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Kenzif's Post

Kenzif

Updated 1y ago

Dealing with Chronic Low Back Pain for 15 Years

Hello all, I'm pretty sure that I have been on this app for a couple of months now(very bad STM due to a Sever TBI) and I believe this is my 1st post. That being said, I need some advice. I have been dealing with severe chronic low back pain for 15 years now. I have tried almost every kind of treatment out there. Here is part of my story. 1st was trying to find a doctor who would treat me or look at me as a human being. I have tried injections, nerve oblations, TENS unit, narcotics, cognitive behavioral and physical therapy, you name it I've done it. the only treatment I have not tried is a spinal cord stimulator. I have not tried that because I hear different results from different people and currently the regiment that my doctor has me on is someone working and I don't want to go into another situation blind, not knowing if it'll work or if it's just a crapshoot. I have a couple of different questions, I will do my best to keep this as short as possible. For my back the only thing I am doing to treat the pain that I have in my lower back is by taking narcotics (around the clock) and going to physical therapy to hopefully strengthen my back so that it does not hurt as bad. For my medication, I see a pain specialist. The last time my back has been looked at or examined was when I went in for my last back surgery. that took place in 2011, my husband feels like I should be reevaluated by a spine doctor, I'm just not sure what they would find and I also afraid of what they will find. In September it will have been 3 years since my traumatic brain injury, I am still trying to figure my way through that issue before I jump into another issue possibly major issue. Am I foolish to want to wait till I find out what's going on with my brain before I start examining my back? I have been seeing my pain doctor now for 3yrs. Now mind you, I would absolutely 1000% Love Love to get off of the narcotics. I just don't see any other solution out there that would be able to allow me to do the things that I am today, I hope that makes sense. Any advice or thoughts y'all may have for me, I would be greatly greatly appreciated! (I'm very sorry for how long this post of mine turned out to be. 🤗) ~Tina

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TheEmmy

Makes sense to me, to wait. Also it's summer time to take advantage of the weather. Sorry for your pain. I have a slight hr pain every morning in my low back. I'm a lil more than heavy set. I have had migraines for over 30 yrs and said I wouldn't do botox but I got there. I enjoy more days than I ever used to. My main Culprit now is Rosacea/ Hot Flashes. 🔥 wish me luck. I hope you get the info your looking for to help.

Kenzif

thank you for your response. I'm glad that the Botox has helped with your migraines, it did not work for me. I wish you tons of luck with your Rosacea/hot flashes. Sending hugs! 🤗

Catastrophe

Hi Tina, I would jump right in and look at your back. You can have several issues treated at once. I've heard great things about the spinal cord stimulator. I'm in some Neuropathy Facebook groups, and some of them have gotten it. I had back surgery in 2003 and 2005. It was a failed back surgery. I've been on opiates since 2007. It's scary, but the only way I have some quality of like. Well, recently I had a huge flair up. Got an MRI done which showed herniated disc's, above my fusion site. It's xalmed down with physical therapy and time. I know how frustrating it is to have back pain. But the spinal cord stimulator might be your best bet. Good luck to you!

Kenzif

thanks for your response.

Sleak67

Before I got diagnosed I felt like the prescription pills I was on weren't helping good enough so I chose to alternative medicine. I used mainly Rick Simpson oil but also other thc products and weaned off klonopin, soma and also my pain medicine. I lost weight, got in shape, quit smoking and totally changed my lifestyle. But then had super stressful events, lost quality of life and serious problems keeping on weight, horrible pain and problems eating ect so I'm back on pain meds usually only if I'm going to chew or super long walks. It's been getting harder since now I'm told I need dbs but all alternative medicine is the ONLY way I get functional quality of life. This is just my personal experience you should always consult Dr's ect. I'm hoping someone on my medical will give me klonopin back, treatment calms tremors ect, then I can pull myself together and get healthy as I can if I'm candidate for dbs. Personally I hate all pills and would prefer just alternative meds. Also I take ketamine which helps with mood and pain. From my research ketamine can help ppl get off pain meds.

TheEmmy

✋💕

BraeburnGirl

Before they’ll put in a spinal cord stimulator, they try you in a temporary one to see if it works. If it does, they’ll proceed. If not, no harm no foul. Worth looking into!

Sleak67

I understand. I decided to switch to alternative medicine. Weaned of pills got quality of life back until now need dbs but Rick Simpson oil ect helps my back, dystonia, stress,nausea ect ect ect. Good luck

Scullyitsme

Hi Tina! So my mom has chronic nerve pain due to surgery and she got a stimulator (she’s had two and is on her third) and they work really well for her. She takes five different narcotics for her pain and when she got her first stimulator it worked wonders. Then the batteries died and the insurance company wouldn’t cover to replace them. Then she got another one two years ago and it moved off her spin so it stopped working. (Turns out the company lied on their clinical testing results). So she just got a new one that’s made specifically for nerve pain and she had it put in last week. So far so good! So, I’d recommend seeing a spine specialist maybe and also get that head looked at!

dolphinblues

Would you mind if we private message? I would like to she my story with you in length. Short version: I have had lower back pain since 1991. I also have chronic neck pain since the late 80's, but diagnosed disc problems in 2015. I have a host of other problems that contribute to my back pain. I have had pain specialists and spine specialists. My sister is a brain aneurysm survivor. Her 11th Annieversary is this Sept. So, I can relate somewhat to your TBI. I'm short on time right now to explain further. I am very willing to tell you more of my experiences if you would like. My spine specialist has done way more for me than any of my other pain specialists. It would not hurt to at least get an evaluation. That all being said, only you know your body and how much you are able to take on at once. Do what you think is best for your brain. You can mend a back, but you cannot fix further damage to your brain. Protect your brain first. 🙏 💜

Aperellime

See a neurologist they r the best Dr to get for spine n neck problems

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Dealing with Chronic Low Back Pain for 15 Years