Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Today's Medical Adventure (Updated)
        
(Message started by: Lizzie2 on Mar 12^th, 2006, 9:16pm)

Title: Today's Medical Adventure (Updated)
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 12^th, 2006, 9:16pm

I'm a little nervous about tomorrow. I'm going to the Rothman Institute for an injection of the SI Joint. Basically they do this under fluoroscopy because the SI Joint is deep and they want to make sure they're IN the joint for the injection. First, they'll inject lidocaine and that actually helps them to diagnose SI Joint Syndrome. And then, they'll inject cortisone to try to reduce the inflammation in the joint.

It seems that the AVN in my knees has caused me to limp for some time now, and that irregular gait has irritated the SI Joint and possibly even caused some nerve entrapment there as I do get pain that shoots down my leg.

I've been going to PT for this for awhile as the medical hunt started when I wound up in the ER just before New Year's from the back pain.

I'm nervous because I shouldn't receive cortisone with AVN, but it's a risk/benefit thing - I'm going to discuss it with the doc one more time tomorrow. My dad thinks I'm doing the right thing, and I hope I'm doing the right thing. It's a little scary.

So send me some good thoughts tomorrow afternoon, if you will! I neeeeeeed this to work!!! I spend all day on my feet, and the SI Joint has become a big time problem! I go to PT 2 times a week usually after I've been awake for 15 hours or so from doing night shift. My mom has to pick me up from the procedure because they do give a little bit of sedation I think. Not sure how well I'll feel to post much, but I am off work for 3 days.

Not tonight though!! Just getting ready to go in for 11pm-7am. Then will come home and have to take the train back down tomorrow for the shot. Yippeeeeee...... ::)

Carrie :)

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Opus on Mar 12^th, 2006, 10:00pm

Lizzie,

Praying that it goes well for you.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by alienspacebabe on Mar 12^th, 2006, 10:21pm

Good luck, Carrie!

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by tanner on Mar 12^th, 2006, 10:34pm

Darlin, I will be sending you all my best stuff tomorrow!!
I am having the same thing done apr 18th as well as the two disks above, so please message me and let me know how it goes! are they doing something called provocation imagery at the same time?

I know you will be fine :), but good luck and great vibes to you anyway!!

....................tim

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by cootie on Mar 12^th, 2006, 11:15pm

Wow.......HOPE like hell this helps you and stops the pain......with a job like yours on your feelt so much you just can't be hurtin like that and one thing makein others worse. LOTS of luck with the procedure and will be thinkin bout ya and wishin you the best of the best ! I know several people that have had epidurals and said you usually have to have a total of 3 ? Or is this different ? I don't think any of my friends were sedated with the epidural injections at all.......but then this mite be different. Familiar pain in the back Pam

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by sandie99 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 2:03am

Carrie,

you'll be on my thoughts. I hope it'll go well! :)

Best wishes & prayers,
Sanna

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by LeLimey on Mar 13^th, 2006, 3:59am

Good luck Carrie, updates ASAP as usual please!

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Dragnlance on Mar 13^th, 2006, 9:06am

Hey Carrie,
Got fingers crossed!!!!

Lance

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 9:06am

Thanks! Got home a bit ago, and I have to catch the train back this afternoon, so I'm about to sleep a few hours, then get up and be my own nurse by getting a few things done around here before heading back to Philly!

Later, my mom will be assuming that role - and Joe when he comes over. haha

Nervous can't begin to describe it. I'm still getting conflicting opinions and information about the risks and AVN - seems my mom doesn't want me to get it and my dad does want me to get it. (Get the injection, that is... NOT more AVN!!)

I want to have this done, but I don't want more AVN - I'm just hoping fate will give me a break for a change and the injection will help and I'/ll remain free from AVN in the hips.

Thanks again for the good thoughts! 3pm today is when I'm having it... AHHHHHhhhhhh

Carrie

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Charlie on Mar 13^th, 2006, 11:19am

You're gonna do okay kid because we're all on yer side.

We're waiting for some updates of course.

All the luck in the world. http://www.kolobok.wrg.ru/smiles/madhouse/girl_hospital.gif?SSImageQuality=Full

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Enjoy.... 8)

Charlie

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 11:58am

Charlie,

Thanks for the message!

But what are you referring to with this phrase?

Quote:

author=Charlie link=b
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Enjoy.... 8)

Charlie

hehe
Carrie :)

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Charlie on Mar 13^th, 2006, 12:10pm

Dunno.

I just found this one. Looks like a nurse is about to give a enema of a sort. :D

Nothing personal. Just wanted to use this one....... 8)

Charlie

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 12:18pm

OH haha

Now I get it....

;;D

Title: Re: Tomorrow's Medical Adventure
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 4:41pm

Well that was pretty anticlimactic...

