I‘m Archie and I was diagnosed with adhesive arachnoiditis in 1978. That makes 46 years of intense, chronic pain. My condition is caused by an inflammation of the subarachnoid layer of the spinal cord that creates adhesions and scarring, some call it clumping, of the nerves and nerve roots. Mine was caused because the contrast fluid for myelograms at the time, pantopaque fluid, was OIL BASED. I was allergic to it and thus affected. The solution was changed to water-based in 1980, thank God, but a bit late for me.
Over the years I have tried:experienced virtually every pain management solution as the formal practice of PM came into being. Perhaps I can help others understand the hope and benefits of any given course of treatment-/ at least my experience.
I got a Medtronic pain pump in 2007, it was life-changing. I have dilaudid in the pump and it has eliminated the need for oral pain meds. I’m retired, but was an academic with a Doctorate in Statistics and a technologist. Perhaps I can learn new insights from the group.