I had nerve graft surgery on 7/12/07. Dr Lee used the Ulnar nerve to graft the Median nerve. 8/9/07 I got stabbing shooting pains in my left shoulder, elbow, wrist & fingers. I took 30 mgs of Oxycondone, 100 mgs Topomax, & 200 mgs Demerol. Mike messaged the areas to help. The resting pain was a 10. The shooting pain was excruciating. It lasted 2 & 1/2 hours. The next day I had the same thing but left off the Topomax & 100 mgs of Demerol. It wasn't as severe but lasted just as long. I had it again on Saturday but tried Flexural instead of Topmax, 25 mgs of Oxycondone, & 100 of Demerol. It was not as severe as the first night but lasted just as long. I did not have this attack last night. Has anyone had this? How did you treat it? It is brutal.
Janelle
Sharp Shooting Pains
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Janelle
I can't help with the medication dosages...
I hope your pains will soon ease up.
Have you called your doctors to check and see what is going on?
Feel better
Kath robpi/adult
I can't help with the medication dosages...
I hope your pains will soon ease up.
Have you called your doctors to check and see what is going on?
Feel better
Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Hi Kath,
My surgeon is on vacation till 8/21. I have a call into my PCP. Dr. Kelly is very good about getting back to me. Sure hope she has some ideas. My usual pain level is a 3 1/2 right now it is a 6 1/2 and that is after taking 15 mgs of oxycodone. I saw my therapist today & she suggested a pain management clinic. I left that suggestion on my voice mail to my doctor as well. All I know is someone has to come up with something that won't turn me into a vegetable. I thought someone in this group might have had this problem & therefor have some suggestions. After all this is the group with the knowledge & experience.
Janelle
My surgeon is on vacation till 8/21. I have a call into my PCP. Dr. Kelly is very good about getting back to me. Sure hope she has some ideas. My usual pain level is a 3 1/2 right now it is a 6 1/2 and that is after taking 15 mgs of oxycodone. I saw my therapist today & she suggested a pain management clinic. I left that suggestion on my voice mail to my doctor as well. All I know is someone has to come up with something that won't turn me into a vegetable. I thought someone in this group might have had this problem & therefor have some suggestions. After all this is the group with the knowledge & experience.
Janelle
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
I hope someone will come up with an answer soon for you.
I just wanted you to know that someone is reading your post even if I can't help with the drug information.
I went to a pain manager but he wanted me to take strong drugs and I don't do well with any drugs.
I hope your pcp is able to help you today.
Kath robpi/adult
I just wanted you to know that someone is reading your post even if I can't help with the drug information.
I went to a pain manager but he wanted me to take strong drugs and I don't do well with any drugs.
I hope your pcp is able to help you today.
Kath robpi/adult
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
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swhite1
- Posts: 295
- Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 4:15 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Bad fall in June of 2006
LTBPI - Location: right here in Texas
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Oh Janelle I am so sorry that you are experiencing this at this time. I know it sucks when all anyone else can do is 'feel your pain'.
I spiced my medication with 50mg Methadone(5-10's) 4x daily. Along with 20mg oxycodone(4-5's) 4x daily. I take 2 Flexurals. I take 1300mg Neurontin 3x daily and 2 Soma's 2 daily. I sleep on 45mg tamazapam and you know what Janelle??? you can pretty much guess that it all still sucks. I do function with this regime wheras when I was drinking heavy doses of liquid morphine I guess I pretty much didn't give a crap and my spirit was reflecting it. Friends thought I was bi-polar. I hope you get help soon and write me at my email address please.
Scott
I spiced my medication with 50mg Methadone(5-10's) 4x daily. Along with 20mg oxycodone(4-5's) 4x daily. I take 2 Flexurals. I take 1300mg Neurontin 3x daily and 2 Soma's 2 daily. I sleep on 45mg tamazapam and you know what Janelle??? you can pretty much guess that it all still sucks. I do function with this regime wheras when I was drinking heavy doses of liquid morphine I guess I pretty much didn't give a crap and my spirit was reflecting it. Friends thought I was bi-polar. I hope you get help soon and write me at my email address please.
Scott
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
I have an appointment 8/21 with Dr. Manual Sanchez in Barrington, NH at 4:00. He specializes in Interventional Spine Medicine & Pain Management. Hopefully he will be able to assist me & come up with an effective plan.
Today was actually a good day for me. The pain level stayed between a 3 1/2 to 5 1/2. Sure beats the 6 1/2 & up that I was dealiung with since Thursday. I am hoping this turn will last.
Today I went to my office for the first time since 12/21/06. It was for an ergonomics review of what I will need when I return to work. My home will also be set up with a system so I can work from home. I can't wait to get back to work. I am supposed to work next Tuesday but it has not been approved by my employer & long term disability yet. They want my office to be set up for me before I return.
I will only be going back Tues. & Thurs. from 7 - 11 to start. I am not approved to go to my office on the days I have therapy. That is one of the reasons I want to work from home as well. I live an hour away from my office.
It sure was nice being at the office & seeing everyone again. A big step toward getting my life back.
Janelle
Today was actually a good day for me. The pain level stayed between a 3 1/2 to 5 1/2. Sure beats the 6 1/2 & up that I was dealiung with since Thursday. I am hoping this turn will last.
