Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

@barbarn Im 76 and I wouldn't have the surgery at my age I do have a fractured back that the femoral and sciatica nerves are impinged by this I told the Dr.if its possible I don't want surgery Dr gave me a prescription for Lidocaine patches it takes the pain away At times all I need is one patch they last for 12 hrs.

@grandmar and @lioness--thank you for your honest replies. Sounds like both of you had problems with your lumbar spine - which is the area where I would be having surgery. I do use OTC Lidocaine patches, but read from some other post that the prescription ones are 20% stronger.Don't know about radio frequency - can yooou explain? thannnkks, BB

@barbarn I use to get the prescription but I dont think they have it anymore I buy the rollon its 4% but helps me directions say use only 3times you in 24 hrs and roll it on lightly

My name on this site is migizii. Diagnoses here include chronic migraine, osteoarthritis (hand/wrist)and fibromyalgia.

Hello @migizii and welcome to Mayo Connect.

You have mentioned several problems with pain issues. How are dealing with these?

Do you have anything you would like to share or questions you would like to ask about chronic pain?

@barbarn
Happy Sunday,
Radio Frequency is not a first step intervention.
Usually, you need to have other procedures first.
Here is a site you can go to for further information.
I NEVER get sedated in any way when I get steroid shots, but for this one, my pain doc did give me a very mild sedative.
I was glad he did.
The test is somewhat painful, but as soon as the test is over, so is the pain.
Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/radiofrequency-ablation#1

Hello All. My name is Dodie. Back arthritis and back surgeries cause chronic pain for me. I finally went to Florida Pain and Rehab. Two types of injections have not relieved pain so far. Third one is Nov. 13.
I plan on getting a Medical card for Marijuanna.
I look forward to hearing from all of you.

@dodir Good luck I have fractured back but refused the surgery Have alot of pain plus the nerves Going into thighs Im thinking of cbd then if that doesn't help maybe Marijuana.

@dodir
Hi Dodie,

Welcome!

I also live in FL.
I live in Central FL.
I went to 5 pain mgt docs before I found my last pain mgt doc.
He is in Altmonte Springs.
If you are interested, let me know and I will send it to you.
He was the only pain doc out of 5, over 10 years who was able to help me.
He performed his magic for almost 5 years before the shots stopped working.

Good luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@barbarn

I'm 70 years old in December, and had a bad MRI 2 years ago. I went to a surgeon who I told I wanted to take a very conservative approach to the problems. He recommended a "laminectomy" on my L5/S1. It was an outpatient surgery, with a 2 inch scar. It worked wonderfully. My surgeon said my right side repair for my chronic pain from my L4 would require rods and pins and he recommended that I try EVERYTHING else first. I tried multiple things and found one that has relieved my pain for the most part.

If I was your age, I wouldn't go through back fusion and I wouldn't worry about addiction either. Also since you live in Colorado, you can use marijuana derivities as long as that won't cause the loss of your other pain medications. Some doctors test for Marijuana and they can't prescribe pain meds if you are positive. Check with your doctor first, and also make sure marijuana won't interfere with any medication you are taking.

Please keep in mind that I am not a medical professional and I'm giving you my recommendations based on my own experience. I think all of us may have stenosis as we get older. My 2 older brothers had spine fusions that caused them additional surgeries and more pain than before the surgery. At least one surgeon told my younger brother that the fusion surgery wouldn't help his pain, but was to keep him out of a wheelchair at 72. Their and my surgeries were for disk problems, not for stenosis. Again, I don't recommend surgery.

I'm sorry that you are suffering such pain at your age. I wish aging was a more comfortable process, but it just is what it is. I guess if we're strong enough to reach ripe old ages, we're strong enough to deal with the issues that are presented. It sure beats the alternative in my book.