GLORY HALLELUJAH!

[Miss Philicia]

Miss P, in honor of Prince George Alexander Louis, will undergo his fourth foot surgery on Monday, September 16th, 2013 -- 23 months after the first foot surgery. Including my colonoscopy this will be my fifth time going totally under anesthesia!

Such fun, isn't it. This time I will not go home for a week of convalesce at my aged parents in the Hunt Country of Virginia, but will endure it all in my forth floor walk up in lovely Filthydelphia, where we recently had a grown man run naked during the say a mere block from my apartment. Sad man was arrested for simply living as God intended before the evil entreaties of Eve and Lucifer.

Hopefully this recovery will only last 3-4 weeks, and only the first 10 days will I have to be a recluse in my lovely penthouse, while I have two metal pins in two of my toes to make them sit flat -- during the second foot surgery they never sat down flat like they were supposed to do.

Oh, and my last nerve conduction test seemed to show I have some horrible nerve of which I forgot the name that runs up from my toes all the way up my leg and buttocks so I've now gone on Lyrica. Seems to help half way so I'll see if my doctor will increase the dose. Not sure how high that can go.

[Jody]

So sorry Miss Philly that you have had to endure such torture with your foot and all those surgeries.  You have been so brave and you endure the pain and the procedures with humor and wit.  It's all you can do.   Being on the fourth floor in a walk up is quaint and fun but with foot issues it sucks.  I hope this next one will do the trick and you will be getting around your city of brotherly love better than ever.

Jody 

[weasel]

  Sounds dreadful .   I hope you recover quickly .

                                                Weasel

    P.s I love stairs , They keep us young 

[tednlou2]

I will come take care of you, in Kathy Bates fashion. 

[BT65]

God, that's awful.  I know you've struggled with these foot issues.  I hope this is the last surgery you have to have for a long time (if ever).

I take Lyrica for neuropathy, 150 mgs twice a day.  I don't know what the maximum dose is, but I started on, I believe, 50 mgs twice a day.  It doesn't get rid of it, but it does help, better than Gabapentin.

Good luck with everything, you have my number.

[mitch777]

Ugh! Sorry you need to go through surgery again. Will this enable you to walk better and/or relieve some pain? I hope it's the last surgery and it works wonders for you. It certainly nice of Ted to offer his help.
I've had sciatic nerve pain that sounds similar to what you described. It was very painful. It took time and many visits to a chiropractor to get relief. Did the doc have a solution to your nerve issue other than pain relief? Hope you get this worked out before being laid up with your foot surgery.

[Miss Philicia]

God, that's awful.  I know you've struggled with these foot issues.  I hope this is the last surgery you have to have for a long time (if ever).

I take Lyrica for neuropathy, 150 mgs twice a day.  I don't know what the maximum dose is, but I started on, I believe, 50 mgs twice a day.  It doesn't get rid of it, but it does help, better than Gabapentin.

Good luck with everything, you have my number.

My podiatrist started me on 50mg three times a day so when my refill is up and he sees that there's an improvement maybe he'll bump it up to what you have. I think the half-life is only 6.5 hours so maybe that's why he prefers a 3/day dosing, but I'd be glad to double the dose to 300mg/day like you, Bettina.

[Miss Philicia]

Ugh! Sorry you need to go through surgery again. Will this enable you to walk better and/or relieve some pain? I hope it's the last surgery and it works wonders for you. It certainly nice of Ted to offer his help.
I've had sciatic nerve pain that sounds similar to what you described. It was very painful. It took time and many visits to a chiropractor to get relief. Did the doc have a solution to your nerve issue other than pain relief? Hope you get this worked out before being laid up with your foot surgery.

I think sciatic nerve pain is part of what I have -- but I'll clarify it when I go back to the podiatrist.

Frankly I'm not convinced it's all due to HIV -- partially perhaps, but mostly from this long-term undiagnosed high arch issue that I assume I've had my entire life. But hey, that's part of the fun right -- not know what is causing what! When you have HIV and then non-HIV stuff happens it's near impossible to sort out what's causing what. The best a doctor can do is try a bunch of different things and see what sticks.

Maybe I should consider see a neurologist next, but you know I'm TOTALLY sick of specialists now. I've lost count with how many I've seen in the past five years (or longer if I count back in NYC when I spent five years also seeing a lot of them).

