to order the MRI in the first place.

    Anyway, I'm sorry.  Keep trying.  Have you heard of this type of MD?  physiatrists?  Definitely look up one in your area and give it a try.  These docs are kind of a combo of physical therapists/rehab specialists.  They are knowledgable about treating chronic pain.

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  • I'm thinking of going to a *pain management* clinic - I think that's the same kind of thing you've mentioned. I'm willing to try just about anything, ya know? Thanks Carissa ~DING

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    Posted by: Romy
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 17:43:36 2008
    Message:

    Ding, ask your doctor to test you for RA. You seem to have a few of the symptoms that I did. I say did because now..just a few weeks after being dx, I feel almost no pain or discomfort. Once in a great while my knee will pop but for the most part, I feel pretty good.

    There is hope...I will keep you in my thoughts.

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  • Let me add that I am also taking about 17 pills a day..that is the reason why I am not in pain. I didn't want to appear as if the RA just went away on it's own. Romy
  • I'm SO glad to hear the drugs are helping you, Romes! I imagine just knowing what the issue is also takes a load off your shoulders. Even though it wasn't the dx you imagined. --susie
  • Getting checked for RA is actually next on the list. And if that's not it, then I'll be checked for a couple other things before they'll stick me under the *Fibromyalgia* umbrella. ~DING

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    Posted by: Kalia
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:51:28 2008
    Message:

    Sorry to hear about all your pain. I have sciatic nerve pain...nothing much can be done for that. I also have fybromialgia, which could be the source of yours as well. Sure sounds like it. Do you have certain spots in your back, sides...that are extremely sensitive to the touch? From what I understand fybromialgia is kind of like arthritis of the nervous system and muscles. It feels like its the joints...but its the muscles and nerve endings surrounding them that hurts.

    I thought it was my back too, because I am in excrutiating pain at times. Even goes down my shoulder and into my elbow. I have done all the tests and like you, I have 'issues'...and a start of this or that, but nothing substantial and certainly nothing shows up to equal the amount of pain I am seriously in. The doctors just look at me like there is nothing more they can do.

    I'm still trying to find a good doctor around here that can help. I've heard accupuncturists or homeopathic alternatives work wonders. I will probably look into those further since medical doctors just want to throw pain pills at me and tell me to come back in 4-6 months.

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  • Wow... sounds like you & I are in the same boat, Kalia! So I can honestly say ''I feel your pain!'' Hope you're getting some relief! ~DING

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    Posted by: DING
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:47:57 2008
    Message:

    I have not been tested for much of anything... that's why I said I guess it's time for "doctor paloozah" because I'm sure that since the whole herniated disc thing has been (sort of) ruled out, they're gonna send me to a host of different docs where I'll receive a buttload of diagnostic-type tests, etc. It could take a while to discover WHAT my problem is, if in fact, they CAN discover it.

    But honestly, from the internet reading I've been doing the past few months, I really feel that it's entirely possible that my pain is due to old-fashioned FIBROMYALGIA. Simply that I have SO MANY symptoms, & other possibilities have been ruled out... and if I had to *self-diagnose* me, that's what I'd say... check it out:

    Common symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome:

    (I have underlined my most dire symptoms...)

    • Pain - The pain of fibromyalgia has no boundaries. People describe the pain as deep muscular aching, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing. Intense burning may also be present. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and you may hurt more in muscle groups that are used repetitively.
    • Fatigue - This symptom can be mild in some fibromyalgia patients and yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as "brain fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as though their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty concentrating, e.g., brain fog.
    • Sleep disorder - Most fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. This condition was uncovered in a sleep lab with the aid of a machine that recorded the brain waves of patients during sleep. Researchers found that the majority of fibromyalgia patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Patients appeared to spend the night with one foot in sleep and the other one out of it.
      Sleep lab tests may not be necessary to determine if you have disturbed sleep. If you wake up feeling as though you've just been run over by a Mack truck—what doctors refer to as unrefreshing sleep—it is reasonable for your physician to assume that you have a sleep disorder. Many fibromyalgia patients have been found to have other sleep disorders in addition to the alpha-EEG, such as sleep apnea (as well as the newly discovered form of interrupted breathing called upper airway resistance syndrome, or UARS), bruxism (teeth grinding), periodic limb movement during sleep (jerking of arms and legs), and restless legs syndrome (difficulty sitting still in the evenings).
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40 to 70% of fibromyalgia patients. Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) also occurs with the same high frequency. (YUP! I have this!)
    • Chronic headaches - Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about 70% of fibromyalgia patients and can pose a major problem in coping for this patient group.
    • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - This syndrome, sometimes referred to as TMJ or TMD, causes tremendous jaw-related face and head pain in one-quarter of fibromyalgia patients. However, a 1997 published report indicated that close to 75% of fibromyalgia patients have a a varying degree of jaw discomfort. Typically, the problems are related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the jaw joint and not necessarily the joint itself. (YUP! I have this, too!)
    • Other common symptoms - Premenstrual syndrome and painful periods, chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, dizziness, and impaired coordination can occur. Fibromyalgia patients are often sensitive to odors, loud noises, bright lights, and sometimes even the medications they are prescribed.
    • Aggravating factors - Changes in weather, cold or drafty environments, infections, allergies, hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion may all contribute to fibromyalgia symptom flare-ups.

