Connect
Severe lumbar nerve pain
My history is for degenerative disc disease with past cervical fusion surgeries. I have degenerative scoliosis but did not have any symptoms until this month; they just steadily got worse within 2 weeks and I'm a month into now. I'm miserable and am already on pain medication from unresolved cervical pain. This pain however is mainly only on one side and centered in my very low back, hip, butt and radiates into the front/side of my leg. It doesn't help if I sit and is actually worse when I'm standing. I am looking for others who have scoliosis or lumbar pain from degenerative disc disease. For instance do conservative measures help as I have read that severe scoliosis from DCD is mainly a surgical disease in a peer reviewed document from Pubmed. I do have an appt set up with my orthopedist but wanted to learn from others here. This is making me very nervous as the type of pain I'm experiencing feels too similar to that when I needed cervical surgery. My ortho told me when I was diagnosed that scoliosis surgery is very hard and painful. I need some hope.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.
Connect
My stimulator is from Abbott. I've only had it for 3 weeks. The first week when the rep was dialing it in I never felt any stimulation where my pain is. I just started dialing it up 3 numbers every 3 days. Today I think I have a little relief but I'm not sure it's the stimulator or the fact that I spent 2 days in bed from the pain. Everyone keeps telling me to give it time. Will keep you posted.
I sympathize with you since I have similar problems.
Unfortunately, I have found in my own experience, that lower back cortisone injections only gave me costly brief relief. A specialist advised against surgery.
So I have to depend on daily pain medication. Since I am in my 90s, my active life has been reduced considerably by both the medication and immobility. However, I have become an avid reader and am still able to take care of myself under the watchful eye of a close relative.
Sometimes it is wiser to direct our attention gratefully to what we can do rather than what we can't do.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsSeems like you should have received some pain relif by now. Three weeks is quite a long time. Did you have a trial, and, did it provide any pain mitigation?
I did do the trial and had 1 day of relief before the leads came off. I just started upping the stimulator 3 points every 3 days. The pain is letting up in some spots and starts hurting in others.
I am 84 years old and I have been told that the surgery I would need is too risky for someone my age. I’m in severe pain every day from the nerve root in my lower spine. I have seen four specialist in the last year, and they all say the same thing. My spine is a mess. I’m going through rhyzotomy (spelling?)treatment and I’m praying that that will alleviate this pain.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHopefully, you will find the right combination to help your overall pain. Your rep should be helping you with the programming. That's what they get paid for! Good luck.