At least I don't have to travel a lot to go to any of them. With my health I'm stuck living in a city until I croak.

ps: This upcoming foot surgery shouldn't be as bad as the last two (or so they tell me) -- I'll take it easy for 7-10 days, not two months, then be able to do grocery shopping with one of those little bootie thingies. I think the metal pins will come out in 3-4 weeks and hopefully the toes will be sitting down flat and I'll be good to go.

Naturally Miss P will be happy to provide photo documentation for the forums.

[wolfter]

I hope this finally gets you some relief.  My Bill suffered terribly from Sciatica.  The pain generated all the his right leg and his hip pain was horrendous.  He finally underwent some treatment that allowed him a tremendous amount of relief.  Wish I could recall what it was.

W

[Miss Philicia]

I've had sciatic nerve pain that sounds similar to what you described. It was very painful. It took time and many visits to a chiropractor to get relief. Did the doc have a solution to your nerve issue other than pain relief? Hope you get this worked out before being laid up with your foot surgery.

Yeah, I think that is what it is -- also causes a lot of weakness up my legs and even to my buttocks. I vaguely recall him mentioning MOAR surgery, but he wants to try other non-obtrusive things first. It's generally most bad in my feet, but I think it's also what has caused weak knees now for over a decade. Basically I'm somewhat a mess from the waist down, but it's sporadic. I mean I do at least get around for basic tasks, shopping, traveling, etc. But I worry about it getting worst seeing as how I am only 48.

Just goes to show that a high cd4 count mean diddly, doesn't it?

ps: ooopsie, I already replied to you... damn klonnie! lol

[WillyWump]

ps: ooopsie, I already replied to you... damn klonnie! lol

I thought you had taken all those 2 nights ago when you called me thinking I was  Tech support in India. You didn't even say hello, all I heard was "reinstall"... "Voice over protocol" and other slurred techy things.

But to your foot problem...I am sorry you are going through this again. I would be happy to come up there and push you around in your wheelchair. But in return I'm going to require a bevy of young Italian boy toys and copious amounts of Cocaine.

[Miss Philicia]

I thought you had taken all those 2 nights ago when you called me thinking I was  Tech support in India. You didn't even say hello, all I heard was "reinstall"... "Voice over protocol" and other slurred techy things.

Must have been my attempts at using my iPad to make calls -- sucker

http://www.talkatone.com/index.html

[Theyer]

Hope all goes to plan Miss P ---with luck your behaviour when coming around from anesthetic will not minmic my own which is that off a severely emotional opera Queen winning at an awards ceremony.

[OneTampa]

Ms. P. here is wishing you an excellent recovery from your upcoming foot surgery.  I hope this will be the last one.

And Honey, with your tough survivor spirit, I just know you will be OK.

Best.

[mitch777]

Frankly I'm not convinced it's all due to HIV -- partially perhaps, but mostly from this long-term undiagnosed high arch issue that I assume I've had my entire life. But hey, that's part of the fun right -- not know what is causing what! When you have HIV and then non-HIV stuff happens it's near impossible to sort out what's causing what. The best a doctor can do is try a bunch of different things and see what sticks.

Maybe I should consider see a neurologist next, but you know I'm TOTALLY sick of specialists now. I've lost count with how many I've seen in the past five years (or longer if I count back in NYC when I spent five years also seeing a lot of them).

Ya, sometimes it's hard to tell if health issues are related to HIV. I would think your sciatic nerve problem originates from your lower back pinching the nerve. Your foot problem might have been the culprit by putting stress on your back. Just a guess. Have you considered a chiropractor? Maybe the damage needs more than what a chiropractor can do.

I'm sick of specialists too and I'm sure I haven't seen nearly as many as you. Seems we really don't have much choice in most cases.

ps: This upcoming foot surgery shouldn't be as bad as the last two (or so they tell me) -- I'll take it easy for 7-10 days, not two months, then be able to do grocery shopping with one of those little bootie thingies. I think the metal pins will come out in 3-4 weeks and hopefully the toes will be sitting down flat and I'll be good to go.

This sounds encouraging!

