Since I last wrote here's a brief account of what's been happening.

I have regained some flexibility and range of motion due to therapy. I have also learned a great deal on learning to live with this pain through continued counselling.

First the therapy, I have been on a tertiary level program for 5 and a 1/2 months. 5 days a week of putting myself through pain that they would shoot a suffering animal for, as it would be more humane. I stay as long as I can and do as much as possible through it all. But it seems I've reached a plateau, there is nothing more that the therapists feel they can do. First, we have tried a TENS machine (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) with no great results. It did start off giving me some varied relief, but nothing worth mentioning and it never lasted. Second, I seemed to become accustomed to it quickly. I've taken myself OFF Tylenol 3 with codeine, It was becoming obvious I was in this for a long term and I didn't need an addiction added on to this disease. Third, I was put on an anti-convulsant called Tegratol which is for nerve pain in low doses, along with the original nortriptyline I've been taking.
I have also been through a psychological assessment just recently. We believe that this assessment is to try to discredit me and my injury, trying to get something from the doctors saying that my life is causing the pain and not that the pain is affecting my life adversely. But let them play their games, I know what I feel, and I know I have people out there that know how I feel! I saw 3 different doctors on the assessment, a psychologist, a psychiatrist and a regular M.D. with an interest in the disorder. The psychologist was quite interesting as well as informative, I probably learned as much from him as he got from me. The M.D. was GREAT! I thought this would be the hardest part of my assessment as he would have to touch my arm. But I was wrong! He did as little with my arm as he could, as he had the previous information gained from the other doctors. BUT, the psychiatrist was INCREDIBLY PAINFUL! I was quite taken by surprise when he was talking about fishing with me then asked how far I could raise my arm, I showed him and the next thing I knew he was on my arm and I was in shock/incredible pain!!! My wife said I was pale after that, and all I can think of was it was like sticking my arm into a bonfire! I couldn't talk, I could barely breathe! And this guy is saying "That doesn't hurt?", Good grief!!!! At least his manipulations lasted only a few minutes (so my wife says), but I was shot for the rest of the week. I went without sleep for the next few nights. But what choice do I have than to subject myself to whatever torture Compensation deems necessary? Although I may go crazy if the keep it up!
And to wrap it all up one last thing. I will in the near future be undergoing an FCE (functional capacity exam or something like that) to establish my return to work capabilities.

Well.. Wish me luck and remember me in your prayers!! And I'll keep updating!!

Thanks again,
Bob
 
 

Also a word to those of you going through this.. at ALL costs get a GOOD pain therapist and go to them REGULARLY. There are things you'll go through that you had no idea were even in you! As well continue on with therapy! God forbid this disease should take hold of you more than it already has!
 

Please feel free to e-mail me.

 

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