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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 13:09:54
So its now official, I am losing my job. They have decided I can't do the job with my arm problems.
OK, so HR are "supporting" me into a new post.. I was offered one, which would mean staying in the service I currently work in, but almost halving my pay - not an option. The HR manager I saw mentioned two other posts that are posibilities.. one would be high stress, but is only 4 days a week, and is involved in a project in training up other service users and employing them to help support service users in specific services..
The other is much lower stress, and something I would thoroughly enjoy (IT training)..
Both are only possibilties, and nothing may come of it..I'm not coping with the level of pain I am in at all.. Still no sign of an appointment with the new pain consultant, or any word from the pain consultant I was seeing (who did the supposed nerve block).
My GP has said she won't prescribe pain killers stronger than I am on (tramadol at weekends when I can be knocked out but still in pain (just caring slightly less!!), and dihydrocodeine (60mg) for the rest of the time, but it barely touches the pain)
Its the weekend.. and instead of wallowing in painkillers, I get to drive 3 hours tomorrow to the husbands brother and his wifes house, and spend the weekend with them, their 3 boisterous kids under 10, and my parents in law.. driving is agony, and I am just in no place to spend the weekend being smiley and happy, and trying to fend off kids smashing into my arm..
I'm now at a loss.. No one in my real ilfe seems to be taking my level of pain seriously. I have even written it all down, and still they think I am exagerating..
Infact.. I barely care about the whole job thing as all I seem able to focus on is the pain. I desperately need to diet for Mums wedding (I am now "attendent", so have to walk down the aisle. Mmm, nice, a massively gross obese bridesmaid)..
Sorry for rambling.. as I say.. I am just at a loss
Nikki x
Posted by gardenergirl on May 19, 2006, at 13:51:53
In reply to So the job hunting starts..., posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 13:09:54
Oh Nikki,
I'm so sorry about your job and even more so that you are suffering so much right now.Sending you gentle hugs from across the ocean...
gg
Posted by Phillipa on May 19, 2006, at 14:16:02
In reply to So the job hunting starts..., posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 13:09:54
Nikki what's wrong with your arm? Is it national pain arm month. And don't you live in England? Hope no rain for the wedding and I'd opt for the low stress job till your arm is better at least. Of couse you must be given the choice. Well try and have fun anyway I know that arm pain. Love Phillipa
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 15:52:55
In reply to Re: So the job hunting starts... » NikkiT2, posted by Phillipa on May 19, 2006, at 14:16:02
Yup, I'm in England.. hence the pathetically long waits to see a doctor.
I have nerve damage.. its all very similar to Larry Hoovers (we think we might have twin arms!).. I wrote a short description of the pain..
I have a stabbing pain that come and goes in my neck into the base of my skull. It feel like someone is slowly dislocating my shoulder in a vice.. then a real slicing pain down my bicep.. My elbow also feels like its in a vice, and someone is poking something into my funny bone and wiggling it around.. my wrist is also in a vice.. with stabbing pains shooting through my hand into my fingers.. my fingers also feel like someone is pricking them with needles.. Then, you know that burning feeling when your hands get really cold and you put them in warm water to warm up? My whole hand feels like that..
And now I have developed the pains shooting into my collar bone area..*sighs*
I hope your arm improves..
Nikki
Posted by TexasChic on May 19, 2006, at 20:00:23
In reply to So the job hunting starts..., posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 13:09:54
I had daily pain with TMJ problems and horrible pain with my period that started lasting all month.
First the period pain. Ever since I was 15, I had excruciating pain that would make me throw up for two days every month. I somehow figured out how to put myself to sleep when it was at its worst, I still don't know how I did that. My mom never took me seriously until she saw me almost pass out by the toilet. Of course everyone thought I was exaggerating about cramps. One doctor my mom took me to said I needed vitamins. Another lectured me on the evils of teenage intercourse (I was 18 at the time and had just lost my virginity). I have to say, despite her short comings, my mom really did try.
