Microdiscetomy, TLIF, Injections, Pain Mgt-no relief

[Robertsmithsnan]

Where do I go from here.
Mechanically everything looks fine as per my consultant but, I'm in pain, all day every day.
I'm on a cocktail of drugs, the only time I have no pain is when I'm asleep.

I've tried everything, pain management specialist, physio, reflexology, needling absolutely nothing works.

I use a tens machine all day every day, so much I have burn marks on my back.

I am at a total loss, I have an appointment with my GP next month, they will just give me different drugs.

I work, go home and lay down, thst is my life. It's miserable. I see no end to my pain.

Steroid injections helped in the short term (6-12 months) for the chronic pain from osteoarthritis in my facet joints, I had them done once a year for a few years in my 30’s. Then the consultant wouldn’t let me have any more because of my age and risks of long term use side effects.

After those I had nerve ablation done a couple of times, not a pleasant experience but that helped for longer, about 18 months the first time, then a year with the second procedure, the nerves do regrow.

Other health issues have taken over since then so I haven’t had it done again since. If my general health was better I’d definitely get those procedures done again. The steroid injections were way easier to have done and recover from. They didn’t last as long as the nerve ablation though.

If your local hospital has a pain clinic then ask if they do these types of procedures and you should be able to get your GP to refer you

Thank you.
Ive had injections into the Sacroiliac joint, no improvement at all

I have had nerve ablation on my SI joints. If you had a few days of relief after the steroid injections from the local anaesthetic, thats a good indicator that they can target the right nerves. Between that and regular pilates, my back is much better, but as PP said, the nerves do grow back and my arthritis won't vanish.
Edit to ask, have you had a MRI? If thats clear, do you have any endometriosis signs? I always have significant additional pain round my period.

My friend found the best relief from pain patches. Sorry if you've already tried these

If this has been very extreme, then you must check on your routine there might be something wrong there, either there would be a lack of sleep or some other underlying issue about which you are actually not thinking. You could also try some therapy because sometimes due to mental stress or strain pain in body also occurs and once that gets sorted, the pain starts to reduce gradually.

A proper diagnosis would help you get a a better management plan and would improve your routine.

I have had constant pain from a hip replacement...they x-ray and MRI and pat me on the head and tell me it is fine .... it is NOT. It hurts like hell.
I have also had a microdiscectomy which has brought a lot of relief from sciatic pain.
I also have trapped nerves in my neck and elbow.
So ... pain is a constant companion. There seems to be nothing I can take to make it all go away. It's very tiring.

I found that acupuncture helped me hugely when I slipped my disc and was waiting for surgery. I had a nerve root block injection which only helped for a few days and ended up having an endoscopic microdiscectomy just over two years ago. I’ve had a history of back problems for 40 years but my back gave way altogether 3.5 years ago and I was bedbound for several weeks, to the point that it took me half an hour to get to and from the toilet on my hands and knees. Since the surgery, I would say thst Im now at least 95% recovered - it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I was conscious for the surgery, which was daunting, and I can remember a couple of horrendously painful bits, but it was worth it.