Yeah, I think that is what it is -- also causes a lot of weakness up my legs and even to my buttocks. I vaguely recall him mentioning MOAR surgery, but he wants to try other non-obtrusive things first. It's generally most bad in my feet, but I think it's also what has caused weak knees now for over a decade. Basically I'm somewhat a mess from the waist down, but it's sporadic. I mean I do at least get around for basic tasks, shopping, traveling, etc. But I worry about it getting worst seeing as how I am only 48.

ps: ooopsie, I already replied to you... damn klonnie! lol

Your description sounds familiar. Has this been going on sporadically for over a decade? Do you have any sharp pains in your lower back too? (it did with me) Sheesh. You are a mess! Good luck with all of this crapola.  

[harleymc]

Eat your din dins.

[Miss Philicia]

God, that's awful.  I know you've struggled with these foot issues.  I hope this is the last surgery you have to have for a long time (if ever).

I take Lyrica for neuropathy, 150 mgs twice a day.  I don't know what the maximum dose is, but I started on, I believe, 50 mgs twice a day.  It doesn't get rid of it, but it does help, better than Gabapentin.

Good luck with everything, you have my number.

My doctor started me at 50mg three times a day for one month, and now I am on 75mg three times a day for a total of 225mg. The maximum one should be prescribed is what you are on -- 300mg either in two doses or three. I've read that it only lasts for six hours or so before running though your body so I'd prefer to take three times a day. I will see if I can up it to 100mg three times a day if I find it necessary.

Do you really find it works well for you? I'm just concerned because mine isn't run-of-the-mill neuropathy, but sciatic which can mean that I also have a herniated disc. I suppose they might send me for an MRI, but sometimes they skip that from what I read and send you to a physical therapist (oh glory! My insurance don't pay for all of that as my previous experience post-foot surgeries showed). The good news is that most people heal this without any surgery, though 1 in 10 do actually have to have surgery. Since I'm a surgery expert and possess a Santeria curse from 15 years ago I'm totally sure I'll end up having to go under the knife (again).

ps: Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of a disc injury.

ORLY

ps: I'm surprised that a couple of close friends offered no moral support in this thread. Some things speak volumes. 'nuf said.

[mecch]

I am virtually burning this candle for you to remove the curse. I have put green glitter in it for healing and french lavender and lebanese juniper oil to sooth the nerves.
I hope you find relief soon. 

[Miss Philicia]

I need to get a Puerto Rican friend to take me up to North Philly to a Botanica and find some hex spray, or I guess I could make use of this:

http://www.originalbotanica.com/index.php

... specifically this item: http://www.originalbotanica.com/jinx-removing-spray-p-25631.html

[BT65]

Do you really find it works well for you?

Well, it doesn't get rid of it but I like it better than Gabapentin.  My right foot, for some reason, is worse, pain wise, than my left.  On the bottom it always feels like there's a hot plate under it, and I have shooting pain through the toes on and off during the day.  Of course my left foot is more numb than my right.  That's why I had to give up that 5-speed car I had-I couldn't feel the clutch.

How do you like the Lyrica?  How is your pain?  Sorry about the curse.  I would burn sage. 

[Miss Philicia]

Yes, I have the hot plate, but then it turns totally cold too. And same intense electrical shock down to my large toes but seems to start in my buttocks. On top of it all my leg muscles feel like I just had a 10 hour workout at a gym but of course I haven't, and my lower back can then flare up to a bad ache. What's odd is that it all can vary day by day -- the pains always there but it manifests itself in slightly different ways. There's never a day when I don't feel really tired.

Oh, get this -- after my insomnia last night I got to bed at 3am. At 7:30am I found myself asleep sitting on the toilet. I only woke up because sitting on the toilet rim for longer than 10 seconds activates the most dreadful nerve pains.

And people here wonder why I'm on disability. I'm also finally hitting my doctor up for some Trazadone because I'm just done with this insomnia issue. I've avoided sleeping pills now for over a decade.

[BT65]

Insomnia's the worst.  I don't have it as bad since switching to Stribild; aren't you on Isentress?  Even though I get a bit more sleep, I'm always still up around 4:00 am. 

Falling asleep on the toilet and not remembering going in there?  That sounds like you're very sleep deprived.  I get it, I hope the Trazadone helps.  My doctor prescribed Rozerem but I rarely take it.  I was on Trazadone previously and may try it again. 

