Severe Thoracic Pain - Any advice appreciated.
 

Hi Everyone,
Will try make this as brief as possible. I was 18 when my lumbar pain began. I ended up having surgery a few years later.
In the early 1990's I had a double spinal fusion L5-S1 and L5-L4. 2 yrs later had L4-L3 fused. Then my pelvic joint was out and was told i needed to have the sacro-iliac joint fused on the left side, due to severe leg numbness.
I will say each surgery was successful on paper, but it only lasted 6months to a year max before it flared again in the next level of spine. Then they found out i had DDD and degeneration of the spine.
In 2001 I had a spinal stimulator implanted which was the best thing I ever did, was off all pain meds. Unfortunately in 2002 I was in a car accident, sitting at red light and a car rear-ended us. I had severe whiplash, so now have neck problems as well, but it made a mess of the spinal stimulator. They could not get it working again and because of the damage could not replace it. I have left leg weakness and numbness, and left foot drop, lumbar and thoracic pain and neck pain.

Hence here I am 11yrs on, and I’m having severe thoracic problems around the T11-T12 level. I don't know how to deal with it, It seems if I compensate for my lumbar pain I stir my thoracic pain up.
I’m not looking at having any surgery unless it was critical. I was wondering how others have worked around it and what have they done that helps them to cope on a day to day basis.
I don’t know how to proceed and am struggling on a daily basis.

I have had chronic pain for years but have managed it the best I can in the last 15yrs, have my good and bad days but knew what I could and couldn’t do most of the time.
The last six months have been absolute hell and don’t know how much longer I can keep going if it doesn’t improve a little. I’m more house bound as I struggle to drive now. I struggle to stand after ½ hour and walk long distances. It’s really affecting my life.
Please if you have any ideas or advice Id really appreciate it.
Thank you

Hi Louise, Welcome.

Your history sounds like a classic case of failed back syndrome :(

Do you mean that they could not replace the SCS because of damage to the stimulator itself or because of damage to your spine? If the latter, what about second/third opinions from other surgeons on starting over from scratch?

Is a pain pump (intrathecal pump) out of the question?

Are you in a location where medical cannabis is an option?

I'm sure you've already been through the whole gamut of pain management & physiatry, so other than something like the above, I'm stumped/tapped out on ideas. I sincerely hope others may have some thoughts.

Doc

Thanks for responding Dr. Smith.
Yes too much scar tissue and damage in that area to be able to replace it unfortunately.
As for the pain pump, my meds have always worked quite well until recently, and both Pain Drs feel I may not be suitable for pain pump.

I live in Australia, we are very anti medical marijuana unfortunately.

Thanks again as any thoughts ideas are appreciated :)