Nearly 3 months post op for a neurostimulator

[eddieJ85]

First to give the shortest description possible of my past back problems, I'm 24...turning 25 in a little over a month. I've had problems with my back since I was 16(2002). After many tests and mri's, it was shown I had several herniated disc's and that one was pinching a nerve. I ended up having 3 major back surgeries between 2004 and 2007. I had 2 discectomies done, and eventually had spinal fusion surgery in May of 2007.

Well, after that my insurance dried up and it was clear my surgeries had failed, even the fusion. They speculated that if the surgery didn't work that I most likely had permanent nerve damage. Long story short I live in Chicago and had to go down to the county hospital to apply for medical care.

It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought, they eventually set me up at a pain clinic with appointments every few months. They provided me with medication and gave me a few injections. These failed to help much, after a while of just relying on an injection every now and then and meRAB, I was set up to get a neurostimulator put inside me.

I had the stimulator put in around 3 months ago. If you don't know, this is a machine they put inside you that is supposed to help with pain, you get control for it and everything. I've found that the stimulator is quite helpful, but there is still just a problem or two.

I still can't rely on this stimulator 24/7, especially can't use it when I go to sleep or when I need to drive for long perioRAB of time. My point in saying that is..I'm still on medication as well. I take Tramadol and Gabapentin everyday. The corabination of the stimulator and having the medication has helped me eliminate my pain almost completely. This is rare as I've been suffering with daily pain for years now.

My question is what the next step should be and what I should do about medication. I know that if I stopped using my stimulator or stopped taking my meRAB..I wouldn't get as much relief as I do with both of them. The problem is I know how doctors are and I get the feeling they would obviously want to eventually get me off the meRAB and solely on the stimulator. At the end of the day if having both the stimulator and medication is what allows me to live some sort of normal life I'd want to just continue that way.

My next appointment is in another month, should I speak to the doctor about this? I just want to see what other people have done in dealing with pain that still comes even though you've had so many surgeries..and with realizing you might need to be on some type of medication for the rest of your life.

 

[ibake&pray]

I am one of htose people who will live with some degree of pain for the rest of my life. If you speak to any pm doc they will tell you that the goal of pain management is to reduce your level of pain to a manageable level-not to reduce it entirely. That just isn't realistic in their thinking.

If your PM doc will allow you to continue to have drugs in addition to the stim is going to be entirely his decision. I can see where he would say that the stim was put in to give you enough relief that you don't need to have the meRAB. My guess is that you will need to address this with your doc and see what he wants to do. But you need to be prepared if he cuts off the meRAB. You are lucky that you have the stim to help you out everyday....

Perhaps Shoreline will chime in. He has a pump, but I beleave it is for meRAB.

 

[Bzzzzerk9]

I am glad the spinal stim and med corabo is giving you some quality of life. I am being told the spinal stim is my last option. I am 28 and have had 2 spine surgeries (the last a fusion). I still have very hard to control pain.

I am told the goal of the stim is to reduce pain by 50% and allow for more activity. I was told I will still be on meRAB for life even with it. I still have not decided what to do as I have read so many horror stories.

Just tell your PM that you are having the best relief with the corabo you are on and do not want to lose your quality of life. If you have a good relationship with your doctor they will work with you.