pain and test

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jb - 18 Mar 2006 06:57 GMT

Hi folks
I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
always my neuropathy and arth in the feet is almost unbearable. My rhmy has
started me on a new rx called cymbalta. has anyone taken this and had any
luck with it? It is actually an antidepressant and often rx for neuropathy.
sure hope it is a help. please let me know if you have tried it. It is
replacing my effexor.
2nd, for the past month I have had a problem with either my back, or hip or
both. the pain is excruciating in my hip and down my leg. I've been to
orthoped and he has given me my 3rd round of steroid. As long as I am
taking it I don't hurt so bad. the only reason he has allowed the 3rd
dosage is that next Wed, Mar 22, I am flying to Ca to see my oldest dau and
try to console her since her husband is leaving for the "war" somewhere. I
told ortho I had to have something to get the through the trip.
He set me up with the hospital to have a MRI and a bone scan on Monday. my
questions about both. I am not at all familiar with either. why is he
doing both? I forgot to ask him. What is the difference. What are some
comments on the MRI and bone scan. how did everyone tolerate those test?
' I am quiet nervous. I wont be able to get results until April 4 after I
return from CA.
lots going here cant wait to here from some of you on asa
thanks for being a friend.
jb

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spodosaurus - 18 Mar 2006 09:06 GMT

> Hi folks
> I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> questions about both. I am not at all familiar with either. why is he
> doing both? I forgot to ask him. What is the difference.

Bone scans show increased uptake of a short lived radioisotope. If your
daughter is or may be pregnant, I hope you're having the scan after you
get back, and not the day before you leave. What is he doing the bone
scan of? Bone scans are easier and faster than MRIs, and you can do the
entire body in half the time it takes to scan one joint in an MRI
machine. The bone scans shows bones.

An MRI shows tissues better than a CT scan because MRI maps atomic
nuclei in fluid and a CT scan shows what is opaque to x-rays. So, a CT
scan gives much crisper resolution of bone problems, but an MRI shows
greater detail of soft tissues. I've had three dimensional hip fractures
not show up on x-ray because of their unique angle (almost like they
were hiding just perfectly to not be seen on an x-ray) but show up very
brightly on an MRI because of the extremely thin layer of fluid within
them. MRIs can see into bones, whereas CTs and bone scans cannot. MRIs
can also show oedema in and around bones. But, and this is the most
important difference, the MRI shows soft tissues in the are(s) being
scanned.

If he wants to scan more than one joint but can only get a certain
number in during an MRI booking, then he'd do the bone scan as well in
order to see if there are any glaring hotspots that he needs to send you
back to have further MRIs of.

> What are some
> comments on the MRI and bone scan. how did everyone tolerate those test?

That depends on 1) if you're claustrophobic at all and 2) how well you
tolerate being unable to wriggle around while you're laying on your back
for 25-45 minutes. If they do multiple scans all at once, say three
regions/joints, you could be looking at 90 or more minutes in the MRI.
Bone scans are easier: nasty taste in your mouth and you're not allowed
to go near pregnant women or babies for a time afterwards, but much
quicker usually. Also, they have to inject a vein with the radioisotope
solution (hence the icky taste in your mouth that some people get) so if
you don't like needles you won;t like the bone scan.

> ' I am quiet nervous.

Don't be, it's not like a joint injection or a biopsy or anything. It's
just uncomfortable not being allowed to move inside a noisy narrow tube
for a while.

> I wont be able to get results until April 4 after I
> return from CA.
> lots going here cant wait to here from some of you on asa
> thanks for being a friend.
> jb

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Harvey R. Stone - 18 Mar 2006 15:16 GMT

> Hi folks
> I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> questions about both. I am not at all familiar with either. why is he
> doing both?

