Dear Karen,
The reason my husband had two spinal ablations they told him in case something went wrong it would only affect half your back and you could still walk. He also said he had never had anyone paralyzed. He said there was more risk of paralysis from the required two sets of test numbing injections done prior to ablation. It can take up to 6 weeks for the nerves to fully die after ablation. It did take weeks for my husband to get relief but his lumbar area is pain free now and it was very bad. The nerves grow back in a year to 18 months.. my hubby is very thankful for this pain relief. He cannot have surgery on the sacroiliac due to liver disease. He is 71. He is not afraid because God has always taken care of he and I.
He has a lift chair recliner, Golden brand, which helps when the pain is especially bad. Any lifting at all gets the sacroiliac inflamed and more painful. I just had shoulder replacement surgery a week ago and after spending 8 hours at the hospital on surgery day he was unable to return the next day to see me. It broke his heart. He was able to come bring me home, a one hour drive, the next day by taking oxycodone.he uses a walker at times but it is heavy to lift into our van. We had a Jeep Grand Cherokee also one of our most comfy cars. Now a Chrysler Pacifica fills our needs. Step up, slide out. I had a challenge getting in after my hip replacement last year but finally mastered it. At times he uses two canes to try to prevent falling. He gets terrible back spasms when he has done or lifted too much. Pills help but make him really crabby, he can even tell that he is.
Getting in and out of bed is hard for him but when he lays flat in bed he is pain free to sleep.
In spite of all his pain he is a wonderful caregiver to me while my arm is in a sling for at least 6 weeks. I do what I can and we help each other.
We bought a good TENS unit on pain docs suggestion saying it might help. My husband is scared to use it saying it could make things worse. Is that possible in your experience?
Best wishes for better days ahead.
Queenie