[oksikoko]

I need to get a Puerto Rican friend to take me up to North Philly to a Botanica and find some hex spray, or I guess I could make use of this:

I find "Go Away Evil" to be the best anti-hex spray. I think I've mentioned it before.



https://www.wisdomproducts.com/product/6585

It freshens the air, and you get 20% more than...something. It even has what appears to be a Native American on the can. That means it's good for the environment too.

[mecch]

I went to one somewhere on Flatbush Ave at the corner of Prospect Park near Parkside Ave.  I was sold on Santeria when the lovely clerk told me what color glitter to sprinkle in my candle for the first love spell I went looking for.

[mitch777]

David,
Hope you can find some relief. I've slept with a pillow between my knees for over a decade. It does help. Can't sleep on my back either. I don't have the complication of neuropathy but I know what disk problems are like. It got so bad once that I was immobilized and Kenny had to call the ambulance for my first and only ride. The pain was unbearable. 
Wish I could help.
m.

[tednlou2]

I hope you can get some relief, as well.  A lot going on at once.  The toilet thing made me think of our roommate.  He always falls asleep on the toilet.  Weird hearing snoring and pissing, at the same time.  Then, he will get up and fall down, because his legs fell asleep.  But, his is from taking too many meds.  He has bad sciatica.  But, I suppose he is sleep deprived, from the pain.

[wolfter]

Sorry you're dealing with all the pain issues and insomnia.  I started on Trazadone for sleep issues and it started out ok.  50mg allowed restful sleep.  Suddenly I had to bump it up, then again, and again.  I finally quit taking it after 200 mg a night didn't work.

Wolfie

[Fisher]

You've got a lot of nerve running up your butt, granted. . .and duly noted.

[Miss Philicia]

so UPDATE: I had my third surgery 11 days ago and it seems to have gone well, at least according to multiple x-rays. However my surgeon had to do double the amount that he was expected to do, which means instead of a week secluded and recovering in my apartment I have to stay in for three weeks. Bummer!

I did, however, manage to go to an appointment with my HIV doctor yesterday because my sciatic pain issue has been progressing so quickly that I can only get to sleep for 3 hours each night. Every position in bed results in sharp pain shooting down my legs and out through my feet. And I couldn't sit at my computer for for more than 30-45 minutes without becoming nauseas from the resultant pain in my spine. Alas spinal pain is directly related to sciatic pain so I guess that's to be expected even if it's a new pain for me. Furthermore, he seems to believe I'm suffering from multiple herniated discs due to years of favoring one foot over the other when walking, pre-dating my past couple years of surgery. And as stated earlier this Lyrica I've been taken might as well be a placebo as it doesn't help at all.

So my HIV doctor gave me a physical applying pressure points on my back and buttocks and listening to me yelp out loud from the pain. He's now put me on a course of Endocet, Cyclobenzaprine and a dermal patch called Lidoderm -- plus I'm also still on higher than normal (i.e. OTC drug amount) of Ibuprofen.

I'm now finally able to sleep again for 8 hours, and float on a cloud during waking hours.

I get my ~30 stitches removed next Friday and the metal rods removed, then they want to send me off for x-rays on my spine and figure out a treatment plan which I'm sure will mean a lot of physical therapy.

[WillyWump]

so UPDATE: I had my third surgery 11 days ago and it seems to have gone well, at least according to multiple x-rays. However my surgeon had to do double the amount that he was expected to do, which means instead of a week secluded and recovering in my apartment I have to stay in for three weeks. Bummer!

I did, however, manage to go to an appointment with my HIV doctor yesterday because my sciatic pain issue has been progressing so quickly that I can only get to sleep for 3 hours each night. Every position in bed results in sharp pain shooting down my legs and out through my feet. And I couldn't sit at my computer for for more than 30-45 minutes without becoming nauseas from the resultant pain in my spine. Alas spinal pain is directly related to sciatic pain so I guess that's to be expected even if it's a new pain for me. Furthermore, he seems to believe I'm suffering from multiple herniated discs due to years of favoring one foot over the other when walking, pre-dating my past couple years of surgery. And as stated earlier this Lyrica I've been taken might as well be a placebo as it doesn't help at all.

