Well after 10 back surgeries I have permanent nerve damage wich is no surprise but to find another disc that has a bulge and degeneration I'm running out of spine to fix so for now I'm doing injections under fluoroscopy which I have had before extremely painful but I cannot and will not go under the knife again till its structurally unsound and my surgeon is very on board with that... Ugh here's crossing my fingers it helps a little

So sorry you're having back pain. Back pain is miserable pain.

Trying to find some comfort is hard when so many things have failed.

After surgery, you are altered and it becomes even more limited to what may help you. Does you doctors have any suggestions for you to try?

But here goes some thoughts for you.

Lidoderm 5% patches, LED/infrared light therapy pads (Skin Solutions out of Vancouver, Washington), yoga (don't laugh - do what you can with the poses. It gets easier) ... Relaxation and breathing techniques. Oversized tennis balls (found in pet stores - mine are not firm at all. They are actually not inflated all the way. Miracle Therapy Balls. they're soft, green in color. I'm on my iPad or I would Google links for you to look up.)

A TENS unit or neuro stimulator is also helpful to me. Aqua (water) therapy helps me too. Doesn't cause me problems.

The simple things... Smoking/nicotine is not good. Inhale water. Sugars in food are becoming increasingly known to cause joint and many other health problems.

I view things as positives or negatives.

I found that at the end of my shower, if I turned the water to cold and let it hit on my back, that helped.

Also, a heating pad is good, comforting, but try to limit it to 30 minutes or less at a session. Heat on a microscopic basis can cause swelling. Swelling causes pain.

Changing positions is necessary. You probably know that.

Take care...

Welcome to NT! We're glad you found us.

I'm so sorry you have such bad back pain. It's amazing how it can take over your life. I think you and your doctor have made a wise decision about no more surgery, at least for now.

Below is the Chronic Pain forum link:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum10.html

I wish you all the best.

I am so sorry to learn of your many surgeries only to have an MRI read indicate further degeneration. Having survived 34 surgeries after a high speed car wreck, I truly do empathize with you regarding the phenomenon of discovered degeration, pain, concern about further surgery, pain, and injections, also painful.

Seeing BrokenWings had written I do relate to the possibility of doc allowing your use of an interferential neuro stimulator, basically a tens unit on steroids as my doc told me. I used an ins for MANY months successfully and with a bit of frustration because my needs outlasted the battery life, so I was constantly recharging in order to attempt staying ahead of the pain curve.

One thing I can surely do for you in the meantime is pray,
and this I am doing,
Mark56

Just wanted to say that if the FIRST injection doesn't work, do NOT let him do any more. The second one won't work if the first one didnt Lots of doctors tell patients that it has to build up in the system, and that's BULL.

So tell him no more, if the first one doesn't work. Besides, the steroids, aren't that good for the body.

I do hope you get some relief. But remember, it's just temporary. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

Well, I have heard many refuse after the first injection didn't give them relief. I do understand. Let me tell you what I had to do. After the third pain management doctor recommended and insisted I have up to 12 different type injections, some I have to say helped and some did not. Some made me worse but just for a while. For my cervical spine, they would only agree to give them if I agreed to take a series of three. Now, this is three different doctors recommending this for my neck. After the third doctor recommending this, I said , "Give me the needle, I know where to stick it." Lol!!

I did commit to the series of three injections. The first made me as bad off as I had been. The second made me bad but not as bad as the first. The third was just right. It gave me much relief. I walked out twisting my neck, saying, "We'll, maybe they do know what they were talking about."

It even helped my low back some. It started my journey back to where I am now. The first two injections were a different medicine than the third. I read my records later. They didn't take the time to explain that to me.

It is scary being under fluoroscope and needles in your spine, but I had to try.

I woke up during the first procedure, but I was committed, at that point, to the series of three.

The stallete ganglion injections did not help. The Botox was very helpful. Lasted about two weeks. The trigger point injections was a total waste for my pain level at that time. And the shoulder, well, one hurt and one helped.

It just depends, how the outcome may be. I had to try. Not sorry about the ones that didn't help. Just glad for the ones that did. And yes, I did feel like a pin cushion, or a cash cow, to some extent.

Weigh all the facts before you commit, but don't be so afraid to go for it. They are professionals and it is in a controlled environment.

I didn't do a all the recommended injections, either. Just letting you know there are others who have the same fears of needles and will do about anything to get some relief. I have been there. It is expensive, even with insurance.

Hope you find relief, and everyone reading this finds relief too.