Log #147 (Insurance Run Around)

I've been having a rough couple of weeks physically.  Mainly, because of a kidney stone that is taking it's dear sweet time coming out, but as always, I have to deal with the chronic pain in my legs.

I went in to see my Pain Management Doctor yesterday and he is nearly convinced, now that I've had so many epidurals and the fusion surgery, that my sciatic nerve is seriously and permanently damaged.  This is not surprising to me, but it is a bummer to hear a doctor actually say this may be the case.

He suggested that I look into a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) to help manage my pain, but he said I should really research it first before deciding.  I'm glad he told me to do the research.  If I would have made my decision based on the DVD he gave me I would have jumped at the chance to have the stimulator implanted.  The way it works is through wires attached to the nerves in the upper back that lead to the brain.  The stimulator is implanted under the skin and it sends electrical signals through the nerves and confuses the brain into thinking there is less pain and in its place is a feeling of vibration in the pain areas.

After reading up on this I think I'll pass on this idea because the possible downside is to great.  I have no problem with trying something as long as the result leaves me no worse off that I was before, but when the possibility exists that I could be in much more pain that is not reversible then I have to say no.  Here is a link, in case you may be thinking about having this procedure done on yourself, to a forum with comments by those considering it or have already had it done.  (healthcentral.com)

If I would have been dealing with this problem longer than I have then I might consider it, but at this point I will hold out for better technology.

I wanted to report that I won my Social Security Disability case.  WOO WHO!!

On the other hand, my fight with Workmen's Compensation continues.  They have finally agreed to let me get some therapy for depression, but they have to make everything so difficult.  If I didn't have to deal with them, my depression would be much more manageable.  These guys want me to travel 40 minutes each way at times that are inconvenient for me and they don't want to do anything about getting me there.  They expect my wife to take time off work each week to drive me to the appointments.  They know full well how I manage my pain and that I can't drive, but they still hold their ground.  Remember, these are the same people who are supposed to be looking out for those who have been injured on the job.  Dealing with them is like having a root canal done every day.
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PLEASE MAKE COMMENTS!!!!  If you have similar experiences then please write them here.  It may help someone else when you write your point of view.  ANY comment, question, or suggestion is appreciated!!!

Log #146 (An update)

It's been a while since I posted something new, but I've been thinking about it for the last little while and thought it would be good to do an update...

First off I should say that there is no improvement in my back condition.  It's been over a year since my back surgery and I think it's safe to say that it didn't do any good at all.  I still have the same problems as before and, if anything, my back is slightly worse now.

I had three more epidural steroid injections into my sciatic nerves, but none of those helped and the last one I had actually made my left leg more numb than it was before.  It's just too bad that the added numbness does nothing to take the sciatic pain away.

I have found cutting down on the Norco and using medical marijuana has been a lot better for my pain management.  The only time I have to take Norco is if the pain goes beyond what the MJ can do for me.  I've learned a lot about medical MJ over the last year.  I use what is called a vaporizer (Iolite)to get the THC from the MJ into my system.  This is a smokeless method wherein the MJ is heated in a small chamber until it starts to release the THC.  I then inhale the vapor without all of the carcinogens and tar that comes along with smoking it.  Also, my vaporizer is small enough that it can fit in my pocket and take it wherever I might need to go.

Not taking the opiates has had a very good effect on me.  My moods are much more stable than before and I'm able to reason things in my mind better.

OFF THE SUBJECT...
Just for fun here is a little thing from JIB-JAB that my second oldest son clued me in on.  I inserted some of our family face pics and it's pretty funny.  The JIB-JAB site has a few of these you can play with.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

PLEASE MAKE COMMENTS!!!!  If you have similar experiences then please write them here.  It may help someone else when you write your point of view.  ANY comment, question, or suggestion is appreciated!!!