So my HIV doctor gave me a physical applying pressure points on my back and buttocks and listening to me yelp out loud from the pain. He's now put me on a course of Endocet, Cyclobenzaprine and a dermal patch called Lidoderm -- plus I'm also still on higher than normal (i.e. OTC drug amount) of Ibuprofen.

I'm now finally able to sleep again for 8 hours, and float on a cloud during waking hours.

I get my ~30 stitches removed next Friday and the metal rods removed, then they want to send me off for x-rays on my spine and figure out a treatment plan which I'm sure will mean a lot of physical therapy.

Ghurl. the things you go through. I feel for you.

But just add a shot of Kentucky Straight Bourbon to that pill cocktail and you'll be just fine

[anniebc]

Hoping you get back on your feet sooner rather than later, and manage to get a descent amount of sleep very night, really sounds like you need it.

Thinking of you.

Aroha
Jan

[Jeff G]

Get well soon Miss P , hope you are done with these painful surgery's .

[spacebarsux]

Sounds bloody painful. Get well soon Miss P!

[Miss Philicia]

I woke up this morning and I was asleep on the toilet.

[Dachshund]

I woke up this morning and I was asleep on the toilet.

the more things change the more they stay the same

[mikeyb39]

Be careful with that toilet.  I heard the toilets have caused many injuries to people.  Didnt Elvis croak on the toilet?

[buginme2]

I woke up this morning and I was asleep on the toilet.

Now that's class

[Miss Philicia]

One thing I have to say though is that this medication has worked with my spine issues for the most part, and it did it in less than six hours. I'm hoping that I've caught this on the early side so once I go into physical rehab it won't be so gruesome. Plus I'll be able to combine it with whatever I'll need to do with my newly operated on feet.
 
I actually think it's all connected, year upon year of not being able to walk correctly due to podiatry issues. I don't believe it's at all HIV-related though maybe slightly due to inflammation and lipoatrophy causing me to have no fat padding on my extremities. But who knows -- suffice to say it royally sucks and I've been dealing with now for five years.

[mitch777]

The best from me too. A good nights sleep makes it a bit easier. Still....

[wolfter]

Sorry, but I had a vision of the 2 of us hobbling around together at an AMG walking around like old men instead of the sturdy young men we should be.   

Hope you'll soon get this all behind you and you can finally have relief.

Wolfie

[Theyer]

It is what it is , gruelling.
Hope that from now on its progress all the way. Ballet Rambert are doing dance for health at Chealsea and Westminster, physio gym was the best gym time I have ever had .
Anyway good luck with it all you deserve it.

[buginme2]

Miss p. I'm sorry about all this it sounds really horrible and I hope they can fix it.  A few years back I had horrible sciatic pain (pre HIV) and ended up having a discectomy and laminotomy.  As far as surgery's go it was super easy, done outpatient, and I was at home watching oprah just a few hours after surgery with very little recovery time.  Sciatic pain is a horrible thing because there isn't any position you can take to get it to go away.   

You really have been through a lot with this I hope you feel better soon.

[WillyWump]

I havent heard from MissP this morning yet. Should I call her and wake her up from the toilet?

[Jeff G]

I havent heard from MissP this morning yet. Should I call her and wake her up from the toilet?

Send a python up the pipe , that should do it .

[WillyWump]

Send a python up the pipe , that should do it .

No, she would never leave then.

[bear60]

Hi David...
I fall asleep at the computer...lol. But toilet is a possibility.  I think I told you about my sciatic pains.
We must do cocktails soon.

[phillypinko]

Be careful with that toilet.  I heard the toilets have caused many injuries to people.  Didnt Elvis croak on the toilet?

Elvis is an example of why the doctor says to never strain on the toilet.

[oksikoko]

Elvis is an example of why the doctor says to never strain on the toilet.

Sounds to me like he couldn't be more relaxed on the toilet. I'm getting my python now. It's only like an hour and a half to Philly.

[mitch777]

Sounds to me like he couldn't be more relaxed on the toilet. I'm getting my python now. It's only like an hour and a half to Philly.

Ok, it's been about 2 hours now since the python release. Getting nervous.

[Theyer]

So Miss P how is it all getting along, improving most off us hope , give us an up date when your ready , hope your at least able to get down the stairs.

All the best
Michael