So I haven't posted about this

[Food Lady]

but it's here to stay for a while. I'm requesting prayer, if y'all would be so kind. I woke up Valentine's Day with what felt like a butcher knife in the back of my shoulder. I've had this in my middle spine, and it tends to resolve itself fairly quickly. Well, a month and several doctor visits later, I'm still in pain every day. Two vicodin 7.5s just take the edge off. My doc seems hesitant to prescribe anything else. I've had an X-ray; a disk in my neck is degenerating. It's been a process since I was a kid. (I have slight scoliosis, but my parents let it go so as to not make me feel different. Not their best moment. Oh well.) So I need to schedule an EMG on my arm cause that nerve is pinched and I've lost strength. It's my right arm and hand, and I'm right-handed. I may need surgery to release that nerve. I know others here have far worse problems, but I'm still responsible for supporting myself, and I was going to get a 2nd job, since mine has great benefits, but I only average 27 hours a week. I can barely hand-write at this point. If I went on paid leave, I think they'd be angry if I worked another job. So the future is murky and I'm unsure what to do. So, those of you who pray--please ask God for specific direction. And maybe better meds. Thanks to anyone sending any good thoughts. This is a great community. <3

[MaggieTheCat]

*hugs* Sending positive thoughts and energy your way. Also, have you tried talking to your one job about taking some time off, even if you still work your first job? Just explain to them your situation and how serious it's become and that you're in a lot of pain, and that you can't afford to lose your job but that you're also exhausted and need a break for a while. Good luck with everything.

[Food Lady]

Yeah, I got a request from HR lady to talk yesterday and got the info on that. She said there's all kinds of leave. I admit, I initially thought "Uh oh--What did I do now?" (I've been pulled aside so much lately). I'm glad I've stuck it out through bad managers and stuff for 7 years. My experience is valuable and we have good benefits for a retail place.

[dragon_wings]

Aww damn sweetie. I didn't realize it was that bad. I hope you know I'll be thinking about you and keeping you in my thoughts.

[Mishi]

Praying for you *gentle hugs* I hope it gets sorted quickly and with as little pain as possible.

[Akasa]

Here's hoping for a quick resolution and a triumphant return to work.

[Seraph]

<hugs Food Lady> I'll be praying for you. Hope everything gets taken care of quickly, as as painlessly as possible.

[Mytical]

You know you are always in my thoughts and prayers. *hugs*

[MournBlade]

Sounds to me very much like a pinched nerve. I have way too much experience with those myself, having 4 blown disks in my lower back and 3 in my neck. Percocet and Hydrocodone barely dull the pain, morphine kills the pain well but I hallucinate bad and am totally checked out - I see a chiropractor when I am able and that is the only thing that really brings relief without bad side effects. Hope you get it sorted out.

[Food Lady]

Update: I had another doctor visit today. He showed me my X-ray. He said it's much better than what he would've expected: good spacing between vertebrae, except for the one at the base of my neck, and the disk degeneration is slight. I've rescheduled the EMG I missed for Thursday. I'm on percocet now. I still had a bit of vicodin in my system, so I took half a percocet at dinner. It's a bit better, so a whole pill should work. But it was $27 with my discount. My HSA is empty, so I'll be paying out of pocket. I am going to continue staggering with ibuprofen for the anti-inflammatory properties. It is a pinched nerve; we knew that from the outset. I talked to HR and there are all kinds of leave and stuff. I'm clear to do everything except climb ladders, lift more than 15 lbs, or push more than 20 lbs. Funny thing is after my vacation (next weekend), I have a 30-hour week. Oh myyyyyy.

[Mytical]

Yikes. I would suggest going to the local equivalent to family health services, applying for state disability..might get a short term medical card. *hugs*

[Marmalady]

*hugs*
You have all my good thoughts and prayers, Food Lady. And I'd second what Myt says - see what's available on a short term basis.

[Food Lady]

My job allows for short-term leave if I need it. At this point, what kind of painkillers work without costing so much? At this price, percocet should cost me $90 a month! Finances (HSA is empty now) are more a concern than time off.

[Der Cute]

Shalom might be able to help. He's a pharmacist, and usually they know how to find charity/assistance programs for customers. At least mine did.
I dunno if Percoset would be available at a discount, because it's got some seriously addictive stuff in it. (it works though!)
Another thought would be to use internet, are Canadian drugs still less expensive? I've had to do that once in awhile. Possibly, hospital pharmacies are cheaper than retail ones. I dunno why, it's been my experience.
No matter what, keep trying.

[wagegoth]

My job allows for short-term leave if I need it. At this point, what kind of painkillers work without costing so much? At this price, percocet should cost me $90 a month! Finances (HSA is empty now) are more a concern than time off.

Ask your doctor for samples. When I've been uninsured, I found that a lot of doctors save samples for their poorer patients. It probably won't be percocet, but he should have something in the shelves that could help.

And be completely clear with your doctor about your financial situation. There's nothing to hide. Doctors and their office managers deal with all kinds of money issues all the time, and they usually have a good idea what they can do to help you out.