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Have 2 Interstims, now can work 90 mins. a day
My doc put in one on the left and one on the right after we had tried every oral med, DMSO, heparin/lidocaine, and marcaine instillations. Had the right installed in October 2001, and the other in April 2002. Tests done in fall 2001 and spring 2002 showed that I would have near;y complete removal of pelvic pain, the main symptom.
Well, you guessed it....the 2nd interstim gave some relief of pain, as long as I take the same pain meds...Elmiron, Vioxx, Neurontin (3200mg per day) and Ultracet. I still do 2 marcaine instills each day.
Is it enough pain relief for me?? I wish, in a better world, that it was more like the tests, so I could give up at least some of the pain meds, but it's not to be. However, I can now sit and stand, as long as I alternate positions often, without as much pain until about 3 PM.
By some divine intervention, a teaching job opened up which allows me to work from 1 to 2:15 PM. I am so blessed...the school district told me that there has NEVER been a job with such hours before this year. The school is just 7 mins. drive for me, which is good, since pelvic pain comes with a vengeance if I drive more that 10 mins. I'm using my special ed certification (used to teach 8th grade science) to teach reading and writing to 4th and 5th grade students with learning disabilities. By the time I get home I MUST lie down to relieve the pain. In fact, it's a joke around here that about every penny from this little job is being used for take-out food....but my wonderful hubby doesn't care.
The good thing is that I will not lose disability, since they subtract all the pain meds and equipment you use in everyday life from what you make. In my case the co-pays for drugs, etc. are $300 a month.
I am so happy....seems like all of the studying I did during the 2 1/2 years I was out on medical leave had a purpose. It helped to keep my sanity, even though at times I had to reread things 4 or 5 times 'cause of what the meds and pain did to my memory.
The point of this letter is to let you know that it may take time, but with lots of support and prayers, you may find the combination of therapies that at least works well enough so you can get back some of your life. In my case, it seems that many factors helped to allow me to return to my love...teaching kids. Hang in there...life is beautiful, as long as I'm careful to take care of myself.
Well, you guessed it....the 2nd interstim gave some relief of pain, as long as I take the same pain meds...Elmiron, Vioxx, Neurontin (3200mg per day) and Ultracet. I still do 2 marcaine instills each day.
Is it enough pain relief for me?? I wish, in a better world, that it was more like the tests, so I could give up at least some of the pain meds, but it's not to be. However, I can now sit and stand, as long as I alternate positions often, without as much pain until about 3 PM.
By some divine intervention, a teaching job opened up which allows me to work from 1 to 2:15 PM. I am so blessed...the school district told me that there has NEVER been a job with such hours before this year. The school is just 7 mins. drive for me, which is good, since pelvic pain comes with a vengeance if I drive more that 10 mins. I'm using my special ed certification (used to teach 8th grade science) to teach reading and writing to 4th and 5th grade students with learning disabilities. By the time I get home I MUST lie down to relieve the pain. In fact, it's a joke around here that about every penny from this little job is being used for take-out food....but my wonderful hubby doesn't care.
The good thing is that I will not lose disability, since they subtract all the pain meds and equipment you use in everyday life from what you make. In my case the co-pays for drugs, etc. are $300 a month.
I am so happy....seems like all of the studying I did during the 2 1/2 years I was out on medical leave had a purpose. It helped to keep my sanity, even though at times I had to reread things 4 or 5 times 'cause of what the meds and pain did to my memory.
The point of this letter is to let you know that it may take time, but with lots of support and prayers, you may find the combination of therapies that at least works well enough so you can get back some of your life. In my case, it seems that many factors helped to allow me to return to my love...teaching kids. Hang in there...life is beautiful, as long as I'm careful to take care of myself.
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