Update
March 22, 2009 3:50pm
It's been a long time since the last update. I have survived the move from Maryland to Florida and I am still trying to get settled. I had a very …
Computergeek
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About Me
Computergeek
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About Me
I am a former computer support person recently retired due to severe chronic back and neck problems and arthritis. I moved to Florida in October 2008 so I could be in a warmer climate and live in a house on one floor. The move was stressful and my move has turned out to be a mixed blessing due to problems getting medical care and issues with my house.
I am a former computer support person recently retired due to severe chronic back and neck problems and arthritis. I moved to Florida in October 2008 so I could be in a warmer climate and live in a house on one floor. The move was stressful and my move has turned out to be a mixed blessing due to problems getting medical care and issues with my house.
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Interests
In addition to computers, I enjoy crafts and photography.
In addition to computers, I enjoy crafts and photography.
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Recent Activity
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Journal
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Finally sold townhouse, moving nightmare
October 21, 2008 12:13pm
I finally sold my townhouse on October 8th. After much negotiation and not really knowing whether the buyer's lender was going to loan them the …
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Angry and frustrated
August 31, 2008 5:47pm
I am so angry and frustrated with the economy and the corporate and investor greed in this country! I just read a news report from Reuters and this …
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Need another surgery
August 15, 2008 1:36am
I went to see my neurosurgeon on Monday (8/11) with my new lumbar MRI. It is not news that I have more than one type of problem. I guess it was a bit …
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Reduced selling price of townhouse
August 5, 2008 5:25pm
As of Thursday, July 31, a little over a month had passed since I stopped trying to sell my townhouse myself and hired a realtor. The original price …
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Hugbook
Hug
I won´t lie..your name here got me interested..someone who KNOWS about computers..YES!!! But when I read what you have been going thru..I just want to send you a big hug and hope things will settle down for you soon! Take care!!! It will be ok in time..
Hug
Thanks I wont give up, just have hit a couple of rough spots here and there but people have been very helpful to me on here and in life, so hope you are doing well too. Thanks! T.
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Back Pain
I have degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the spine. I also have stenosis and a lumbar slippage (retrolisthesis). I have had two cervical fusions, one in 1995 and one in 2007 and have a total of 4 fused cervical vertebrae (c3-c7). My neck pain is fairly well controlled, but so far no treatment has been effective for my lower back.
Treatments
- Bedrest Somewhat Helpful
- Lying down after I have been on my feet or performed an activity such as bending, twisting, or lifting is helpful as long as it is for a short time. Extended bed rest actually seems to make my pain worse.
- Cortisone (Injection) Somewhat Helpful
- I had two cervical facet blocks which were moderately helpful.Since these were beneficial, I then had a cervical facet rhizotomy which is the long acting version. I have to be very careful with my use of steroids since my face and neck swell.
- Darvon Not Working
- Tried this but it had almost no effect on my pain. It also caused me severe constipation.
- Epidural Injection Not Working
- I have had two lumbar epidurals, a lumbar facet block, and a lumbar facet rhizotomy, none of which helped at all. I have to be very careful with my use of steroids since my face and neck swell. I also have additional side effects.
- Flexeril Not Working
- This used to help a little bit, but now it does nothing at all.
- Heat Somewhat Helpful
- This is somewhat helpful for muscle relaxation but not for nerve pain.
- Hydrocodone Somewhat Helpful
- I take 5/500 Vicodin 3 times a day in the daytime only. It takes the edge off the pain without being sedating. The constipation is tolerable at this low dose.
- Morphine Working / Worked
- I take 15 mg ER MS-Contin at night. Although it doesn't seem to have much direct action on my pain, it is the only thing I have ever taken that keeps me from waking up every time I move in my sleep due to pain. I have very minimal side effects from this medicine.
- Naproxen Not Working
- This does not reduce my pain at all. NSAIDs trigger my asthma and I get chest pains. I have also tried the topical Voltaren Gel but it does not work either.
- Oxycodone Not Working
- The sedation side effects were too severe even at the lowest possible dose so I had to stop taking it after 4 days.
- Physical Therapy Somewhat Helpful
- Physical Therapy made me feel better while the therapist was working with me but there was no pain relief benefit afterward.
Close Arthritis
I have arthritis in most of my joints, probably because my body produces a lot of bone spurs. As I have gotten older, the pain has gotten worse and I have lost function in my joints. I recently moved to Florida to take advantage of the warmer weather and I now live in a place on one floor so I no longer have to deal with stairs.
Treatments
- Glucosamine/Chondroitin Not Working
- I took this for over a year with no results at all.
- Ibuprofen Not Working
- Did not work and cannot take it because of my asthma.
- Naproxen Not Working
- Did not work and after two weeks, I had chest pains due to my asthma being triggered.
- Pain Management Clinic Somewhat Helpful
- I am on a low dose of opioids for my back pain, which also helps with my arthritis pain.
- Physical Therapy Somewhat Helpful
- It worked for as long as I was doing it but my pain returned afterwords.
- Voltaren Not Working
- Cannot take orally because it is an NSAID which triggers my asthma. I tired the topical Voltaren Gel, but it doesn't help.
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Friends
