When you are in pain you really don't want to interact with people. The old lion with the thorn in it's paw fable is on the money. Unfortunately my form of growling is cursing like a sailor. Were talking really bad stuff. I don't like to be around most people. Especially people I don't know very well. I have to put on the face. Ugh! The only remedy I have up to this point is to take my pain medication and let it take hold of my personality. I am sure that part of what is going on with me is depression as well. It seems that chronic pain and depression are best friends. So to try and be accommodating with the world I take the pills and put on the face.
My goal with this new pain management is to find alternative methods in deal with people and actually enjoy the company.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
How I became a person with Chronic Pain
I am a person that suffers from chronic pain. I have been in pain now for 18 months. What started off as a normal hernia repair has turned in to a botched surgery and permanent nerve damage. Here is the brief run down of what the last 18 months have been like.
I was seen at Franciscan Skemp Tomah/Sparta by Dr. Donald Lucek on January 7, 2009 for a diagnosis of an inguinal hernia on my left side, following a job related injury. At that time he explained to me that he would perform a hernia surgery called the Shouldice repair method. He explained that this technique was developed in Canada. He also told me that he did not like to use “Mesh” the most current method of hernia repair because he said that it has been known to cause cancer. So I agreed to the Shouldice repair method, not wanting to expose myself to cancer.
On January 26, 2009 Dr. Donald Lucek performed The Shouldice method of hernia repair. During the surgery Dr. Donald Lucek removed a lymph node. It was a reactive hyperplasia (this procedure was not part of the original scheduled surgery). This was an outpatient surgery so I was home by the afternoon. A few hours after I arrive home my pain level was very high so I called the nurse and she told me I could double my pain medication until the pain subsided. The next day when I was examining myself, I became aware of bruising from my left hip bone to my right hip bone and my entire pelvic area. It seemed at bit extreme to me. On my first visit back to Dr. Donald Lucek I pointed out the extreme bruising. He said to me “Oh that must have happened when you fell off the table”.
The following weeks and months I had constant pain; sharp, stabbing burning and deep aching, during any of the following normal physical activities including; walking, sitting, driving, reaching and intercourse with my husband. I did not have this pain pre hernia surgery. My pain level did not improve; because of this I requested physical therapy. I was able to have some improvement in my range of motion and become more aware of my physical limitations. I did go back to work but, found I was unable to perform my job without causing more pain.
My pain continued without any improvement and I was only able to get some relief with the aid of Percocet. So on August 5th 2009, I went to see my General Practitioner Dr. Laurie Logan at Franciscan Skemp Sparta to get a referral for a Pain Specialist or a new Surgeon. She referred me to Dr. Scott Chapman at Franciscan Skemp La Crosse.
On October 8th 2009 Dr. Scott Chapman performed a second surgery which was a groin exploration, removal of Prolene sutures and an ilioinguinal neurectomy. The hernia was repaired with mesh. At that time Dr. Chapman informed me that the mesh used in these surgeries was safe and that he was not aware of any risks of cancer. He also explained to me that by severing the nerve believed to be causing the pain, I would get some relief.
Post second surgery I went back to physical therapy. I was able to get my range of motion back to pre second surgery and I was discharged to return to work. I was still in pain, but we were hopeful that it would pass. I returned to work and continued to have the same pain problems.
February 11, 2010 Dr. Chapman referred to The Mayo Pain Clinic in Rochester. I am currently under the care of Dr. Pingree and Ms. Deb Coy N.P. They have treated me with the drugs Lyrica and Neuroton but the side effects were debilitating. On June 17th Dr. Pingree gave me steriod injections. No change in pain level but, I am willing to try again. I am waiting for the Workers Comp insurance company to approve me to attend the Mayo Pain Management Clinic, so I can learn the coping skills to manage my pain.
During these 18 months of extreme physical pain I have been deeply depressed, I have gained 30 pounds because I cannot exercise. I cannot work because I am unable to drive and perform my job duties. I am on a daily dosage of Percocet pain medication.
What you just read was from the letter that I sent complaining about Dr. Lucek.
I was seen at Franciscan Skemp Tomah/Sparta by Dr. Donald Lucek on January 7, 2009 for a diagnosis of an inguinal hernia on my left side, following a job related injury. At that time he explained to me that he would perform a hernia surgery called the Shouldice repair method. He explained that this technique was developed in Canada. He also told me that he did not like to use “Mesh” the most current method of hernia repair because he said that it has been known to cause cancer. So I agreed to the Shouldice repair method, not wanting to expose myself to cancer.
On January 26, 2009 Dr. Donald Lucek performed The Shouldice method of hernia repair. During the surgery Dr. Donald Lucek removed a lymph node. It was a reactive hyperplasia (this procedure was not part of the original scheduled surgery). This was an outpatient surgery so I was home by the afternoon. A few hours after I arrive home my pain level was very high so I called the nurse and she told me I could double my pain medication until the pain subsided. The next day when I was examining myself, I became aware of bruising from my left hip bone to my right hip bone and my entire pelvic area. It seemed at bit extreme to me. On my first visit back to Dr. Donald Lucek I pointed out the extreme bruising. He said to me “Oh that must have happened when you fell off the table”.
The following weeks and months I had constant pain; sharp, stabbing burning and deep aching, during any of the following normal physical activities including; walking, sitting, driving, reaching and intercourse with my husband. I did not have this pain pre hernia surgery. My pain level did not improve; because of this I requested physical therapy. I was able to have some improvement in my range of motion and become more aware of my physical limitations. I did go back to work but, found I was unable to perform my job without causing more pain.
My pain continued without any improvement and I was only able to get some relief with the aid of Percocet. So on August 5th 2009, I went to see my General Practitioner Dr. Laurie Logan at Franciscan Skemp Sparta to get a referral for a Pain Specialist or a new Surgeon. She referred me to Dr. Scott Chapman at Franciscan Skemp La Crosse.
On October 8th 2009 Dr. Scott Chapman performed a second surgery which was a groin exploration, removal of Prolene sutures and an ilioinguinal neurectomy. The hernia was repaired with mesh. At that time Dr. Chapman informed me that the mesh used in these surgeries was safe and that he was not aware of any risks of cancer. He also explained to me that by severing the nerve believed to be causing the pain, I would get some relief.
Post second surgery I went back to physical therapy. I was able to get my range of motion back to pre second surgery and I was discharged to return to work. I was still in pain, but we were hopeful that it would pass. I returned to work and continued to have the same pain problems.
February 11, 2010 Dr. Chapman referred to The Mayo Pain Clinic in Rochester. I am currently under the care of Dr. Pingree and Ms. Deb Coy N.P. They have treated me with the drugs Lyrica and Neuroton but the side effects were debilitating. On June 17th Dr. Pingree gave me steriod injections. No change in pain level but, I am willing to try again. I am waiting for the Workers Comp insurance company to approve me to attend the Mayo Pain Management Clinic, so I can learn the coping skills to manage my pain.
During these 18 months of extreme physical pain I have been deeply depressed, I have gained 30 pounds because I cannot exercise. I cannot work because I am unable to drive and perform my job duties. I am on a daily dosage of Percocet pain medication.
What you just read was from the letter that I sent complaining about Dr. Lucek.
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