Opinions on a letter...well text.

[Sheryl]

It's dog related so hopefully this is in the right place!

I have just sent Laurie a text. You know Laurie has been my saviour or rather Lylas. If it hadn't been for her knowledge, Lyla would be paralysed. She has been a rock for me and always listened to my opinions and I in turn, have always listened to her. However, I'm pretty sure that this time I don't want to follow her treatment plan for Lyla.

Those of you who know me, know I'm one for speaking my mind and I don't really do sugar coated! However, I have tried to be diplomatic in my text. I'm supposed to be picking up the Gabapentin for Lyla tomorrow and I have decided I need more time. So....this is what I wrote....

Hi Laurie,

I will be in tomorrow with my insurance form but do you mind if we hang fire on the Gabapentin? I'm doing research on them, on residual anal gland tissue being left after the op (which doesn't seem to be uncommon) and I'm also in touch with people whose dogs have been prescribed it.

I understand the phantom pain theory but I have two concerns. One, that the spasms seem only to be after she has had a poo, which is very time specific and two, if this is, in essence, an imaginary pain, then why would Metacam make such a difference?

I'm not wanting to be awkward but I do need to know in my heart that it's going to be best for Lyla. Hope that's ok?.

Sheryl x

[twiceover2]

Sounds clear and diplomatic to me.

[Saffaroo]

I'd be happy sending or receiving that Sheryl    

[lisalh]

Sheryl you know I adore you but I think you may be over thinking things here, worry about Lyla (she is your furbaby after all) but I think you have a good enough relationship with Laurie for her not to be offended by you wanting to do what you feel is best regardless of how you word it, the worrying about wording a text is probably your way of distracting yourself from worrying about Lyla so please please please accept this big hug  and try to relax a little..Lord alone knows you dote on your babies and only ever do what you think is best for them xxx

[Sheryl]

I'm not so sure. Laurie had been on a course on phantom pain and I believe that she believes that Gabapentin is the best option. So really what I am saying is ...well...she is wrong! The worry is about the text because I don't want to upset her so much that the dynamics of our relationship shift.

[Pearly]

Hi Sheryl,

I guess my thoughts are twofold - 1) a Vet that has been on a course may "see" symptoms that fit what the course was about than really looking for the true cause and 2) you have a brilliant relationship with your Vet to the point that you can talk through your concerns.

If it was me, I'd either phone or go to see Laurie and explain your concerns, I'd also be wanting to explore why Lyla is in pain not just trying to mask it - would altering her diet help stop the straining? Also would a mild muscle relaxant work better? Those sorts of questions......

I would avoid text/email but then as you can tell, my writing ability is better in contracts than personal notes/posts  !

Hope Lyla is ok

Jayne x

[Mudmagnets]

I'm not so sure. Laurie had been on a course on phantom pain and I believe that she believes that Gabapentin is the best option. So really what I am saying is ...well...she is wrong! The worry is about the text because I don't want to upset her so much that the dynamics of our relationship shift.

Sheryl I think your text is very diplomatic and nothing to worry about.

[Jaysmumagain]

Sheryl - while the text is OK to me, I wonder if asking to speak to her would be best...words have less misunderstandings when heard than read.

As for gabapentin I have taken this for trapped nerve pain for several months, it made me drowsy among other things! but it did help and would have been worse pain for not having it. I did not know it was used in animals.  Its use is for neuro pain and epilepsy.

Will pm you.

[Ben's mum]

I think your text hits the right tone, you have said many times on here how much you value Laurie which is understandable after all you gave been through with Lyla. I am sure she knows how much you adore Lyla and that you have to be 100% happy with any treatment plan! after all she must care about Lyla, but at the end of the day Lyla is your furbaby and you are the one who ultimately has the job of ensuring that her needs are put first and sometimes you have to follow your heart and instinct about what is the right thing to do 

[Sheryl]

Yes, you are right. I have to send it as a text as she is away on a course on Monday afternoon for a week and a half and I am supposed to be starting Lyla on the Gabapentin from Monday. Or not as the case may be as it isn't sitting right with me ....... so I cannot go ahead. Thanks all. 

[BobnDot]

Your "gut feelings" haven't let you, or Lyla, down yet and I have no reason to believe otherwise in this case. You've developed a wonderful relationship with Laurie and I'm sure she'll recognise that you only want what's best for Lyla.
Maybe when she's back from her course you could invite her out one evening for a meal and a chat about Lyla. Probably not the sort of thing that you'd normally associate with a normal vet/client relationship, but it seems to me that you two have progressed so far beyond this already in your mutual desire to do the best for Lyla that it would do no harm at all and would provide a more relaxed environment for the two of you to have a friendly discussion.

I'd look upon the text message as a sort of holding action until you can get to speak to Laurie and maybe she'll be able to recommend something that'll ease things a bit for Lyla until you're both able to have a long chat about her treatment.

As to the Gabapentin, I was prescribed this some years ago for post herpetic neuralgia following an attack of shingles. Did nothing to relieve the pain but the side effects were rather nasty with me staggering about and bumping into everything, with not a drop of whisky past my lips 

Bob.

[Penelope]

Hi there
I think that text is fine.  Also, on a personal note, Trev was prescribed Gabapentin for phantom pain after his amputation.   It definitely had unpleasant side effects I would be happy to message you about.  It also didn't help with the phantom pain!

However, when Josie was diagnosed with cancer and given Gabapentin, our lovely vet worked out the dose for her and as we already had some of Trev's by then unwanted tablets he said we could use them for Josie.  It didn't seem to affect her pain at all but it made her practically incontinent - she just couldn't stop weeing everywhere!  So we didn't use them for long with her either.

I completely understand your reluctance to use these drugs - I don't think I would either given the opportunity! 

[Jaysmumagain]

Hi Sheryl

Hope all went well today with text....I am sure you will have done fine.  Anyone would understand you only want what is best for Lyla
As mentioned to you it is a strange drug even to adults and can't imagine how a doggy would take to it.

   to you both Julie

[Sheryl]

I ended up speaking to her after all that. I told her what my reasons were for not wanting the Gabapentin. To me, if it is a once or twice weekly issue for Lyla, I would rather give a half dose of Metacam than a permanent drug. I did research into anal gland tissue being left behind. Apparently even the most experienced of vets can leave some behind and that can cause problems such as Lyla is having. I told Laurie that as her problem seems to be after a poo then her phantom pain is being very specific. Unfortunately to go back in and try to correct it, means there is a greater risk of haemorrhage and incontinence. It's no bother to me to keep an eye on her and dose her up when I know she is in pain and Laurie is happy to let me do that. I'm not sure she agrees but I'm really not buying into the phantom pain thing. If it was phantom, surely the pain killer would have no effect?

As you can tell, it's still going round in my head but I'm sure Metacam is the way to go. She has disc leaks periodically so I'm sure it may kill two birds with one stone!

I hope I'm right!

[Jaysmumagain]

Go with what you think - you are with her 24/7 so you can monitor her the best.

Another thought with my late Jaypup I was prescribed Diazepam 2mg to give only when he was very stressed.  Not a long term solution but helped.