OT: My Mom had a microdiscectomy for a herniated disk and now has neuropathy

[Guest guest]

Hello,

My Mom had a microdiscectomy for a herniated disk in May of this year

and now has severe unbearable neuropathy.

Her surgeon sent her to pain management and she got several cortisone

injections and no help.

She took one dose of Lyrica and it nearly killed her. She shook all

night after a single dose.

She cries most days from the unbearable pain and her quality of life

due to chronic pain is very low.

I apologize if it inappropriate to ask for help for her here but I know

many of you suffer from neuropathy.

She is the kindest most gentle woman who has spent a lifetime helping

others. If you have any advise could you contact me?

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I can relate, I had a herniated disk that required surgery about 6

years ago. Of course I had CMT then too. I was on pretty stiff pain

meds after, gradually switching to Percocet, then to Ultram, to Ativan,

and finally ice packs, then into Physical Therapy where I learned back

strengthening exercises (on land and in water) and from that had no

pain. I still do those exercises to this day. (I was still taking

Elavil for burning feet/neuropathy pain then)

Perhaps your Mom can try a stronger med first, gradually decreasing to

the use of ice, and then get a referral into see a Physical Therapist for

specific evaluation and exercise program.

Could the anestheologist have used a medication that caused her

neuropathy, or aggravated what was there before, but hardly noticed and was not

fully aware of anesthetic use in CMT? Perhaps the surgeon as well did not

understand the implications of CMT? And does not understand what neuropathic

pain is like. There are other meds than Lyrica for neuropathic pain you and your

Mom may want to ask the doc for.

Arnica may help, tablets as well as topical gel.

Gretchen