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Tailbone, sacrum pain 4 wks post-l4-l5 laminectomy re: spinal stenosis
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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Ok I understand completely. When you are in constant pain it’s the end of your world. I feel it. I am glad you have found some relief whatever it takes. I sometimes wish I could take pregabalin , which I did try in a small dose of 25 mg for a few weeks. Unfortunately with osteoporosis it’s a definite no as it worsens bone density so I am unable to take it. I do hope it carries on working for you.
Good day. I have the exact same issue. I have found the diclofenac anti inflammatory and patch to be very helpful. I too have osteoporosis so that is why I use anti inflammatory medications rather than steroids. Diclofenac is a strong anti inflammatory by prescription only. The patches are prescription but I order my from on online pharmacy which has made the process smoother. Best of luck
My husband had nerve ablation for his broken sacroiliac joint pain. He could not have surgery due to health issues. The ablation gave him total pain relief after a couple of weeks. It has been nearly one year and he is still pain free. He also had nerve ablations on his lumbar spine which was also totally successful. I think it matters where placement of the ablation and his Dr said it is more difficult to get the sacroiliac. We had to pay for the sacroiliac ablation because it is still considered experimental. It was worth the cost for pain relief.
Struggling with SI joint pain, glute burning and rebound after pregabalin—any similar experiences?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s had something similar.
I had steroid injections into my SI joint and L5/S1 about 4 months ago and since then have had ongoing nerve irritation, especially burning pain in the glutes (worse at night and early morning).
I took pregabalin for a month but had to stop due to dizziness. I’m now about 3 weeks off it and seem to be having rebound nerve pain that’s actually worse at times, especially at night.
I’ve been trying to manage with gentle movement, pacing, ice/heat etc. Some days it feels like it’s easing, then I get a flare (often early morning around 3–5am).
I’m now considering starting gabapentin but feel quite anxious about side effects and withdrawal after my experience with pregabalin.
Has anyone else had:
• Nerve irritation after SI joint injections?
• Worsening pain after stopping pregabalin?
• Early morning flares like this?
And did gabapentin help you—or not?
It’s been quite exhausting and a bit demoralising, so it would really help to hear others’ experiences.
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1 Reaction@puffinmum - I took gabapentin for something completely different - for postherpetic neuralgia following a bout of shingles. I know some report side effects from taking it, but I had absolutely none. It was no problem. And it stopped my incessant itching after the shingles. My doctor trialed me off the gabapentin after 7 weeks, and the itching had stopped.
@queenie2030
What is the name of the doctor that treated your husband with the nerve ablations? And where is the doctor located? Not all doctors are the same in successfully doing the ablations. Thanks in advance!
Dr. Joseph Atallah, at The Toledo Clinic, Toledo, Ohio. We are going in today to schedule his next ablation. Unfortunately the nerves grow back together over time. The pain relief is just amazing. Best wishes to you.