I had a laproscopy (looking at things through you belly button - actual surgery). I took Lupron shots which put me in a medically induced menopause which caused CONSTANT nausea as well as hot flashes and night sweats (but didn't stop the pain). I had a MRI (or maybe a catscan) done. I was going to get a nerve block when my doctor said not to, that she could treat me. I tried every non narcotic pain medicine imaginable. My doctor finally, very sparingly prescribed hydrocodone. I didn't like to drive under the influence, so I took one in the morning when I first got to work, then another after lunch, which would wear off in time for me to drive home and take another. Its not a good way to live, but it was the only way I could get through. I would horde it like a miser. I broke them in half and quarters so that I only took what would bring my pain into a tolerable category. It never got me high or anything, it just decreased the pain to a dull roar.
When I told my doctor, who I'd been going to for the past 5 years, that I still had pain and needed to continue the hydrocodone, she accused me of being a 'pill seeker'. She said I fit the profile, mainly because of the depression she was treating me for. Also the fact that I started crying when she said this fit this 'profile'. I never went back to her.
I lived my life this way for a long time before I finally found the answer. I now take birth control without taking any days off - meaning I never have a period. This saved me. People tell me it doesn’t sound safe. They just don’t understand. I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for this treatment. I don’t care what it does to me. But I‘ve researched it and thankfully its supposed to be very safe. Knowing I will have to take birth control indefinitely is what motivated me to stop smoking. I figured more than one stroke/blood clot/heart attack/cancer causing factor was tempting fate.
As for my TMJ pain, I had a wonderful doctor who did jaw surgery after two and a half years of braces (I was 30). It also saved me. When I tried to call back not long afterward, I was told he no longer did TMJ treatment because insurance just wouldn't cover it. I strongly believe he treated me for free. I never had to pay for the MRI I had, and he never charged me a copay. I now have screws in my jaws, and my TMJ pain is gone.
So, long story short, I know about chronic pain, although it seems very remote to me now. If I had that kind of pain again, I don’t know if I could handle it. When I was young I didn’t know it could be any different. Now I’m a big believer in the fact that being dependent on pain medicine is not the same as being addicted. It may be a while before the rest of the world believes that though.
Sorry for the rambling. I just felt the need to share my story.
-T
Posted by Phillipa on May 19, 2006, at 20:06:47
In reply to Re: So the job hunting starts... » Phillipa, posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 15:52:55
Nikki Gee I'm sorry isn't there anything else they can do? My arm is fine. Stil healing but no pain. It must be awful. Hope you have some meds that work for it. And a nerve block does that work? Love Phillipa so how the heck do you work with only one arm?
Posted by Kath on May 20, 2006, at 20:11:16
In reply to Re: So the job hunting starts... » Phillipa, posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 15:52:55
Oh Nikki - I am so sorry about your pain.
I can't even begin to imagine being in pain like that and THEN to have people actually believe you are exaggerating (sp?). DAMN
And on TOP of that to have the job situation.((((((((((((((((((((((((Nik))))))))))))))))))))))
Oh jeez. I don't even know what to say!
I don't know if accupuncture is an option. I've heard it can sometimes help with chronic pain. But then there's the expense!!
You are in my thoughts Nikki. As if that does any good, but nevertheless, I'm sending you my love.
Might there be a support group for people who are in constant pain? I wonder if they might know something about that at a hospital or mental health group.
I send you my love Nik, Kath
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 23, 2006, at 6:50:28
In reply to So the job hunting starts..., posted by NikkiT2 on May 19, 2006, at 13:09:54
Hey there Nikki!
Sorry to hear about the job. Its awful having a job and depression - I wouldn't be able to cope at all. The thing I hate the most about depressive illness is the impact that it has on our lives, as in doing job stuff etc.
You know, you feel as if your life is being limited by a condition you have, and not by anything comprehenable like intelligence, natural ability etc. I mean, if you had type 1 diabetes, you would have a chronic condition, but you could still *work* normally, or at least have the same drive and ambition and motivation as before the diabetes. You know what I mean?
Anyway have you considered trying a TCA for the pain + depression?? Some types of TCA are effective against neuropathic pain apparently.
BTW - I didn't have enough NI contributions to claim Incapacity Benefit. It sucks!
Kind regards
Meri
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