Neuropathy with back pain exercise

@steveinmontana ~ I hear ya, Steve. People I know who have had numerous procedures all say the same thing - they still have pain, even if their mobility is improved. So it becomes a matter of pain management. I get the results of my MRI later today when I see my spine doctor. Sure hope you find the kind of surgeon you're looking for. Minimally invasive sounds good!

@steveinmontana sounds like that would feel really good. Would like to know if PT has such devices.

OMG! Y'all aren't giving me much hope. I'm just at the beginning of the low back pain journey. I had my 2nd MRI yesterday morning (Easter Sunday) and see the spine doc this Wednesday to go over the results. I first thought it was just sciatica again in my left butt cheek that ran down my thigh into my calf. But then after 2 weeks that sort of eased up but my low back just above my tailbone was screaming at me and the pain and burning in my hamstrings and butt has made it almost impossible to walk. I just got a walker and a rollator is ordered. I'm 71 and have battled idiopathic PN for 15 years and am on Lyrica but am considering switching to Amitriptyline. Anyway, the 1st MRI showed a mild disc bulge in 2021 that was compressing the nerve at L4-L5 / S1. But I didn't have back pain, so the doctor I had at the time said it wasn't causing my neuropathy. So now I have excruciating back pain. Spine doc's notes say possible spinal stenosis with radiculopathy. Ugh - after reading what everyone here is reporting, I'm scared as to what to let them do and not do! A friend of mine has had similar back issues minus the neuropathy. She said absolutely don't get an ablation! She has had an epidural and various other things and said she still has pain. At least she can walk under her own power. So ... Has anyone had any positive results with either a procedure or a drug or anything else?

@brennankb55 I have the same spine nerve pain that I guess you do as well, I just purchased a unit for my spine and the nerve being pinched and bought a device called "SMOOTHSPINE" I haven't used it yet, but will and you might check them out on the internet!!!!

@bjk3 ~ Thank you, Barb. Most impactful to me was your comment that "God answers our prayers and guides our decisions if we ask Him to." That's what I've been praying from Proverbs 3:4-5. I fully trust Him and in His love and faithfulness. I truly believe He's often doing things behind the scenes that we can look back on down the road and see His hand at work. So thank you much for that encouragement.
I am curious as to the amount of Tramadol you were prescribed. I'm on 75mg of Lyrica 3x a day and 50mg of Tramadol, as needed, which I usually take in between the Lyrica doses, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. I've asked my primary about switching to low dose Naltrexone in place of the Tramadol. Anyway, thank you for sharing your journey with me and sharing that hope that we have in Jesus. ~ Karen

@brennankb55 Hi, Karen ~ it's good to find another companion on the journey - thank you for expressing your hope in Jesus. We have this in common! I am prescribed 50 mg. of Tramadol every 8 hours but only take it at bedtime. I had been taking it 3x a day after my hip replacement for about a year and a half. The Pregabalin (Lyrica) is 100 mg. 3x a day and I don't stray from that. If I do, the pain in my feet returns with a vengeance. I asked my doctor what kind of pain each targets and he said Tramadol is for overall pain and Pregabalin (Lyrica) will address specifically nerve pain. My understanding is that it is primarily used in treatment of seizures and that secondarily it was found to ease nerve pain. I expect to be on these for the rest of my life, but I am extremely grateful for them. Best to you! ~ Barb

@brennankb55 I have the same spine nerve pain that I guess you do as well, I just purchased a unit for my spine and the nerve being pinched and bought a device called "SMOOTHSPINE" I haven't used it yet, but will and you might check them out on the internet!!!!

I have Idiopathic neuropathy and back issues. Over 10 years ago, my back pain became unbearable and I had an L4/L5 fusion and a laminectomy. I had been treated by a pain management doctor for several years and he felt we had reached a point where he could no longer control the pain. Lessons learned from the experience:
First of all, see a (several) neurosurgeons rather than an orthopedic surgeon. Discuss all of the options, pros and cons.
Rods and screws in your back are the least concern. I never know they're there.
One of the pros of surgery is relief from pain. One of the cons is that once you have surgery at one level it affects other levels.
It can be a difficult surgery depending on the surgery recommended but modern medicine has come a long way.
My back MRI is still not a pretty picture but, knock on wood, I have been essentially pain free for all but one of the years after surgery. I lost weight and did lots of physical therapy. I now do strength training 2x/week and walk several times a week. I know that I have some limitations because of my back and my PN and I respect those boundaries.
I do not think your age should be an issue. I was in my late 50s when I started on this journey but now I am in my late 60s. I have met many people who have successfully navigated the surgeries well into their 70s.
Good luck!