Tips for working with your doctor to help pain

Good morning
I have experienced all the procedures and solutions you have tried for spinal stenosis. Two weeks ago the MILD procedure was performed on the L4-L5 area of my back. I'm being patient but no relief yet.
Please tell me more about the Sprint PNS System. Are you still pleased with the outcome?
Thanks

I also had the MILD procedure, with no success. The final option offered to me by my spine doctor was the Sprint PNS system for 60-days. I found this system to really help my pain, and at the end of the period I felt good and even told my physician I would highly endorse this sytem. I was very pleased with the outcome. Unfortunately my pain returned and there was nothing more my spine doctor could offer me, and had no choice but to refer me to a Neurosurgeon because I had really bad Sciatica in my (R) leg, and the Neurosurgeon told me I needed to have a Laminectomy. Unfortunately my Sciatica returned in a matter of weeks - my Neurosurgeon made the decision to do a Spinal fusion on me L3-4--5. And here I am . . . .

Did they not offer a permanent implantation? I know my doctor wants to do the Sprint pns but my insurance does not want to pay for it. She said if it does provide pain relief then we can do a permanent implant of a nerve simulator made by Nalu

I’ve thought that for a while now. Some docs just don’t get it. They got caught overwriting prescriptions which led to a drug epidemic. So then they “over-corrected” and took just about everybody off of them. They just aren’t thinking right about this. I know a lot of people are having a lot of problems now because of this.

I took myself off of them with the help of an excellent acupuncturist in Maryland. It was three times a week for almost a month that I saw her - all out of pocket money though. I would’ve loved to have continued seeing her but it was cost prohibitive. And then I moved out of state. So that ended that. I have a very limited life now. The clock runs my life: have to watch how long I can stand or sit; when is the next dose of extra strength Tylenol that I can take; etc. It’s not good, but that’s where it’s at.

Yes, unfortunately. Like so many issues in life there is a failure to treat the individual. There is middle ground, but it takes effort which is time consuming. It seems prescribers are unwilling to put more effort into the problem. Compensation of their time is paltry. Then there is the ever looming government no nothing and legal community all too ready to sue

I agree. I do not believe turning your back on pain meds (out of fear) is practicing “good medicine”. Doctors are people too and want to keep their jobs, I get it, but the pendulum has swung way too far. I hope you find a doctor that has the courage to use all the resources to make you feel better.

You're right about how pain meds have been handled/mishandled.

Probably 10 years ago (or less) it was easy to get an Rx from a PCP for very strong opioids, with refills. That was a serious mistake but Purdue truly messed things up claiming oxy wasn't addictive. They knew better and should rot in hell for what they did.

But the pendulum swung too far to correct. Now people who genuinely need these meds have to go to great lengths to get them, especially the elderly. Some common sense is called for.

Values is definitely a solution. After much research I chose the Abbott Prodigy Proclaim. Primarily because it is guaranteed to last ten years a d I did not want to have to charge it every day. Ask God for wisdom after researching the various products that are available. God bless you. Charles aka brotherchuckles80

In my last reply I mean to type Naluis a ...but it came out as Value. Go figure.

@brotherchuckles80 FYI you can click the 3 dots at bottom of right corner of post to edit an entry you’ve just posted.