Chronic Pain even after several back surgeries- suggestions?

Great to get this out to more people; thanks, Sue

I was injured in 1988 and had subsequent L5 laminectomy w/ L4-S2 fusion w/ stainless steel plates & screws, unfortunately L5 for some unknown reason is not screwed into the plate.. I have since developed OA, stenosis, chronic pain, peripheral neuropathy, leg and foot cramps, etc., but who's complaining. I was on some form of codeine for 20 years and was switched to long acting morphine until 2015 when I saw a pain specialist who prescribed buprenorphine patches and my world changed for the better. I was still using oxycodone x6 d day for break through pain though. But my degree and length of pain suffering decreased tremendously. When MMJ came into Pennsylvania I signed up and after a year of experimentation I found my sweet spot with increased CBD and decreased THC oil (tincture and vape) I no longer require oxycodone. I just visited my pain specialist and he said don't come back unless you need more oxycodone and he'll keep filling my buprenorphine patches. BTW I was offered the removal of my current hardware and replacing it with new modern hardware in 2016 but living through the postop pain again at 69 years is a no brainer especially now that I've achieved a high degree of pain control. Your docs have thrown up their hands so take control of your healing. All the surgeries have most likely left you with scar tissue that only gets worse over time. Thank you mmj.

Awesome advice!

Me too

Your history sounds familiar, although I was never hit by a car. My sciatica and back issues started some 20 years ago…. Lots of PT off and on for 5 hrs, by then then there was steady back pain and the sciatica ran my entire leg and foot. The big doses of gabapentin did not really help. Had a laminectomy on L4/L 5 at Mass General which briefly relieved the sciatica, followed by another laminectomy six months later. Continuing disc degeneration and compression led to an L4/L5 fusion. That gave enough relief for perhaps five years then the sciatica and back pain came back with a vengeance. Because of further degeneration of discs and narrowing nerve channels even with 2MRIs no exact source could be located. Exploratory surgery was not an options. Saw local Spine Center and after a year and a half of debilitating pain, I had a Boston Scientific double nerve implant (sciatica and back) at Beth Isreal. The sciatica went away for perhaps three weeks. I had a second surgery there 6 months later to have the battery removed from my left buttocks and implanted in my abdomen because of new lower back pain and sciatica. Fast forward three years and do feel that the implant really helps with back pain. I also take 1500mg Gabapentin and 5 mg of oxycodone everyday and find that I can function, drive for short periods and even travel. The implant is not perfect, but it gives me a better life. My sciatica can be relieved with flat bed rest or the implant can simply out tasor the cold yet burning burning numbing sensation…. much like a tens machine……the back pain is liveable. Bad weather days and barometric pressure changing are not my good days. Am 82 and hanging in……..

My heart goes out to you. Sounds like opioid therapy is worth a try if you are willing. Life is short.

I agree. Life is too short to be in agony most days. I have severe pain which is lowered by an opioid extended release pill. It takes my pain down several notches and I would not be alive without this and my other meds non opioid meds. It is called Quality of Life, for me.

Pain pills from Pain Management