New Member

[Confused-Greg]

Hello.
I am not sure if this will help me or not. I have asked my Dr several times to find me someone to talk to, and I am still waiting. I am a 59 yr old male that most of the time feels more like 100 or better. I was hurt at work in October 2010 and in 2013 had one surgery on my back on the L! - L2 to fix a herniated disc. Then on September 29 2014 I had a 16 1/2 hr surgery that fused me from my T10 to S1 , and its been a horror story since. In the Neurosurgeons eyes the surgery worked because I was able to walk after the surgery, but the different levels and areas of pain that increased after the surgery are some days just unbearable .The Neuropathic pain that I have shooting, and throbbing down my legs, across my pelvic area, and pins and needles in my feet 24hrs 7 days a week make it hard to keep going some days. There has been many days I have just thought about ending the pain for good, but I think about my wife and children and then my head comes back out of the clouds. I am on Anti-depressant , Gabapentin, Oxy-Neo, Tramadol , Percocet, Lorazapam , and a blood thinner Xarelto after I have had 3 PE's ( Pulmonary Embolisms ) in my lungs.
I am not as active as I want to be, some days not even being able to go out of the house, it's crazy I actually have arguments in my head about going out side or for that matter sometimes just to do anything. I dont like being like this at all, and not sure how much more I can take. It's wearing me down really fast, and my Dr's ( pain specialist , Family Dr ) dont really seem to be in a hurry to help me.
I have lots more to say, but just wanted to introduce my self, and maybe see if there is a Special Section I should be looking through on this site.

Thanks
Confused-Greg

[MissMoods]

Hi, Confused-Greg,
I'm sorry. This seems like a tremendous amount to handle. I think there are a couple solutions when it comes to finding someone to talk to, because I do think it could help. Is there anyone advocating for you? Such as a family member? I know there are various mental health services- Canadian Mental Health Association is a good one, if you can find a caseworker (it may be a wait) they will come to you. I also wonder if there are any agencies connected to pain or mobility? I would think you pain specialist would know something about this. I am just thinking in this direction because they would be experts in what you are experiencing. I have also tried at home though the internet therapy, it was good, just not the cheapest. I would also push to have your doctor refer you to a psychiatrist. It may be a very long wait, and psychiatrist are terrible at talk therapy, but they are better at managing medications related to depression etc. I hope this was in anyway helpful.

[paul m]

Hello Confused-Greg and welcome. You can post in just about any section. But you probably will get more replies if you would for example post about depressive issues under depression.Don't worry about posting in the wrong section. If you are to far off one of the moderators will move your post to the proper spot.

I was housebound for a little over two yrs and I had plenty of arguments with myself about my inability to go out. I did not receive a lot of help from the doctors I was seeing at the time.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions, answer other people's questions and/or use the forum to vent out some of your frustrations.. Take Care. paul m

[AJ]

Welcome to the forums Confused-Greg.

[Kaight]

Welcome Confused-Greg.

You have been through a lot. I am so sorry you are in such pain. If I have read your post right you got injured 9 years ago? You are a trouper!! I think as MissMoods mentioned, an advocate would be good. Someone who understands your pain, but does not have to live it - they will have the energy to get you the help you need. Talking to anyone would be a good start - someone like a social worker maybe? They would not be able to adjust your meds, but might be able to get you in touch with someone who can.

I look forward to hearing more from you!
Kaight

[Lady in Blue]

Welcome, Confused Greg, such ongoing stress and trauma!

"Hurt at work in October 2010 and in 2013 had one surgery on my back on the L! - L2 to fix a herniated disc." Has Worker's Compensation been able to help you at all in terms of pain management programs or other referrals? I know it's been a while since you worked but it might be worthwhile to check it out. The depression here seems to be directly related to chronic pain and immobility, along with other physiological problems such as the pulmonary embolisms. Just of the top of my head, I'm thinking pool physiotherapy (a friend of my has some musculoskeletal problems and she benefits from such therapy). Other less practiced approaches that might benefit you are biofeedback and TENS (a type of ultrasound). I suggest we start a section on Depression and Chronic Pain.

[Gossip]

TENS is not an ultrasound, it's low voltage electricity. But I agree that it can be very helpful for pain.

[AJ]

Lady in Blue there is a section for depression here https://mdsc.ca/forum/forum/mood-disorders/depression

We are not fussy about where you post, and pain is a part of so many health issues it can also be talked about in any section.

[Lady in Blue]

Gossip, that's right; the physiotherapist I was going to mentioned TENS and a few other techniques, just got mixed up in the names of them.

[Lady in Blue]

A.J. , did not mean to overstep; I know having so many sub-forums can actually be a deterrent. Just my experience with some chronic pain groups and my mom's own chronic pain with carpal tunnel syndrome and meningioma that they kind of fell through the cracks in terms of emotional support because of the medical etiology.

[AJ]

Hi Lady in Blue. I didn't think you overstepped at all! All ideas and suggestions are welcome.

In my own experience, giving a name to something somehow makes it a little easier to deal with, like a place to start almost...