Just a brief explanation before I try to go back to sleep...
I had said in yesterdays blog that I was afraid of taking the new meds prescribed to me by my doctor. (A few of you made me giggle at your own comments as to the solution to my refusal to take the drug)! hehehe
A year ago in March, Casey was in the hospital for yet another pancreatitis attack. At that point she had been on the oxycodone drugs- (1 long acting, and one type for her breakthrough pain).
It was during the course of that drug treatment that her heart rate had gone above 200 more than a few times.
It was during that hospitalization she had that seizure.
Caseys heart rate had remained above 100 for a long time.
"Medically insignificant" is what Dr. Hujuet at St Marys Hospital in Green Bay had called it. (CLICK for that story).
It was determined that the seizure, the tremors and other problems were caused by this drug.
This oxy crap is what my doctor has prescribed for me!
(Yes, he has my medical history).
But his line of thinking is that the other (hydrocodone, aka Vicoden) was not working for me.
- Know that I was hospitalized at 3+ years old.
Long story short, I jumped off the front porch at one point, and cracked my head open.
At the hospital I was given an EEG, and it was determined that I was epileptic.
I took pills (dilantin and phenobarbital) for this until I was 18; and quit cold turkey when I got married, never having had any episodes before, during, or after. (Although Mama said I did, I do not remember).
BUT...
...IF this IS what caused Casey's seizures,
and IF I have just been "lucky" so far...
do I really want to take that chance?
and IF I have just been "lucky" so far...
do I really want to take that chance?
It has always been my assertion that anyone who falls down and cracks their forehead open, requiring 7 stitches, would have an abnormal EEG.
Not being a doctor though I do not know.
Nor do I know why subsequent EEG's showed the need for continuing meds.
I look forward to your input...
Right now though I need to rest a bit-
XOXO
Me
We're often afraid of what we don't know. So I have two questions.
ReplyDelete(1) Is there a test for epilepsy? An EEG is used to measure brain waves, so unless you're having active seizures it wouldn't show anything. I had a dog (Jezebel) who had grand maul epileptic seizures, but I don't remember ever running any tests, the diagnosis was made by observation.
(2) Is oxycodone known for causing seizures, or was that just the way Casey responded to it?
Haven't I heard that oxycodone is highly addictive? That would be my BIGGEST reason for not using it.
Do you have anyone in your area that practices acupuncture? It won't cure your problem, but it sure does help with pain. You've got nothing to lose by trying it, but you could gain a lot.
I do understand about not taking a med that is extremely addictive... I also understand your fear .. did you tell the doctor about this fear as he was writing this prescription? Or did you do something very un-Anne and just shut your mouth and let him write it and then dig in your heels and nope not gonna take it?????
ReplyDeleteMe .. I argue with doctors.. If its too expensive or I dont like the side effects or even the possible side effects.. I call up the pharmacist ask questions and find alternatives and then call the doctor back and ask for something different. Im real bad about this.
I have had the same doctor for over 20 years.. and she has not kicked me to the curb yet.. although Im very sure she has wanted to many times..hehe
Sweet RT;
ReplyDeleteThat was in the 'good old days' for doctors- (When they were gods and one did not ever question what the doctor said)...
Mom never ever questioned a doctor 'til she was over 70!
Admittedly I have done no research on the oxy drug I have.
Will do so later on.
Yes, I know that it is highly addictive, but I believe so is the vicoden I was taking-
There are conflicting viewpoints on any kind of pain pill addiction too-
Some say you are addicted if you take these pills for only three days.
Others claim that if you take a painkiller as prescribed, and if you really need it, then withdrawals will be nothing compared to the pain.
I am responsible with this, and my doctor has never questioned that part of it. (Only the part that does not allow me to get above the pain; especially if I fall).
Do we have acupuncturists at our clinic? Not sure- Something to check on for me...
XOXO
Me
Sweet Beep;
ReplyDeleteI am in so much pain that I did not fight with him- He had made me lie down on the table- I thought I would die!
(But even the fact that I even got it filled was out of character for me).
hehehe My doctor keeps on seeing me too- Funny, if any of them should have kicked me to the curb it's this one...
And yes, I do argue-
...Just didn't have it in me at the right time. (Maybe that's why he had me lie down 1st)?
