I'm a healthy 30 year old white male, 6'1 and 145 lbs. In mid-2011 I started developing a pain in my buttocks when sitting, would be on one side or the other, at random. I never had a car accident, fall, or other event that could’ve caused this. I started seeing doctors shortly after it began but the amount of pain increased as the months went on. It is primarily in the buttocks and legs, not the low back, so I am calling it sciatica for lack of a more specific term. It is a very diffuse pain, not sensitive to the touch, gets worse with prolonged sitting, better with walking, and sometimes feels like pins and needles. As the months have gone on, I have developed pain higher up in the muscles in my back, but this is unpredictable.

I have been through many diagnostics: blood work, 3 x-rays, 6 MRIs, 2 EMGs. They have looked at my pelvis, hips, lumbar spine, and even my thoracic spine. None of these indicated an obvious diagnosis or source of pain. The docs tell me the imaging shows I have a fairly normal 30 year old back.

I have a drawer full of prescriptions I have tried. NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, anti-epileptics, anti-depressants, patches, cymbalta, ultram, hydrocodone, topical lotions, etc. I have been to orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, physical medicine & rehabilitation, rheumatologists, neurosurgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, and acupuncture. I travelled from Texas to the Mayo Clinic but did not get any answers there.

I have been through several injections: lumbar spine, piriformis, SI joint, and L4-L5/L5-S1 facet joints; none of them made much of a difference in my pain except for the SI joint that seemed to give some temporary relief that day, but nothing after 8 hours.

Despite the fact that I have no clear diagnosis, one doctor I saw recommended a trial of a spinal cord stimulator. I am so desperate to get something that manages the pain better that I am considering it.

Wow, you've been through the wringer, haven't you??
Well, welcome to our neck of the woods (internet).
I dealt with 36 years of chronic pain can well relate to the ridiculous number of doctors and procedures that were tried. Then my pain mgmt doc suggests SCS and I was extremely hesitant. I tried chiropractics, acupuncture, etc. etc. While the vast majority of the procedures (edit to add, "DID NOT give me any relief) a few gave me some level of relief nothing was permanent. I was sick of "Band-Aids" and, quite frankly, sick of going to 'yet another doctor'.

I don't know if this helps or not but - welcome to the forum, anyway!

Well it helps me, even though I am going through some programming glitches at the moment, and I'm relatively young. (38) it's great and I'm much more active.

I understand it hurts a LOT, and all I can say is if insurance is a go for a Trial, that procedure can reveal to you the entire picture whether your doc's comment was on target or way wide...... One thing you need to know though, is you are slender enough with your frame, you might find the implant of a generator in your hip [the usual place] to be uncomfortable. A skinny bum is a hard bum in which to hide a generator.

My backside is quite ample, and hides my generator well while it has provided me the comfort of having the SCS which has restored my life. Ahhhhhhh.

Trial is the way to find out,
Yup,
Mark56

Welcome hurtstosit! Most of us here have been through all that you have described. It is usually a never ending series of doctor's visits while they try to figure out what is wrong with you. Sorry you have had to deal with all of this.

When I was first approached about a spinal cord stimulator I too thought I was way too young. However, I it is the best thing I have ever done for my pain - so I have no complaints. If it gives you some relief and some semblance of life back - then it doesn't hurt to give it a try

Welcome!
I'm sorry for the reason which brings you, but we're always grateful to have this place to share and not feel like we're alone in this.

This pain you describe - pins and needles - does it also feel like a burning pain? Have any of your docs mentioned any type of neuropathy (nerve pain)?
If so, then the chances of the SCS working for you would be pretty high.

Like the others have said, if you have confidence in your doctor, then shoot, go for the trial. I just wish you had a more clear diagnosis.
Stick around! You'll get great input here and you will gain an accurate understanding of what is involved. There's a diverse group of testimonies here, so you'll hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I too am tickled pink with my SCS. It does great in covering my horrendous burning peripheral neuropathy in both legs and lower back. It's a very soothing sensation.

Glad you're here!

Rae

Yes I wish I had a clear diagnosis as well. Some doctors have characterized this pain as neuropathic and I would agree given the mix of pins and needles sensations across my pelvis and sometimes down my legs.

Hi Hurtstosit.....

Welcome to this great forum you will get all the help and advice you need here, so ask ask ask as much as you want.

I do think from reading your post that you MIGHT benefit from a trial for the SCS. I suffer with Failed Back Syndrome after having numerous operations on my lower back ie. spinal fusions, discetomies, removal of hardware and then having the SCS permanently implanted, which is there now two years and definitely it is having a very positive effect on my lower back and down my legs. I suffer with a lot of leg pain from my buttocks to my feet and this definitely helps that pain. I too can relate to the pins and needles. I also get this awful burning sensation in my legs which drives me to distraction but the SCS helps that too.

Im not off all my meds but I have certainly reduced them....

Definitely go for the trial and see how you get on, it could just be the answer to your prayers

Take care

Jackie

Well Hurts, I know there is no VOTE here, just that my results from the SCS have been so positive as Jackiey relates for herself, and my symptoms are low lumbar from the waist down the legs..... so, given I no longer consume any pain meds and control it all via the SCS I am a positive thinker from experience.

Yup,
Mark56zz
P.S. Thank you, Jackiey!!

I am not surprised that you don't have a deffinative dx yet. If you have a couple of operations, they can always call it Failed Back Syndrome. Bad joke.

Don't be concerned about getting an scs at your age if the trial gives you relief. You need to remain functional. If it gives you this and helps keep the pain meds to a minimum you will be amoung the blessed. Take it one day at a time and stick around here for support. Best wishes.