Hi Archie here—
Welcome from one of your fellow sufferers! Your situation is indeed complex but not intractable. As you presented, there are obvious regional deficits. Let me share my experience. I was on huge Oral doses of Oxy and Dilaudid, even morphine, for horrible low back and bilateral leg pain. I had no quality of life, constant pain, etc. Then I walked into a pain management Dr who said „You know, you’re a perfect candidate for an intrathecal pump .“ I have to say, that since the pump implant (Medtronic 40) I haven’t been pain free, but I haven’t taken oral pain meds since 2007. I’m due for a Boston Scientific SCS implant trial this coming Tuesday , so I’ll report back to folks how that helps. I KEEP A JOURNAL of pain levels and life events, I see an analyst for mental health, and I try to read and stay informed about developments in my problem area. Good luck- be your own best advocate—you are very articulate, so don’t let that slow you down, and assemble the best treatment team you can.
Best, Archie