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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Chronic Pain | Last Active: 3 hours ago | Replies (7073)
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@rwinney

Hello @ beau238, welcome to Connect. Thank you for coming to seek a connection with others who may have had a similar experience with sciatica and irritated nerves.

I'm sorry that you've been through a lot over the years, attempting to find relief. I share your experience with failed epidurals, RFA's, and physical therapy. Through my trials and errors with failed procedures, I finally landed on central sensitization syndrome (CSS). It's a chronic pain syndrome which affects nerves, muscles, joints and sensory input. I attended Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehab Center to better learn how to live with chronic pain.

I'm hoping another member joins the conversation with some advice and experience to share that is familiar with SCS test. Unfortunately, I am not.

Do you have any other options through your pain management team towards finding relief? How do you currently handle your discomfort?

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Replies to "Hello @ beau238, welcome to Connect. Thank you for coming to seek a connection with others..."
beau238 | @beau238 | Jul 23, 2021

Thank you for your reply. I'm updating my post to include I am a on blood thinner (Aggranox- it's kinda like aspirin on steroids) having suffered a ischemic stroke in 2013. Honestly I cannot distinguish which pain is sciatica related and which pain may be stroke related. I'm ready to rule out an SCS due to the blood thinner.

I'm currently on 7.5mg oxy (4x/day) and 30 mg Cymbalta (1x) and apply Lidocaine 5% ointment. I've also tried various otc ointments and creams without much success. And I exercise regularly. I want to get off the oxy, but fear my options are limited. Lyrica and gabapentin have been eliminated as both left me drowsy and lethargic. My PCP prescribed a low dosage (30mg) of Cymbalta in hopes it won't produce similar side effects. And if successful, we'll gradually increase the dosage. I'm wondering if there are other options available other than what I've described. I am in the process of finding another pain management specialist but have become cautious towards those recommending additional procedures. Your suggestions are appreciated! BEAU238

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