Hi Linda and welcome to our group. I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. Your talking about a neurostimulator? If so, yes I tried one of those years ago and while it did little to help me, it has helped others. I'm not familiar with the Nerve Ablation, so I can't comment on that one. I've gone through the epis and nerve blocks as well. None of them helped me to the point where I could function on a normal level.

So now I take a combo of meds, the Fent patch and Oxy for breakthrough pain. This combination seems to be working the best for me. I can function on a semi normal level unless my pain is really bad, then I'm out of the game for awhile.

I've found that pain management is a hit and miss thing. What will work for one, won't work for another. So you have to try whatever seems like it might work for you.

And there is nothing wrong with seeking a 2nd opinion. In fact, I actually think that is a great idea. It took more than 1 doc to find what was up with my back and neck.

I'm not sure if any of this is helpful, but we are all here for you whenever you need to talk. :)

take care and I hope your pain is lighter today than yesterday.

*hugs*

Rob

I don't blame you have snoring problems and I am always nervous that my pain killers will put me to sleep and never wake up. I sometimes tell me wife to check in on me since she says up later then me. Have you ever heard of spinal coard stiumlor that may give you releif with needed to be on as heavy as pain meds my other idea is for a pain pump, thoes are my best two ideas. yeah I agree with you my my pm doc told me about that and I was not sure about that. I hope you get some releif and that you get to feeling better

Welcome to the group.

Thank you all for your responses. That was kind of you to take time out of your day to address my problem.
I think you are right and I have no qualms now about seeking a 2nd opinion.
Thank you again
Linda

Hello Linda,
I am a neighbor of yours! I am in Oakland Park, :-) Well, what your Doc is talking about is a Spinal Cord Stimulator or SCS, I have one of those! I got mine installed in June of 08, and you need to go through a 5 to 6 day trial period to see if it will even work.
I can tell you that my SCS works for my nerve pain, but it does NOT work for my mechanical or movement pain, for that I still take my pain meds. So even though this device gave me some relief, is not a 100% cure.

If you need a pain management Doctor to get a second opinion with, I got the guy for you! His name is Max Velasco and he is Hallandale Beach and his number is; 954-457-0064. If you want to see a really, really good Neurosurgeon to get a second opinion I would recommend Dr. Antonio Prats at Mercy Hospital in Miami, his number is; 305-854-4334. I hope that this helps, take care.

If you get a Temperpedic "side sleeper" or other slightly, gradually raised bedding, it is easier to breathe slightly upright than flat on your back.
http://www.relaxtheback.com/side-sleeper-bed-wedge.html

I wouldn't be unduly afraid of the pain meds at night. Start small and monitor your heart rate and blood pressure before bed. Have a family member (husband?) check in on you when sleeping if possible to confirm that you are breathing normally.

I have never had nerve ablation, so can't help you there.

I usually do check my vitals before bedtime because of my previous problems, thanks for the website
Linda

Tipper,

I can not find those docs can you send to me or tell me where to look

thanks
Linda

You can call their offices tomorrow. Dr.Velasco is in Hallandale Beach, and also has an office in South Miami, he is my current pain management Doctor. Dr. Prats is a Neurosurgeon, he did my cervical fusion in March of this year and he is located at Mercy Hospital in Miami.
I know that is a drive to go see Miami Doctor's, but I rather drive an hour and see a good Doctor, than be seen by someone that is not going to treat me right.
Like I told you before, both of these Doc's are my Doctor's, so I see them both as a patient right now. So if you are interested in seeing either one of them, or both of them, call their offices and see if they can help, OK? If you still can't find them, send me a PM and I will give you their exact addresse's, OK? Take care,

I am beginning the process for a nerve block. You've had a few of them. Dis they work at all? I have read about nerve ablation. I thought that would be my next step. I also would not worry about pain meds at night. The Cpap would alarm if your respirations slowed tto much, wouldn't it? I take a whavk of meds at night or I wouldn't sleep at all!! faye

Yes, I take a lot of meds at night as well. I know Linda has COPD. My husband does too and he stops breathing at times, though he does NOT take Western medicine, at least not regularly. COPD makes it somewhat dangerous to take meds that depress the respiratory system.

No Faye, the nerve block did not help me at all I am sorry to say. As far as the Cpap I am not sure it there is an alarm, I will have to check
Good luck with your proceedure
linda

Chronic, I your husband on a CPAP machine?
Linda

I've had RSD for 11 1/2yrs now. I am allergic to almost all pain meds that are strong enough to take away enough of my pain. Oxycontin worked until they switched the formulation and it made me very sick to the point I had to go off of it after being on the same dose for over 9yrs with no problems.
I never would allow any doctor to do a nerve ablation due to the fact that it is very invasive and temporary at best. I also refused to get a SCS due to the fact that most people I know who have gotten them it either didn't work after the trial one did and they had to have it removed or if it did help, they were still on pain meds and every 2 to 3yrs you have to have the leads and wires replaced which is also major surgery.
I've known of 2 people personally who've gotten the pain pump. They are also still on pain meds and these pumps can turn on you which causes them to have to move it or to turn it as another surgical procedure.
I understand your fears about pain meds. Even with one that I'm fine on, I still fear any medications I have to take.
I highly recommend getting a second opinion as some pm doctors in my opinion push these things onto patients as I've even heard one say last year he was leaving the pm place to go to a place that only does SCS implants because "that's where the money is". He said this to another doctor right in front of my face as it was his last day there.
I think there are better more natural alternatives to treating pain. Please look into many of those things like relaxation techniques, bio feedback, injury massage, and even acupuncture.
As long as you do not feel that your breathing is labored while on your pain meds during the day, you should be able to take them at night.

RSD,

One thing with the SCS........ I had mine installed in June of 08, and it has worked wonders for my nerve pain, not my mechanical one though.... and even my PM Doc told me, that this device is made for nerve/radiculopathy pain, not really for the movement pain. Another thing, NO, you do not have to have surgery to redo the leads every two to three years, whoever told you that, lied to you!
You do have to have the battery replaced every 5 to 6 years, and the battery sits on my right butt cheek, and that surgery can be done outpatient at the Doctor's office with local anesthetics. I wanted to clarify that, just in case anyone is thinking of getting an SCS.... It is a great device for nerve pain.