Desperate for relief - thinking of pain stimulator for lower back pain

Sometimes it's hard for me to determine if my pain (similar to yours) is coming from my lumbar spine or SI Joint. Has your SI Joint been mentioned at all at your appointments? I saw an orthopedist who diagnosed my SI Joint Dysfunction and referred me to a pain specialist who did a diagnostic injection (numbed the SI joint area) which gave me immediate relief, proving the source of the pain. I thought it might be worth mentioning.

Yes I have had 2 injections at my S1 - no relief -It is so frustrating to not be able to pin point pain that is why considering stimulator

Please note that the SI is the sacro-illiac joint and is above the hip. Sometimes it is difficut to determine if the pain is coming from the spine, L5-S1, or from the SI (sacroilliac joint). You might consider an injection in the SI joint to see if that makes a difference in your pain level. You would need to determine if your pain is on the R side or the L side before considering such an injection. Good luck in figuring out what is causing your ongoing pain.

@nana80
Are you taking any oral pain medication like tramadol, gabapentin or Lyrica? Is your osteoporosis being treated to heal your compression fractures?

What types of doctors are you working with? Have you seen a neurologist for EMG/nerve conduction studies of upper and lower limbs? Have they ever looked at your neck/cervical spine as a source of pain/symptoms? Are your working with a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine specialist? Which did your first surgery?

They need to narrow down your source of pain before doing a pain stimulator placement is my understanding.

I over the years have been on all those drugs-I have been in re-clast and Evenity for osteoporosis-yes I have had EMG -no nerve damage- Neurosurgeon did the surgery and because of the osteoporosis no one would do surgery again nor would I-pain Dr and spine Dr both think L4-L5 S1 from MRI’s and where I hurt

Yes - i have had two injection on my S1 on right side - trying a new pain dr - I walk around house for maybe 5 minutes and the sciatic pain kicks in - standing still is the worst

Thank you - true -it even affects my buttocks area - for a while I thought i might have had cauda equine syndrome

I too thought my lower back pain was my SI joint. Had two injections and no help. Went to a
Pain management specialist and through a blocking numbing injection in my lower back into the nerves leaving my lower spine found out it was some pinched nerve from arthritis that is causing my pain. Going for a nerve ablation soon. It’s not permanent but it will take away the pain!!!

How did they determine it was a pinched nerve

Regular MRI’s don’t pinpoint. My dr ordered a Myelogram and it shows compression under gravity. A myleogram stands you up, not just lying down.