XOXO
Me
Sweet Annie, I didn't mean to insinuate that you would be irresponsible with an addictive drug, I just meant that a drugs addictiveness would be something that would scare me enough to think long and hard before I started taking it on a regular basis. Of course in some cases you have no other alternative because of being in such horrendous pain. I know you'll do your research and do what's best for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, please do try acupuncture at least two or three times. It's been around for thousands of years and a lot of people swear by it.
Annie, are you seeing a GP or a specialist for your back?
ReplyDeleteAt least your Dr seems sensible. My mother's Dr has had her on hydrocodone for several years because of pain in her foot. The hydrocodone was handling the pain. A few months ago her Dr expressed concerns about how long she had been on the hydro and instead of moving her up to oxycodone or oxycontin, he jumped her straight to morphine!! I didn't/don't agree, but she is in AZ with my brother so I have no say. If my brother doesn't object no one else's opinion matters.
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry your back is still in such a bad way. This has been going on entirely TOO long. I wish I could take some of your pain onto myself so that you didn't hurt so much.
Big gentle hugs,
Snotbal
I think you should go back to your doctor, remind him of your childhood experience. Then remind him of your daughters and ask him how he plans on monitoring you on this medication. Or is there another alternative he can provide.
ReplyDeletetake the pills.....back pain can be very severe...even crippling
ReplyDeleteNow how is it that you crack your head open and the doctor's knew something like giving stitches and testing you, where as I fall out of shopping cart, I get scalped at a year old, and the stickin' doc didn't do much but put my scalp back where it should be, no stitches and sent me home with my family?
ReplyDeleteI know your question didn't have much to do with my question. Yet that is all I can think about. Sorry for being selfish in that manner.
I think you have very valid reasons to question your doctor. I always try to ask all of what is in my head. (I even repeat the question. I know this by the look the dr. gives me as he repeats himself. I honestly don't try to peeve him.)
If I was in your situation, I would only take it if I had someone to stay with me and report any that didn't seem right. And I would feel a bit safer in case I had a reaction.
I totally understand why you are uneasy about taking the drugs. I think you should go back and explain to the doc about all that has happened and why you are worried about taking the pain meds. In the mean time, you should research and try to find an alternative (acupuncture, meditation, etc.)
ReplyDeleteThe reason that the vicoden may not be working is that your system might be immune to it. Has the doctor tried any other meds like Percocet or Darvocet?? That might be something else to check in to...
I hope that you can get some relief soon for your pain...
Love Ya!
Slurkie :-)
I can't blame you for being leery about that drug. Is there a way to cut the dosage? I'm not sure what form it comes in. But if it's a dry tablet, cut it or break it in half. Start out with minimal dosing. If it is a capsule type, is there a small dose form of it?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what to tell you but I do know that it is one drug in particular that can and does "cause" more problems than it helps. You are right to question it.
My brother was an epileptic and it eventually killed him despite being on the drugs everyday of his life. drugs schmugs, you know yourslef best.
ReplyDeleteand we all know that the vicodien will give you a *ahem* big butt. at least on the inside.
I work with a guy that blew out three disks in his back. he suffered for a long time. they told him he was going to have to have surgery, he declined they did a "last ditch" effort of some kind of steroid shots into the disks. He was supposed to have three. He did two to no effect and almost didnt do the third.. but finally he did. after that third one, no issues whatsoever. he is back into the swing of things which for him includes some high level mixed martial arts.
just a thought to ask about.
depending on how much you were scalped, they can't stitch it back of it will not heal right. it creates a pocket underwhich things fester and rot and if it does heal there is an abcess there......
ReplyDeleteLet me just say that I'm a bit hesitant to take any medicine with the word crap in it. Even something like chocolate crap, apple crap pie, pizza crap - not very appealing to me.
ReplyDeleteTake care my friend.
ReplyDeleteI know Sweetie-
I just thought I would qualify that for anyone else that might stumble into this blog.
ReplyDeleteGP
A referral would be very expensive for me...
ReplyDeleteHmmm... Dare I add, kinda like your heart Sweetie...
Sweet CillieSnotball;
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why she was changed if the drug she was on was actually working. (Whatever happened to "don't fix it if it ain't broke")?
I could understand an upgrade if her pain was intolerable, especially to morphine...
Just sounds wacky.
I know how long its been going on, and you are right, it is way too long. And I also fear winter- and snow.
But time will tell.
What bugs me is being "grounded" so to speak. I am not even supposed to stand and cook. (Thank God for canned goods).
WTH?
And in the meantime I am losing muscle mass. Nothing noticeable yet, but I asked him about my hand/arm weights -and he said no.
Killjoy.
XOXO
Me
PS
Thank you too, but know I would not give my back pain to you.
You are right Sweet Oka;
ReplyDeleteI should remind him.
I have his private numbers- home, cell, and office. I will leave a message on his office one to remind him.
The alternative would have been to 'up' my script for the vicoden every now and then, instead of limiting it to one.
XOXO
Me
Sweet Becca;
ReplyDeleteI am so tempted to take them now as my back is a piece of poo right now...
Not severe or crippled enough I suppose... ("yet" anyway).
And I haven't fallen in a while, so I will take this all one minute at a time.
Sometimes one second at a time...
XOXO
Me
Sweet Athena-
ReplyDeleteNo need to worry about being selfish, silly girl!
I am thinking that because it was my forehead, and it was bleeding profusely onto Mama and Ginny Ryan...
Virginia Ryan, our neighbor lady and 2nd mother, used to be head night nurse at St Vincent Hospital here in town, so maybe having her in attendance prompted my doctor to run a few extra tests...
Or maybe he just saw Dads insurance plan and said why not? hehehe
I don't really have anyone to remain with me.
But I am just happy when Casey or Kelli even just stop in.
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteSweet SlurkieBaby!
Percocet and Darvocet ARE the oxy drugs... Just the brand names of it.
I promise to do more research, but am limited right now...
Maybe when I get up to Sault Ste Marie, I can inquire up there with my own band/tribe.
XOXO
Me
PS
It could be worse. This could be labor...
ReplyDeleteSweet PeachieBaby!
(Sorry, had to take the Punk out)...
How come I am supposedly so damn brilliant and I never thought about cutting the damn things in half?
XOXO
Me
Sweet Pea?
ReplyDeleteBig BUTT?
Now you have gone and made my day...
Given that I live under a rock, you are going to have to 'splain that.
I think it was The Slurk that had suggested those shots to me earlier... Hmmm...
Ya mean I have to 'ask' him for this? hehehe
XOXO
Me
That's just baaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMr Khoolman;
You are always my voice of reason.
hehehe
XOXO
Me
wow, thank you for the information. so the doctors did know what they were doing.
ReplyDeletelearning something new again.
No kidding. That is bad. deeannes didn't even finish the idea. That just leave one to think the worse.
ReplyDelete(Thoughts like that don't need finishing)...
ReplyDeleteMethinks your head wuld have fell off years ago if they HAD stitched it up.
LOL I didn't lose my head, I just lost my mind.
ReplyDeleteThat's not from the accident you had-
ReplyDeleteThat's from turning 30.
(At least it was for me)!
hehehe
the vicodeine is one of the causes of the "enlarged colon"......
ReplyDeleteYes you have to ask your doctor sometimes.
xoxoxoxo
Pea
it is indeed.
ReplyDeleteI have had two dogs "degloved" as it is officially called and you just kinda have to let it be until it heals... gross but better than the alternative.
sometimes doctors know their stuff.
ReplyDeleteyou are welcome.
Sorry, i assumed that every knew what an abcess was and it didn't need more grossness to finish.
ReplyDeleteexactly.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
ReplyDeletehehehe... I think it WAS me who mentioned those a LONG time ago!
ReplyDeleteOk, I started to lost pieces when I became preggie with Son. I totally lost it all by age 35. Now, I'm trying to find them, or not. LOL
ReplyDeleteIf your concerned ask more questions and find out if there is another way ... I gotta agree with the acupuncture , give it a try .. I worked with a lady who suffered so much in her back last year that she had to give up working and she started going to for massage therapy and I saw her recently and she said her back is doing alot better .. She goes for this therapy on a regular basis but its helping her alot .. I hope you find something soon to help you cope with your back , there is nothing easy about suffering and being in pain all the time .. Hugs to you
ReplyDeletesomething for you to read:
ReplyDeletehttp://orthopedics.about.com/cs/paindrugs/a/cortisone.htm
I am late but it looks like I could not have contributed anyway...
ReplyDeletenot anywhere near a doctor here.
love and hugs !!