So the pain dr. today. The rd called him this morning so he knew what was going on. Rd also faxed him the ER notes since it is a different hospital system.
He is pretty concerned. He gave me a shot of Toradol(spelling?) when he first came into the room and said he would be back in 15min. That way I would feel more up to talking. First thing he brought up was weight loss. I have needed to lose it for a bit but with steriods over the last 5+yrs, it has been hard. I am 5'10''. When I was there the first of the month I was 189(eek!) and now I am down to 173. Yes...needed loss, but not this way. When I hurt, I get physically sick to my stomach.
So, plan for now...he added dexamethasone, and put me back on Fentanyl. I hate Fentanyl. He wants me to take 7.5mg of percocet 3 times a day. Not to wait until it gets really bad . He is hoping that will keep me out of the ER until there is a better solution. RD increased the Neurontin to 3X day yesterday. He said to make sure his name is listed as one of my drs when I get the echo done. It is with another hospital so he just can't pull up the report.
He is concerned about work on Mon-obviously. I have had this conversation with the ER doc and my RD. Basically, science fair project aside, this is a super easy two weeks. The kids will review for midterms this week, and then take them next week. Next week, all the days are early dismissal after Monday. This allows us time to grade the exams. Med wise, he said I'd be fine, not spacey. I have quite the tolerance at this point. I see him again on the 15th, after the two "easy weeks". If I am still struggling, I'll consider short term disability. Honestly, at this point, I can't lecture on new material.
So, was sent home and told to take it very easy. Duh... My ex called yesterday and would like to pick up the little guy tomorrow and have him spend the night. That will allow me to finish the projects and just take it easy. I'll just bring the binders into my room. Now, he hasn't picked up Nathan since Sept. and has only seen him 4 times since Feb so I am not going to count on this, but I can hope Hi, Rebecca,
What a trooper you are!! I guess I'm a wuss because I was thinking in your shoes that I'd totally call for a sub. I think short-term disability is something you really need to look into because you need to rest and heal and get better, girl. I really hope the meds the doc gave you are able to get your pain under control. Definitely take them as he prescribed them!When you get past that point of no return, there's no amount of pain meds at home that will help you and it will result in another trip to the ER. Although you've probably made a lot of friends there at this point, I can assure you they'd rather see you when you're not struggling with this type of discomfort and pain! ;) I hope your ex follows through with the plan to pick up your son so you can get some much needed rest and he can get some daddy time. Sorry, but I don't know anything about the echo... haven't had one done and don't know anyone who has. What I do know is that I hope it doesn't reveal anything bad for you!
What a trooper you are!! I guess I'm a wuss because I was thinking in your shoes that I'd totally call for a sub. I think short-term disability is something you really need to look into because you need to rest and heal and get better, girl. I really hope the meds the doc gave you are able to get your pain under control. Definitely take them as he prescribed them!When you get past that point of no return, there's no amount of pain meds at home that will help you and it will result in another trip to the ER. Although you've probably made a lot of friends there at this point, I can assure you they'd rather see you when you're not struggling with this type of discomfort and pain! ;) I hope your ex follows through with the plan to pick up your son so you can get some much needed rest and he can get some daddy time. Sorry, but I don't know anything about the echo... haven't had one done and don't know anyone who has. What I do know is that I hope it doesn't reveal anything bad for you!
The reality sucks right now. Economy is awful-as we know. The school system is cutting another 7 million for the next year. We are already teaching extra classes. If I take off for an extended period of time, I am guaranteed a job back-but not the same one. My current school is 10min from my front door. It's small, and I love the kids. I am certified for younger kids as well. I am so afraid that I would be forced into another position. There is no arguing. When you sign a contract it iis for a teaching job, not school or position. It's hard now, but it could be sooo much harder.
The reality sucks right now. Economy is awful-as we know. The school system is cutting another 7 million for the next year. We are already teaching extra classes. If I take off for an extended period of time, I am guaranteed a job back-but not the same one. My current school is 10min from my front door. It's small, and I love the kids. I am certified for younger kids as well. I am so afraid that I would be forced into another position. There is no arguing. When you sign a contract it iis for a teaching job, not school or position. It's hard now, but it could be sooo much harder.
