The pain Dr and I talked about the possibility of a SCS helping with my pain.
But after the results of an MRI last month the Pain Dr didn't think that would work. So I decided to see a neurosurgeon for an experts opinion.

Based upon his evaluation the Nuerosurgeon scheduled me for the EMG & the Myelogram to determine if the root of my problem is Arachnoiditis. He said that I should feel a specific pain in my left leg based upon the MRI and I feel pain & burning in both legs & feet. Since my adventure in this world of pain was after I was critically ill 4 years ago he wants to look there.

Today's EMG showed some improvement over the previous one but once again most of the pain is consistant with neuropathy and not from my back.

I guess this is a frustating condition but in the grand scheme of things my health is good & I feel blessed.

I guess the one step foward two steps back I've felt for 4 years continues.

In the mean time the Pain Dr decided I should try Lyrica instead of the Gralise (time release gabapetin) I had been taking. It seems to be doing something "better" in my feet but nothing for the rest of the pain in my back & legs. It seemed like the Gralise must have been providing some relief for them.

Thanks for listening

I hope that Lyrica is working better for you now, Mike.

Update after the myelogram.

After 4 years I have an answer My persistant back pain is from 2 arthritic and degenerative disks. Which explains some of my feet pain. We are going to try a facet block next week to see if it provides relief. If not my choices appear to be more medications or lumbar spine surgery.

My nueropathy is considered Critical Care Nueropathy so treatment there is the same. I'm curious what my feet my feel with the Lyrica if my back ever calms down.

On the bright side the Dr ruled out Arachnoiditis as the main cause of my pain. There was a small amount but not enough to cause my pain.

For the first time in months even though I hurt I feel like there is hope beyond taking medications.

It took me 4 Dr's to get to this point. I still think the 1st Nuero I saw wasn't interested since he was leaving the practice shortly after I saw him. One bright side is my Pain Dr's were on the right track so I got that going for me.

Congrats on your diagnosis, Mike! I can only imagine the relief you feel.

Let us know how the block works, ok?

I had the Facet Joint injections on Tuesday. I had immediate relief from the anesthetic (good thing). Then on Wednesday most of the pain was back and the waiting began to see if the steriod part of the injection would work. By Thursday for the first time in what feels like forever I had very little back pain . Today is Friday and its all still good as far as the back is concerned, the feet are still the feet but I will take that.

The Facet Joint injections seem like a very diagnogstic procedure compared to everything else so that part was interesting. I think this describes it well http://www.spine-health.com/treatmen...relief-results

I guess since I'm experiencing relief its all good at the moment and its wait & see how long it lasts.

The pain Dr had me up the Lyrica to 2 in the PM & 1 in the AM so I guess I will have to see what that does. Like I've said many times if I didn't have to wear shoes & socks life would be so much better.

Good Luck to all & thanks for listening

Well its been a little over a month since my facet block and for the past 2 weeks I've been getting more & more miserable so the pain Dr wants to try another facet block tomorrow. My best guess is I had relief from the 1st shot for a little over 2 weeks. I'm not having lots of optimism for the next shot or a radial neurotomy providing me relief.

The increased dosage of lyrica has helped a little I guess it gives me the same relief as the Gralise.

I don't think the Tramadol for the "bad" days isn't for me. The feeling of shallow breathing is spooky and I swear I my sleep is worse the few times I've tried it. The last time I had a "bad" day and gave in & took a pill I tried going back to a 5/325 hydrodone and had way more relief and a better nights sleep.

The one thing I am certain of is I will never again have another EMG. They say most of your pain is from your nueropathy not from you back. While the MRI & Myelogram show DDD in L3,4 & 5.

Thanks for listening