Just got back from the "spinal Clinic" where I did not see the doctor due to there legal document that wanted full control of my prescriptions. All all prescribing physicians would go through the "spinal clinic" for prescription approval. Pfft, i was signing no such document to further delay all that I have going on. I told them I am trying to get better not get meds. I don't know how bad the MRI is other than to say to herniated disc and am afraid to attempt exercise when it was said the was bone damage due to meds and a previous injury when i was 16 and the dog food at the pet store fell and I tryed to catch the whole shelf and hold it up until it was repaired. And never saw a doctor. Just had lower back pain from time to time.
I dont know what to do today but it sure isn't going to another Doc to prescribe hide and seek drugs while further damage continues.

I can really only comment on the sleep apnea. My husband sleeps with the "octopus on his face" (lol) and he has had great results with it. It has helped him feel so much better, and he only stopped breathing about 30 times a minute. I can imagine that you would see amazing results.

It took him several times to find a mask that fit him correctly, and that is the key to successfully controlling the apnea. I hope you will let us know how things go for you.

I don't really have much experience with spinal injuries. Is the agreement typical for most clinics? It is terrible that you are not able to receive the care that you need.

Hey there my friend......It sounds like you're in hell right now! I hope that with the cpap you will be able to get some good sleep and it helps with some of the other stuff going on right now.

As for the wife.....she may be having a hard time because you have bee ill for so long it might be she is afraid......just putting out another perspective.

I am sending you all the good vibes I have right now!

Take Care
Beth

Ditto on the good vibes. The beast you have to sleep with (the octopus) sounds awful. Yesterday, I had pain in right arm and hand w/some numbness. 4 on a scale to 10. It went up to shoulder by 4:30. I also had chest pain on the left side. Id say 5 on a scale to 10. It hurt to breathe deeply, so ... I did not breathe deeply.

Today I feel good; it has been a while since I felt nothing.

Sometimes I feel bad posting because I am not as sick as everyone else seems to be. My positive thoughts to everyone.

BTW, does anyone know how many members belong to this group? Just curious.

Sincerely,

Gabrielle

Hey buddy! Wow, what can I say? I really hope the octopus helps... 79 times an hour huh? How could they tell you stopped breathing and weren't just breathing slowly? Of course, I'm not a doctor, so what the hell do I know?! I had one of those sleep studies before...they make it awfully hard to sleep, don't they?
That's absolutely ridiculous with the spine clinic. I mean, what the hell? I could see if it was a gp, but not a specialist! Hopefully you can get some answers on the MRI soon.
-Kate

that spine clinic sounds like a pill mill.... I hate those places.
Maybe you should just see an orthopedic surgeon. I hope you get some good sleep. I am sure that will help with everything!
good luck. Katie

Hey, man,

What a crappy week-- told with your characteristic deadpan black humor! Can't comment to much on the marital issues, because my wife is also on DS on another forum, and while we have an agreement not to read each other's posts, do I trust her completely on that? Probably not! (Honey, if you're reading this, please gently back out of this page... I'm not going to reveal any confidences even anonymously!)

Let's just say we've had our issues sometimes as well, and it's tough for guys because we are supposed to initiate. Now, when you have health problems, you may not feel like initiating all the time... and when you are finally ready, it is particularly disappointing if you are met with refusal. It feels like total rejection. And you'll feel disgusting and filled with self-loathing.

I mean, think about it... these things bothered us less when we were healthy, right? I mean, when I was 27-32, and in remission most of the time, and maybe one night my partner isn't in the mood, I'd be like, "Okay, not tonight. I'll call one of my other girlfriends... or try again later tonight, in the morning, next week..." No fear, no big deal. I'm like, "Baby, no worries, no pressure." But now? It seems more devastating.

Try to talk to your wife. I know it sounds like generic advice and it isn't easy-- the two things a couple never talks about are sex and money-- but EVERY time I've done this, things improve. Eventually. Another tip: ALWAYS talk about sex before talking about money. Because if you wind up having sex-- any kind of sex or intimacy, even if it's not ideal or not like when you were 30, or if it's great but really infrequent-- you won't care so much about the money, and probably the money conversation will go okay.

If, however, you talk about money first, and that goes badly, the odds of the sex conversation going well are not so great!

its 3:50 am. I can't sleep because of new pain above my right hip. percocet and loritab doesnt touch it. will go to the hospital when the kids are off to school and everyones awake. I havent beenable to find anything that can cause pain in this location. its either a deep muscle, or hernia of some type. also the right hip is artificial and on a recall list. Ty Dupre proctor and gamble. took my metho and humeria sunday. all symptoms have gotten worse. and my new pain.

I didnt hit post this morning. im not going to the hospital. The pain is now muscular for sure. Its all over so I know what this is. It feels like a torn muscle every where it hurts but I know how this goes. Rhumy ,higher dose of prednisone and im not having it.