Sciatic pain

I am the same as you sunny.In 2012 had 2 back operations then the pain started big time, i had another a year later and still the same.Im now waiting to have a spinal cord stimulator fitted.I hope your ok.

Hi Sunny,

sciatic pain is subjective, as is pretty much all pains. I know that my sciatic pain was extremely uncomfortable, especially when walking. None of the pain medicines helped much and then I was offered the Spinal Cord Stimulator. The 2 week test gave me 80% relief but I now have to charge the implant, (IPG or Implantable Pulse Generator), because the battery was flat, then I have to go and get it programmed.

As to your sciatica, have you tried a TENS machine?, I used one before I was offered the implant and it did help somewhat but you have to play with the electrode pads. I found the best place was either side of the spine, NEVER ON THE SPINE, at around L4, L5, S1 levels. It's probably best to try. I got my TENS from the internet but off hand I can't remember where. It gives a higher output than some but I can't use it now, it might damage the IPG.

As I said, all pains are subjective, what is agony for me might be mild for others, that's why it's difficult to make a pain level chart or meter.

Does this help?.

 

hi sunny my advice to you is get your gp to refure you to your local pain clinic as i think they will be able to help you all the best graham

Hi Sunny. Patricia here. Every one of your symptoms can be related to a pinched nerve...especially the burning, tingling, throbbing, and aching. Just because you had surgery 15 yrs Go, does not mean that you might not have done something Beyond that to your back. I had a friend ghat had a fusion L4-L5-S1, was obese and elderly and then prolapsed L2-L3 overthe fusion. I worked with a 30 yr old female nurse that prolapsed L4-5 and had a microdisectomy, went back to work and re-herniated the same disc 3 More times in a 16 month period. She had 2 small children and wa s definitely not following her spinal precautions post-op. Unfortunately, we tend to over due the minute we begin to feel better or we forget alto- gether and begin to mistreat our backs again. A TENS unit could prove helpful but are no longer covered by health insurances here in the US. Ice packs, anti-inflamatories like Ibprophen and a sturdy back brace mightgive you some relief. Good luck and please stay in touch.

Patricia

I am experiencing the same pain as you, and I am awaiting a discography and another operation on my back (I have already had a spinal fusion and decompression, and another decompression),  I have tried all kinds of medication, including morphine, but this gives me terrible headaches, and makes me feel quite sick.  I recently asked my doctor about alternative medication as the burning, stinging and pain was driving me crazy.  She prescribed me lidocaine patches, and these have helped me a lot, they act as a local anaesthetic and ease the nerve pain. 

My advice would be for your doctor to refer you to your nearest pain clinic. I have been under my pain specialist for almost 16 years and have gone through many different treatments. Last time I went was to have facet joint injections directly into the joints. These are certainly working for me, I hope you get sorted out soon, as there are so many drugs and treatments out there. Also ask your doctor about pain patches, they certainly take the edge of the worst pain. Good luck!!!

Well, I had the SCS, (Spinal Cord Stimulator), which has the generic name IPG, (Implantable Pulse Generator), fitted 1 week ago, 28th Jan 2015, I am still very sore but I can try and give people an explanation in more detail. When they fitted it the battery was flat so I had to charge it and then went to get it programmed on Monday.

When they fit the IPG they first expose the nerve root on the spine where the place leads alongside the nerve root. The electrodes have multiple contacts and they can fit one or two leads, I have 2. At this point they wake you and use an external device to stimulate the nerves. They need you to be awake to give them feedback. When they're sure that they've got the right place they put you out again and put some stitches in to hold the leads in place. Then they take an instrument which is like a long tube, maybe 5mm diameter and is like a needle, which they use to 'tunnel' through the tissues. It's worth pointing out at this point that women usually have the IPG fitted in the 'tushie' and men in the abdomen at the front. So they tunnel through, in my case they took it round in about 3 stages to my front left just about the level of the navel, the pass the cables through then create a 'pocket' by making an incision about 2 inches long, where they run the cables, connect them to the IPG and clean everything up.

They are less than gentle with you so you will have some bruising, but this will get better. My surgery was 7 days ago today and where the 'pocket' is I'm still very tender and where the 'tunneling' was done as well. I'm getting the stitches out on Friday so it should be better after.

There are things you have to do and not do and these should be done, or not done, the electrodes and leads have to 'adhere' to the scar tissue that they remain in place, this 'scar tissue' can' realistically' take 6 months so you have to take special care to not move suddenly, don't bend, twist, stretch in any way that might cause the leads to move. I got myself a 'Back Brace' for amazon. It helps to remind me about how I should move by adding some 'resistance' to those movements. So, there you go. Now that I got it fitted and programmed I can use it. Last night I had the SCS on at  low power and I got a better nights sleep than I have for a long time. I'm looking forward to getting the stiches out and then I can have a shower

Last bit. The technician will program, in my case, up to 4 programs, you have to be honest with yourself and the technician. It can be re-programmed but it's nice to get it right first time. If I have mine on a high output then it feels strange, it feels as though I'm walking on someone elses legs, so take care and take care and don't risk using it while driving, it will reduce reaction times and leg strength.

I really hope that this information can give you what you need when you are deciding to have one fitted. They aren't cheap, we're talking maybe £15000, yes £15K and once fitted can't be re used. I'll keep an eye on this forum so if anyone wants to ask anything about it I'll try to help.