Had severe nerve damage in spine .. In agony all the time .. drugs don't work unless I overdose on t

Sorry to hear you are in such pain. I have a frozen shoulder with nerve involvement from my ADCF last year on C 5 + 6. I have been advised by friends to try a TENS machine which I can buy in the chemist here in Australia, otherwise I am so knocked out with meds I cant go out. Might be worth trying. Wish you well. big hugs.

 

Hi Sandy

I have nerve damage in my sciatic nerve and collapsing spine, resulting in L4/L5 being fused. My nerve damage is so severe I had to re-learn how to walk and have a completely dead right leg, but still have chronic nerve pain. I was on over 150 tablets a day just to try to get through each day then I found Mr Al Kaisy at St. Thomas Hospital in London. I was lucky enough to get on to the Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial (SCS) with a Medtronics implant and within 6 weeks of having the permanent one fitted I was off all my meds and back at work (I hadn't been able to work for 2 1/2 years!)

Take a look here - whilst it hasn't made all my other conditions go away (cos I'm complicated) it's been a lifesaver for me nerve pain wise)

http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/perioperative/pain/spinal-cord-stimulation.pdf

Hi Sandy, I really do feel for you, unfortunately you fall in to the 'invisible disability ' category, which means that your needs are not always recognised straight away. Believe me I know, I've contributed to the rule book on this & rule 1... Pester, pester, pester your GP, specialist & pain clinic.

Can I suggest you ask (politely but firmly) about a 'spinal cord stimulator'. I've had one since 1989 & with out a doubt it's helped control my pain to manageable levels. This is an invasive procedure and expensive, hence it's not offered freely. The best route is via your pain clinic if you are in one. If you aren't in a Pain Clinic then get referred to one, they can be invaluable, if there isn't one in your area it's really worth travelling to one. Mine is 50 miles away in Nottingham and I go twice a year. One of the things they are really good at is making your GP refer you to the right people no matter what the GP thinks.

I hope this helps.

First is all, did you have an mri to check what is going on in your back? There is very little explanation on what part of you back is the problem. The reason I am questioning is because I had problem with m my back one year ago. I had a microdistectomy/laminectomy. It did help the nerve pain going down my leg. I still have back pain but I can deal with it along with antiinflammatory and pain meds. I am holding off and having any additional surgery for now..

I'd jump at at the link for the stimulator Sandy, it worked for me as well, although mine was done at Leeds. My implant is also Medtronic but there is one done by either Robinson or Roberts. Either way, who cares if they work.

Hi sandy everyone on this forum understands what your going through , you dont know what to do next, for me my gp was a great help,this is my story if it helps

i was refered to orthopaedic consultant

after back op still in pain

referred to pain clinic at local hospital

they tried with several treatments injections etc to help

referred to st thomas hospital london pain clinic

attended 2 week residential programme at hospital with view of spinal chord stimulator being fitted

One of 30 people trialing new Nevro spinal chord stimulator

5 1/2 years ago

life is greatly improved just bought myself convertible mini