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...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

spinal block

MARKLEBOFF
MARKLEBOFF
Hello to all my friends here and to those of you I don't know, a little history.
I am suffering chronic pain from some sort of neuropathy, its been 4 years looking for a diagnosis, and from doctor to doctor a very frustrating time. At first I was diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy , I am diabetic a easy diagnosis, but when I found a couple of neurologists who don't take the easy way out they just don't really know. I have pain starting in my calves and running up my legs, my hands are numb and in pain at the same time my feet are fine except numbness in my big toes. I can't live on narcotics anymore and my pain doctor wants to administer pain blocks to my spine. This scares the shit out of me . this all started after treatment 20 years ago with interferon that has excellerated all my problems to date. I have read many articles about complications of these cancer drugs.

I need advise from people that have my or similar problems , anyone that has experienced spinal blocks , or treatments similar

Thanks to all of you and everyone feel good
billwfriend
billwfriend
only had one spinal block for surgery on knee....nope I will not take those again...I felt like I was on fire when I came out of the block....entire body itched like I was on fire....

hope that doesn't happen with you mark....hugs bill
deleted_user
deleted_user
They can work wonders. Usually they do an injection first to see if you get relief and if they find the right spot they do the block. But it needs to be done by a doctor who is both a neurologist and anesthesiologist. These specialist do them all the time so they have the experience and are up on the latest. This is not a place to bargain shop. Generally these practices are the ones called interventionalist pain management.
MARKLEBOFF
MARKLEBOFF
Wow great tigg that is very valuable info thanks, I will look into it, Bill sorry it wasn't a help to you. After 4 years I finally have a primary care doc from university of Miami who will know where to go, 4 years searching for a cure that doesn't exist , guided by a primary that can't lance a cyst properly. Aghhhh doctors I hate them. I just started with this new primary, waiting for a multitude of blood tests etc , hopefully he will have a game plan in a week. I don't trust my current pain doc to do the procedure. So now after detox my days are spent in pain and I can barely go to buy food , can't do the basics of life. So I have no choice but to eventually do something , narcotics are not the answer, for me any more
deleted_user
deleted_user
YW Mark. This is also in the family of pain pumps and SCS implants. So lots of options to try.

Speaking of, have you ever tried a tens unit? That is a non-invasive way to get some relief. You have to do some trial and error on placement but it gives a lot of relief to some people and it's cheap. Basic principle is that you over stimulate the nerves so they don't care when the pain signals come.

Good luck with the new doctors.
MARKLEBOFF
MARKLEBOFF
Tigg I did try the cordical stimulator , but that doctor was no good and was also over prescribing pain meds , he was a salesman for medtronics as I see it and when he implanted the wire it was one of the most painful procedures I ever had, anyway the stimulator just made my pain worse , my body is a mystery to most doctors, all the meds lyrica , etc I have tried and just got a lot of bad side effects with no relief. My last 6 months on lyrica and oxy were terrible
keeska
keeska
Hi Mark. Atypical anatomy is a surgeon's worst nightmare. My SCS went in smoothly, in the right place the first time. But it took another surgeon three hours to finally find my submandibular gland and remove it without damaging any of the facial nerves. I was asleep at the time so it didn't bother me, but hubby was near-frantic with worry.

I will say though that they do spinal blocks all the time to women who have to have C-sections and want to be awake to see their baby be born.

Give it a chance. I'll cross my fingers for you.
MaddyfromOz
MaddyfromOz
I had one a few years ago. I didn't have any side effects but, unfortunately , no relief either. I've heard some have had great pain relief and hope it works for you. Good luck with the new doc, I'm also starting over with a new .GP and have fingers crossed he'll be more help than others have been.
MARKLEBOFF
MARKLEBOFF
Maddy I have seen so many doctors in 5 years it makes my head spin, it is such a matter of luck, I remember being a kid growing up the doctor used to come to the house and meds were never a problem, my father went through the same thing I have and he diddnt have a government that interferes with really sick people getting there meds. And he killed himself he just couldn't take the pain or drugs anymore. Medicine has progressed in so many ways , I thought I could find an answer. But no there is no answer for me. Hopefully it will be different for you, all the luck in the world luck is a major factor in finding the right treatment.
Feel good and thanks to all
MARKLEBOFF
MARKLEBOFF
Thanks 51 I'm not sure what kind of block my pm doc wants to do, I am going to go with what my new primary doc says, he is in a practice called Uhealth of the university of Miami network, about the best around these parts. So your questions and info are going on my list, I need to know as much info before I let anyone touch my spine. Thanks
deleted_user
deleted_user
Mark,
don't just believe everything that the doctors tell you. I want you to check out your doctor and see how many of these procedures he has done . Is a regular doing them. Look up his record, because bad things can happen if we are too trusting. I am living proof of back surgery gone a mess. If you want to know the rest I will write you or you can pm me. Just make sure you are very comfortable with the neurologist and anesthesiologist. okay take care isabee
deleted_user
deleted_user
i think you got some great advice and I hope you get a doctor you like to help treat your pain

hang in there
tori
MARKLEBOFF
MARKLEBOFF
Thanks Tori I am not going to be led by the nose to destruction anymore, I have been abused by so many doctors in the past , not this time. I just have to endure the pain .
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