Re: pain relief if choosing not to do revision

[Guest guest]

I didn't have much success with the nerve blocks either. I tried several times, and occasionally they would help for a couple of weeks after a few days of increased pain, but other times they only increased my pain with no days of pain relief after that. I've spent two years working with a pain management physician, who has sent me to physical therapy, aquatic therapy, acupuncture, had me use a TENS unit, and prescribed various medications. The medications and TENS unit helped some, but the other things really didn't help much. After realizing that nothing was going to solve the problem, and thus that I would be on medications for the rest of my life (which would be a long time since I'm currently 31), she suggested surgery. I consulted with two different surgeons, spoke with various people online about the procedure, and read various materials about it, before finally deciding to go through with it. I am terrified to have such a major operation again. This would be my fourth surgery, but my second that would really be major. My initial scoliosis fusion was in 1992. I am really hoping that it will give me a better quality of life, but it definitely is a risk.

If you haven't tried all the different types of non-surgical pain management methods, such as the ones I listed above, you could do that before attempting surgery. But depending on the exact cause of your pain, they may give you some relief, but not treat the underlying structural problem. If your primary care doctor won't explore these different options with you, you will need to find a pain management physician. A physiatrist may also be helpful. My primary care physician first referred me to a physiatrist, who handles nerve blocks, physical therapy, TENS units, and some medications. One I was referred to pain management instead, that's when I was prescribed aquatic therapy, acupuncture, and stronger pain medications.

I hope some of this is helpful to you. If you'd like me to elaborate further on any of these points, just let me know. Curranmelissacurran530@...

Beaded RelicsHandmade Jewelry by Curranwww.beadedrelics.com

[Guest guest]

Diane,

 

Where are you living now?

 

As to blocks or epidurals, some can get some limited help from them, I didn't.

 

Physical therapy, and swimming does help some patients. Massage too.

 

Pain management, differing forms of medication, helps too for some.

 

If you have Flatback, it's a structural problem, that needs a surgical fix, the other ideas are bandaides and mask the underlying problem which is your loss of Lordosis. Many of us also have arthritis, DDD, stenosis and a cascade of other problems too. This doctor who told you further fusion wouldn't guarntee a solution, is for the most part incorrect, most who have their fusion extended to the sacrum and other issues addressed, find for the most part a good reduction in pain, and by getting their Lordosis restored, avoiding further deterioration. Some like me, have had their pain ended. Doc's who find themselves talking about this above their skill level tend to be negative about Revision surgery. Believe me there are docs out their who are comfortable doing this surgery, do it often and well, and have given a real quality of life back to their patients. This doc maybe outside his limit of skills, and knows it, and that is why he's so discouraging. Many of us have to seek out several opinions. I was told for YEARS, to learn to live with it, nothing could be or should be done, and if I had listened to them I'd still be a balled up mess living on my couch in pain and not living my life.

 

Do go to the Scoliosis Research Society page, www.srs.org , their is a doc locator  there by country, look for docs with Aging Spine in their description. Also let us know where you are, and if travel to the states is possible.

 

Have hope, there are far more good stories out there than you think about revision, I'm one, truly changed my life and gave me back the ability to live a full active life.

 

Welcome to the group and posting, and we look forward to hearing from you as you move through the process.

 

Colorado Springs, CO

On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 5:56 AM, dianel489 <dianel489@...> wrote:

 

Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any input you can give.

[Guest guest]

My Dr suggested nerve blockers for me as well- the only problem was to have the actual injections, the Dr told me I would have to lay on my stomache for upwards of 20 minutes...not sure about the rest of you, but I cannot lay on my tummy for 1 minute let alone 20-

Flatbackers- does anyone else have problems laying on their tummy?

Thanks!!

Karyn

Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any input you can give.

[Guest guest]

I have trouble laying on my tummy too, but they used

positioners/pillows under my tummy, so it wasn't like laying flat. Not

comfortable, but not horrible either.

On 2/13/11, Izarah Star <izarahstar@...> wrote:

> My Dr suggested nerve blockers for me as well- the only problem was to have

> the actual injections, the Dr told me I would have to lay on my stomache for

> upwards of 20 minutes...not sure about the rest of you, but I cannot lay on

> my tummy for 1 minute let alone 20-

> Flatbackers- does anyone else have problems laying on their tummy?

> Thanks!!

> Karyn

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> Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have

> Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have

> suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few

> months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone

> and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and

> cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery

> was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very

> frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does

> anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any

> input you can give.

>

>

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>

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>

--

Curran

melissacurran530@...

Beaded Relics

Handmade Jewelry by Curran

www.beadedrelics.com

[Guest guest]

I am exactly like that....last two vertebrae not fused.Pamela

From: izarahstar@...Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:44:48 -0800Subject: Re: [ ] pain relief if choosing not to do revision

My Dr suggested nerve blockers for me as well- the only problem was to have the actual injections, the Dr told me I would have to lay on my stomache for upwards of 20 minutes...not sure about the rest of you, but I cannot lay on my tummy for 1 minute let alone 20-

Flatbackers- does anyone else have problems laying on their tummy?

Thanks!!

Karyn

Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any input you can give.

