Possible Problems?

Lyndsay · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 12:21 PM

As I'm sure many of you know, I've not had a straight forward recovery, more so regards pain etc. A couple of weeks ago I had a really bad flare up of pain & spasms which isn't really settling. I was due to start Hydro but the PT advised consulting with my Dr & getting my ESR bloods run. As my GP was away, I had a quick phone consult with one of his coleagues who gave me a script for some more meds & I then made an appointment to see my PM. Last Tuesday I saw my PM, he picked up on a fair bit including pain & altered sensations from L3 down. I decided to let him give me some anaesthetic/steroid mix injections in the hope they would help the spams so then lessen my pain. I rested up again after but only felt a slight benefit but thought anything was better than nothing.

This past weekend I've been a bit more mobile & went out for the day yesterday where by lunchtime things seemed to start going from bad to worse. We came home, I asked my partner if he's give me a gentle back rub to see if that would help, his immediate reaction was that my lower back area felt like it was on fire! The top & middle were normal temp but the lumber area was very hot. Anyway, I just took some more painkillers & went to bed which is pretty much where I've stayed since. The pain & spasms aren't really subsiding much & I'm wondering if maybe it would be a good idea to call my GP but then again I think why bother as apart from painkillers I can't see what else can be done?

What I'm really wondering is if anyone else has had this burning (not distraction) heat coming away from the painful area of their back, especially post-op? In general I feel cr*p & am so tired especially with the pain & spasms.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Alastair · #2 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 02:28 PM

Hi Lyndsay,
I would have thought going for the "Icepack " might have helped if your back was "Hot" over the surgery.

Your Fibro simply is flaring up at the moment - - -- Mmmm!!!
Best
Alastair

PS Tried to ring you but your line was busy

Lyndsay · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 02:57 PM

Hi Alastair

Sorry just been on the phone with a friend.

Trust me, I know my body, something isn't right right now & this isn't just the fibro flaring. I should have added that even though I can't normally tolerate ice, I did, out of desperation try an ice pack (we have a medical one kept permanently in the freezer on stand-by) but it just did it's usual which was to send the spasms into orbit

On another list someone has suggested maybe steroid injection's weren't the best thing, at the time I was desperate but in hindsight (wonderful thing that it is) I maybe shouldn't have them, who knows now!?!

I think I may try calling the PM & see if it's common that sometimes these injections can make things worse before they improve? All I've been doing is pacing, resting, pacing etc, go out for a bit & bang I'm back in a heap

Right, off to see if I can get through to my Dr.

Thanks for your reply though

KL Aguilar · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 07:23 PM

I had a steroid shot years ago for an ankle injury. A few hours later, the area was hot and inflamed and the pain was significantly worse. I called my doctor and he told me that a small percentage of the population gets a similar reaction. You should probably discuss this with your doctor to see if this is what you are experiencing. If nothing else, find out what was the name of the steroid and have your reaction entered into your medical record.

Lyndsay · #5 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 07:51 PM

Thanks for your reply. I will try again tomorrow to get hold of my PM to ask if me getting worse again along with the heat & swelling could be a reaction to the steroid. I'm also hopefully going to see my GP & get my bloods taken & checked. Thanks again.

Lyndsay · #6 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 04:44 PM

Update ~ I saw my lovely GP today & he has ordered full bloods plus ESR on the off-chance an infection has crept in & is causing the heat, swelling & variations in my temperature over the last 2 days. In addition he has decided that rather than waiting 4 weeks for the PM to start me on Lyrica, he has started it now. I have to start on 150mg twice a day for a few days increasing to 3 times a day then returning in 2 weeks for a check up or before if I'm concerned or things get worse. I am nervous about starting the Lyrica but feel I'm about out of options now.

Oh, I did manage to get through to the Neurosurgeons office today & have an appointment with him on the 17 July. I just hope he lives upto his reputation!

Thanks again for everyone's replies