Category Archives: Physical Therapy

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Winter/Summer ;)

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An answer to one prayer. I was able to get the Radio Frequency Nerve root Ablation procedure scheduled for tomorrow when my parents were already planning on coming down. Definitely feeling the hand of God on this. PTL. Kristen Long good advice!!  So I decided that it was a good day to shave my legs.  Plus I have PT later today and thought it would be a good idea 😉

I survived ETran, walked a half a mile, had a great lunch and will now get a very painful massage also known as PT. Always feels better later but not much fun during. Good thing my physical therapist is really nice.

This is exactly what I am trying to lean on.

May 21st 3

 

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An Update

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Starting with the positives. The neurologist did the nerve block again and again with success. And although temporary it means that I not only have some headache free days over the next week as along as I don’t push it, but it also means that I am a good candidate for the radio frequency nerve ablation, where they basically kill the nerve that is giving me such terrible headaches. I meet with the Pain Specialist next Monday for a consult and will hopefully get that scheduled, however they are scheduling 6-8 weeks out. This will be a more permanent solution whereas the nerve blocks at most last a week.

They are also checking with my insurance company about Botox injections to see if they are covered. The neurologist is hoping that ablation in combination with the Botox and medication (of which I am now only on one called Lyrica) should treat all three headaches that I have going on at any given time.

The physical therapist also gave me a script for a tens unit to help between now and when all of the above have been completed and take affect. I am also going to physical therapy and for the first time in a long time the majority of the tension in my neck is relieved. So that is wonderful.

My next apt with the neurologist is June 10th and so my return to work date is June 10th. My FMLA runs out May 25th, so I am not sure what that will mean for my job. Trying pretty hard to put this all in God’s hands because it is truly out of my control. I really would hate to lose that job, it was one of the best jobs I have had and it was such a great company to work for, but at this point there is no way I could possibly work. When all 3 headaches decide to be present I am down for about 3 days, in bed all day. And although I am learning some of the triggers and can try to avoid them, talking is one of my biggest triggers as well as bending over or looking down, chin to chest. I have also found that using my arms out in front of me quite quickly brings on at least one of the headaches.

So again I say this is all in God’s hands at this point and I have to rely fully on him.

March 3rd

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MHNI visit #1 following Chelsea

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On our way back to Ann Arbor for follow up apts. three of them back to back. My back is going to be my biggest challenge, well that and the ever present migraine. Luckily the migraine has been much more manageable the past couple of days but its presence still makes concentration difficult. Weather looks good for most of our trip though so that is a blessing.

Dr. Lake, the pain psychologist:  It was his voice on the relaxation CD that helped get me through some tough times.  I really enjoyed visiting with him again.  I feel like I can truly speak freely and tell him about what is going on in my life…the good and the bad.  I also got to try a little bit of biofeedback to see what it was all about.

Andrea, the physical therapist:  She did some hands on stuff and discovered that a major trigger point for me is in my temple region.  She prescribed Ethyl Chloride spray to help relieve the pain for a brief period.  She also helped me with doing stairs since my back was still in pretty bad shape after back to back Blood Patches.

Dr. Arnaldo DaSilva, neurologist, head pain specialty: On this visit I just met with Gail, the PA and decided to keep all of my meds the same since I had just gotten out of the hospital 2 days ago.  She also thought I had thrush in my mouth, so she prescribed an antifungal in case I needed it.

Ethyl Chloride Spray

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So apparently when you use Biofreeze to sooth post IV arm pain it is not a good idea to put a hot rice bag on afterwards. It was several hours and the Biofreeze didn’t do much. Oops. Off to ice it now!  The red did finally go away but the pain remained.  Nothing could touch my entire forearm on the top…it was pretty awful.

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