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Tailbone and sacrum pain
I have also posted questions about ongoing nerve pain after lumbar laminectomy. While the nerve pain is awful, it pales in comparison to the tailbone/sacrum pain I still have 4 weeks post laminectomy of l4-l5 due to spinal stenosis.
My surgeon had felt this would ho away after surgery as he felt it was likely due to inflamed nerves from the stenosis. It was completely gone for 4-5 days post surgery, but about day 6 it, along with other symptoms, started coming back. Although it is not quite as bad as before surgery, it is quite debilitating.
The symptoms range from sharp burning pain and spasms to the left, right and top of my butt crack. I have tried oral steroids, OTC pain relievers, all sorts of stretches and just started PT. None of which seem to be helping at all.
I have seen a pain management doc, who is recommending a caudal injection in the tailbone area. Which made sense at the time and I would have already had it, but my insurance has denied it.
In the meantime my surgeon ordered an MRI of that area. He said the sacrum and coccyx looked ok, but he saw degenerative changes in my SI joint. He is suggesting an SI Joint injection.
I am going to have one of these injections even if I have to pay for them myself (min $2500).
So here are my questions.
1. Has anyone experienced these symptoms before?
2. If so, how was it treated?
3. Has anyone had either of these injections? If so, what were the results?
I really appreciate any input anyone can provide. I am in a lot of pain and confused about my next step.
Thanks in advance!
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Wow, thanks for the information. I hope that you find the right surgeon and they are able to help you
Will you have to travel some distance to see one of these surgeons?
I have had SI joint nerve pain for three years. Nothing has worked for me. The problem is a hard one to correct. Injecting is not a good option long term. I have osteoporosis now so,operation is out of the question. Trying to live with it is awful. Nerve ablation is Aldo only temporary and doesn’t always work.
Have you had a nerve ablation? If so, did it help at all? For how long?
I had nerve desensitisation. It did not work for me at all. Just flared it up. It does help some people but lasts only about six months max
I guess I am not familiar with that procedure. Do you mind telling me what it was like?
Hi there sorry about your pains.i was left in a very similar position after same procedure left on opiods and unable to hardly walk.i kept going back to docs as surgeon was uninterested i eventually got refered to chronic pain team where and was sent for 5 trigger point epidurals which helped pain and mobility then spinal nerve ablation to 5 or 6 facet joints ect.this helped to mobilise me along with pregablin im able to carefully get on with life.when your stuck in pain its no joke and i fully know how you feel hope things improve good luck!!!
Yes Joel the procedure was done in hospital day case with mild sedation . It’s a bit less drastic than nerve ablation as I am very sensitive. The pain specialist does it using ultrasound and stimulates the nerve under heat to make it less sensitive. Unfortunately for me it didn’t really work and in any case it’s a temporary fix as are all of the procedures of this nature . My SI nerve pain stops me from weight bearing exercises and is extremely limiting and life changing . I have had endless sleepless nights over last three years . There is a fusion you can get in America but it’s not 100% . Long recovery and no guarantees. If you are young try swimming and glute strengthening exercise but go slowly . Good luck
Please be careful with pregabalin! It’s highly addictive and has massive side effects
I feel your pain! I had a laminectomy in that same area 20 years ago. I am still suffering. I've tried everything, PT, numerous injections, epidurals, etc. You name it! I am on oxycodone. Cymbalta, Baclofen and Meloxicam. Also B12, B6, D2, Magnesium and a Probiotic. I have had NCS, MRIs, CTs, and Xrays. I have had 2 tens units implanted at separate times that had to be removed. I also had spinal decompression this past January. I've tried heat and ice. Nothing helps the nerve pain in that area. Next week, I'm trying another type of injection. I just keep trying hoping that one day something will help. Good luck and keep trying. (After throwing everything against the wall, someday, something may stick.)
Yes pregab is a controlled drug in uk and has caused many problems for people to include suicide and mental issues.ive been on it many years now and it kills nerve pain and affords me some sleep but it does make me unbothered about things too which is not to good but it got me off fentanyl oramorph and morph tablets so was a blessing for me thankfully!