Checking In...

[reneemoss]

I'm re-posting from the General Board with my experience Re: Meningioma.....

I checked in in with Dr. Green on Feb. 6th. (Annual MRI and consult) I've been feeling really good for about 3 months and have weaned off all the daily pain meds..... I have been taking only Gabapentin 800 mg. daily. (I keep pain meds in reserve in case of a bad day)

Yippee! Dr. Green said my MRI looked great and he doesn't want to see me for 2 years! ....No tumor re-growth - and he said I can do anything I feel I can manage...Exercise, Zipline, run or walk!
He suggested I try Lyrica instead of the Gabapentin so I will fill new prescription and see if that takes away the small residual pain.

Degenerative Osteo-Arthritis thoughout my spine causes me more pain and limits my activity more than the neuropathic pain left from the surgery...but that's another story altogether!! Dr. Green suggested Celebrex -----he takes it himself every AM!!

I have to get to work and take off the 20 lbs. I've put on since all this started in Sept. 2006. Less weight on my spine should help - but oh I love to eat all the wrong things!

I wish everyone good outcomes and good news............I am spreading a little 'Pixie Dust' around the Forum..........

Renee (aka GotToCruise)

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T4-5, Intradural, Extramedullary Tumor, Calified to the Dura with Spinal Cord compression and Tethering, Myeloradiculopathey - Frozen section suggesting Meningioma.
Surgery-Oct. 31, 2006 Dr. Barth Green. Miami, Florida

God Bless everyone posting to this message board & helping me through!

[Day]

ooops....try again. I am recovering from a June 10 surgery to remove a meningioma located C1-T5? Ok I will get info correct on follow up visit to surgeon. I do know that the laminectomy involved 4 areas to free the tumor (begin). Please forgive my spelling and lack of info... I still hurt a lot and brain is fuzzy. But...I am alive and learning to walk! My youngest child is 7 years old and thinks Mommy should just hop up and go! I recently learned to waddle around without my walker in the house. When outside I have my walker and when in public I still rely on my wheelchair. It is encouraging to me to hear of your progress! Oh yeah on July 6th I had to have my wound re-opened to track down infection....so I am on the rebound again! God Bless you...sounds like we are both blessed!

[reneemoss]

I have had the MOST trouble getting back to the board .....I've re-registered AGAIN! - now I don't have any idea where my old posts are ----but I'll try again here, now. (Sorry if this is doubled somewhere else on the board! )

UPDATE:
Lyrica didn't work any better than the Gabapentin (Neurontin) for the Neuropathic Pain and I gained 10 lbs. (Whoa! - I don't need that!!)

Celebrex was GREAT & took the Arthritis pain away.... but, it had a negative effect on kidney function ---- I will have to do without it and try to work through the Arthritis pain (different from the Neuropathic pain)

I have had to increase the Gabapentin (Neurotin) to 1800 mg. daily - but even this higher dosege does not altogether relieve the Neuropathic pain, - (residual from the surgery) ... BUT - I am walking well & with good balance & the 'tingling' and numbness in my left leg is much better!

Sometimes I feel depressed about my 'damaged' state & the aches and pains that are constantly with me..........BUT I REMIND MYSELF HOW VERY BLESSED I REALLY AM!!! I can sit down with a book or the TV and I feel better..........so no complaints......at my age, I've earned a little nap around 4 in the afternoon anyway!! LOL!

Sending everyone good wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season!

[reneemoss]

Sorry, again lost this board. The Facebook board has changed so much I can't recognize it nor do I see any of the "old" posters like me from years ago. I finally re-found this board & will bookmark so I don't lose again. FYI I am still here, alive & kicking ? Issues from my Menengioma (T4-5) surgery 10/06 are as good as ever will be. I still have random bouts of pain (upper right quadrant, near shoulder blade) but infrequently & It resolves with rest. Osteo-arthritis & disc issues throughout my spine (cervical to lumbar) present "ouches" & discomfort, but I attribute most of that to age since I'm closing in on 81 yrs! I'm sending blessings to all going thru this "journey" & hope you find strength, support, comfort & peace..