[Glassman]

I was wondering if there is anyone to give me some information. I've had 2 fusion surgeries - one at L5-S1 & the last one at L5-L4. Well after the surgery, I have pain down both legs and can no longer work. I have tried all the drugs (cymbalta, gabapentin, divalproex, lyrica) and they don’t work. Now they want me to try the SCS. It seems to be the last thing to try. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Glassman

I was wondering if there is anyone to give me some information. I've had 2 fusion surgeries - one at L5-S1 & the last one at L5-L4. Well after the surgery, I have pain down both legs and can no longer work. I have tried all the drugs (cymbalta, gabapentin, divalproex, lyrica) and they don’t work. Now they want me to try the SCS. It seems to be the last thing to try. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Pain Management. I don't mean to be blunt, and welcome. I don't see any harm in trying the "strap-on" trial version to see if you're a good candidate, and it may help you a great deal. If not, you may be looking at pain management, which may offer other alternatives.

This may help:
http://pain-topics.org/pdf/IntractablePainSurvival.pdf

Doc

[Rrae]

Originally Posted by Glassman

I was wondering if there is anyone to give me some information. I've had 2 fusion surgeries - one at L5-S1 & the last one at L5-L4. Well after the surgery, I have pain down both legs and can no longer work. I have tried all the drugs (cymbalta, gabapentin, divalproex, lyrica) and they don’t work. Now they want me to try the SCS. It seems to be the last thing to try. Any suggestions? Thanks.

So happy to see you found your way to the SCS/Pain Pump forum.
This is a very active forum full of wonderful friends who will be more than happy to share anything to be of help!

I'm so sorry to hear of this bilateral leg pain. Not what you needed after going thru these back surgeries! BUT the good thing is - your doctor seems to be looking out for your best interests and has pointed you in a direction that he believes could possibly help you immensely.
I, and many others here suffer from unrelenting leg pain of a neuropathic (Burning) nature.
The SCS is especially known for it's high success rate in the lower limbs.
Many of us can testify that we are amazed at what this unit has done for us.

Here is a very informative link that explains everything about the SCS and the trial....
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

I would not hesitate one bit to at least do the trial. Make sure your insurance covers this, as it is a high dollar procedure.....but well worth it if it means getting your quality of life back.

Welcome aboard!
Please feel at home here! We are like one big caring family and we are always looking out for each other.

Ask anything and holler if you need help in finding your way around!

Truly Caring
Rae

[Mark56]

Rae and Dr Smith have good points. You are involved in a personal devil of a situation regarding pain management. Prescribed meds physical therapy and other means are the usual means to address pain. SCS surgery is the course of last resort, and as Rae explains giving a go with the Trial surgery affords you an opportunity to weigh the potential benefits of a full blown implant surgery, since with the Trial only two small leads are inserted through needle sized access points in the skin.

Hope we helped! Welcome to our group of seekers of information!
Mark56

[Glassman]

thank you all for your input it is nice to have a place to ask others in your tip of pain for help. thank you all

Hi Glassman

I too have spinal fusions in both L4/L5 and L5/S1 and it failed unfortunately.

I eventually went to the Pain Management clinic and tried all the conservative methods of pain relief, ie drugs, injections, infusions and then finally I was asked to try out the SCS......and I have to say that it is definitely worth a trial.

I have constant pain in my lower back and down my legs. The burning stabbing piercing pain in my legs is awful. The SCS is definitely great for this burning etc.......

You should definitely think about it and definitely go for a trial (make sure your approved as Rae mentioned) and if you get the results that you need then hey presto your on your way.....

I wish you the very best of luck

Jackie

[Mark56]

Originally Posted by Jackiey

Hi Glassman

I too have spinal fusions in both L4/L5 and L5/S1 and it failed unfortunately.

I eventually went to the Pain Management clinic and tried all the conservative methods of pain relief, ie drugs, injections, infusions and then finally I was asked to try out the SCS......and I have to say that it is definitely worth a trial.

I have constant pain in my lower back and down my legs. The burning stabbing piercing pain in my legs is awful. The SCS is definitely great for this burning etc.......

You should definitely think about it and definitely go for a trial (make sure your approved as Rae mentioned) and if you get the results that you need then hey presto your on your way.....

I wish you the very best of luck

Jackie

I truly empathize with your situation and find you so strong and remarkable in sharing your deep pain with those others who need to know.

Blessings on you and your family this weekend,
Admirably,
Mark56

[vannafeelbettr]

I have L4/L5 & L5/S1 radiculopathies due to badly degenerated discs and I suffer from both brachial and lumbar plexopathy and RSD. I LOVE my neurostimulators (have 2 --one for upper and one for lower extremities)

I say give the trial a try. Not much to lose!!!

Best of Luck!!!

[Leesha33]

Hi Glassman!

I have had the exact same operations even at the same levels. I had the leg pain and the fusions never helped my back pain. I was diagnosed with "Failed Back Syndrome" and it appears that you are in the same boat.
I was also referred to pain management. I think that is the best option. Everyone has a different course of treatments so it can be trial and error but there are options that can really help you. I don't know much about the SCS because I have a pain pump but it sounds like many people benefit from them. I used to work with a guy that had one and he still took pain medication on occasion but it allowed him to work. I am still in pain everyday but my pump allows me to work.

Have you had many injections? The cortisone shots did nothing for my back or neck pain but I had Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation about 9 months ago and it really helped my leg pain. I was going to post a link but if you just Google it there is a ton of information about the procedure. It was too hard to narrow down which website to post.

Good luck and keep us all posted

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Leesha33

Everyone has a different course of treatments so it can be trial and error but there are options that can really help you.

Hi Glassman,

I just wanted to add... "all the drugs" you mentioned are associated with neuropathy and nerve pain (and that list is far from comprehensive). Missing also are any opioid analgesics. Opioids are not the first line choice for nerve pain, but are not to be feared either. In combination with the right "nerve pain medications" - most of which were originally developed for some other purpose - can be very effective for many. Whether due to the combinatorial effect or the particular system of the patient, a mixture, or cocktail of meds can often be more effective than one med alone - something which many intractable pain patients have learned on their journeys.

Pain management is a process, and surgery of any kind should always be the very last option. Here's a diagram, that I've seen in a couple of different forms now, that seems to be gaining popularity.
http://www.nationalpainfoundation.or...e-technologies

Even the folks pushing the SCS acknowledge it's on the last tier; there are still many other options (not all are mentioned in the article/diagram) to be tried.

Best wishes,

Doc