my husband just had that surgery on Thursday May 2nd.. he did very well and you go home the same day.. 1 hr. surgery.. hes just sore right now..he does not have any pain in his back.. they did th surgery on 3 parts of his verterbrea.. he has multiple fractures.. I would recommend this to anyone who is having back pain.. hes been in pain for 16 months with no relief nit even with the fentynly patch.. give it a try..

thanks, I will be out for a few days my doctor is putting me in the hospital for evaluation. He is calling in a surgeon and my radiation doctor to see what needs to be done. The pain is getting much worse. Will let you know what they decide when I return. Nancy

hope your feeling better nancy

I'm back, spent 4 days in the hospital, didn't think it be that long. Kept me on morphine every 2 hrs while in the hospital, all I did was sleep, but I guess I did need the rest.Of course nothing was found that would cause my pain. I had x-rays, mri, cat scan, and all it showed was a small fracture in the low back. My onc called in a neurologist and my radiation doctor, they all got together on this and decided the fracture was not enough for surgery and the area had already had radiation with no help. So the neurologist gave me an epidural in low back saying it would either have immediate relief or not much help at all.
Well the out come is not much help, it did relieve a bit of the pain making it a little easier to get up and down other than that no relief at all. He said I could get them a couple times a year.
So for now I just don't know can't live with this pain, if it were anywhere else like the mid back at least I could walk and do other things, this way I am limited on everything I do.

Hi Nancy, please see if you can get another opinion. My docs are always about pain management. it someting doesn't work, they try again. Please check with your insurance company and see if you can get another opinion. Living pain should not be an option you have to choose.

I agree with Kparker.. my husbands drs all say that there is no reason for him to be in pain.. he wears the patch and has pills if needed.. it doesn't make sense to not try something else.. see a pain specalist

I have an appt. on the 20th, will talk to him more about pain relief, right now I trust the 4 doctors I have, but I do need pain relief. I have been on morphine, the patch, with no results. So far nothing has phased this low back pain at all. I have some patches left and put a 50mg on today and I also have Vicodin, so will try that until I see the doctor.
I appreciate all your input and take it to heart and will discuss this with them. I don't want to be this way forever. thanks all and Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. Nancy

glad you have an appt. there is no reason for you to be in pain.. keep us updated..

Hi! Nancy,
I know of a MM person personally that was dealing with back pain and she joined our cancer comunity center, she is involved with some of the physical activities, she said strengthening her core has helped out with her back issues. I do warm-up exercises before i even get out of bed. I deal with some back pain, at my last visit to my cancer center i found out that i have a thinning of my #5 vertabra and some spurs, the physisian assistant Melonie told me about it, i wish my oncolgist had told me earlier, they just kept saying i have some artritis. Have you checked into this, some people do Yoga or polates, it is amazing how stomach muscles and your core can effect your back, also something a small as stretching your ham string muscles in your legs can eleviate some tightness or pain in back. My son's friend who is going to school to be a chiropractor told me that. Sorry to hear of your pain Nancy, i will be praying for you. Today is Dex day, that is why im up so late.
Have a good day : )
Ed

Ed, I know about the weak stomach muscles and mine are very weak. Understand the Dex to, I take mine on Fridays now as I am usually up all night, couldn't work like that so changed my days. I am trying to walk a little straighter and hold in the stomach muscles some, I have to do something. Don't want to push it to hard right now, but I do feel a little better but still can't bend over, or pick up much over 5 lbs. Going to take it slow and hope to get better. I have gained 50 lbs on Dex, which only took about 8 months. I have stayed at that 50 though, over the past 5 yrs., but that is alot of weight on your back too. I'm trying want to get rid of this pain. Nancy

That's good that you are aware and trying Nancy, when i started warming up in the morning, i did very low impact stuff like lifting my head off pillow a number of times, lift legs a little, it's amazing what you can work up to. I do mini crunches now, oblique crunches, reverse leg lifts, etc. I find the bed to be alot softer than the floor : )
I have put some weight on also, i am a munching machine on Dex, it sounds like a common occurance : )
The sleepless night messes me up for a few days though, it can be hard as i have to continue to work at this time. Oh well, it could be worse i guess : )
Have a good day Nancy
Ed

Well was back in the hospital for another 4 days, this time horrible headache and violent vomiting all night on the 20th by morning couldn't make it to work didn' answer texts from co-workers, they know if I don't call or show up something is wrong, 2 co-workers showed up and call the rescue squad. Dr. ran more tests MRI/MRA blood work, etc.
No answers, everything came back good. Don't know what is going on. Could it possibly a late delay on the Velcade? Going to see doctor next week to discuss this, their all happy there is nothing showing up, so am I but what is going on?
Thanks for listening, Nancy

Hi Nancy,
Sorry to hear of your suffering, when i visit with oncologist they ask if i have had any headaches, could it be your medications ? Are you getting Vecade IV or injections? Are you on Revlemid? And if so what are you on to thin your blood? I am on Revlemid and have to take a small asperin each day. Have you taken any pain meds for the headaches? How is your stress level lately? Have you been worrying alot lately? Hope you dont mind all the questions.
Ed

Ed,
I take Velcade injections. I take Rev 5mg, nothing to thin blood was on aspirin need to get back on it. I take Vicodin and the Fentynal Patch. I have some stress but try to keep it down.
I see the onc on Thurs. going to stop the Velcade.
I was on 25mg years ago and never had a reaction except a rash, they stopped it back then. I believe since the tests show nothing is wrong that the Velcade finally caught up and just made me really sick. I plan on staying on the Rev.
Saturday I started getting the neuropathy in my hands and legs, would shake so bad that whaterver I had in my hands hit the floor, legs are cramping up from dehydration and shaking real bad too. I keep notes on everything and when I tried to write it down Sat, could just barely hold the pen and write, had to stop and start couldn't think straight or talk right. Shaking right now just trying to type this. Thanks for your time, but gonna talk to doc about this. Nancy

my husband was on the rev and did fine on it until after the SCT..then he got a rash from it... he now is on velcade & zometa with no problems.Just foud out yesterday he in in complete near remission which is the best you can do according to the dr.. hardly a trace of protein now..good luck to you & everyone