Long Term Sciatica - Chronic Pain

Researched it online, and the cost is high, but it looks like they have a savings card. I will discuss with my PCP who manages my opioid medication. I am willing to give it a try if it works without all the opioid side effects.

The 1st neurosurgeon was highly recommended over the orthopedic specialist. As far as fusion, I remember the 1st neurosurgeon stating that he has never went against an opinion on surgery with someone on the same team, and that if I have surgery without a fusion, I will will be back shortly for another surgery, that just cleaning out L2-L5 would not take care of the problem. Hardware failed because I have a bone density problem that I did not know I had, and I have been treated since the 2nd surgery for this. In
The source of pain was from the L5 disc lying on top of the S1 disc. Also, my Lumbar disc needed "cleaning out". My PCP and I speculate that the 1st neurosurgeon has washed his hands of me, as he failed, and probably, as you stated, injured my nerve(s), and that is what I am dealing with now. I have tried every medication you listed and then some, and the patches. I have not tried Acupuncture, but will discuss it as an option, I will have needles stuck in anywhere it would work. I've had 3 epidural shots, before and after surgeries, not effective at all. As another individual stated, I will push for an ablation for L5-S1, maybe with a new pain specialist. I've worked with two pain specialists with the same network as my 1st neurosurgeon. Both of these specialists, along with my1st neurosurgeon, were pushing me for an SCS stimulator. Long story, the representative never contacted me after phone appointments, and I did my research on the SCS online, which shows nothing but bad results. My current neurosurgeon has a pain specialist he works with, whom I have not seen, and that will be one of my next steps. I've read that one of the side effects of an SCS could set off an arrhythmia problem, which I dealt with up until ten years, with my last of seven heart ablations.

Thank everyone for all your input, please keep it coming, as I see the neurosurgeon that did my 3rd surgery in exactly 5 weeks. He said I should have relief by then from the 3rd surgery, which I have NOT, it has only gotten worse as I become tolerant to the medication, even with increasing the dose. This appointment will be a follow-up and based on the input from everyone of you who reply to my situation as to my next steps. As this progresses, I will let the group know what worked and what didn't, so I might help someone else. Please, everyone, keep your input coming.

The good thing about an inversion table is you can alter the angle of the table so you can have greater and lesser traction. I usually do around a 60° angle and hang out there and occasionally go all the way down for a full stretch.

Also asked my pcp if he will write a scrip for JOURNAVX-still waiting- Will Journnavx card cover cost? Cannot take opoids

I’ve heard the smell distracts from the pain.

Yes it works well for different people. I also found relief for my neck. A similar condition to sciatica, the disc in the neck contacting the Braecial nerve (arms).

I have the same or similar! The pain came on with a vengeance last fall. OMG - I couldn't even sleep. I have degenerative disc disease and so everything is falling apart in my spine and I get severe nerve pain from my sacral joint to my foot on the left. So i can tell you to find an excellent MFR therapist. (look it up here or on the internet) and read the book "Outlive" by Peter Attia if you read and like technical stuff.
I know everything originates from my deteriorating spine. I just had a GREAT SUCCESS - after dealing with all of this for well over 20 years. And that was to return to EXERCISE. Last night I had my first night of continuous sleep after starting to really exercise this week starting from nothing. I owe it all to the book getting me started again. I am very excited. Oh - and ps @travelinman THAT was what I was told - they couldn't do the ablatia where I had the hardware (ucsd - you don't happen to be there?) it is entirely NOT true as my surgeon and outside pain management doctor confirmed! Don't buy it. I had an epidural/with cortisone that located my newest intolerable sciatic/to leg/to foot pain and got rid of my pain for one month. That gave me the impetus to try a more aggressive exercise plan and I'm hear to tell you it worked! First night of continuous sleep. Took about 5 days of exercising to get to a point where there was a change. So happy! I hope it works for you too!

I have used my inversion table in the past. For me, it did help with my pain, however, it did not last very long

I will find an MFR therapist in my area to look into this option. I will discuss with my surgeon and pain doctors the idea of a more aggressive exercise plan.

Thank everyone for your replies from experience. If anyone has any more thoughts or ideas, please share them with me. I will put together my plan of action, more specialists to see, the questions to ask of my surgeon and pain doctors, and ideas to try that have been shared with me.