Originally Posted by pinkfloyd

hi I live in the uk and back in 1996 I had a car crash I needed a laminectomy at L4/L5 and all was well for around 5 years .then I started to get worse and one morning woke in agony .this is when I had my second spinal operation a re do of the original and S1 was also chopped at .I knew as soon as I came to from the operation that it was a bad one because I was in pain and could not stand up straight .anyway as they weeks and months rolled on I just went downhill and my pain got so bad that NO ONE would take me on so I started looking into ADR and again no one would take me on but then one consultant near me said that I was unsuitable for ADR and offered me ALIF so as I had no choice I went in on the 29th dec 2011 for my multi level ALIF that was over 3 years ago and I have been in pain since .so my consultant has said that he can do nothing for me and said just keep on with the meds .but I am thinking about the nevro and that's what brings me here .I don't know yet if I am a suitable person as I have not yet seen my local pain consultant .I will update as and when I know .thank you for kindness and for letting me join the forum
PINKFLOYD

Originally Posted by PamelaJune

Hi all, 12 days post procedure which took nearly 3 hours instead of the anticipated one hour and I'm in pain. I just don't know where to put myself. A lengthy background blurb below, sorry, thought it may be cathartic for me...

They only managed to get one lead in, my pain mgt specialist explained he thinks the scar tissue from previous spine operations (5) along with the regular Rhyzotomy and epidurals every 6 to12 months from 2006 and potential bone fragments from my crumbling spine in the thoracic region made it almost impossible to get the leads in. Strangely it wasn't experienced at the trial and he went in at the same place only 4 weeks later. He, my rep Leah and her manager all whom were present at the operation were quite perplexed about it. My rep strongly pushed for him to go ahead with implanting the battery despite only getting the one lead in as her manager and she believe a neurosurgeon here in WA can do a laminotomy and put in a paddle, and that supposedly will give me cover. Nevro apparently don't do the paddle but they are prepared to work with the supplier who does to be able to offer me some pain relief? They are all very disappointed in the outcome so far and my pain Dr so apologetic.

Anyhow, Xmas day passed with me doing little but on Boxing Day I cooked a pork, lamb and chicken roast with non peeled, just scrubbed veg for my 82 year old mother, my sister and her partner and my husband. I shelled the prawns and all work was done standing at the sink and bench top. I also only used bench top ovens and the wall oven (had 3 ovens going) so did no bending and lifted nothing heavier than 1kg, BUT I did bend to reach into the cupboard for a gravy jug and while bending in to look lost my balance somehow and fell backwards landing on my butt!!! I rocked for a second or two and grabbing the bench top pulled myself up.

Friday, Saturday, I rested all day, Sunday I slept all day (tablet induced) and today, my back is still weeping, crying and ridiculing me. I have to say, at all times while I was preparing and cooking I took all precautions, I did not stretch, reach or lift anything heavy and only bent the once (which resulted in me falling to the floor) so in reality, it's just the standing at the bench top shelling the prawns and the fall that may have hurt me so. The meats all took just about an hour and half to cook and in that time I rested. I set the table and decorated by folding up paper water lily napkins which I also did at the bench top. I really did nothing out of the ordinary that I haven't done a million times before!!

I have taken 10mg OxyContin slow release, 5mg Valium (which I hadn't taken for over 4 months) and 5mg endone. I've got 20 mg slow release Oxy as well as 5mg Oxynorm and also 10/5 Targin but I really don't want to take anything more. I take Panamax every 6 hours also. I have persistently taken way less oxy than prescribed over the years as I hate what they do to me and at the most nowadays only take 1x 10mg slow release each day. I also never take oxy after 6pm as for me, oxy makes me feel like I can conquer the world and Before I know it I'm out there in the garden, cleaning, doing domestic chores like sweeping etc, walking the dogs, exercising and then suffer when the drug wears off! Not that I'm doing any of that post the SCS implant, I know I'm not to do anything physical for 12 weeks.

So, has anyone got any bright ideas on what else I can do today for pain relief as my thoracic region is screaming, cervical singing along and lumbar giving it what for as well, mostly though it's the thoracic and it hurts to breathe. Problematic headache also that's been present for 7 days straight now.

Can someone also point me to where I can read up on BLAST?
I found blast!

Originally Posted by PamelaJune

So as a gift to me, I rejoined the gym. Full membership with unlimited access to equipment and the pool. And the best news, they allowed me to renew on my previous membership number allowing me to keep my bronze membership level. Bronze represented 5 years membership, I'm really chuffed, had a good laugh when I went in and scanned my number, my photo from when I joined came up on screen, the receptionist looked at it and said wow you haven't changed. The photo was taken in 2007!

Originally Posted by Mark56

So glad it was more bearable with adjustment. I have to admit stim is not perfect as a solution....but it does help me, and more than that, others as well.

Pain spikes? Still part of my life, especially when I overdo.
Strangely enough, given the odd nerve makeup I live, I 'll be sitting, standing, or lying down and one or another of my legs will experience electric shock sensation....and even jump/jerk. It is kind of embarassing in work or social situations, but folks usually understand.

I truly hope pain resolves to tolerable levels without invasive intervention.

Praying all the best,
M56

Originally Posted by PamelaJune

Oh yes, those electric like nerve shocks are quite the treat. Come out of nowhere, no rhyme or reason, just wham and I suddenly look like I'm surfing a breaker, arms spread wide, knees bent and eyes wide.. Usually accompanied by a loud OH! Definitely the nerves, nothing to do with the stim in case anyone wonders.