I'd never seen this doc before, so I had to fill out this like 20 page packet for new patients, even though I was referred to him by another doctor in the same office. That actually took longer than anything else - when they said I could leave after everything was finished and I'd waited the allotted time, I said I still had to finish the packet! haha My dad had just pulled in the parking garage when I said I was on my way down.

They put an IV in my arm and injected some IV dye. I asked the nurse at that point to just double check with the doctor about my having AVN, and then I asked the doc once again when I got in there...

He told me only systemic steroids cause AVN - although I do know a few cases of AVN after only one cortisone injection have been reported. The risk goes up in people with steroid induced AVN - which is what I have. I told him about my AVN, and he said, "Well...nobody gets AVN of the SI joint. I then told him that I had surgery of my knees done by a doc who specializes in AVN, and he said that out of all the patients he's ever seen, I was only like the 3rd one that had AVN in the knees and not the hips, bilaterally without any trauma.

Then the doc for today said, "Oh you have it in the knees? You are a weird one."

<sigh> Made me feel like he hadn't listened to a thing I said.

The injection took all of 5 minutes - it hurt but was over quickly. I had to wait around for like 15 minutes to make sure I wasn't having a reaction. It may take 1-2 weeks to reach max benefit, and I may be more sore for the first 24-48 hours.

In the car about halfway home, I told my dad that my tongue, throat, and lips were starting to feel itchy and numby. It hasn't gotten worse but is still here. He dropped me off, came in for a minute, then left to go home. I told my mom, and she was surprised my dad just left me here, given how many allergic reactions I've had - especially recently!! Ah well...

So now I'm gonna lie down since I only slept like 30 minutes earlier. Hope this was worth it in the long run. I'm not very happy with their orthopedic care. I liked the hand specialist I went to, but the guy I normally go to for my back and this one both acted the same way - asked questions but started talking before I could even get out an answer. Blew off my questions and concerns like I was an idiot. I felt herded in and out of there like it was a factory and they didn't really give a damn about me at all. I'd heard that very commonly about the place before I ever went there, but due to my insurance, I have to go there now instead of the doc I went to for my AVN. Kinda sucks, really! And now I feel slightly depressed - but I'm sure it'll pass...

Thanks again for the support and for listening to me vent. Glad I'm off work until Thursday, although tomorrow morning I have to take my kitten to the vet because he's getting neutered and declawed. He won't be around to be biting and scratching for the next couple of days, but he also won't be here to greet me at the door and purr and be cute and sweet when I get home or need a buddy either! I know...get over it already. LOL ::)

Hugz,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: Today's Medical Adventure (Updated)
Post by maffumatt on Mar 13^th, 2006, 5:35pm

Sounds like you got through the ordeal ok, lets just hope the kitty does too, I had ours neutered last week, you should see the way he looks at me now..........

Title: Re: Today's Medical Adventure (Updated)
Post by Lizzie2 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 10:14pm

on 03/13/06 at 17:35:13, maffumatt wrote:

Sounds like you got through the ordeal ok, lets just hope the kitty does too, I had ours neutered last week, you should see the way he looks at me now..........

Matt,

Does he really hold it against you? I was hoping that maybe he won't realize that *I* did it to him!! But I guess he probably is going to be upset and depressed...poor thing. Normally I don't let him in my room at night, but I may tonight since tomorrow is his big day and he won't be back until Thursday. Right now, he's being sweet for a change and lying on my ankles. Normally he's attacking my hands as I type and biting and scratching. I do feel bad for putting him through this surgery, though!!!

My back now is killing me. Joe did come over tonight and the itchy/numb feeling did go away earlier from my throat and lips. My back is just throbbing now that the lidocaine wore off. My back is "realizing" that a fairly big needle was inserted into it through soft tissue, now! heh...

I'll start a new thread about Tony (my kitty) maybe on Thursday once I get him back! Poor lovey....

Carrie :)

Title: Re: Today's Medical Adventure (Updated)
Post by cootie on Mar 13^th, 2006, 10:58pm

Um....I think I am now haveing sympathetic back pains.....not that I don't have it all the time anyhow but after I read about your injection site and the big needle and soft tissue invasion I got a twinge......now I have goosebumps. I have always been EXTREMLY sensitive about bein poked in the back.....I can't handle someone fake pokein at me goofin off there or I practically go into convulsions......blahhh......just a state of mind reflex is all Pam

Hope it stops hurting......GOOD luck to baby kitty too.......I hate havein to take mine to the vets......they get so scared after bein used to there home and left. They don't understand ANY OF IT or why they were suddenly wisked off and left with strangers. Best to have it done when there young tho so they WILL get over it better. Adults don't.......not always with some exceptions. I have had a few cats go CRAZY after haveing surgery's like that done after a year old. They never got over 'what happen'd or why I did it'.........sad cuz I love me cats !!!!