[JoelyH]

Hi everyone...I,m new to this site and have chronic pain in my neck back and legs and arms...I have had previous neck and back surgery last yr had a spinal stimulator put in it helps some but i also have permanent nerve damage. They are wanting to now put in a cervical stimulator for my neck..since i am a high risk for another surgery...Not to mention I am having new symtoms come up like numbness in my left pinky finger...have no feeling at all. I,m very angry and upset cause i just don,t understand why all this is happening to me.Any advice and help would be greatly appreciated.....

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I understand about chronic back pain. You need to be re-evaluated, maybe by a different neruo surgeon. If your symptoms and neurological sensations seem to be worse, you need a new MRI perhaps. Do you have a pain management doctor to help you? I can tell you, that you will find support on NT. If you post any of your MRI's there will be someone that can help read them. None of us are professionals, but there are alot of us who have back and neck issues, myself included. I hope you can get to some more help quick. ginnie

[JoelyH]

Originally Posted by ginnie

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I understand about chronic back pain. You need to be re-evaluated, maybe by a different neruo surgeon. If your symptoms and neurological sensations seem to be worse, you need a new MRI perhaps. Do you have a pain management doctor to help you? I can tell you, that you will find support on NT. If you post any of your MRI's there will be someone that can help read them. None of us are professionals, but there are alot of us who have back and neck issues, myself included. I hope you can get to some more help quick. ginnie

Thanks ginnie for your reply I can,t have an MRI cause I have a spinal stimulator in so they have to do what they call a mylogram on me which i have had one done already for my back and neck also.As for going to another neurosurgeon I can,t because of my insurance my husband works for the hospital so thats where our insurance is through so it has to be the doctors there...and yes i have a pain management doctor...he is a really good dr and has been the only one so far that has really helped me. I am on pain meds all the time cause i can,t function with this pain its horrible and the sad thing is its gonna get worse before it gets better, but i am greatful i found this site cause at least i can talk about it and know that i am the only one out there going through this.....Thanks....

[Leesa]

Hi ~ You CAN have a CT scan with a stimulator, so perhaps that would show something. At least I've been told you can have that done with the stimulator.

I had the stimulator for 6 months, until I developed problems, and it had to be removed. I also have permanent nerve damage in my right leg.

I agree that you should be re-evaluated, perhaps by another Neurosurgeon. I think some new tests need to be run. Sounds like something might be going on, but I don't know what. Best of luck, and let us know what happens, ok? God bless and take care. Hugs, Lee

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Leesa

Hi ~ You CAN have a CT scan with a stimulator, so perhaps that would show something. At least I've been told you can have that done with the stimulator.

Would that show anything other than bone though? I'm not a big fan of CT scans unless absolutely necessary due to the higher dose of radiation.

A typical plain film x-ray involves radiation dose of 0.01 to 0.15 mGy, while a typical CT can involve 10–20 mGy for specific organs, and can go up to 80 mGy for certain specialized CT scans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_c...aphy#Scan_dose

Doc

[JoelyH]

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

Would that show anything other than bone though? I'm not a big fan of CT scans unless absolutely necessary due to the higher dose of radiation.


Doc

Thanks for replying yes I have had a CT scan done also on neck and back. I also have really bad arthritis in my back neck and hands and feet its just really frustrating.....I wish this would all go away...Its hard to function every day and try and do the things you need to do every day......

[ginnie]

Hope you don't have to have the mylogram again. Lousy test. I would sure look into that CT Scan as an option. Glad to hear you have some pain control. A good specialist that stands with you, helps ever so much. Let me know what happens. I care. ginnie

[JoelyH]

Originally Posted by ginnie

Hope you don't have to have the mylogram again. Lousy test. I would sure look into that CT Scan as an option. Glad to hear you have some pain control. A good specialist that stands with you, helps ever so much. Let me know what happens. I care. ginnie

Oh no I won,t go through another mylogram again that was so painful..... Yea I just had a CT scan like a month ago of my neck so they won,t do another one.....Yes My pain management doctor is good...but the pain meds he has me on is not really helping me any more since my pain has increased a lot more. I have tried the gabipaten..lol not sure if thats how you spell it... Have also been on other meds too tried all the ibuprofen and ansaids also....I,m just at a lose as to what to do next......

[JoelyH]

Originally Posted by ginnie

Hope you don't have to have the mylogram again. Lousy test. I would sure look into that CT Scan as an option. Glad to hear you have some pain control. A good specialist that stands with you, helps ever so much. Let me know what happens. I care. ginnie

Oh no I won,t go through another mylogram again that was so painful..... Yea I just had a CT scan like a month ago of my neck so they won,t do another one.....Yes My pain management doctor is good...but the pain meds he has me on is not really helping me any more since my pain has increased a lot more. I have tried the gabipaten..lol not sure if thats how you spell it... Have also been on other meds too tried all the ibuprofen and ansaids also....I,m just at a lose as to what to do next......

[ginnie]

My advice would be to keep a pain journal now. Every day. Show this to your doctor. If your pain specialist can only do the things you mentioned, it is time to find another pain specialist. There is help, even a mild narcotic would be better than suffering like that. Most doctors realize there is more they can do to ease suffering. I do have that kind of medication. Without it my quality of life you not be so good. Please be assertive, and tell him or her you need more help than what you are getting. Ask for a refferal if he fails to address your needs. Remember he works for you. I care, as I have spinal issues as well joely, and it can be very very painful. ginnie