Radiofrequency Ablation

The procedure I had done this morning is called Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation or Radiofrequency Ablation. The literature I received from the doctor defines Radiofrequency Ablation as a procedure that involves heating the tips of small needles which are placed into exact locations (usually to treat low back pain, leg pain, neck pain and headaches) using an x-ray machine (C-Arm Fluoroscopy). It temporarily or permanently interrupts the pain messages by stunning nerves.

Overall, my pain has dropped from a 6 to about a 1, but that could be from the local anesthetic. More to follow… 

Cryoanalgesia

It’s 12:55 PM and I’m forcing myself to sit and write. I have a very bad case of “writer’s block” and can’t seem to sit or concentrate long enough to post/write.

As of today, I’ve had nerves frozen (cryoanalgesia) in three places (T9, T10 and T11) and on July 2 I have a procedure scheduled in which the doctor will use some sort of “laser” on the affected area. The process was explained to me, but, of course, I wasn’t paying enough attention and forgot. My pain seems to have gone down by about 30%. Some nights it’s gone completely, but those are far and few between.

I’m also taking Neurontin three times a day, but I don’t think it’s helping. Again, I’m sorry for the lack of updates; bear with me!

Warning…

I went to my PMS (Pain Management Specialist) yesterday (May 1st) and he’s decided that the next step for me will be to freeze the nerves located at/between my 11 and 12 ribs (I could be wrong about the location, terminology, etc.). He said my nerves weren’t responding to the steroids he injected in them (nerve block) but, because the nerves responded to the anesthesia, freezing them should work. This cryogenic process does not “kill” the nerve, but freezes it for a long period of time (after which it wakes up?).

More importantly, I was taking Elavil for insomnia for about 4 weeks, during which time my overall attitude and outlook on life was becoming progressively “dimmer,” (see the post below). I read a CBS News article today that stated the FDA wants to label various antidepressants because they can increase suicidal behavior. I couldn’t agree more, as I experienced this first hand. I’ve never considered suicide, but I was definitely becoming clinically depressed!

I feel as though I’m merely a shell of what I once was…

Today is Friday, April 27th and I haven’t posted here in quite some time. I’ve been suffering from a chronic bout of “Writer’s Block,” and even on days I feel like writing, I can’t think of anything to say. Most days I can’t bring myself to do much of anything except what’s required of me (i.e. work, yard-work, etc.) and even then, it’s a struggle.

I had a series of three nerve blocks done and they haven’t brought me any relief. I have an appointment with my pain management specialist on Monday, to talk about freezing the suspect nerve/nerves. I’m in the process of weaning off the various medications I’m on, except for the pain meds. It’s a catch-22, really; when I take the meds, it affects me mentally and who I am. If I don’t take them, the pain affects me mentally and thus changes who I am. I feel as though I’m only a fraction of the man I was.

I was watching De Le Hoya/Mayweather 24/7 on HBO earlier and it made me really sad. I wish I could train again and can’t help but wonder if my life as I know it is over. I plan on going back to the gym tomorrow to try to train, at least a little, even though I know I’ll pay for it when the evening comes. Sedentary life just isn’t for me. Here comes that block again…

The nerve…

Last night, my pain was so bad I couldn’t sleep. My days have turned into an epic struggle against pain.

I went to a new pain management doctor today. He strongly suspects that my pain is caused from irritated nerve endings. He’s going to give me a series of nerve blocks and, if that doesn’t help, he’s going to snuff out the nerve and freeze it’s ending(s) and there was another procedure he talked about that I can’t remember/pronounce. I was becoming depressed and was losing all hope, but this has rekindled the fire beneath my ass.

So, I went from thinking I was dying of cancer to learning I was dealing with/experiencing nerve pain. I hope to God he’s right.

Another thing he told me is that my irritation is caused from arthritis, i.e. DDD, TCJD, etc. IT IS A COMMON AILMENT AND MOST PEOPLE GET IT AS THEY AGE (30-50 yoa). My point is, people experiencing this (common) pain think it’s something different, (more serious) and spend butt-loads of their hard-earned money chasing a cure/diagnosis. If you’re one of these people, there is hope!!!!

My first nerve block is scheduled for 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 29. Until then…

Degenerative Disc Disease

As of today, I wake up each morning pain-free, but by late-morning the pain begins to creep in. Lately, I’ve been feeling numbness and tingling in my left leg. Great. I stopped taking Lyrica; it isn’t helping me.

I’m still weaning off meds, so I feel like crap and have to make/force myself to sit down and write. My DC is putting me through “Decompression Therapy,” which basically consists of me laying down on a computerized, modern-day torture-rack, while he straps my lower back and legs, and has the machine pull on my legs, hence “decompressing” my spine. I’ve had three sessions and don’t really feel much better.

One thing I’m hopeful about is my diagnosis: I’m pretty certain what I have is nerve pain caused by Degenerative Disc Disease.

There’s a pretty good article on spinal disc transplants here. My eyes are about to pop out of my head.

Lyrica and the Whitee Patch

The past few days, I’ve been waking up pain-free, but I notice as I move around, my pain begins. I’ve been on Lyrica for just over two weeks now and I think I “jumped the gun” on my decision earlier.  It feels as though it’s working, but I can’t be sure, because on Monday, my DC applied another Whitee Patch and shortly after, my pain began subsiding.

I’m not here to advertise or promote anything, but I can’t deny that these two products, either together or individually, seem to be helping me a great deal. Either way, they are worth checking into.

As far as my ADHD, it’s off the chart!!!!!!!!!!

I’m trying not to jump out of my skin…

Today’s Sunday and I’m weaning off of pain meds. My flank pain has not subsided, nor has it gotten worse. What doesn’t help, is that I’m going through “withdrawals” and feel horibble. I’m having trouble thinking, I can’t concentrate on anything, I’m very “excited” and “nervous” and, in general, feel like I want to jump out of my skin and run until I collapse from exhaustion.  Psychologically, I’m sound and can deal with weaning off the meds, but physically, I’m a mess.

My DC, for the first time, on Friday (23rd), admitted that he thought my pain would have gone away by now, and that my body would have healed. Great. Normally, that would depress me, but all I have is hope.

The Lyrica doesn’t seem to be helping, but I’ll give it another week or so, just to make sure. I’m sorry, but I can’t type anymore…must go run…

Jesus, God…THE PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

As of today, I’m still in a lot of pain. I’ve dissected my ailment so much that I’ve started confusing myself with my symptoms, timelines, etc. Everything is beginning to turn into one, big blur. As of the 17th, I began taking a medication called “Lyrica.” I didn’t know anything about it and, upon doing a little research, found that it’s prescribed for nerve pain/nerve damage resulting from diabetes and shingles. The current theory here is that my doctor is hoping the nerves that are being irritated (and causing my pain) will respond to the Lyrica. If it does, I’ll let you know.

Also, as of now, I’m waking up pain free and, as I move around, the pain begins and becomes worse/more intense the more I move around. So, I think that we’re on track as far as the nerve(s) being irritated/aggravated theory goes, but we still don’t know exactly what is causing the irritation/aggravation. We’re assuming it’s my rib, but we don’t know the exact mechanics behind it…

So, in review: There is a nerve or group of nerves that runs from my back to the front of my abdomen, above my belly-button. Something is rubbing/moving/brushing against these nerves, aggravating/irritating them, which is causing my pain. Since all my tests are negative/normal (i.e. MRI, CT Scans, X-Rays, etc.) the current theory is that my lower rib or lower ribs is/are the culprit…

Let me know what ya’ll think and visit babypoobarellah..com!

Happy Valentine’s Day

Today is February 15 and I haven’t updated in awhile. I really haven’t felt like writing or doing anything, lately. I’m currently weaning off of muscle relaxers and, although I’ve got them beat psychologically, my body is having a hard time, physically. It’s a real pain-in-the-ass, but I really thought they were helping me.

As it turns out, my pain was at an all-time low, so I decided to try a light jog, the day before Valentine’s Day. Bad move. It feels like my pain/injury has relapsed all the way back to the beginning. I felt like I’d made a lot of headway and that, although it took a lot of time, patience and money, my body was (very) slowly healing itself. I still had hope, but, it’s very slowly dwindling…So, I’m going to give my body as much rest as I can to see if I can get back to the level I was at. All said, my pain was down to about a three out of ten, instead of 8 out of ten (with ten being the absolute worst, blah blah blah…).