Hopefully today I will find out if my insurance will cover a Lumbar ICE Procedure. It kinda freaks me out though. They stick a catheter in your back so that the meds will drip for 3 days. I've tried everything else though. I seriously wish I could be on narcotics, but I get addicted, and that never turns out great.

I'm so tired of my back hurting, and they keep saying I'm "too young" for surgery. Which makes no damn sense b/c I had back surgery when I was 15. I'm 28 now.

Anyways, anyone had this done? What was the outcome?

Welcome to Neuro Talk. I have not heard of that proceedure for back pain. I will have to look it up. Have you done research? What was the result of your MRI? There are alot of people here on Neuro Talk, who may be able to help you. Hang in there. Ginnie

I've looked it up and all I've found is documents on how to do it. With drawings... I haven't found anything else.

I had an MRI a couple years back, and I have 2 herniated discs in my lower back, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis.

I've done a lot of epidurals over the years, and they don't work that long anymore, maybe 3 weeks max. Did a trial for nerve blocks with novocaine, which made my back worse. I'm currently taking gabapentin, tramadol, mobic, and zanaflex for my back. I saw my back dr monday, and he gave me a prescription for Lidoderm Patches, but insurance said no. I'm going to appeal their decision though. I called them last night and I was so ****** off, I'm surprised I didn't yell at the guy. Oh well. Maybe I'll get better.

My goal is to be able to walk 3 miles by October b/c I'm doing the Suicide Prevention walk, in memory of my friend from psychcentral. So I'm going to do it, whether I'm in pain or not.

That was 13 years ago. There are a lot of things medicine doesn't do now that they used to do (bloodletting, ice pick lobotomies, ingesting mercury, thalidomide for pregnant women.... ) Yes, I'm exaggerating (somewhat), but medical practices do change.

TODAY, many are concerned about Failed Back Syndrome.

There is also an issue of corrosion of spinal implants, which isn't necessarily age-related, but... "Corrosion has been reported on retrieved spinal implants for a number of years." -- Spinal Implants: Are We Evaluating Them Appropriately?, Issue 1431
See also: Long-term results from Lumbar Spinal Fusion beginning at post #34.

Everyone's case is different -- nay -- unique. Lots of variables, and no "one-size-fits-all". Some doctors (mine included) are now of the opinion that the benefits of some spine surgeries do not outweigh the risks, and ther outcomes are often no better than PT/less-invasive therapies. There will always be surgeons willing to take the risk (and fees), but we patients are inevitably the ones who will have to live (and possibly suffer) with the results.

Personally, I side with the more conservative opinions, but as I said, there are many many variables, and every situation is different. It wouldn't take much (more pain, threat of paralysis, etc) to convince me to consider the knife, but I'd investigate more thoroughly than anything I've done before, get multiple opinions, and assemble the best team I could find. Surgery cannot be undone.

Doc

I never said I wanted surgery. I know all about lower back surgery and what are the options. I've done a lot of research and I've been to a lot of specialists. I even made the trip down to Duke University.

Right now, we're just trying to get the pain more tolerable. Surgery hasn't even been brought up with my Dr. I was just noting what past Drs have said.

I'm just really looking for thoughts on the procedure I'm having. Cause I can't find anything online, so I thought I'd come on here to get some input.

I usually am fairly good with research. No luck in finding out what the ice proceedure is. I am not sure anyone on NT has had it done. If they did, it hasn't come to light. I sure would like to know what it is. I think before I did any proceedure I would have to have some kind of education or written explainations before I did it. Just my own take on it. Wish I could have been more helpful. I wish you all the best. ginnie

Hi Ginnie,

Try: infusion catheter epidural

This article is (IMO) pretty good; I generally like PPM.
Infusion Catheter Epidural

I don't recall any discussions here either; the archives turn up a half dozen or so posts, but they don't appear pertinent. I don't seem to find too many discussions on it except a few older ones on Usenet (now Google Groups).

Doc

Thanks for the input, I need to learn about this more. This was the first time it turned up for conversation. Nothing popped up on Google, or JAMA. I apprecitae you sending it on to me. ginnie

I've been walking around with this catheter in my back for 3 days now, and I'm sooooo ready for it to be taken out. It has really helped my back, but now I feel all my other pain. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner.