What made you sad today?

[madcat]

Have they given you any medication for it yet?

MadCat

[hellcat]

I'm sad today because the Irish National lottery was €15 million this weekend and it was won on Saturday by just one winner. The ticket was sold in my local newsagent. I buy my tickets there all the time. I'm so so sad......

I'm not sad because I didn't win but because the one weekend that the damn thing is won in my area where was I and where did I buy my ticket.......

LIMERICK... LIMERICK....

[madcat]

Bad luck, but as they say, there's always next week!!!


MadCat

[Waldo]

Sorry for the time lag in replying - went off for a nice dinner and bottle of wine (or, as I call it, liquid painkiller!) last night!

Yes, taking anti-inflammatories and pain-killers - they seem to work most of the time (although they didn't feel as though they were the first three weeks!). Actually, since they mentioned surgery, I'm sure I'm feeling better every minute!!

[madcat]

LOL - I Bet!! They won't operate on my disks as they are in risky places. The worst one is C5 - just behind the adams apple - so it's management rather than surgery.

Try get referred to your local pain clinic as they will sort you out. You need to be referred by your GP. If it is anything like Wigan, there is a long waiting list!

MadCat

[Waldo]

Hopefully if they suggest something like that I can get a private referral (got medical insurance through work). Mind you, there are two people at work who've had the op I MAY need, and they've come through ok and are dashing round again in pain-free mode, so might have to just take a deep breath and say "thank you very much" if that's what they decide it will take.

In the meantime, keeping the liquid painkiller on hand

[madcat]

Don't rush in to have surgery. it's really risky on the spine and maybe better to be managed rather than operated on. Your consultant should advise you on this.

Be careful with your health insurance. If it is anything like ours, they only pay for cure, not management. I have been having injections on my back for a few years and then this last time they realised that I have had a few and asked me why I wasn't cured. I said, you can't cure this only manage it and they refused to pay - after I had made the appointment for surgery! So I ended up having to pay £1500 for the injections in my back. Now I can't see the guy on our insurance and I have to pay privately to see him.. but he IS a brilliant pain management specialist and worth every penny!

MadCat

[Waldo]

Have to say that surgery isn't something I would look forward to, just want to get rid of the pain!

Can't believe your insurance! They always try to find a way out of paying for things, but that is just ridiculous!

[madcat]

Yes, our insurance company is a pain and ridiculus, but what can you do??

There are non surgical ways to relieve pain. Have you tried a TENS machine? They are very good. The injections are good and I also have accupuncture which is really good. I am lucky as my GP does it, so I dont have to go somewhere else and pay!

MadCat

[madcat]

I went to my friends ashes commitment service this morning. Very sad. I miss her a lot, and it was very hard today.


MadCat