Suggest Treatment For Chronic Back Pain
Question: I've had lower back pain since childhood and I've always been skinny and active until I ruptured 3 lower dics in my back in 1997 and underwent 3 separate surgeries just weeks apart. Since then I've been to a pain clinic and diagnosed with 5 different back problems and began getting neural blocks with sedation and put on a number of mind numbing narcotics that made me lethargic and I gained a significant amount of weight and couldn't function. In 2009 my mother died suddenly and less than a year later my son died suddenly at the age of 29. He was super healthy but the autopsy showed a malfunctioning heart valve that caused him to die instantly in his sleep. Since then I've suffered from severe depression and was put on a couple different medications. In 2014 I told the pain clinic I wanted off the narcotics against their advice but, I couldn't function on them so they gave my general physician the schedule to down dose and 8 excruciating weeks later I had detoxed at home totally and lost 35 lbs. in the process. However as I already knew, as the drugs left my system the pain increased and now I'm thinking clearly again and my mind wants to do everything I used to but, my body and the restless legs, migraines, stinging and burning in my feet and legs plus the severity of pain and restricted movement of my back has been the reason for my prolonged insomnia. I'm awake 24/7 for 3 or 4 days and then I just pass out wherever I land and have been hard to awaken. My husband is very concerned as are my children and grandchildren but I don't want to be put on narcotics again. I am 69 years old and I don't know where else to turn. Please advise me. Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
I submitted a health question just 20 minutes ago and realized I typed in my age as 69 but it was an error and I am 59 years old. I was born on Oct. 30th, 1957.
I submitted a health question just 20 minutes ago and realized I typed in my age as 69 but it was an error and I am 59 years old. I was born on Oct. 30th, 1957.
Brief Answer:
Nerve root blocks, Epidural steroid injection
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
I understand the troubles that you have gone through and the fact that narcotics are bring counterproductive to your concentration.
I would like to suggest that Nerve root injection or Nerve blocks will be a useful adjunct in treating your kind of pain for a long time.
Also Epidural steroid injections shall help.
Do discuss the same with your Doctor and follow up with me.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Nerve root blocks, Epidural steroid injection
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
I understand the troubles that you have gone through and the fact that narcotics are bring counterproductive to your concentration.
I would like to suggest that Nerve root injection or Nerve blocks will be a useful adjunct in treating your kind of pain for a long time.
Also Epidural steroid injections shall help.
Do discuss the same with your Doctor and follow up with me.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your advice. I should mention that of the five diagnoses I've received after my last MRI, (spinal stenosis, failed back surgery syndrome, degenerative disc disease, neuropathic pain, nerve compression of S1-S2) one was "epidural stenosis". I assume that means a narrowing of the nerve root caused from numerous nerve blocks and epidural steroid injections. Will that condition worsen if I continue receiving those blocks and epidural injections?
Sincerely, Mrs. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Sincerely, Mrs. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Epidural infections may not work well in this case
Detailed Answer:
I suspect that the Epidural infection would not work optimally if there is Epidural stenosis.
You can however consider nerve root blocks.
Epidural infections may not work well in this case
Detailed Answer:
I suspect that the Epidural infection would not work optimally if there is Epidural stenosis.
You can however consider nerve root blocks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your prompt reply. I will discuss nerve root blocks with my doctor. I appreciate your advice and your time. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Thank you. Happy Holidays !!!!
Detailed Answer:
Thank you XXXXXXX Do follow up with me on your progress. Happy Holidays !!!!
Thank you. Happy Holidays !!!!
Detailed Answer:
Thank you XXXXXXX Do follow up with me on your progress. Happy Holidays !!!!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar