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Chronic back pain unable to walk longer than two minutes

Posted by wincardona @wincardona, Mar 11 3:50am

I am 81 years old and have been suffering from back problems for the last 20 years. I have had three spinal fusions, with the last one on 09/31/2024. I never recovered from the last one, resulting in chronic back pain, rendering me with a disability where I am unable to walk or stand longer than two minutes without having to either sit or lie down. I have tried epidural injections and Radio Frequency Ablation, which hasn't helped. My doctors have no answers as to why I'm experiencing this type of pain. My surgeon said that the surgery was a success based on my CT scan and MRI. I have arthritis in the spine with scar tissue as well. Im wondering if I'm a candidate for HFX or spinal stimulation. Is there a difference, and if so, which method would I be more responsive to? I want some feedback; thank you.

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olv | @oveanlover1224 | Aug 27 5:06pm
In reply to @jackiet "May I ask where you live? I live in New York State in the US. No..." + (show)
Profile picture for jackiet @jackiet

May I ask where you live? I live in New York State in the US. No problem getting opioids for my spinal osteoarthritis. I am so sorry to hear your plight.

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Love NY! I am in beautiful CALIF! but they are sooooo STRICT about opiods and my ins will take patients right off them IT is really bad what is someone in 10 PAIN supposed to do I have so much life and now !!!

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jackiet | @jackiet | Aug 27 7:30pm

To olv:

My brother lives in Southern California (Carlsbad) and he has been on opioids for many years, with all the s’s—scoliosis, stenosis, sciatica. So I don’t know why you are unable to obtain them.

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tomcatrv4 | @tomcatrv4 | Aug 28 10:29am
In reply to @carol1024 "Have you tried any opiods? I've had back issues for over 20 years and take hydrocodone...." + (show)
Profile picture for carol1024 @carol1024

Have you tried any opiods? I've had back issues for over 20 years and take hydrocodone. It still works after all these years. I'll be 67 in October and at this stage in life, addiction is not something I'm worried about. Just had hysterectomy for stage 3C endometrial cancer too and was told it's stage 4. Not worried about addiction, just give me something that works. 😊
I also take gabapentin for the neuropathy and nerve pain.

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Hydrocodone and gabapentin keep me moving, and
exercise is also important part of living! 88 this year

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tyyne21wigwam | @tyyne21wigwam | Aug 31 10:43pm
In reply to @oveanlover1224 "THIS is me exactly!!!!!!!!! I have SEVERE lumbar stenosis L3 L4 L5 with slipped discs! I..." + (show)
Profile picture for olv @oveanlover1224

THIS is me exactly!!!!!!!!! I have SEVERE lumbar stenosis L3 L4 L5 with slipped discs! I have seen 2 neurosurgeons now and they both say if I have surgery I only have a 50/50 of it being successful WTH! seriously what kind of odds are going through such a major surgery for maybe nothing maybe worse with the knowledge that adjacent syndrome is most likely!!! So as of now I live in CHRONIC PAIN can only walk for 2 minutes at a time! I am a 62 year old woman who was a athlete and played tennis my whole life competitively! all I take for pain is advil as it does not really work flexeril doesnt work great,, and LYRICA was just prescribed and I just had ANOTHER INJECTION! AVOIDING surgery for now all there seems to be are complications! any other pain medications to suggest it would be SOOOO greatly appreciated:)

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I have similar problem. 84 and 3 surgeries 30+ epidurals . I have taken percocet for 20 years. I refused spinal cord stimulator. I still have pain,but can get around at home and with help to a restaurant. I use a 4. Prong cane and am currently thinking of using my walker more to walk 2 blocks. I have used physical therapist so I don't get worse.

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tyyne21wigwam | @tyyne21wigwam | Aug 31 10:52pm

I am 84 and surgery and epidurals did not help. I researched spinal cord stimulator,but the odds did not look good. I use percocet. I still have pain but can walk 2 blocks with a cane or walker. I still have problems after 20 years with getting used to what I can no longer do. I use meditation and mindfulness every day on CD or books.

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tyyne21wigwam | @tyyne21wigwam | Aug 31 11:05pm
In reply to @oveanlover1224 "Love NY! I am in beautiful CALIF! but they are sooooo STRICT about opiods and my..." + (show)
Profile picture for olv @oveanlover1224

Love NY! I am in beautiful CALIF! but they are sooooo STRICT about opiods and my ins will take patients right off them IT is really bad what is someone in 10 PAIN supposed to do I have so much life and now !!!

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I agree that people must not have ever had real pain if they don't understand the need for opioids. I get upset when the advice is take Tylenol or nsaids. What part of severe pain don't they understand? You might still be able to find a Dr. That will subscribe opioids,or a pain clinic. It is very difficult. I was subscribed before it got so difficult.

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tyyne21wigwam | @tyyne21wigwam | Aug 31 11:09pm
In reply to @carol1024 "Have you tried any opiods? I've had back issues for over 20 years and take hydrocodone...." + (show)
Profile picture for carol1024 @carol1024

Have you tried any opiods? I've had back issues for over 20 years and take hydrocodone. It still works after all these years. I'll be 67 in October and at this stage in life, addiction is not something I'm worried about. Just had hysterectomy for stage 3C endometrial cancer too and was told it's stage 4. Not worried about addiction, just give me something that works. 😊
I also take gabapentin for the neuropathy and nerve pain.

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I have had both of those problems also. I totally agree.

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tomcatrv4 | @tomcatrv4 | Sep 1 1:39pm
In reply to @tyyne21wigwam "I have similar problem. 84 and 3 surgeries 30+ epidurals . I have taken percocet for..." + (show)
Profile picture for tyyne21wigwam @tyyne21wigwam

I have similar problem. 84 and 3 surgeries 30+ epidurals . I have taken percocet for 20 years. I refused spinal cord stimulator. I still have pain,but can get around at home and with help to a restaurant. I use a 4. Prong cane and am currently thinking of using my walker more to walk 2 blocks. I have used physical therapist so I don't get worse.

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Yes , I force myself to either ride my stationary bike or walk with rollator 4-5 days a week

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linmarie01 | @linmarie01 | Sep 1 7:03pm
In reply to @zilla "I have had amazing results with gentle PT strengthening exercises for my “core”. PT has never..." + (show)
Profile picture for zilla @zilla

I have had amazing results with gentle PT strengthening exercises for my “core”. PT has never done squat for my knee (I had unsuccessful TRK 10 yrs ago) but REGULAR exercising for my back has done a lot . Just simple things a PT taught me.

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I’m doing PT also to strengthen my core, & I think it’s helping. Also, I’m using a CBD cream on the areas that seem to cause me a little more pain, especially at nite. I’m using a knee wedge also at night that’s 8”.

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