Another Journey into my Chronic Back Pain...
For those who know me and the back pain that I have endured for over 28 years, thanks for listening to what I am about to do, in hopes to get some relief.
With the second back surgery in 2004, my back pain has cause more pain than I want/needed, on a daily basis. So, I retired from a job I truly loved...being an Assistant for Special Ed. Children.
Last year, in December, I had a Nerve Stimulator placed on the areas that give me the most pain. It was a trial to see if I would get the most relief. I "trialed" for 9 days. After the trial period, the leads were taken out and I did get some relief.
There are no medications involved, the device sends a message to the brain, when the pain starts and it cuts off the pain in its path. If a patient gets a good amount of pain relief the device is then implanted under the skin. The patient has this for almost 7 years, using it for pain relief. After that time, the device would need to be surgically removed and a new battery would be replaced.
My mom, at her age of 87 needed a lot of help, soon after I had the trial. I was the only family member that was willing to help her, so I put the surgery aside...that is, having the device surgically implanted.
It has been 6 months, my mom is doing things, on her own, so I decided to see my specialist. I will have the trial on Wednesday, 16th. I will have 7 full days to do the things that have caused my pain. I can tell you, I am looking forward to see if this will be the answer to giving me the relief, I so desperatly need and want. And my quality of life...is the PITS, at this time!
After many years of back pain, I have been able to do some things and have just went with the pain...after awhile, one just gets use to what they have...I know I have, as I've been told, I have a High Tolerance for Pain.
Some of the many chores and daily things that aggrivate my back pain are:
Sitting...
Twisting...
Crouching...
Climbing...
Bending...
Standing for long periods of times...
And, just about everything else one does, on a daily basis...me, I always need to think, before I do...and then at times, when I do have a good day, I just go at it without thinking and pay for it with the severe pain that I will have in the next days ahead.
I am looking forward to doing the trial, again. I will keep a journal and do all the "normal" living, that others do, and see how this device will help me. I wanted to do another trial, because I want to make sure this is going to give me the quality of life we all deserve. This implant is a major surgery.
So, with this journey, (trial) I will take with a smile on my face. Hopefully there will be the next, in my journey, to have the nerve Device implanted and the quality of life I am looking forward to.
Many thanks for listening...
Joyce
With the second back surgery in 2004, my back pain has cause more pain than I want/needed, on a daily basis. So, I retired from a job I truly loved...being an Assistant for Special Ed. Children.
Last year, in December, I had a Nerve Stimulator placed on the areas that give me the most pain. It was a trial to see if I would get the most relief. I "trialed" for 9 days. After the trial period, the leads were taken out and I did get some relief.
There are no medications involved, the device sends a message to the brain, when the pain starts and it cuts off the pain in its path. If a patient gets a good amount of pain relief the device is then implanted under the skin. The patient has this for almost 7 years, using it for pain relief. After that time, the device would need to be surgically removed and a new battery would be replaced.
My mom, at her age of 87 needed a lot of help, soon after I had the trial. I was the only family member that was willing to help her, so I put the surgery aside...that is, having the device surgically implanted.
It has been 6 months, my mom is doing things, on her own, so I decided to see my specialist. I will have the trial on Wednesday, 16th. I will have 7 full days to do the things that have caused my pain. I can tell you, I am looking forward to see if this will be the answer to giving me the relief, I so desperatly need and want. And my quality of life...is the PITS, at this time!
After many years of back pain, I have been able to do some things and have just went with the pain...after awhile, one just gets use to what they have...I know I have, as I've been told, I have a High Tolerance for Pain.
Some of the many chores and daily things that aggrivate my back pain are:
Sitting...
Twisting...
Crouching...
Climbing...
Bending...
Standing for long periods of times...
And, just about everything else one does, on a daily basis...me, I always need to think, before I do...and then at times, when I do have a good day, I just go at it without thinking and pay for it with the severe pain that I will have in the next days ahead.
I am looking forward to doing the trial, again. I will keep a journal and do all the "normal" living, that others do, and see how this device will help me. I wanted to do another trial, because I want to make sure this is going to give me the quality of life we all deserve. This implant is a major surgery.
So, with this journey, (trial) I will take with a smile on my face. Hopefully there will be the next, in my journey, to have the nerve Device implanted and the quality of life I am looking forward to.
Many thanks for listening...
Joyce
posted by Joyce at 8:59 AM
3 Comments:
Oh, Joyce, I hope so much that this device helps you and you have it permanently implanted soon. You have had this pain during our entire friendship and it has gotten progressively worse. Because of your high tolerance you have not had to have a relief like this for 28 years. You deserve it!! Go for it!!
miss Joyce, that sounds really exciting and I am praying for the best outcome from this surgery. I hate seeing you in so much pain all the time missing out on things that I know you would love to be doing. With a little luck you will be able to boogie at Paul's wedding pain free! thinking about you today and happy to see you blogging again!
Praying for you Miss Joyce!
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