Chronic Back Pain for Years

Posted by jlfisher56 @jlfisher56, May 2, 2017

6 back surgeries (extensive cervical and lumbar fusions) with neurological complications. Left with chronic pain. Accident happened in Nursing career 1992 and worked with first fusions until 1999 (failed fusions). At my age, and as a former nurse educator, I never wanted to had to rely on medication/s for the severe pain. Having thoroughly exhausted exploring sites using non-pharmaceutical methods, using psychological methods, biofeedback, trying to accept my limitations, i.e., I still believe somewhere...out there...is hope. The strong medicine has caused gastroparesis, further complicating my health problems. They are too numerous to write and I will not focus on them. I am looking for "help" and guidance. If I can be of assistance to anyone throughout their trials, (perhaps similar to some of what I have gone through), I will.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

@grandmar @wisco50

I'm starting over, after losing what I wrote just as I was ready to click on post reply. I hate when that happens.

I did all of the heavy pre-winter work before surgery so I would only have to do things that aren't strenuous afterward. I'm not working in the yard as many hours a day as usual, taking it easier. I'm not sitting still or lying in bed either, because that makes my neuropathy pain significantly worse.

I haven't had pain from the stenosis surgery - I didn't have any related pain pre-surgery either. I was diagnosed with neuropathy in 2013, no diabetes, the only possible cause genetic, no treatment except pain control. It's following the classic progression of pn, faster than the neurologist would like.

All of my siblings had/have pn, as did my father. My siblings and our mother all had/have back problems, and I thought I'd missed the curse. I see I didn't.

I didn't know that I had a back problem until the neurosurgeon had an MRI done last winter to look at the possibility of a dorsal root ganglion stimulator implant. She told me that a disc was gone, with no mention of bulging or herniating, and it didn't appear to be concerning. I'll learn more about that Thursday.

I had a Burst DR spinal cord stimulator implant in June of 2017, and it is placed just to the left of the stenosis surgery incision - in fact, the same incision site was used for both surgeries - and when I lie on my back, the stimulator battery pack is what hurts, not the incision.

Gotta go. You all have a great day.

Jim

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@jfsherley

I had Vertiflex surgery at pain clinic a month ago for stenosis the incision was only 1 inch long but I still have nerve pain at the incision... I’m 75 yrs old and I’m wondering if a small incision is it normal to still be hurting after surgery for it’s not severe but just a dull pain and my back is really weak so my question is this normal ?

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So sorry you are still having pain. Wish I could help but I do not know anything about the kind of surgery you had.
Hope you feel better soon!
Ronnie

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@artscaping

@jmweissler, Good afternoon. You have been through the wringer. And yet your sense of humor shows through. At first glance, I noticed that you wrote about some spine fractures. What medications are you taking for the severe osteoporosis? Are they working?

I would also suggest that you explore the possibility of getting some benefit from MFR, Myofascial Release. May I introduce @jenniferhunter. She has great knowledge and experience with spine health and MFR. You have climbed the proverbial mountain. Now, the challenge is to keep you safe and protected from both inner and outer harm. May you have comfort and a bit of joy today.

I just reread your list of health care learnings.
They are very good and I agree with almost every one.. Here are my edits and add ons for you. Thanks for breaking the ice and carrying the heavy load.
1. Pain is here forever. Even Buddha said that suffering is inevitable for human beings.
2. Opioids were never designed to be more than a temporary solution while the body healed.
3. Surgeon choice is the most important choice you will ever make
4. 2nd and 3rd opinions.....I have had repeats with the same surgeon for another joint, and he has made the referrals to cervical and hand surgeons.
5. I would extend that one to include any surgery. I have now had 13 orthopedic surgeries.....and am quite highly suspicious that this neuropathy is a result of those surgeries. Our bodies don't forget easily.
6. Medical cannabis is by far the most promising way to prevent pain and regain your health.
7. Find joy and happiness......be content and at ease. This seems easy but requires you to love and have compassion for yourself first.

Great to have you on the team.....may you be free of suffering today.

Chris

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The Four Noble Truths~~I think of them daily.

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@jfsherley

I had Vertiflex surgery at pain clinic a month ago for stenosis the incision was only 1 inch long but I still have nerve pain at the incision... I’m 75 yrs old and I’m wondering if a small incision is it normal to still be hurting after surgery for it’s not severe but just a dull pain and my back is really weak so my question is this normal ?

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@jfsherley What you describe sounds normal to me. It sounds similar to my symptoms following back surgery. Two things that helped me a great deal: 1) dry needling: similar to acupuncture but goes deeper and breaks up fibers impinging the nerves; and 2) physical therapy to reduce pain and build strength. Your age does not matter. The therapist you are assigned to will tailor your "exercises" to your body and abilities. Blessings.

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@jimhd

@polygons

I learned a few months ago that I had severe spinal stenosis at L3-L4, and L4-L5, with no sign of a disc in that area. Ten days ago I had surgery for the stenosis. It was keeping a tight squeeze on the nerves going through the canal. The neurosurgeon said that it's possible that dealing with the stenosis could reduce the neuropathy pain in my feet and ankles, which it did for a few days, but now it's back to the level of pain before surgery. I'm trying to remain hopeful that I'll have some level of pain relief after my back has a bit more time to heal, but it's not looking good at this point.

The surgeon didn't seem to be concerned about the disc. I'm going to ask her about it at my appointment this Thursday.

Jim

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@jimhd Jim, please let us know how your appointment goes. I’ll be thinking of you

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@colleenyoung

Hi @polygons, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your message to this discussion called "Chronic Back Pain for Years" in the Spine Health group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/) I did this so that you can connect with other members like @jmweissler @artscaping @wsh66 and others who also deal with chronic back pain and issues with discs.

