1. < Spine Health

Chronic Back Pain for Years

Posted by jlfisher56 @jlfisher56, May 2, 2017

6 back surgeries (extensive cervical and lumbar fusions) with neurological complications. Left with chronic pain. Accident happened in Nursing career 1992 and worked with first fusions until 1999 (failed fusions). At my age, and as a former nurse educator, I never wanted to had to rely on medication/s for the severe pain. Having thoroughly exhausted exploring sites using non-pharmaceutical methods, using psychological methods, biofeedback, trying to accept my limitations, i.e., I still believe somewhere...out there...is hope. The strong medicine has caused gastroparesis, further complicating my health problems. They are too numerous to write and I will not focus on them. I am looking for "help" and guidance. If I can be of assistance to anyone throughout their trials, (perhaps similar to some of what I have gone through), I will.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

Stephen | @wsh66 | Oct 15, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@wsh66 I was wondering if a pump is directed only to specific areas. I'm glad to..." + (show)
@jimhd

@wsh66

I was wondering if a pump is directed only to specific areas. I'm glad to hear that it relieves pain wherever it is. Maybe arthritis won't be so painful and I won't need NSAIDs. One question I have is if clonazepam will continue to be an issue. I'm getting flak for taking an opioid and a benzodiazepine together. I take Clonazepam for anxiety, and it's treating my restless leg issue, as well. Here in Oregon opioid prescriptions are monitored by a state program, and prescribing a benzodiazepine in combination with an opioid is a red flag, requiring frequent authorization approval.

I'm very hopeful that a pump will be approved and will give me some level of pain relief. Thank you for bringing it back to my attention.

Jim

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I don't know about drug interactions but remember, the pump gives tiny doses that don't enter via the digestive track. 3 to 4mgs. is minuscule.

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wisco50 | @wisco50 | Oct 15, 2020
In reply to @jimhd "@wisco50 I've taken the 2nd mg of Klonopin only a few times in the last 15..." + (show)
@jimhd

@wisco50

I've taken the 2nd mg of Klonopin only a few times in the last 15 years. During the last several months, I probably would have benefited from taking the 2nd one, because my anxiety level has been elevated, I suppose due in part to covid19, and also because of the delay in getting my morphine. It's become a monthly worry, a real stressor. I'm concerned that if I get in the habit of taking 2mg, I could have trouble tapering back down.

I thank God for the good doctors he's put in my life, and for medicine that keeps life bearable.

Jim

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I agree about good doctors. I am so lucky my internist saw me through my jaw situation with appropriate narcotics because I don’t know if I would be here today, otherwise. I thank God daily for seeing me through it. I guess it also helps that I’m very stubborn and knew something was really wrong even when some MDs/oral surgeons and other people didn’t seem to believe me.

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Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Oct 15, 2020
In reply to @blmd5861 "Where did you have your surgery Lynn" + (show)
@blmd5861

Where did you have your surgery
Lynn

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@blmd5861
We live in central Oregon, where the only major hospital is in Bend.

Jim

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pfbacon | @pfbacon | Oct 16, 2020

Sure. Let's all pass on what we find out and what responses we get. Perhaps this should be a separate topic. Hello, moderator -- what do you think? Peggy

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1 reply
pfbacon | @pfbacon | Oct 16, 2020

My insurance would not pay for the implant (humana/medicare). It would be thousands and it would have to be re-done, then moved, re-moved, and adjusted several times before it worked (thousands of $ every time) then serviced every few months or weeks according to info from members of this loop who have it or had it. My pain doctor also said I would have to live without any pain meds or anti-seizure meds for a week before and a week after both the 'trial' implant and the 'real' implant. I can't live for even a few hours without anti-seizure meds; the pain will be so unbearable that I'll be looking for something sharp to cut my wrists with. I lasted 3 1/2 hours once but that was early -- my condition has advanced since then. Peggy

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @pfbacon "Sure. Let's all pass on what we find out and what responses we get. Perhaps this..." + (show)
@pfbacon

Sure. Let's all pass on what we find out and what responses we get. Perhaps this should be a separate topic. Hello, moderator -- what do you think? Peggy

Jump to this post

@pfbacon, what should be a separate topic, Peggy?

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kengroninga | @kengroninga | Oct 16, 2020

I am looking for a doctor that does spinal cord stimulation surgery.

Ken Groninga

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2 replies
Stephen | @wsh66 | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @kengroninga "I am looking for a doctor that does spinal cord stimulation surgery. Ken Groninga" + (show)
@kengroninga

I am looking for a doctor that does spinal cord stimulation surgery.

Ken Groninga

Jump to this post

Get an intrathecal pump

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Stephen | @wsh66 | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @pfbacon "My insurance would not pay for the implant (humana/medicare). It would be thousands and it would..." + (show)
@pfbacon

My insurance would not pay for the implant (humana/medicare). It would be thousands and it would have to be re-done, then moved, re-moved, and adjusted several times before it worked (thousands of $ every time) then serviced every few months or weeks according to info from members of this loop who have it or had it. My pain doctor also said I would have to live without any pain meds or anti-seizure meds for a week before and a week after both the 'trial' implant and the 'real' implant. I can't live for even a few hours without anti-seizure meds; the pain will be so unbearable that I'll be looking for something sharp to cut my wrists with. I lasted 3 1/2 hours once but that was early -- my condition has advanced since then. Peggy

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If your talking about the pump your getting bad information. My insurance and medicare both paid. I do have it serviced every 10 t0 12 weeks and pay nothing for that. 10 minutes with my doc and I'm good to go. Implant or pump, talk to people who actually do them, not the folks who treat you now and would loose a customer.

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1 reply
wisco50 | @wisco50 | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @kengroninga "I am looking for a doctor that does spinal cord stimulation surgery. Ken Groninga" + (show)
@kengroninga

I am looking for a doctor that does spinal cord stimulation surgery.

Ken Groninga

Jump to this post

Do you mean who will do the surgery to implant a spinal cord stimulator? Look up pain medication management doctors.

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