Any help for L5S1 pain???

[Eastex]

Linda,
I had a fusion at L5/S1 on 2/6/09. I could of gotten a ADR, but I felt uncomfortable with the devices to chose from. They haven't been out there in patients long enough to prove that they are reliable. At L5/S1 you won't lose your motion with a fusion. The only problem I have is leg and tailbone pain still. I am still taking 20mg Opana ER 3x daily and hydrocodone compound 2x daily for break through pain. I recently started seeing an acupuncture doctor. He is doing electro stimulation, infrared and giving me an amazing massage at the end of treatment. When I leave there I feel amazing. Some days I hurt real bad and live through the massage. The tears are ready to flow on painful days. But when he is done I feel better. His electro stimulation beats a spinal chord stimulator by a long shot. When I had my trial, I had to turn it up so high to get tail bone relief, that my legs would start hurting worse than ever. With his, he puts the needles in only the parts that hurt. It pinpoints the areas and sets each one to stimulate enough for relief. If I could walk around all day like this I would. So much better than the medtronic stimulator. Sorry if I got of subject.

[Maria]

Linda
Just wondering if you had made any appts. w/doctors mentioned in the LA area (or others). As I recall it took me several months to get an initial appt. w/Dr.Delamarter and the appt. I got w/Dr. Regan was thru Mark Mintzer, the one with Dr.Coufal was made by CA state board of WC and I think they gave me at least a month's notice or more (can't recall now as it's been so long -2006).

Hope the process is coming along for you. take care!

[joejoe]

I have to agree with best Doctor, over bedside manor. I am currently seeing Delamarter, He is at Cedar Sinai now. It took 2 months to get an appointment. I saw him the first time, he recommended a discogram. It took me another month and a half to get back in to see him. After talking to many of his patience,and doing alot of research. Ive decided to let him do my surgeries. My appointment was yesterday. We waited for 2and a half hours past my appointment time, but when we left i felt very confident in him. Good luck to you.