Leland, I can understand looking for an alternative for a blown disc and hope you hear from your surgeon soon. You mention that your leg fills and won't empty. Is this a symptom you've had for a while? Do you have edema?

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No edema , but to an effect yes . Neuropathy yes . Worst pain imaginable . Dominating the right side pain in the thorax through to the L-3 the hips both feet and toes burning . Miliogram C-scan Dr Clancy called me and said that the L-3 disc is ruptured . Dr Steven Klein at Northwest hospital ,Seattle Operated Sept 10, 2001 , I was recovering from discsection as the plane's flew into the twin towers. Dr Klein has retired . Dr Lazar the now practicing surgeon will be calling me on the 20th .

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I do not want conventional surgery . I have had all the conservative procedures available , maximum amount of steroid injections for several years , spinal cord stemulaters and therapist. I have been carved into three times with some parts being thrown away with very little relief . Feels that we are in the dark ages . Innovation is boasted of and successful innovation of sound and light cures see Neogenetics and Novacure . But we continue to suffer intolerable pain 24/7 like shards of glass under the fingernails might be a viable distraction . Twenty years of back pain " CHRONIC DEBILITATING " I'm useless now and have lost the ability to overcome this pain nothing helps anymore , I'm very much afraid that another surgery in the same area is nothing but another twenty years of pain.

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@polygons

I do not want conventional surgery . I have had all the conservative procedures available , maximum amount of steroid injections for several years , spinal cord stemulaters and therapist. I have been carved into three times with some parts being thrown away with very little relief . Feels that we are in the dark ages . Innovation is boasted of and successful innovation of sound and light cures see Neogenetics and Novacure . But we continue to suffer intolerable pain 24/7 like shards of glass under the fingernails might be a viable distraction . Twenty years of back pain " CHRONIC DEBILITATING " I'm useless now and have lost the ability to overcome this pain nothing helps anymore , I'm very much afraid that another surgery in the same area is nothing but another twenty years of pain.

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You should inquire about getting an intrathecal pain pump. You sound like me before I got mine. Too many bad spots in my back to fix, too much pain to cope with. I have a small pump surgically inserted in my abdomen and a catheter running into my spinal fluid that gives me about 4 mg of Dilaudid for 24 hours. It does not extinct my pain completely but it allows me to live a fairly normal life. I won't be training for the Olympics or going out for the high jump but I still Make art and do most of the things that your average 69 year old man does.

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@polygons

I do not want conventional surgery . I have had all the conservative procedures available , maximum amount of steroid injections for several years , spinal cord stemulaters and therapist. I have been carved into three times with some parts being thrown away with very little relief . Feels that we are in the dark ages . Innovation is boasted of and successful innovation of sound and light cures see Neogenetics and Novacure . But we continue to suffer intolerable pain 24/7 like shards of glass under the fingernails might be a viable distraction . Twenty years of back pain " CHRONIC DEBILITATING " I'm useless now and have lost the ability to overcome this pain nothing helps anymore , I'm very much afraid that another surgery in the same area is nothing but another twenty years of pain.

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I really feel for you! I was that way for over 10 years and finally took an early retirement. I didn't and couldn't walk for over 3 years. I did all the non-invasive treatments and therapies, too. I tried a spinal cord stimulator and it did nothing. That is why 3 years ago I searched for the best neurologist I could find. I had 2 surgeries that were minimally invasive. I am pretty much pain free, although I do need to get a shot a couple of times a year. Only the worst parts of my cervical and lumbar spines were worked on so I still have arthritis and other things going on but I am in no way in the pain I once was so a shot every so often works fine for me.
I hope you read the post by Stephen, he has a great idea about the pain pump. You should also check into medical mariuana.
Good luck!
Ronnie

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@wsh66

You should inquire about getting an intrathecal pain pump. You sound like me before I got mine. Too many bad spots in my back to fix, too much pain to cope with. I have a small pump surgically inserted in my abdomen and a catheter running into my spinal fluid that gives me about 4 mg of Dilaudid for 24 hours. It does not extinct my pain completely but it allows me to live a fairly normal life. I won't be training for the Olympics or going out for the high jump but I still Make art and do most of the things that your average 69 year old man does.

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Yep too much damage . Thirty two years machine operator at paper mill , graveyard to days to swing three back injuries , jitney knocking me off platform etc. Couldn't walk for nine months. Worked through the pain fairly well with back surgery . Opioids, massage therapy , twice a week , steroid injections to the maximum amount allowed , Boston scientific nero stimulator implanted 2005 and replaced 2015 , attached to thorax . Unfortunately the stimulator has become painful itself as the contractions of the muscles and damaged tissue is painful . Built five homes , carpenter framer all finish work , mantels , tile and wood floors , pex certified with Dekow plumbing. But fell fourteen feet and split L-2 severely cracking L-3-4 Doc. Held up his thumb and said that the break is the size of his thumb .I Wright music and have a small studio I played in a band for many years but now I just can't concentrate or overcome the pain. When I stand I have about three minutes before my leg fills with blood and the pressure would blow your mind , mine sorry . Leland . P.S. I have heard that the pain pump will cause you to become very lethargic and without ambition or spark . I never have abused the opiates was on 6- 80mg oxicontine now just 4-10 mg , of course doesn't help but never have been short since 1996 .. rip thanks for listening ......, afraid to stand but need to get out scuba diving again because I'm the only one left alive that knows where the abalone are especially the ones we planted in the 70s I'm the only one here that knows where their is an abundance of weathervein sea scallops . But I'm useless now , we enjoy and dearly love our seven granddaughters I don't like them to see me in agony and I can't stand missing them either .

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