[/QUOTE]You guys flatter me…but it makes me smile J
I am really feeling the drop in the dexamethasone. I have been on 8mg until these past few days. I am now down to 4mg. Dex is a longer acting steroid than pred. If I am not mistaken, 8mg is equal to about 50mg of pred. So, more bang for your buck I guess. Anyway, I can really feel the change. Chest is tight again and the jaw/face just aches. Kinda like….does your face hurt, cause it is killing me? Ha Ha, middle school humor never grows old…. I see the lung dr. on Thursday and the pain dr. on Friday. We will, in his words…”discuss and re-evaluate”. Thrilling…
My friend/PT drove Nathan and I to his swim meet today. We had a long talk about the jaw.Normally she is only allowed “friend mode” on the weekends, but since we were locked in a car together, I cut her a break. It’s exam week at school. All I have to do is pass out tests and grade. The kids get out early each day for teacher workdays in the afternoon. So, it has become-last ditch effort to save the jaw week. She and my dr. are supposed to talk on Monday to pass around ideas. I will see her 45min, hopefully 3X and we are going to try to get this thing moving. We all know that this may not work, but I can feel like dirt(well, more like dirt), this week and be ok. I just wish it was any other joint. There wouldn’t be this huge indecision if there was. According to my “cast of thousands”, the jaw joint is the worst one to replace. It has to go up and down, back and forth, and side to side. Crazy if you think about it. For most people with TMJ or TMJD, it is a muscle problem. Over 90%...really it is mainly a muscle issue. Even with arthritis, most of the pain comes from the muscles having to overcompensate. Then there are the people who actually have joint damage and dysfunction. Obviously, those of us with RA will fall into this category more than most. Still, pretty small group. Even looking at this board, there are only a handful of us “cool kids” that have jaw problems daily. Knees, hips, elbows….we are like a junk yard…But not the jaw. Before anybody gets offended…we are all “cool kids” J Point is, there just isn’t that much research on jaw joint replacement. There are only a handful of drs that are considered “experts” and they don’t even have to have a special certification to call themselves that. Obviously an Oral and Maxofillioal(I know, spelled way wrong) would be the first one to look at. But google TMJ, and all sorts of winners pop up. So yes, there is a real problem. There is no question that I have true joint dysfunction. Oh..and no fluid which nobody can still explain. I keep getting…wow, look at your jaw…that is so unusual. Glad to make someone’s day. 20mm is not an option…Look at a ruler…20mm is pathetic. Not considered functional, and it sucks…or bites…or it would bite if I could. I am scared to death to make the decision to go through with a replacement. Yes…if it works…well, I can’t even imagine how great it would be. Why can’t it be a hip, or knee..or something that is, well, normal? I am not downplaying those that have other joints replaced..I know every joint operation is stressful. There is just so much more positive stuff out there to read. Kinda helps a bit. So, as you can tell, I am a bit stressed about this. I adore my surgeon, and I trust him. Because we know each other so well, and he knows I educate myself about the problem, we discuss at appointments. It’s not just him saying this or that. This is a good thing, but it also makes me see the “human” side of surgeons that we don’t often see. There is none of the cockiness that you get with some drs. He really speaks highly of his mentor and at the fact that he is within a 4hr drive. It seems in the past that he has sent people as far away as Florida. So, obviously he doesn’t take the decision lightly either. So, those of you that enjoy looking for stuff online, or are really bored, maybe you can help me. What kind of stuff can you find regarding TMJ replacements. I know the whole “less is more” concept. Less invasive can be the most beneficial when it comes to the jaw, but I am kinda in a different boat. If we leave it alone, or had left it alone, it would fuse together. That is was is happening now….
Thanks again for all the support. It's hard to have so much just floating around...trying to piece it all together. Hmmmm, that doesn't make me sound to smart huh?Wow Rebecca, this is a big decision. It's really no wonder you feel like you are all over the place. I have no actual advice, I'm just sorry you are in this position. Please know that you are in my prayers daily. These might help. I didn't look at all of them. I just did a broad search on Medscape...