Hi...

I just joined this board and am looking for some advice/input.

History: 2 total hip replacements (2003 & 2006) and have been diagnosed with moderate to fairly severe DDD and stenosis. I am unable to walk any distance (in spite of 2 perfectly functioning bionic hips!) without using a walker. The pain in my left leg is, at times, unbearable...and I am no stranger to pain.

I've done PT for core strengthening, had 3 epidural steroid injections (no help at all) and was given a script for Neurontin from the pain management people who did the injections. I ended up throwing the bottle away....am scared silly of the side affects.

After meeting with my back doc last week, he more or less told me not to come back unless I wanted surgery....a 2 level fusion. Big surgery, as you all know...long recovery, etc. This doc is an orthopod....nice, nice man, knows his stuff.

I simply am not ready to bite the bullet...yet! I take nothing for pain and basically had to beg him for some Tramadol and he gave me 50....with no refills! That's it. He said he write me another script for the Neurontin if I wanted, but I haven't called to ask for it....yet.

I understand that narcotic pain meds don't really help the neuropathic/sciatic pain I have in my leg....and that is my big issue. Has anyone tried the Neurontin and, if so, did it help with the sciatica? I'm just about ready to ignore the side affects to get some pain relief. How about Topomax? I've read it has similar side affects, but one plus is weight loss. My back doc said he wouldn't prescribe it as he hadn't had any clinical experience using it for his patients. I could call pain management and I'm sure they could give me a script.

Have any of you had the Axia LIF procedure for your fusions...or know of anyone who has? After doing some homework, I've found a neurosurgeon here who does this less invasive surgery and will probably be calling his office for a consult. I know I have to do something eventually and want to explore all of my options.

I'm so very frustrated. I had a couple of pain free years after I had my hips replaced and then my back decided to head south. To be honest, I limped along with my hip pain without the use of walking aides prior to my hip surgeries. This leg pain is 10 times worse and makes walking any sort of distance impossible.

So, any advice, thoughts, recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for reading.....
Linda