Question about epidurals

[capricorn]

Vicki...so glad the procedure went well. Diverticulosis is no joke. Be careful what you eat or it will progess. The polyp will be benign. I just know it. Wishing you all the best with the new Dr. I saw a PM Dr. for the first time on Monday and really liked him. He immediately prescribed a very low dose of Cymbalta, since I am med sensitive and told me to start taking my Klonopin as it's prescribed because it really helps with nerve pain. I have an EMG scheduled the end of the month. He really believes my shoulder healed but all the pain is from my neck. I am starting to have the same pain in my other shoulder and arm now so it makes sense. At least he's trying. Both surgeon's gave me the boot with no explanation and couldn't have cared less how much I hurt. Let me know how you make out on Thursday. Wishing you the best in getting osme releife and some relaly helpful treatment.

CAP

[Bummer Knees]

Vickinat

I had a biopsy in May of the T12 bone marrow. It started in February when my MRI showed abnormal signals. I was then referred to a cancer center and saw an oncologist. He ordered more test, CT scan with contrast, MRI with contrast, x-rays, PET Scan, and then the biopsy.

My biopsy came back benign as most do, I remember the time after I had it had and the waiting to find out if I had cancer, I know what you are going thru as I have been there. Also, I know it won't do any good to tell you not to worry, because you will. Just remember it is standard procedure to have a biopsy and only a very small % turn out to be cancer.

Saying a prayer for you.
Bummer Knees

[vickinat]

Cap:
Thanks for the vote of confidence that it will be benign. They want me to try and eat a very high fiber diet to help with the diverticulosis, so it doesn't get any infections. I too take Cymbalta (20mg once a day) and Klonopin (.5mg 3x's a day) for the spasm/cramps of the back, because they work with the nerve pain. My new NSAID is Tolmetin 600 which is 3x's a day. Good luck to you.

Bummer:
I know what you mean about the waiting for the biopsy results. Last year after my Hysterectomy (total), I had to wait for the biopsies, to find out if I had Ovarian cancer or Endometrium cancer. Before that years ago I had Dysplasia and had LEEP surgery one the cervix, and waited for those results, was happy to find that they had gotten all of the dysplasia. I just hate waiting for results. My father had cancer of several things and also became diabetic when his pancreas shut down, he died at the age of 60. I worry, even though I try not to. Thanks for your words of encouragment.

Take care
Vickie

[capricorn]

Vick...We are both prescribed identically. 20 mg. of cymbalta and .5 mgs. of klonopin 3 xs daily. I never take more than one maybe sometimes 2 klonopins a day but will start to at the PM Dr.s insistance. This combo has worked for you hasn't it? How long have you been on the cymbalta?? Have you never had to up it for it to work?

CAP

[vickinat]

Cap:

I have been using both the Cymbalta and Klonopin since July. same dosage the entire time. They have helped alot with the spasms/cramps, I still get them but not as often or as bad. Before this I had been on many differant muscle relaxers, but found this combo to work the best so far. I also use my TENS unit daily, specially at work.

Hope you feel better soon.
Vickie

[capricorn]

Vicki..Do you take the Cymbalta in the morning or at night? I took it this morning since most of these drugs give me insomnia but I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open. Don't kno wif I'd be better off taking it at night but don't want to be up all night. Maybe I'll have to play a little. Can you tell me your timing with the combo?

CAP

[vickinat]

Cap:
I take the Cymbalta in the morning, at first I did feel tired from it. I too have thought about taking it at night, due to the fact that it is also used for depression in some people, it is supposed to relax you, hence the sleepiness. That got better after awhile. The Klonopin I take in the morning, lunch time and night. The new NSAID I also take at the same 3 times. If you have too much trouble, I would ask your Dr. if you should switch to taking it at night.

I hope this helped.
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

Last Tuesday was my second epidural and as I posted earlier the procedure went much better then the first one when a nerve was hit.

Since the second procedure I've had headaches that lasted for over a week and are finally getting better. I called the center that did the procedure and that asked about my muscles bunching up after the procedure which is exactly what has happened. My back has spasms so hard that it hurts to touch certain areas of my back and I have not slept
all night for over a week.

I am curious if anyone has experienced muscles bunching up after an epidural?

I have seen some improvement of the leg/nerve pain.

[vickinat]

Bummer:

During the time that I was getting my injections, I had already been having terrible back spasms/cramps so I couldn't tell you if I had any from the epidurals or if it was the same ones that I was getting. I hope that made sense.

I hate it when your are reading the paper that comes with your meds. from the pharmacy and it says that side effects are muscle spasms and such, because I can't tell if they are from the meds or from the way it has been since the injury. Do you have this happen to you also. The same goes with tingling and numbness.

Take care
Vickie

[Bummer Knees]

The only meds I am taking is tylenol, I am trying to go this on my own steam. I am using lots of pain patches, tiger balm works the best.

The last few days my bad knee has swollen and constantly giving away,
when I walk it is as if it isn't attached to rest of my leg. Makes it very difficult to stay mobile. Course the pain has increased to a 8/9 in the knee, don't know how much longer I can stay off of pain meds.