Chronic Spinal pain?

Question

I ahve chronic pain in my spine and the Dr is thinking of either a spinal stimulator or a drug delivery therapy. Does anybody have any suggestions on which I should have?

I have had all kinds of treatment including chinese,physical therapy, pool therapy, ultrasound.
I have had two discs fused in my lumbar spine and three disc fused in my neck. Now three levels in my lumbar spine need surgery and three levels in my neck need to be fused. I would rather not have surgery. That is why my pain specialist has suggested either a stimulator in my neck and a stimulator in my lumbar spine. OR the drug therapy in my spine.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you I am not on any narcotics becase I do not want to get addicted. I am on Neurotin, Daypro and cymbalta.

Answer 1

ultra sound therapy may be the answer for you

Answer 2

I have had 2 spinal fusion operations and Have been taking pain meds for over 10 years. I've been to several pain management places and everybody I have talked to recommends the stimulator.

The problem is a lot of insurance companies will not pay for it.

The other option of the pain pump still leaves you with the effects of the drugs.

The list of drugs you stated are not the type that would be effective in a pain pump. The normal medication is morphine which I also take in an oral tab and the side effects sometimes are not worth the hassle.

People often think everybody that takes pain medication is doing so just to catch a buzz. That is far from the truth. They need to spend a day in the shoes of someone with a spinal cord injury and they would be begging for pain relief not a high. It's a matter of being able to try to function at a somewhat normal level.

Good luck my friend I know how a life of pain impacts a life.

Answer 3

Read: I have 32 wires and 32 screws holding my spine together, along with eight cadaver bones and eight of my own bones. I also have two cages in my lower back. My lower back is again, degrading.
I have been on Vicodin for 14 years, from six a day to now, one a day.
I was sent to a neurologist and he asked "what took you so long?" he suggested a Medtronic spinal stimulator. They put a trial in, it was the first time in many years that I slept all night.
Its part of me now and they'll never get it back. These people are wonderful, they followed me through the entire procedure and after.
I'm down to one to two Vicodin pills a day. I sleep all night. It's not a cure but, it takes the pain away somewhat. I would guess about %70.

I can't tell you want to do but, from my angle I would say, go for the trial.

It's a hard surgery, I was sick for a couple of Weeks, it's on the spine, Once it's over, you'll feel great.

Answer 4

It sounds like you've tried pretty much everything to this point, and both the options you're considering are reasonable for you at this point.

I know people have had significant success with either of those alternatives.

I think the question is whether doing one now would make it more difficult to do the other one later. There is also the question of which has the potential to interfere with your day to day functioning, also a good question for your doctor.

I tend to lean toward the spinal stimulator as a first option, just based on my own research and experience. Just make sure you feel comfortable that you have all the information you need to make the best decision.

One other thing: if you decide to have it done, I think the readers of my website might be interested in the process, how you decided which to do, and what success you're having. If you might be willing to share, you can contact me via the Contact Us page on the site.

Thanks, and best of luck in making your decision.

Barry Hughes, Ph.D.

http://www.chronic-pain-alternatives.com

Answer 5

I don't know your whole history, or what exactly you've been through other than pain, but these are really last ditch efforts after all else has failed.
Have you had surgery? Have you done a major exercise program? Have you had massage? Have you been to a good Chiropractor?
These are all things that may well help you, and prevent you either having an electrical device permantly implanted in you, or becoming even more dependent on very strong drugs than you already certainly are.
Best luck, and God bless.
PS: Sorry to hear you've been through so much. I don't see Chiropractic on your list. It may be very tough (and maybe too late), but I've actually helped people with multiple fusion surgeries. Good luck.

Answer 6

Always go with the least invasive treatment first.

Depending on the pain and the cause, start with chiropractic, physical therapy, exercise, massage, and non-invasive treatments.

If these don't help significantly, go to the next step of medication.

If that still doesn't fix it, then consider surgery.

Answer 7

I would try the least first. The stimulator is I believe electric pulses to encourage healing. The other is an implant where morphine is delivered directly to the site of the pain.

Answer 8

Physiotherapy is another option.

BUt yo ucould research a bit more about the chinesse medicine, regarding the pain control, the chinesse have other vision and other manner to handle this problem. Acupuncture and other related techniques and combinations of them, have shown rally interesting results in many patients.

Regards,

JameS