Big Step

[Guest guest]

Big step for me this week.

I have been developing drop foot for about 6 years now. I have been putting

off the AFO idea for about 5 years. I just hated to make that appointment.

I finally got the courage up to ask for a prescription 2 years ago. I got the

prescription but never filled it.

About 4 weeks ago I worked up the courage to ask for another prescription. I

asked a physicians assistant. She told me to go to my orthopedic doctor.

He is 2 hours away. 6 hours at least round trip. I was depressed at the

thought of it all.

On Thursday I was getting refills on some medication and I mentioned that I

wanted a prescription for an AFO. The nurse not only gave me the prescription

she also called and made the appointment for me.

She helped me so much without evening knowing how stressed out I was over it

all.

[Guest guest]

Hi Marcia,

It feels huge making that appointment doesnt it? Just remember that the

appointment doesnt mean you have to do anything....just hear what is being said

and recommended for you. If possible, try to bring someone else into the exam

with you to help you with recollecting all that you will hear. As my husband

says, its kind of like trying to drink water from a fire hose when all kinds of

new information comes at you that quickly.

I did place a copy of the questions I used at my consults in the files section

of this group. It may be more or less detailed than you would like, but I put it

there to give an idea of the kind of information I was seeking to differentiate

between the two surgeons I was considering. It may not be at all relevant to

your situation and I highly recommend each patient develop their own questions.

The detail needed to do that insures that you will fully understand your own

special circumstances....as well as the " state of the art " ...which actually

seems to have changed a tad in the past few years. For instance, my surgeon was

DrRand...and he was a fairly " early adopter " and innovator of leaving most of

the old Harrington rod in place. He ( & later with DrOndra) designed/built the

necessary connector implants to do this. He also recommended that the surgery

take place on two different days 7-14 days apart. My second opinion was with

DrBoachie at HSS...he recommended essentially the opposite...he wanted to remove

and replace all my old implants and do it in one mondo surgery. The end result

was fusion to the sacrum....either way...but the means were very different. I

opted for DrRands approach. It felt more conservative to me and seemed like the

best match for my insurance and geographic needs. So, if possible, consider that

it may still serve you well to get a second opinion, or at least fully

understand the surgery proposed.

Sciatic nerve impingement is what drove me to my couch, and ultimately revision.

It is awful...so please know that I feel your pain!! I dont know what type of

meds you might be offered by your local GP, but I will hazard a guess that to

get any real relief you likely will have to jump through a few hoops to get to a

pain management specialist....since generally they dont handout opiates very

freely. Even then....they dont seem to work for everyone. I did get a little

relief from an epidural injection, maybe turned the pain from a 10 down to a

7...worked maybe for 4-5 weeks. Getting the danged needle in however was very

challenging, and I only opted for that one more time before I knew I had to try

something more permanent. Fortunately my revision was a success and the moment I

woke up from the first days surgery...as terrible as I felt...I knew that pain

was gone.

I will put you on the calendar and hope to hear how things go. Is it for Feb or

March 15th?

Take Care, Cam