The doc sees changes and wants all the information he can get to see what is
taking place especially with your pain down the leg. The tests are ok. I
just could not get off the table of the bone scan and had to have help.
They knew I needed help because of the tears running down my face. To stay
absolutely still nearly kiilllled me for some reason. I was in a flare but
it gave the answers to my RD and I started Methx and my RD took 3 months to
get me up to 15mg. I missed 5 months of work during that time.

I forgot to ask him. What is the difference. What are some

> comments on the MRI and bone scan. how did everyone tolerate those test?
> ' I am quiet nervous. I wont be able to get results until April 4 after
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> thanks for being a friend.
> jb

Your sister should really thank you for being there when needed. Just do
not march in any hate the war parades. I hope you take some prednisone
pills with you and help your sis to start a life where she does everything
for herself. She can do it and he will be back.
Good luck with it all.
Harv

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jb - 23 Mar 2006 04:59 GMT

I got through the MRI and Bone Scan. No problem just the lying still and
noise of the MRI. hardest part is waiting on the results. My pain is still
excruciating. I am taking the cymbalta but cant tell it is helping anymore
than the effexor. I started on the 30 mg and go on 60 in a few days. hope
that will make a difference. Had to postpone my trip to my daughters
because of the snow in the mountains of ca.; her driveway is "straight up"
she cant get her vehicle up there and I cannot walk so I wont be going for a
few weeks when the weather breaks. hopefully I will find what is causing all
this pain and can get something to help it. thanks for all your best
wishes and advise
janice

| > Hi folks
| > I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
[quoted text clipped - 43 lines]
| Good luck with it all.
| Harv

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Gwen Love - 23 Mar 2006 05:32 GMT

Janice, maybe you will be free of all that pain when you go. Here's hoping
and praying.
Gwen

>I got through the MRI and Bone Scan. No problem just the lying still and
> noise of the MRI. hardest part is waiting on the results. My pain is still
[quoted text clipped - 77 lines]
> | Good luck with it all.
> | Harv

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Cindy - 18 Mar 2006 16:27 GMT

Cymbalta is an antidepressant that has been effective in treating
neuropathy. Your doctor probably told you that if you start feeling
depressed or crying to call him immediatly...Just be aware that anytime you
change antidepressants that our bodys do not react the same to one as it
does the other...That is why there are so many different ones out there...
So if you start feeling out of control be sure you notify your
doctor...Having said that...Some patients with FM have been given Cymbalta
to help with the pain.
And they have had success. I tried it...It did not help with my pain...I did
not see that it was any different with my depression as other AD either and
sense it cost more...I had to pay more for NB drugs...I told the doctor to
put me back on Prozac...
So I hope I answered that part of the question...
Hope you have a good trip and that you are able to support your Daughter...
Hugs Cindy

> Hi folks
> I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> thanks for being a friend.
> jb

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Norman - 18 Mar 2006 20:30 GMT

My doc started me on Cymbalta a few months ago, but it interfered with my sleep
(I kept waking up 2 or 3 times a night) and we stopped it after 2 weeks. The
first night after stopping, I slept through the night.

I hope it works for you.

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Gwen Love - 19 Mar 2006 01:08 GMT

Janice, just lieing still is the hardest part of an MRI and bone scan. The
MRI is noisy; you will probably have ear plugs.
Don't be worried about either. The doc should be able to tell what is
really going on by doing both.
Gwen

> Hi folks
> I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> thanks for being a friend.
> jb

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Squirrely - 23 Mar 2006 22:18 GMT

Jb,

I know the back and hip stuff can really be a bugger. I don't know what to
tell you except to use ice or heat, limit walking.
I hope your MRI shows them what the problem is.
I hope you have a nice trip to CA and back.

I hope the neuropathy settles down for you also.

You take care my dear friend.

Signature

Hugs, prayers, good thoughts,
Warm fuzzies, TLC, and Love
Squirrely Jo

> Hi folks
> I have some going ons Id like to hear some feedback on. 1st of all as
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> thanks for being a friend.
> jb

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