The limits of pain management & QoL
Hi Folks,
It's been a while since I last posted here, if memory serves it was probably about 6 months ago with a 6 month post spinal stimulator implant update and the final cost of that surgery.
Currently, I'm lain up on my couch awaiting my latest dose of Oxy to kick in.
Very sore, but, also pretty much a self inflicted situation given that I know my triggers and how best to manage them.
That said, sometimes the triggers can't be avoided and one has to power through and spend a few days in pain deficit.
This week has been one of those situations.
My wife's birthday and a trip to Dublin for a show and a little bit of culture meant that I was up and active.
Just being upright is a trigger, being mobile and active doubly so but it was worth it to see her smiling.
As painful as the aftermath can be?
Sometimes it is important to remember that life and particularly family life, has to find a way to go in.
The next few months are going to be especially rough on her as she is having DIEP flap reconstruction surgery next week.
It has been delayed by a couple of years after she beat breast cancer but the time is right to go ahead now.
I'll be nursing her as best I can and I'll be doing it with a smile on my face and joy in my heart that she is still here!
The spinal implant and it's benefit for me have settled into a place that I can fairly confidently describe as working, beneficial but in no way curative.
Pre implant, my pain was centred on my left testicle, groin and iliac crest but I had fairly severe referred pain into my left flank and kidney and down my left leg and into my foot.
The implant has done a great job of eliminating the referred aspect of my pain.
Barring physical activity on my part, I very rarely have referred pain anymore and I can deal with it quite often via adjusting implant output when I do.
However!
My main pain loci, above and behind left testicle and into iliac crest still persists and is genuinely as bad as ever.
I would describe my pain as being 80% reduced in area.
But?
Not in any bit reduced in actual pain score and the need for activity management and neuropathic and opioid management.
So small win, the implant has made a difference to my QOL in so far as my activity management reaps a bigger reward than without it.