Re: Introducing myself

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Katrena, although it is sad what has sent you here. I, too suffer

with fibro, as well as back spinal conditions in my neck and quite a few

other problems.

I was just noticing what you said about the Lyrica and didn't see where you

are on any antidepressant and most of us with chronic pain, do suffer from

some degree of depression. Anyway, a lot of fibro sufferers have found that

the combination of Lyrica and Cymbalta help the fibro a lot. Maybe you could

talk to your doctor about this.

I hope that you get a lot out of this group. I'm sure that we have a lot to

learn from you.

Love and gentle hugs,

Debi/So. Cal.-54

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Vance

We're a good lot. Many of us, like you, have had back pain for a very long

time. We always have very mixed opinions during any discussion of back surgery

:-)

--

Lyndi

Moderator

Vance wrote:

> I have had chronic back pain for about 10 yrs but my pain first started about

20 years ago. It has gotten worse each year. My doctor says the only step left

is surgery but I have heard different stories on low back pain surgery. Most of

them have said that it helped for a while but the pain came back. So I don't

know whether to have surgery or not.

[Guest guest]

Hello Vance and the group...

RE: My doctor says the only step left is surgery but I have heard

different stories on low back pain surgery. Most of them have said

that it helped for a while but the pain came back. So I don't know

whether to have surgery or not.

I wanted to chime in with my opinion on surgery based upon my own

experiences. I've now had 2 lower back surgeries, the fisrt a 5 level

laminectomy and other ...tomies to repair L1-S1 problems. The 1st

surgery in 2004 gave me some relief for about 6 mos until the pain

started to increase again. Subsequent MRI showed continued narrowing

of forminal canals and continued disc bulging impinging on nerves and

spinal cord. After 6 epidural injections ( in my opinion, they are

worthless and dangerous!) a second surgery was performed after begging

a different osteo surgeon to proceed resulted in relief of pain for 4

mos until return of pain and resultant decrease in use of my right leg.

After moving to Utah in 2006, I sought out a doctor and was finally

seen at a pain clinic in St. . I had been on numerous pain meds

starting out in 1998 for the back pain. I presently take narcotic pain

meds as well as Lyrica and IB. The pain clinic insisted I undertake

epidural injections in addition to the narcotic pain meds. After 6

more injections with NO help, I told them no more. They continued to

treat me for 8 mos until last mo when I was discharged. They claim I

was not following the Narcotic contract which was untrue but in

reality my discharge was due to my refusal to undergo any more painful

epidural injections ( their MAIN money maker! at $1200. a pop) and

reluctance to continue paying for the spinal cord stimulator,

psychological therapy which I was told a required part of the

procedure. $75 ea time to have some PhD ask me if I knew what pain

was...After investigating the SCS, I found that at best, my chances of

receiving any relief from this particular stimulator was 20%

probability and if it did, I would still need to take pain meds.

At this point, I have consulted two surgeons, each of who refuse to do

surgery to offer a potential for relief from the excruciating pain I

am in. My right leg is now completely numb at the thigh down to the

knee as well as a continual throbbing in my foot. My left leg is now

affected periodically and getting worse. I would consider another

surgery if a surgeon would consider even having had 2 unsuccessful

surgeries.

Even having the pain continually, I still refuse to give up living my

life. I get out fishing and camping, hiking and rock hounding. I pay

for the activities but I refuse to lie down and die as I see it being

if I gave up doing some things I enjoy doing. I've been disabled from

these problems for many years and receive SSDI benefits. I have

Medicare wich sure helps but as thankful as I am for the benefits, I

run into the problem of hitting the " donut Hole " in Medicare Drug

benefits very early. The last prescription of Lyrica put me over the

limit and I'm now in the Donut Hole. Paying full price for meds is

impossible. While working, I made good money and now receive good SS

benefits but there is a downfall to it. I'd be better off not having

worked hard and paid into SS so long and so much as I'd get Medicaid

that would pay for meds if I made less money on SSDI.

I just love it when I get the comments from those that say I'm " on the

government dole " ...to those that say anything, I tell them, F & ^% You!

I paid into it for 36 years! The last 6 years paying the max by Nov of

the year!

Sorry to get off topic Vance. The bottom line is find a GOOD

surgeon...don't be afraid to ask for references and a record of their

surgeries. It's you who will be under the knife and at what we have to

pay for medical care, we deserve the very best there is!

Best to All and pain free as possible days and nights)

Randy

>

> I am currently on medication but when I do any activity the meds

have no affect on the pain. I may go 2 weeks with relatively no pain

and then go a month when the pain is almost unbearable. It depends on

how much activity I am doing. When I work it is always unbearable.

>