[dodgette]

Hi,
My name is Liz. I just stumbled upon this sight when I was doing some research about Spinal Stimulus Implants. I have chronic back pain and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Later a physical therapist told me that he didn't think was was fm. Have gone through numerous MRI's and had a double level cervical fusion in 2004. I had discs that were pressing against the spinal cord and causing all kinds of problems. They fused 4/5 and 5/6. Since then I have developed more pain in the neck and shoulders with numbness and weakness in the left arm running to the left hand. Went back to the neurologist and he said he didn't want to do another surgery and to just live with the pain. Basically he blew me off. He was going to do a nerve conduction test and refer me to the pain clinic, but never did either. I also have constant pain in the low back. I went through pt for 2 years without any appreciable relief. I have tried neurontin and lyrica without any positive results. I've done scads of exercises, stretch morning and night, but it has progressed.The pain stabs at the top of both hips, wraps into the right groin area, and runs down the buttocks into the back of both thighs. It also runs on the outside of both thighs. The pain down the back of the legs creates a constant burning throb which is only relieved by laying on my stomach with no contact to the area. The pain has now gotten bad enough that at the end of the school day (I'm a teacher) I limp home and take heavy duty pain meds. I just have to live with it during the day and get by on ibuprofen. I can't even put up with walking the dogs. Finally I got a referral to a pain clinic from my regular doctor. I've had trigger point injections, without relief and most recently had cortisone shots in both SI joints. The pain from the shots was unbearable. It felt like someone had beaten my low back with a 2x4. I got one day of relief from the burning and then it started up again. As a result, I am now going in tomorrow to try a trial of a SCS. I'm hoping it will work and bring some relief. I'm looking for info about the results that others have had and ended up here.

[(Broken Wings)]

wELCOME TO nt

Back pain is miserable pain.

This is our back pain forum: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

There's lots of info here about back pain and pumps.

I look forward to seeing you around the board.

[Hockey]

Hello and welcome to NT!

I am so sorry that you are suffering. We have a number of members dealing with back pain, so I'm sure you'll learn a lot on the forum - and make some new friends along the way.

Cheers

[Dmom3005]

Welcome

I have Fibro, and it is connected very much to trigger points.

Fibro can be very debilating.

Donna

[Jerry RN]

Good Luck! Mine trial implant is later today. Let me know how it is going for you!!

Jerry

Originally Posted by dodgette

Hi,
My name is Liz. I just stumbled upon this sight when I was doing some research about Spinal Stimulus Implants. I have chronic back pain and have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Later a physical therapist told me that he didn't think was was fm. Have gone through numerous MRI's and had a double level cervical fusion in 2004. I had discs that were pressing against the spinal cord and causing all kinds of problems. They fused 4/5 and 5/6. Since then I have developed more pain in the neck and shoulders with numbness and weakness in the left arm running to the left hand. Went back to the neurologist and he said he didn't want to do another surgery and to just live with the pain. Basically he blew me off. He was going to do a nerve conduction test and refer me to the pain clinic, but never did either. I also have constant pain in the low back. I went through pt for 2 years without any appreciable relief. I have tried neurontin and lyrica without any positive results. I've done scads of exercises, stretch morning and night, but it has progressed.The pain stabs at the top of both hips, wraps into the right groin area, and runs down the buttocks into the back of both thighs. It also runs on the outside of both thighs. The pain down the back of the legs creates a constant burning throb which is only relieved by laying on my stomach with no contact to the area. The pain has now gotten bad enough that at the end of the school day (I'm a teacher) I limp home and take heavy duty pain meds. I just have to live with it during the day and get by on ibuprofen. I can't even put up with walking the dogs. Finally I got a referral to a pain clinic from my regular doctor. I've had trigger point injections, without relief and most recently had cortisone shots in both SI joints. The pain from the shots was unbearable. It felt like someone had beaten my low back with a 2x4. I got one day of relief from the burning and then it started up again. As a result, I am now going in tomorrow to try a trial of a SCS. I'm hoping it will work and bring some relief. I'm looking for info about the results that others have had and ended up here.

[mrsD]

We have a new forum for SCS devices and pain pumps:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

[azoyizes]

Hello Liz, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with so many friendly and helpful people.

We're glad you found us!

[Darlene]

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

[staceyc]

Hello Liz,
As well I'm a new member to. Sure am sorry to hear about all your pain. I hope the SCS works for you.I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I was in a car accident in 2005. I was hit head on in a parking lot. The other driver totaled my dodge durango. go figure. I wasn't having any problem with my back until 6 months later. My l-4, l-5, and l-1 are bulging and herniated and pressing on the nerves. I have a lot of leg pain. I've had my disc's shaved and I found no relieve from it. I'm on pain med and also Lyrica. I've had to get on antidepressant due to the lyrica and the pain in general. I've also done the injections. They didn't work. I have 2 choices now. One get 3 fusions done or try SCS. I don't know what to do. My disc are never going to get better. I also have nerve damage. From the first surgery my scare tissue is now wrapped around my nerve. Dr.'s say there isn't anything they can do. I'm one of those people who have a build up of scare tissue. Don't know what to do. I was thinking on getting the surgery then getting the SCS.I know that I'm always going to have nerve damage. Any advice you could give would help!!

[(Broken Wings)]

Welcome to NT

So sorry you have these problems. Back pain in miserable pain. I understand

It is confusing. I hope you have better luck with your next efforts.

Injections did help me a lot. Epidurals X3 in neck.

Everyone is different. What helps one don't necessarily mean it's a savior for the next. We do have to take risks in our choices.

Most of the time, you have to choose the best bad choice to get by for now.

Invasive procedures are not reversible. You just have to do what you think is best. Weigh all the risks.

Do ask questions. You have to feel comfortable with your choices, though.

Sometimes one thing is not enough. It may take a combination of things.

I pray you find some peace soon.