     

    See? Waaaah.  Cry Baby I'm Frustrated 






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    Posted by: JuMPer
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:43:03 2008
    Message:
    Ding,
    Since you are looking for a second opinion, check to see if you can find a chiropractor or osteopath in your area that has a DISC DECOMPRESSION THERAPY or does ACUPUNCTURE/MERIDIAN THERAPHY. They can read exras, if you have some to take with you, or they may want to take some of their own to see if anything has changed since your last xrays or imaging has been completed.

    With computers being used now, many times a doctor now send the information via internet and you don't have to carry around the exrays or MRI's.

    I would trust our local Chiros to give me an honest second opinion. Actually, I would have gone to them first, but I digress.

    Do pray you find out what is wrong. Pain is NO FUN! With that comment, we have a pain clinic that my husband has gone to due to his collasping spinal column. He likes them...to a certain degree. They gave him shots and drugs...doesn't heal him but he does feel better. Not as much pain, but he will never be without pain.

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  • Hey JuMPer - the chiro I used to go to was very helpful to me in the past. I have an appt to see him (for consultation & a look at my MRIs) on July 7th. We'll see what he says... ~DING

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    Posted by: ingyandbert
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:16:57 2008
    Message:
    It sure doesn't sound like that doctor knows what he's doing.  I'd try another in a different practice group.

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  • Yeah. The only problem is I have to go where my HMO will say it's ok to go .... argh! But I definitely want a 2nd opinion! ~DING

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    Posted by: Blondie
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:16:38 2008
    Message:
    Ugh. I can relate, DING. I've had lower back pain since June, 2000 when something "snapped" in my back. I've been to countless chiropractors...done physical therapy (which was a complete joke), had 2 facet epidural injections (which really didn't help at all), an MRI, met with orthopaedic docs, blah blah blah...and I still have the freaking pain every day of my life. I think I have a "bulging disk"...but it's not bad enough for surgery or they tell me I'm too young for any type of back surgery. I'm not interested in pain pills, although I tried them for awhile.
    I don't know why it's so dang difficult to fix the spine, but I guess it is. I'll probably be wheelchair bound when I hit 50.
    (((Gentle hugs)))

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  • I'll reach 50 before you do.... I guess we could wheelchair race, huh? ;^) ~DING

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    Posted by: Lisa P
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:13:18 2008
    Message:
    What kind of MRI's did they do?
    You are too kind to post a recipe. If I were in pain like you I'd skip it. LOL!!!!

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  • Heh... recipes are easy when you *cut & paste*.... ~wink~ ~DING

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    Posted by: MLynn
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:02:58 2008
    Message:
    That sucks DING!  Have you been tested for RA?  That would majorly suck (my Mom has it) but it is something to look into and hopefully rule out!

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  • I agree, my friend has RA and some of the symptoms sounds similar to hers. Lisa P
  • That's actually next on the list to get tested for. ~DING

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    Posted by: Boo
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 16:00:58 2008
    Message:
    I don't know what all you have had tests for, Ding, but if it were me, I think I would request some blood work to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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  • That's next on my list. Altho I really *don't think* that's the problem, but it very well could be. ~DING

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    Posted by: sandy
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 15:28:33 2008
    Message:
    Maybe a stupid question but have they checked your sciatic nerve? Never mind I just Googled it and it radiates from your lower back into your leg. Your symptoms are interesting because I have many of the same ones and just figured it was the fun of being old......but you're not. But me ask the doctor? That would be a no. But thanks for the recipe, I LOVE sweet potato pie. Two ladies opened a place near me and have a sweet potato cheesecake to die for. Their peach cobbler cheesecake isn't bad either! And their red velvet and their PB&J cupcakes are also really good and now I will quit talking about food. I hope that you do find the answer.

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  • My mom had the same symptoms, and it is sciatica. It was so bad she was in a wheelchair. She went to a pain clinic and got an epideural. She is finding relief, finally. She has to get 2 more shots though.//Anne
  • I've thought about the sciatica (sp?) - because that would definitely explain the pain in my lower back, left hip & leg. But according to neuro-surgeon dude, I don't have a problem in my *lower back*. Humph. ~DING

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    Posted by: Kat
    Date posted: Tue Jun 24 15:21:25 2008
    Message:
    Oh DING! I'm sorry you feel awful! Now this dr. is he your 3rd opinion? If not, then get a 2nd and 3rd and 4th if none of them can seem to find anything! Thats crazy.

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  • Actually, that doc was my 1st opinion on the herniated disc problem. I really feel like I need a 2nd opinion. ~DING

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