Severe SI joint pain and pain stimulators

Posted by eddiestella1 @eddiestella1, Jul 21, 2023

Has anyone had severe SI joint pain from failed surgeries and had success with being in less pain from the Medtronic pain stimulator?
My pain is on a level of torture pain. I need relief. I’m on hydromorphone and it doesn’t even touch my pain. It’s awful.

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@misssusie0625

How much gabapentin helps you?
I've also heard more negative about the stimulator. Seems like a big risk to take!

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I take 3 -300 mg 3 times a day. I agree. I’ve been through enough.

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My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have severe SI pain now due to a hip surgery which messed up my low back. I am just trying to manage it every day. New doctor is working on solutions. The stretching exercises I’m doing help a little along with heat. I wouldn’t make it through a day without the stretching.

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@eddiestella1

I take 3 -300 mg 3 times a day. I agree. I’ve been through enough.

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I have been offered this too, but after my friend's husband had his charger burn a hole in his skin, I am very afraid of a stimulator,

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@buddabu

I have been offered this too, but after my friend's husband had his charger burn a hole in his skin, I am very afraid of a stimulator,

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That’s awful. How scary.

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@heisenberg34

You can have a trial of the spinal cord stimulator. Simple process. It’s done in the doc’office. Temporary electrode is placed along the spinal cord, and temp leads come out and are connected to a temporary stimulator battery that’s taped to your back. Wear it for 3 to 5 days. See if you get at least 50% pain reduction. If not, on your way. If you get decent relief, then you are considered a good candidate for the permanent implant. Then the ball is in your corner. Similar process with the pain pump.
I got about 80% relief with stimulator trial. Only about 60% with permanent implant. Still good, though.
Hope this helps. God bless.

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What was the name of the unit you had installed?

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@heisenberg34

I am pretty good when I am lying down or sleeping. Otherwise it's burning feet, lower back pain, painful buttocks when I sit. Apparently, I must be the only person in the history of the world to have these problems. Ha! Keep searching. You have to be your own best advocate. It only takes one doc who has seen your condition before and knows what to do.
God bless and prayers for success.

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I have the same symptoms you are having. Painful to twist from side to side, Getting out of bed is the worst. Pain in the buttocks on both sides, going down into the groin on the right side. I am in the process of getting numbing shots to see if it works. After that I am not sure if they continue with the numbing shots or they try ablation. I will keep you informed. If there is no success, the next step is the pain stimulator

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@dianeg616

I'm scheduled for an SI injection in about 3 weeks. My pain is centered down by my tailbone and spreads across my lower back and down my leg and causes such a deep ache that I can't sit still and laying down can make it worse. I hope and pray I get some relief from the injection.

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Did you get results with the SI injections? I will have the shots in a couple of weeks

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@eddiestella1

None of the injections helped me. I’m past injections, 9 (fusions) surgeries, PT, rhyzomity. Nothing has worked. I’m hoping to find someone that has had failed SI joint fusion surgery and is now wearing a stimulator and it is successful. I haven’t heard anything positive about the pain stimulator yet.

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Have you had the pain stimulator installed? Any success?

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@gkissick

Did you get results with the SI injections? I will have the shots in a couple of weeks

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I have had multiple injections and nerve ablation which did nothing. After 2 failed surgeries from bad surgeons who pinched a nerve and the second who placed the pins in the wrong place pinching another nerve and a cage that has shifted out of my spine I am dealing with neuropathy and chronic pain. Doctors seem to blame their failures on arthritis. Pain stimulator helps slightly.

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@gkissick

Did you get results with the SI injections? I will have the shots in a couple of weeks

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Unfortunately, the SI injection didn't help me. Better luck to you.

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