[SailinJane]

I am a 64 yr old woman in relatively good health other than the Spinal Stenosis, DDD and arthritis. I was injured in an auto accident in 1992 and my life has never been the same. I've had 2 neck surgeries and 2 back surgeries and now dealing with severe stenosis with unbearable pain going down both legs but predominantly my right leg. I underwent an outpatient surgery to have a titanium spacer, actually 2 of them, placed between the damaged vertabrae in hopes of that relieving the pressure on the nerves in my spinal column. I was pain free for almost 6 months then it was if someone flipped a switch and the pain came back worse than before. My pain Dr. didn't have much to say after that except that we could try injections again although that did not work to begin with. I'm so discouraged and so very depressed with this situation. I have no life other than work, thankfully I work from home on my computer. I can't even enjoy playing with my golden retriever because I can't walk more than 10 feet before I have to sit down...the pain is so severe it takes my breath away. I feel like I'm 110 yrs old and just plain miserable. I welcome any info or suggestions on this subject. I just can't accept that this is what my life will be like until I die... we can put people on the moon...there should be a remedy for this!!

[Jomar]

The dr didn't say what might have changed?
No new imaging to check?
Just wondering ...
maybe the DDD has progressed
the spacers moved
something new?

Might be time for second opinion from independent dr.
I would ask for new imaging, if your dr can't communicate why the pain started up suddenly..
Either it is not treatable and long term pain management needs to be talked about.. but the dr needs to be clear if that is the case...( maybe a spinal stim implant) , or beyond drs skill set, or ??

You might need to press for the hard truth, or for new imaging...and ask for a copy of the written MRI report if you get one.. It helps when going for other options too

[caroline2]

So sorry OP for all the misery. I've dealt with back issues since I was 18 and now 82, and never a back surgery, did a LOT of bodywork over my years and sadly I was truly left a mess when I opted for a hip replacement 10 yrs ago, talk about damage. Thank goodness I'm retired and had a good life and did a lot but I'm convinced the more surgeries the more damage done to body. As one PRP doctor in our areas says, Can't Undo Surgery..

I've been taking supplements for decades and getting bodywork from many workers over my life and now I count on my walker to keep walking, but surely can't walk far.

Wish I could offer something, but I know PRP can work for many and if you can find a provider in your area and get a consult, this could be something positive. Here is a list of providers in the world and this is probably only partial since more and more MD's are getting into Prolotherapy work.

Find Regenerative Medicine Doctors - GetProlo.com

[caroline2]

I should have added I do 30 minutes of morning stretches and then more during the day, on my bed. I learned a lot from PT when I was in rehabs from hip replacement and along the way got a messed up know from hip surgery.. Talk about vicious circles. . Now since you have more hardware in your body, wonder how much you can do. It's so good to stretch out the lower back/spine. Have you done PT work, one can learn a lot from these workers. I sure did.

[Jomar]

Does the new pain match up with the spine level where the spacers were used? Maybe they can slip or move out of the placement area
Usualy for legs it would be the Lumbar area.?
Did you go to a spine specialist before the pain management dr?
I don't know if they refer you back for a re-evaluation, or how that works , but worth asking about..

[SailinJane]

Thank you for your reply and good advice. I just made an appt with another spine and pain management clinic. I know that new images are needed and I really didn't feel like my previous Dr was taking my situation seriously. thanks again!

[SailinJane]

Thank you so much for the reply and the information...I will definitely look into it. I agree about the surgeries...if I had known then what I know now I never would have gone down that road but I suppose I can say that about a lot of choices in my life...take care and thanks again.

[SailinJane]

Thanks for your reply. My pain management doc was who my Primary referred me to but my gut is telling me to get another opinion and keep searching for remedies. I have just made an appt with another Dr and I'm sure he will want new images which only makes sense. Whenever I don't follow my intuition I end up in a worse situation so this time I'm listening! Thanks again for your reply!