Today I went to my office for the first time since 12/21/06. It was for an ergonomics review of what I will need when I return to work. My home will also be set up with a system so I can work from home. I can't wait to get back to work. I am supposed to work next Tuesday but it has not been approved by my employer & long term disability yet. They want my office to be set up for me before I return.
I will only be going back Tues. & Thurs. from 7 - 11 to start. I am not approved to go to my office on the days I have therapy. That is one of the reasons I want to work from home as well. I live an hour away from my office.
It sure was nice being at the office & seeing everyone again. A big step toward getting my life back.
Janelle
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Christopher
- Posts: 845
- Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02
Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed
BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.
Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt - Location: Los Angeles, California USA
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Janelle,
Sorry about the having to deal with "the last monkey" of this injury. It's an ugly beast! I've been on just about everything and then some. You do what you can and what you think is best. In the end getting off all the meds (something I thought I'd never even consider (who wants more pain!)) was the only real chance in 'mastering it'. Mediation is my best strategy. I wrote for the UBPN Outlreach Magazine about my ordeals and clinical trials for pain (learning mental strategies in a functional real-time MRI that really helped me out in the end). If you want to give it a look, just click the link below and it will automatically download the issue and the article starts on page 18.
I hope you find an answer.
Best of Luck,
Christopher
Fall 2006:
http://ubpn.org/Fall2006.pdf
Rest of the available Outreach Magazines:
http://ubpn.org/outreach.html
Sorry about the having to deal with "the last monkey" of this injury. It's an ugly beast! I've been on just about everything and then some. You do what you can and what you think is best. In the end getting off all the meds (something I thought I'd never even consider (who wants more pain!)) was the only real chance in 'mastering it'. Mediation is my best strategy. I wrote for the UBPN Outlreach Magazine about my ordeals and clinical trials for pain (learning mental strategies in a functional real-time MRI that really helped me out in the end). If you want to give it a look, just click the link below and it will automatically download the issue and the article starts on page 18.
I hope you find an answer.
Best of Luck,
Christopher
Fall 2006:
http://ubpn.org/Fall2006.pdf
Rest of the available Outreach Magazines:
http://ubpn.org/outreach.html
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jennyb
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2001 5:24 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: January 1980 Yamaha RD200 vs 16 wheeler truck, result, 1 totally paralysed right arm. I was 21, now 54. I had no surgery, I don't regret this. Decided to totally ignore limitations (easily done aged 21) adapted very quickly to one handed life, got married, had 3 kids, worked- the effect of the injury on my life (once the pain stopped being constant) was minimal and now, aged 54, I very rarely even think of it, unless I bash it or it gets cold, then I wish I'd had it amputated :) Except for a steering knob on my car, I have no adaptations to help with life, mainly because I honestly don't think of myself as disabled and the only thing I can't do is peel potatoes, which is definitely a good thing.
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Sorry to hear about the pains Janelle, they are pretty common in tbpi unfortunately. It's been a while since I had a long bout of them but they still pop up every now and then to give me a shock. Like Chris I too get myself off meds and worked hard on other ways of pain management. I wanted to go back to work and was unable to function properly on the meds. Techniques described by Chris in the articles he's linked really do work, becoming med free sounds terrifying but everyone I know who's done it says the pain is definitely more bearable afterwards, and that was my experience.
I'm a little concerned to read that the doc you intend to see does spinal interventions-be very careful of that as the side effects can be fairly extreme.
I hope the recent diminshment of the pain you report continues, good luck and tell us what the doctor says.
Take care
Jen NZ
I'm a little concerned to read that the doc you intend to see does spinal interventions-be very careful of that as the side effects can be fairly extreme.
I hope the recent diminshment of the pain you report continues, good luck and tell us what the doctor says.
Take care
Jen NZ
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Hi Jen,
I really don't know anything about Interventional Spine Medicine. What is your concern? This is the web site I found on him. http://www.nhpain.com/sanchez.html.
I printed out the info from the site Keith gave me. I haven't had the chance to read it yet but I will today. I agree with getting off the meds. That is something I want to do. I know I will be having withdrawal when I do. I have already experienced that joy from coming off of other meds they have had me on.
Looks like I won't be going back to work till mid September due to my office being set up properly for me.
Thanks to all for all you help.
Janelle
I really don't know anything about Interventional Spine Medicine. What is your concern? This is the web site I found on him. http://www.nhpain.com/sanchez.html.
I printed out the info from the site Keith gave me. I haven't had the chance to read it yet but I will today. I agree with getting off the meds. That is something I want to do. I know I will be having withdrawal when I do. I have already experienced that joy from coming off of other meds they have had me on.
Looks like I won't be going back to work till mid September due to my office being set up properly for me.
Thanks to all for all you help.
Janelle
Re: Sharp Shooting Pains
Christopher,
Thank you so much for the Outreach Magazines. I read your article. It was great. I printed out several articles from many of the past issues. I will be doing a lot of reading tomorrow.
Thanks again,
Janelle
Thank you so much for the Outreach Magazines. I read your article. It was great. I printed out several articles from many of the past issues. I will be doing a lot of reading tomorrow.
Thanks again,
Janelle