[Guest guest]

Diane, I have a local Dr who has done 3 flatbacks a year and he has a discouraging attitude too...didn't seem gun-ho about surgery...so let's listen to and go with the best Dr.'s or we may have to do another fix it surgery down the road.Pamela

From: susan.kirkaldie@...Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:33:42 -0700Subject: Re: [ ] pain relief if choosing not to do revision

Diane,

Where are you living now?

As to blocks or epidurals, some can get some limited help from them, I didn't.

Physical therapy, and swimming does help some patients. Massage too.

Pain management, differing forms of medication, helps too for some.

If you have Flatback, it's a structural problem, that needs a surgical fix, the other ideas are bandaides and mask the underlying problem which is your loss of Lordosis. Many of us also have arthritis, DDD, stenosis and a cascade of other problems too. This doctor who told you further fusion wouldn't guarntee a solution, is for the most part incorrect, most who have their fusion extended to the sacrum and other issues addressed, find for the most part a good reduction in pain, and by getting their Lordosis restored, avoiding further deterioration. Some like me, have had their pain ended. Doc's who find themselves talking about this above their skill level tend to be negative about Revision surgery. Believe me there are docs out their who are comfortable doing this surgery, do it often and well, and have given a real quality of life back to their patients. This doc maybe outside his limit of skills, and knows it, and that is why he's so discouraging. Many of us have to seek out several opinions. I was told for YEARS, to learn to live with it, nothing could be or should be done, and if I had listened to them I'd still be a balled up mess living on my couch in pain and not living my life.

Do go to the Scoliosis Research Society page, www.srs.org , their is a doc locator there by country, look for docs with Aging Spine in their description. Also let us know where you are, and if travel to the states is possible.

Have hope, there are far more good stories out there than you think about revision, I'm one, truly changed my life and gave me back the ability to live a full active life.

Welcome to the group and posting, and we look forward to hearing from you as you move through the process.

Colorado Springs, CO

On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 5:56 AM, dianel489 <dianel489@...> wrote:

Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any input you can give.

[Guest guest]

Pillows under the ankles also helped tremendously.

Cindi A.- Tallahassee,Fl

Izarah Star <izarahstar@...> wrote:

>My Dr suggested nerve blockers for me as well- the only problem was to have the

actual injections, the Dr told me I would have to lay on my stomache for upwards

of 20 minutes...not sure about the rest of you, but I cannot lay on my tummy for

1 minute let alone 20-

>Flatbackers- does anyone else have problems laying on their tummy?

>Thanks!!

>Karyn

>

> 

>

>

>

>

> 

>

>

>

>Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have

Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered

with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the

extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My

doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough

of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no

longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the

subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain

management? Thanks for any input you can give.

[Guest guest]

I had to have a CT myelogram and then have a cyst ruptured in my spine all while laying on my stomach – which is not comfortable for me either  They gave me a foam block under my tummy or the hips which helped a lot. Jeanne From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of CindiSent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 2:34 PM Subject: Re: [ ] pain relief if choosing not to do revision Pillows under the ankles also helped tremendously.Cindi A.- Tallahassee,FlIzarah Star <izarahstar@...> wrote:>My Dr suggested nerve blockers for me as well- the only problem was to have the actual injections, the Dr told me I would have to lay on my stomache for upwards of 20 minutes...not sure about the rest of you, but I cannot lay on my tummy for 1 minute let alone 20->Flatbackers- does anyone else have problems laying on their tummy?>Thanks!!>Karyn>> >>>>> >>>>Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any input you can give.

[Guest guest]

My surgery was done in 1974. I was 14. fused from T3-L4. I find resting after

being up on my feet for hours helps a lot,I mean i lye down before the pain gets

too bad. The last 2 dics are invisible on x-rays so they are rubbing constantly

together.Rest works for me as well as keeping my weight down & my core strong.

Good luck to you.

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> >Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have

Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered

with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the

extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My

doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough

of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no

longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the

subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain

management? Thanks for any input you can give.

>

[Guest guest]

Diane, My spine deteriorated to the point that my life was severely restricted. I spent all my time lying down and still was in enough pain that I could not sleep and was miserable. I was given 150mcg fentenyl patches (2- 75mcg patches worn together) and 4mg dilaudid 3X’s a day and this combination has allowed me to be up and about and to sleep. I still have pain and could not work but am able to grocery shop, prepare meals and do laundry, none of which I could do before. My revision surgery for flatback needs to be paid for by worker’s comp and the meds are allowing me to plow through the red tape until I can get approval. The other thing that helps me is ice. I put ice packs on my neck and lumbar area frequently as they give me relief. I find the blue ‘freezer packs’ work well. Good Luck to you, Kate

From: dianel489

Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:56 AM

Subject: [ ] pain relief if choosing not to do revision

Hi. I underwent my scoliosis surgery in 1981 at the age of 22 and have Harrington rods that are till in place. I am now 52 and though I have suffered with chronic back pain for years it has worsened in the last few months to the extent that I cannot get ANY relief even while on Prednisone and Tramadol. My doctor does not believe that a nerve block will help and cannot guarantee enough of a change with another fusion. Although my surgery was done in the US, I am no longer living there and am frankly very frightened of such major surgery and the subsequent recovery period. Does anyone have any helpful advice regarding pain management? Thanks for any input you can give.