oh and sleeping is bad here too..  I also use a pillow between my legs.  and my hips hurt me worse too....  I've talked to my doc and I am on muscle relaxers for my hip pain...

correction../... not ALTRAM it was ULTRAM.....  see, I am a dingbat LOL

the Talwin NX is called Pentazacone??? something liek that in generic.... I know the name brands might have different names here... it's alot like the med Altram...  I took it for a lil while but the Talwin is working alot better for me and doesn't make me drowsy or "stoned" feeling.  I can function mentally (as well as I can LOL)  I do call myself a dingbat all the time LOL  born blond and was still so until I started getting old LOL (when I turned 40 my hair is not so blonde anymore) anyway, if I can help in any way, then let me know.  Hug and have a great weekend.  Talk soon!!

the surgeries I have had are .. the first was in 1998 for a ruptured disc.  they went in and removed the bulging disc area that was pinching off a nerve and the 2nd back surgery was for another disc bulge and they once again removed the bluging disc by shaving it down to prevent the pinching off of the nerves.  my 3rd surgery was a lumbar laminectomy where they went in the lumbar vertebrae and carved out the area where the nerves come out of the vertebrae and it gives more area for the nerves (especially when they are irritated and inflamed and have no room to "breath")  When you start having numbness, then the nerves can be damaged and when it gets to that point, then I think the best thing is surgery or you can end up with the problems that I have and the pain wil never leave.  But you also have to remember that one back surgery can lead to another, which can lead to another.  They also had to remove scar tissue during my 2nd and 3rd surgeries that was from previous ones.  So anyway  it's best up to the surgeon that can tell you what is best for you.  My injury level is upper lumber, L2-3.  And the aquatic therapy is also called water therapy or pool therapy... not sure if it has the same name there... I took the hydocodone for years (whcih is generic for vicodin and it was what caused me to now have brittle teeth)  so be careful with that...

Hi,

I don't think we have Talwin up here in Canada. We don't have Vicodin but isn't that just like Tylenol 3's? I was on Perocet but it didn't work. I have done Pyhsio at 4 different times for like 2 months each but that didn't work at all. I don't think we have Aquadic Therapy up here either. I go for 2-3 walks aday but can't go too far. Sleeping is the worst. I sleep with a small pillow between my legs but my hips get so sore when I sleep on my side so I toss and turn all night. What level in your back is effected? Mine is L2-S1.

Nice talking to you. I'm glad I have someone to talk to.

Diane

Hi Susan,

So you had 3 back surgeries. Wow. Did they do one for the bulging discs? If so, what did they do? I hurt my back 3 years ago and have been on many pain killers ever since. Right now i'm on Hydromorph Contin and Hydromorphone. I have tried so many but they didn't work. The one I;m on now doesn't help too much with the pain. What are you on right now? I have had 2 Epidural injections, didn't work, Facet Joint injections, didn't work. Also a Trigger Piont Injection. Right now I am waiting to see a second surgeon for a second opinion. The first surgeon said there was nothing he could do for me. So have you had your back fused or something else? Do you recommend surgery? I have constant pain in my low back, hips and sometimes my left foot goes numb. One disc bulge is touching a nerve on the right side but I have pain in left leg. Go figure!

So please let me know what surgeries you had and what meds are working for you.

Thanks, Diane

Hey Diane,

I love Texas and it's not too bad weather wise, but it changes drastically from time to time.  Today the highs are low 30's but 2 days ago it was 80 here!!  can you believe the drastic change?  I would like to see snow, but I know with my arthritis I'd rather be here.  So, I'm with you on the HRT... same problems... my poor husband is so patient.  He understands, so I am lucky, but I still feel guilty that I have no sex drive and believe you me, I do try!!!  Well, maybe the docs we see will find something to help us.  My "shrink" gave me some viagra and wanted me to try it.  He did say that sometimes it can help women as much as men.  I haven't tried it yet.  Maybe I should and then I can see if it's so.  I checked to see if my insurance would pay for the viagra if it works, but they won't cover it and it's like $30 or more per pill.  I guess it would be worth it LOL  just to have a "big O" again would be nice.  Well, I am gonna go now to see a friend in the hospital who just had back surgery.  I'll be back later and plan on watching Oprah at 4:00 my time (central time) but she is on at the same time as The Dr's so I might have to tape her and watch it later LOL  I love the Dr's and don't want to miss them!!!  Talk soon and have a great day!  Stay inside where it is warm and take care!!  TTFN ta ta for now!!

Susan <--  psychoMom LOL

Hi Susan,

I had my total hysterectomy at 35, i'm 48. I also was on Premerin until this past August when I was put on Estrogel. I have no sex drive at all and suffer from dryness and pain during sex. When I was still in the hospital my surgeon gave me a perscription for the estrogen but didn't tell me how long to take it. I asked my Doctor about testoterone but she said no. So i'm frustrated and i'm sure my husband is too. Plus there is a history of breast cancer in my family so i thought that put me at a higer risk. Isn't it dangerous to be on it for so long? Actually on Oprah today she talks about HRT so i will tune into that. Maybe i can get answers there. But its a mystery to me.

Later, Diane

Hi Susan,

It is nice to meet you. It must be nice living somewhere warm. It is freezing up here in Canada. Don't you just love the Doctors? It is a very informative program. And they are not bad on the eyes either!

Talk to you later,

Diane