Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I posted this in the back pain forum, but Superduck suggested to post it here as well.
Long story short in regards to my pain. I have had issues with my back since 09, I slightly leaned over after getting out of the shower and something shifted in my back and I could not stand up or hardly move without severe pain in my back and down my leg. Went to ER, they gave me an injection of Morphine & sent me home. After seeing my PC Dr. for a few weeks she sent me to my surgeon who did my fusion in my neck. MRI results showed a herniation in l4/l5 and a larger herniation in l5/s1. After a couple months of treatment with meds & injections that did not help, a discectomy was performed at the l5/s1 area. I was doing good until I slipped on some ice & it progressively got worse. After another MRI, it was deemed that I have a tear in that disc, that there is not much they can do to help ... other than a fusion. PC Dr. became my Pain Management Dr. for the last year, then she sent me to a PM specialist. I have had 2 epidural injections, 1st worked for a week, 2nd made it worse for about a month. Currently on Lortab 10 and zanaflex. My PM Dr. wants to do a 3rd epidural, which I can't understand what the benefit of that . Also suggested doing a decompression discectomy through a needle probe, but says he doesn't need a new MRI. Last MRI was done 18 months ago.
I went to see a new Dr. yesterday in hopes that they could shed some light and hope on my constant back/leg pain. They think that my pain is not due to my herniation in my back as much as my SI joint and piriformis syndrome. Took xrays, and you can see the SI joint looks like someone has chiseled away at it. And can see how my hips are not lined up.. and a slight curve to my back is happening.
They gave me an injection for my SI joint that hurt like mad, and made my leg so week they had to wheelchair me to my car. Also gave me a lift to stick in my left shoe. Put me on Prednisone and I go back next Monday.
I am so confused and I have no idea what Dr. I am suppose to believe. One Dr. says it s a tear in my disc and the only option to fix it is a fusion, but wait, wait, wait as long as possible to have it done. Another one says I still have a herniation, so lets do a needle probe injection to remove some of the disc... and then this new opinion. I am will to try anything before agreeing to letting them mess around with my spine again, but I am not sure if I should be hopeful this treatment will work. Or if like me, they are just grasping at straws.
Anyone else had similar experiences? Has anyone had success with these treatments?
Long story short in regards to my pain. I have had issues with my back since 09, I slightly leaned over after getting out of the shower and something shifted in my back and I could not stand up or hardly move without severe pain in my back and down my leg. Went to ER, they gave me an injection of Morphine & sent me home. After seeing my PC Dr. for a few weeks she sent me to my surgeon who did my fusion in my neck. MRI results showed a herniation in l4/l5 and a larger herniation in l5/s1. After a couple months of treatment with meds & injections that did not help, a discectomy was performed at the l5/s1 area. I was doing good until I slipped on some ice & it progressively got worse. After another MRI, it was deemed that I have a tear in that disc, that there is not much they can do to help ... other than a fusion. PC Dr. became my Pain Management Dr. for the last year, then she sent me to a PM specialist. I have had 2 epidural injections, 1st worked for a week, 2nd made it worse for about a month. Currently on Lortab 10 and zanaflex. My PM Dr. wants to do a 3rd epidural, which I can't understand what the benefit of that . Also suggested doing a decompression discectomy through a needle probe, but says he doesn't need a new MRI. Last MRI was done 18 months ago.
I went to see a new Dr. yesterday in hopes that they could shed some light and hope on my constant back/leg pain. They think that my pain is not due to my herniation in my back as much as my SI joint and piriformis syndrome. Took xrays, and you can see the SI joint looks like someone has chiseled away at it. And can see how my hips are not lined up.. and a slight curve to my back is happening.
They gave me an injection for my SI joint that hurt like mad, and made my leg so week they had to wheelchair me to my car. Also gave me a lift to stick in my left shoe. Put me on Prednisone and I go back next Monday.
I am so confused and I have no idea what Dr. I am suppose to believe. One Dr. says it s a tear in my disc and the only option to fix it is a fusion, but wait, wait, wait as long as possible to have it done. Another one says I still have a herniation, so lets do a needle probe injection to remove some of the disc... and then this new opinion. I am will to try anything before agreeing to letting them mess around with my spine again, but I am not sure if I should be hopeful this treatment will work. Or if like me, they are just grasping at straws.
Anyone else had similar experiences? Has anyone had success with these treatments?
That would be my first thought. Then if it is no better maybe get a new MRI since 18 months is a long time and things change. You would really need this before they could definately say that a needle removal is an option.
