I haven’t had back surgery I was told with aurthits surgery wasn’t an option I don’t want an implant right now I can live with the pain but want to know if there is another alternative . And if in fact surgery would help? Was also told to many steroid shots would lead to ostiperosis. How do I get to see a doctor at Mayo clinic

Chiming in here Im a nurse and to many steroids Wil effect your kidneys @liver they only give 3shots a year but I have a fracture back as well as arthritis and they do help Dr.injects my back of where ever I need it.

@peach414144

Good Morning,
I have been living with back pain for over 10 years and had to retire early because of the impact on my ability to walk. At the time, I lived in New Jersey, just an hour outside of Atlantic City.
First, I have tried 3 times to get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic, in Florida, but I have been turned down. Apparently, they take just so many people with a certain ailment. However, I have been told that you have a better shot if you get a referral from your doctor. I don't know but it is worth a try.
I don't know to what extend you have been trying to get help and what has been done.
I am certainly no expert, nor am I in the medical field. I can only share my own experiences.
I started with an orthopedist because I didn't know what was wrong. I has used her before and trusted her. The doctor took extensive blood tests, an MRI and x-ray. We discovered that I had osteo-arthritis and spinal stenosis in the cervical and lumbar spine. She sent me to a pain doctor for treatment.
(NOTE: Many pain doctors were anesthesiologists before they became pain doctors)
The pain doctor gave me facet injection, epidurals and then did radio frequency ablation and one dose of oral steroids when then pain became too intense, while all along taking large doses of ibuprophen. Sadly, non worked and he felt he could no longer help me.
I did some research and found a spinal clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. I was told that my cervical spine was worse than my lumbar and that I would need surgery. Funny thing, my cervical spine was not giving me any problems at the time, just my lumbar. At that point I was not ready to have surgery.
I saw 2 more pain docs after that, mostly because the first one left the practice and I needed to find another. Both did the same as the first and I got minimal relief, if any. After seeing pain doctor number 3, I agreed to do a trial for a spinal stimulator. The trial did not go well due to the way it was put in. However, I was desperate and willing to give it a try. However, during all this, we decided to move to Florida for the warmer climate. The cold was torture.
I asked the representative from the spinal stimulator company to suggest a doctor in Florida so that I could continue on with their stimulator. The doctor they suggested felt I was not ready for the stimulator and again, I went through the shots. You guessed it, they did not help.
Out of frustration, I did my own research and found another pain doctor. I did extensive research on him and pain doctor number 5 seemed to be the answer. I've been seeing him for approximately 3 years and he is the only one who has been able to give me any relief for my lumbar spine for anywhere from 6-12 weeks. He became my savior. Several months ago my cervical spine started to act up again after a few years of it being calm. My pain doctor was not able to help me with it. He tried a couple of procedures. I was having violent headaches each morning that woke me up and nothing, not even pain meds helped.
I began to do my research, again. Now, I was looking for a neuro-surgeon for an opinion. Of course, a surgeon wants to operate, and he did. He suggested I have 2 pairs of discs replaced with artificial ones (this, instead of fusions). I had the surgery 7 weeks ago. I've only had about 4 headaches. I'd say I've had about 85% improvement with things getting better each day!
Now, my last 2 lumbar injections did not work at all. I'm getting another MRI to see if the osteo-arthritis and stenosis has progressed. When I go for my 12 week check-up with the neuro-surgeon, we'll discuss what he thinks he can do for the lumbar.

There are other non-surgical things you can do. Of course, there is no guarantee any will help. Besides the shots you can try: a chiropractor, THERAPUTIC massage, acupuncture, cupping, aquatic and/or land physical therapy.

So, that is my tale. I am striving for a quality of life. Regardless of how any surgery goes, I realize I have to change my life-style. I will FOREVER have to be very aware of how I use my body as to not inflame it. No twists, jostling, sudden moves, carrying anything heavy, hyper-stretching or over-doing.

Don't give up. If one doctor tells you NO, look for someone else. Research. First, check the website of your medical plan to see which doctors are covered by your insurance. Then, there are multiple websites that rate doctors and have actual patient reviews you can read. Look at all the sites to get a broad view. Arthritis CAN be surgically cleaned up. I've had it done on both my knees on one shoulder.

Good luck and I hope this helps!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

Thanks for your info I will be working on my problem so far I can deal with my pain but want to be proactive .
Thanks again and good luck with your problems.
Gerryg

Welcome Gerry.

I had a Burst DR spinal cord stimulator implant in June of last year and had 80% pain reduction. What a huge relief! I have burning pain in my feet from idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.

Rather than writing about it here, you can read what I've said about it in the group Teresa mentioned. My understanding is that stimulator implants were first developed for back pain.

Jim

Our history is almost identical. I have fought back issues since I was in grade school, and I’m now 64. Five years ago I had no choice but to have surgery, 4 lumbar fusions. Next it was 2 cervical fusions, which cracked 1 year later. When they went in to repair those, the other disc “crumbled”, I came out with 5 fusions, 2 rods and a cage. I do injections but they don’t long. I see a chiropractor who helps temporarily. I have just started therapeutic massage. Just last week, after a massage, injection, and chiro djustment...I had FIVE days that I could stand up straight!! It felt so good! I am finishing up my psychological testing so I can at least try the pain stimulator. I am also gathering info on Mayo and Kansas University Med Ctr. There isn’t a pill, patch, rub, ice, heat, I haven’t tried with little or no relief. I also have bad restless leg which is becoming unbearable. I am also that group. I am a new member here but can already see it is going to be beneficial and interesting. One more tid bit of info: my mom delivered me and dropped me in the process so she takes all the blame for all my back problems. Possible, but that’s beside the point.

@dizzydaisy

It is good to have you here at Mayo Connect. We have many Members who will undoubtedly post with you. It sounds as if you have worked hard to achieve some pain control. It can be a very difficult thing though as we all know. I am glad that you had some days of "standing up straight." That must have felt good!

We have a number of Members who have tried the implanted stimulator for pain control. They will probably be checking in with you.

I look forward to hearing from you again as you investigate the use of the stimulator.

Teresa

@grandmar Hi Ronnie,
I'm sorry to read that the last lumbar injections didn't work for you.I would be very discouraged. How are you dealing with it? Over the past 8 years in particular, I have had so many injections I feel like a pin cushion. One thing I did find was that only one type of steroid worked to relieve my pain.Of course, now that I'm thinking of the name it's not coming to me. It begins with an M.
Hopefully today you are feeling a bit better!
Jen

Can you try to remember the steroid name starting w M? I was going to ask for that. Pretty soon they will stop allowing steroids

Hi Jen @sandytoes14, is it methylprednisolone?

-- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/steroid-injections/

John