Update on Lumbar Pain

jsewell · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 04:14 AM

I saw my spine surgeon today for a check on my neck and to get my EMG results for my lumbar spine.
Neck is ok as far as I am concerned. I am STILL in a collar. I can switch to a soft collar, not sure if i will , mine is pretty comfortable anyway.
About my lumbar spine the EMG came out negative. He is still convinced there is nerve irritation somewhere in the lumbar area but just does not want to take me to surgery. I know he wants my neck to be pretty well healed first. He was going to take out some screws in L2,fix a compression fracture and talked about the possibility of bringing the fusion down to L4 (which he does not want to do)

So one more try at ESI's, he does several at a time, which should be next wed.
If they provide no relief , as the last 2 sets did, then we will be going into surgery. I was kind of disappointed as the pain is just not getting any better and the hip pain has been with me since Sept 24th. But i will take his advice and wait.
I am tired of pain and pain meds!!
judy

Maria · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 04:26 PM

Judy,
I know many people have had success w/multiple surgeries or further surgery re continued pain/probs however I do advocate waiting if one is able to (meaning not absolutely necessary to have surgery) esp. in certain situations such as yours where you're still healing at another level.

I guess I find that after all that I went thru with my two surgeries and long haul with chronic pain that I am feeling much better so waiting can sometimes work too. That is not to say I still don't have some probs but nothing at all like it used to be and certainly nothing that really keeps me down these days or off my feet (except my feet w/bilat tendonitis)!

Low level opioid treatment is acceptable to me considering what I went thru for so long. In fact what I like least about it is constipation and need to use laxatives daily. Fortunately I must admit I take no other medication for pain now re spinal stuff so I have definately seen an improvement for myself in the last 5 to 6 years no matter what might show radiologically.

Hopefully you'll improve given some more time or at least do well with your cervical healing so that if and when you go for further lumbar surgery you'll not have cervical stuff that might get flared up or need attention.

dshobbies · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 04:53 PM

Pain is pain and a single goal for all those in pain is to get rid of it. We all are disappointed when we hear our pain will continue or surgery is needed to get rid of the pain or ??? Waiting a single day in pain seems like an eternity.

It also sounds like you're in good hands with a cautious doctor who does not want to rush into surgery. When will this all end? Good question but here's hoping it will end!

Better days are on the horizon - patience is a virtue - yeah right

jsewell · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the replies Dale and Maria.
Yes pain is pain and unfortunately i have been on percocet for 3 years now. I do not take a low does. It takes 20mg to be one dose for me and that only wokrs for 4 hours. Some days depending on what i am doing, I take it just about every 4 hours. I don't worry about constipation, but the tiredness and long term side effects it causes.
I know my research doc had done a study on long term side effects of opiods. I only remember testosterone depletion as one of the side effects. I do replace that hormone. I might remember to ask him tonite (i volunteer at his one night a week patient clinic)

Talk about pain I just came back from the dentist with a sore tooth. It needs to come out and i have pre medicated and need to go to an oral surgeon now to get it pulled.
Another fun day for me!!
judy

mmglobal · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 09:05 PM

Judy, check your PM's. Talk to you soon,

Mark

jsewell · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2011, 06:57 PM

My tooth is gone , but boy did that hole in my mouth speak when the novocain wore off. but my percocet is taking care of it, i just need to be on a 4 hour schedule again.
I got a copy of the MRI report, although not one of the actual MRI as i cannot make heads or tales out of them.
I do have bilateral facet arthropathy at L4-L5 and L5-S1. That might be why my doc decided to do the injections first before removing some of the screws which may be causing some nerve irritation.
My injections are set for next wed. (june 15th) at 7:30 arrival time for me. Hope they really work this time.

What type of pain does facet arthropathy cause in the area I have mentioned from my MRI????????

judy