Hi @kathyv Nice to make your e-acquaintance here. I am sorry to read of all your spinal problems. I am Scott and my wife had six spinal surgeries prior to her fight with brain cancer. She had surgeries similar to what you describe. Laminectomy, two fusions, and then also the posterior/anterior major with rods, screws, etc. With her the screws began to push through so she had to then have it all removed. Long process and loads of chronic pain as a result.

She went through a lot of pain, pain clinics, PT, OT, etc. Little helped for her pain other than MS Contin. Later she did find that gabapentin helped with her very difficult leg pain. She also found an air mattress bed was a significant help.

Wishing you the best!

How much MS contin did your wife take to reach a level where it helped with her pain? I was up to 90mg, and that wasn't enough to soothe the pain. That was as high as my pcp would go because of the limits set up by the hospital system he's under, and then only with the recommendation of the pain specialist.

Hi @jimhd It varied over time, but at one it time it was 120 x3. That said she had a spiral fracture in her spine for two years + before a doctor took a unique angled image and discovered it. The damage by that time was extensive. I understand that every patient is unique, but my wife was on some level of opioids for at least 30 years.

Hi Kathy! Your symptoms and medical history sound similar to mine. I'm a little bit older than you--I was in my mid-20s in 1969 and now I'm 71. I have had 4 spinal surgeries (2 cervical, 2 lumbar), and I too have neuropathy in my right foot and lower leg--have had it for 3 years. It gets worse when I sit for a long period of time, or when I'm on my feet for any length of time--talk about being between a rock & a hard place. I've tried gabapentin, but after taking it for 6 weeks it hasn't done any good. so I'm in the process of weaning myself off from that. Some people do find it helpful, though. My most recent lumbar surgery was 2 years ago, and for a while the burning sensation in my leg got better but never fully disappeared. It's gotten worse in the last year or so. I saw the surgeon's PA in June. He diagnosed me with "post-laminectomy syndrome." I looked that up on the internet and saw that another term for it is "failed back surgery syndrome." I'm going to look into injections, although they didn't help back in 2014. If that doesn't work I will try to get a thorough exam at either Mayo in Scottsdale or the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix (I live in west Texas). Beyond that, I'm not sure what I will do. Sorry I haven't been able to give you much advice here, but I wanted to assure you that you are not alone! If I find some relief I'll definitely let you know. Wishing you the best, Cheryl

I also have scoliosis and it is not that I feel pain but sitting and sometimes standing can cause discomfort. As an adult I tried going to a chiropractor who happened to be someone I new from classes we were taking. He only took what my insurance took. So what the heck I went twice a week. My point is that it did help relieve some of my neck and back pain. I do not know how it will affect you but I am just bringing it out to you for a thought

I tried a chiropractor years ago but he discharged me after months. He couldn't help with my issue. I appreciated his honesty.

Sorry about that how about acupuncture. I am just shooting some ideas hoping something will help

I'll make it easier. Lol. Acupuncture, nerve blocks, spinal, PT. Not a candidate for spinal cord stimulator. My pain doctor has tried and recommended all he can. That's why we resorted to percoset but I haven't taken one yet. Pool walking, stretching classes and massage therapy

Thanks for your response, Scott. So sorry for all your wife's pains and struggles. What is MS Contin? I am on oxycontin ,lyrica, cymbalta, anaprox, and tylenol. I've tried acupuncture. I also had to have my metal removed from my back last year because it appeared to be causing lower back pain.

Hi Cheryl-
Thanks for your response. It can't hurt to hear what others with similar conditions are doing for their pain. I'm hoping that someday the medical community will come up with something to relieve the pain of CRPS.
Kathy