Praying for you dear,
Pinky
I have tried:
Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, chiropractor, and the discectomy that was done in Oct. 09. Also the pain management of the above mentioned meds, & and epidurals, tramadol, gabapentin, lower doses of Lortab and several types of NASIDs.
Also this way not work for your case but if you do hve a herniation, look into IDD theraphy. It is done by computer, right in the doctors office over serveral sessions, no needles no muss no fuss it basicly pulls your disks apart and allows them to kinda "realign". I hd it done for my bulging disks and it did help quit a bit.
Also next time you see your docs ask for any information they have on the procedures, so you are well aware of the risks, and down time. Good luck to you
Many surgeons are realizing that most back surgeries are to be thought of as a last resort only if at all. Some who think another surgery will help are very misguided in their ways of thinking.
Buying a book from a "snake oil salesman" isn't going to help either; even if some good sense is even included.
We must be so proactive in our own health care because so many in the medical field either don't understand or don't care as they can cause us to become guinea pigs to their ways or ways of how they earn the most money.
I hope someone here can offer you insight from a knowledgeable prospective from going through much of this themselves as I would trust others who have been there more than doctors at this point; esp ones who are pushing for more and more surgeries.
My Dad who suffers from terrible back problems went to a surgeon hoping for a miracle. This surgeon told him that no surgery would help after suffering and getting worse in the past 50yrs as he did avoid surgery back in the days of when that was THE answer to everything. He didn't like that answer and actually sought other back surgeons to tell him there was a surgery that could help but I'm so thankful that none would agree to even perform one surgery on him.
Now with going on Cymbalta and getting his family doctor to get him in Aquatic therapy has helped him get better than he has been in years. Look for more natural ways of relieving the pain and regaining quality of life.
Sending prayers your way
I think everyone knows you are trying to sell that e-book. This is the second post tonight out of the four I read, that promotes purchasing your "book." This seems to have gone foo far with shameless self-promotion and using a support forum for free advertising. Maybe you should approach DS about just PURCHASING an ad on the site?
I'll probably get in trouble with the principal for this, but I am sick of seeing fake support with a promo to "buy the book" all over this board.
Bett - IMHO, it sounds pretty typical. I doubt there are many PMs out there who want to provide medication management as the only treatment. There's no money to be made in that. The injections, ablations, surgeries, etc. are where the real money is. PLEASE NOTE: I am not discounting these treatments as viable options for pain reduction; they do provide relief for many patients. My point is that unless there is some type of interventional treatment, most PMs are not willing to just write scripts every month.
I hope you find a doc you believe in and a combination of methods that ease your pain.
I am fortunate that I have a PM that has different approaches, it seems each visit, for pain management. I'll not go through the whole history of my treatment, but I believe that this one is real focused on pain management. Best wishes to you.
David.
P.S. to DS. I also agree about pushing the ebook!!
I do have flare from time to time and the back will probably never be the same but if you can get a bit of relief I would look into it and go with what you think is right.
Sometimes we do all we can and then we deal with the rest the best we can. If the pain meds are working for you right now and you can wait a bit till you can get all the infor on the surgery to make the best decision that might work in your favor. Sometimes people do not have the luxury of time and have to do something to move on but if you have the time you can either have the surgery and spend the time recuperating or don't have it and wait to see if it gets better.
Bett, I think a PM may be able to give a different perspective. Good Luck,I am sorry you really are in a difficult place.
I have already had a discectomy surgically in Oct. 09.
Since my appt with this new Dr. on Monday I pulled up on the internet some stretches to do for bot the SI and Piriformis syndrome. So far I am in more pain than I was when I went. I realize that comes with additional movement, I am praying it gets better as the week goes on.
Manny I too have had a fusion in my neck. An inside joke at my house is that I am the defective woman. (instead of the bionic woman). I know not that funny. =)
I too had relief from the shoulder pain and neck pain that was my life prior. But at the same time I also had issues with my Ulnra (spelling?) nerve in that same arm and so I had 2 surgeries within 3 months. I have not had any issues with it since then.
I know that there is far more weight bearing on my lower spine than my neck. And if at all possible I want to avoid any surgies. I want off the narcotics, but I am unable to focus at work when all I can do is think about the pain without them. It is the difference between keeping my job and losing it, so at this point I do not have a choice.
So it could also get worse.
Get the MRI.
Trust your instincts. We have a God given ability to realize when someone is selling us a bill of goods. MOst of the time we don't listen to our "gut" telling us someone is not in our best interest.
have not help . im sorry hope things get better