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Lower Lumbar Pain - On 5th Doctor no Help

Posted by molhof123 @molhof123, Jan 30 8:53pm

I had a steroid injection into my L5,4 & 3 facet in Sept. 2023 that was the beginning of the end. Two weeks after I started in with pain and now 16 months later I am on my 5th doctor and the pain is a 10 every day. I have had an ablation to the L5, 4 & 3 facet no help, PRFM to the facet L5, 4 & 3 not help, Three steroid injections into my SI joint no help, steroid injection into my L5, 4, 3 disk no help, they want to do a steroid injection into the Piriformis next. I have lower back pain and pain in the right hip area now has moved down into my quad on the right leg. No shooting pain in the leg just very achy. Prior to this I was a very healthy 63 year old, road my mountain bike, hiked and was an avid golfer. Retired and moved to Arizona to play golf, my golf clubs are sitting in the garage un used. Nothing the doctors have done has helped just a little. I don't understand why it is so hard to figure out. I do need a doctor that cares for sure - I live in Mesa Arizona.

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sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | Feb 3 8:42am
In reply to @molhof123 "I contacted the Mayo and they told me they were not taking any new patients in..." + (show)
@molhof123

I contacted the Mayo and they told me they were not taking any new patients in orthopedics. I will try again. Thank u.

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@molhof123 Hello, I agree with Jennifer about checking in with the Mayo Phoenix Neurological Department. This is where I had my spinal fusion done in Dec 2024, and except for post op healing pain, my pre surgery pain is completely gone.
I used to think most spine surgeries were done by an orthopedic surgeon, but now know differently. My neurosurgeon did an amazing job.

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molhof123 | @molhof123 | Feb 3 11:22am
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@molhof123 If you think you may be a surgical candidate, you could try the Mayo Neurological..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@molhof123 If you think you may be a surgical candidate, you could try the Mayo Neurological Surgery department or you could apply to the main Rochester Mayo campus if you are willing to travel. Both orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons may be spine specialists. You also have the Barrow Neurological Institiute in your area, and they have good spine specialists. Here is their website. https://www.barrowneuro.org/

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thank you so much for your reply. I am gathering information I never even new about.

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wendyhobbie | @wendyhobbie | Feb 5 5:25pm
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I hear you, brother! Your story could be mine. I fell while skiing back in 2016..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

I hear you, brother! Your story could be mine. I fell while skiing back in 2016 and landed quite hard on my lower back and buttocks. Did PT, injections, and ablations with little to no success. It wasn't until summer of 2017 when I was referred to a private practice neurologist, who spent an hour and a half(!) with me. She prescribed a cocktail of meds that brought my pain down to about a two to a three. Some days it flared up to a six-7. Was referred to ortho surgeon who recommended L5-S1 fusion to correct spondylolithesis. Surgery did not help. Would not have it done again. Had spinal cord stimulator implanted in 2018 after successful trial. Worked well until 2021 when it just stopped. Had pain pump implanted in 2023. Has never given any pain relief. At this point, I have done just about everything that can be done. I am currently on tramadol, gabapentin, diclofenac K, baclofen for the pain. These help marginally. I tried a trial of a new SCS last October. Could not get leads into sweet spot, so no real results. I can only wish you well and pray that you can find a doctor who will take the time to really listen to you and take the time to look deeper into your issues.

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I had a Fusion L five and six. But I’m in the same boat again too. I’m 70 years old and feel like I’m 95. The neuropathy is back with a vengeance! I’m going to a chiropractor for a series again and then more testing. Also focusing on healthy diet for the chronic inflammation… I wish you well!

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sbcarcht | @sbcarcht | 6 days ago

I had severe pain from L4/5 stenosis. I trained myself in the Gokhale Primal Posture Method and am now pain free with no surgery.

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molhof123 | @molhof123 | 6 days ago
In reply to @wendyhobbie "I had a Fusion L five and six. But I’m in the same boat again too...." + (show)
@wendyhobbie

I had a Fusion L five and six. But I’m in the same boat again too. I’m 70 years old and feel like I’m 95. The neuropathy is back with a vengeance! I’m going to a chiropractor for a series again and then more testing. Also focusing on healthy diet for the chronic inflammation… I wish you well!

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Thank you for sharing. Hopefully we will both get some good care.

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activebcgal | @activebcgal | 3 days ago

I'm sorry to hear of the trouble you are going through. It is extra-challenging when you are used to being active. In my view, doctors are helpful for certain things, like imaging. They use the tools they are trained to use, like medications, surgery, and injections. Sometime those approaches work and sometimes they don't. May I suggest another approach to consider?
I have a complex spine situation that led to a lot of pain over the last 10 years. I think I have finally resolved it by following advice from a book called Back Mechanic, by Dr. Stuart McGill, a Canadian researcher who focuses on the mechanics of the spine. The advice from his book got me off to a promising start. Then I saw one of the Master Clinicians listed on Dr. McGill's website (www.Backfitpro.com). He did very detailed assessment and started me on a program that requires a great deal of time and commitment (e.g., tracking symptoms and activities, learning better ways to move, committing to the recommended exercise program, and STOPPING some things that were inadvertently making the situation worse). After 3 months of the program, my pain went from 8/10 to zero. At 6 months, I am still pain free and I know what factors help or hurt my situation so I can fend off problems before they re-develop. I can walk, sit, cross country ski, snowshoe, and mountain bike again.
I can't say if the McGill approach will work for others. I just know it worked for me.

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