to anybody with lower back pain.

[Smith123456]

My wife after suffering for years had rfa-radiofreqency ablation done, And it appears to have worked.

. I finally have a happier wife.

it;s not permanenent and might have to be redone every 6-9 months but it did work

[Newdawn Administrator]

Interesting. I haven’t heard of it used much here in the U.K., I have persistent lower back pain and use a TENS machine.

webmd.com/arthritis/radiofr...

I’m glad your wife has experienced some relief from this procedure Smith. Back pain is very wearing! ☹️

Newdawn

[ironjohn in reply to Newdawn]

Hi Newdawn

I have a Tens unit and have used. But I’ve been told by a friend with cancer his oncologist said Stop using it. His oncologist said a Tens unit spreads cancer cells. I haven’t used it since and I keep forgetting to ask my oncologist if this is true.

John

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to ironjohn]

Avoiding the use of TENS devices when someone has cancer is a precautionary measure. I can't see how it is relevant to CLL, when our blood cancer is already present all through our blood stream and lymphatic system!

uihc.org/sites/default/file...

Neil

[ironjohn in reply to AussieNeil]

I agree with you Neil .. I’ll go on to share a short story about me that makes no sense. I have torn my rotator cuff in a bad way back in 2015. I let it go to long without repairing it. That being said it can’t be repaired, the Dr says he wanted to do stem cell injections to try and repair my shoulder. My SLL/CLL at Sloan Kettering said no don’t do that. I ask why, the Dr reply’s John I don’t want to spread your cells around. I thought to myself what you said. Aren’t the cells already around. But I started thinking is it because I have SLL and maybe it’s not in my blood , am I incorrect thinking SLL isn’t in the blood ? I know it’s in the nodes and bone marrow and I can understand the bone marrow is the factory so that’s where my confusion is on why the Dr said No.

thanks for the feedback.

John

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to ironjohn]

I specifically said CLL, not CLL/SLL, because in the early stages of SLL, the lymphoma cells can be limited to few nodes, given SLL generally starts in a node, rather than in the bone marrow, where CLL is though to originate.

[ironjohn in reply to AussieNeil]

My SLL is in my bone marrow , because it’s in the bone marrow at 5% in 2018 would that be considered in the blood as well with the B cells ? Does SLL always turn into CLL ? I know I’m asking questions that I should know by now but I truly am still trying to get a true understanding. The specialist just tell me they just call it Cll because it’s the same B cell cancer.

Thanks again

John

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to ironjohn]

Ask your specialist about using your TENS device, as they can be a very effective way of managing pain without drugs.

Not all SLL progresses to CLL. It took a couple of years for mine to progress from stage 4 SLL, but I can't recall/find the percentage of cases that do. Typically there's about 25% or more infiltration in the bone marrow at diagnosis with CLL. I had over double that.

If CLL/SLL is in your bone marrow, presuming it originated in a node, it got there through the lymphatic and blood circulation systems. My CLL/SLL was detected by a blood flow cytometry test, but I had less than the SLL to CLL cut-off figure.

[ironjohn in reply to AussieNeil]

Thank you Neil for your response. I like asking these questions , it really helps me understand.

I have an appointment later this month I’ll ask my oncologist about the Tens for sure. I’ll update what he tell me.

Thank you

John

[Smith123456 in reply to ironjohn]

my wife's procedure burns nerves. it;s called radio ablation therapy.

[ironjohn in reply to Smith123456]

That sounds like what I Need. They are talking about a nerve block stimulator implant. I’ve already had nerve block injections with zero relief. I have a phone appointment with my pain management Dr tomorrow I’ll ask about the ablation therapy.

Thank you

John

[blowinginthewind in reply to ironjohn]

Asking your consultant is good advice from Aussie Neil. I was originally told (as staff not patient) that massage was not safe for any cancer patients, because it risked spreading the cancer. Then it changed that some oncologists were happy for patients with advance incurable cancer who had a short time to live were allowed it. I asked my haematologist when I was first diagnosed, and he said that with a lowish levels I have a an occasional massage from a qualified masseuse is fine. But again - I would suggest asking your consultant first.

[blowinginthewind in reply to ironjohn]

My first TENS machine was prescribed by a physio at a specialist cancer hospital. I am not sure how it could spread cancer cells. I do have to add that at the time I was member of staff not a patient. But they were being widely used to help patients pain.

[ironjohn in reply to blowinginthewind]

Thank you for your reply. I can’t believe or understand how it could a have a negative affect either. I’m going to run it by my dr this month. My buddy had prostrate cancer last year and that’s what he was told by the VA Dr.

Thank you

John

[blowinginthewind in reply to ironjohn]

I would be interested to know what your dr says about TENs. And I hope you find something that helps with whatever you are using the Tens to treat, Liz

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to ironjohn]

Hi John,

AussieNeil has answered very fully. It’s clear TENS machines are to be avoided (unless medically approved) on solid cancers. It could be your friend doesn’t have a blood cancer and oncologists tend to specialise in solid cancers. There’s some suggestion the application can cause solid tumours to metastasise. However, Tens machines are sometimes used to control the pain experienced in metastasised cancer.

I also have a fully torn rotator cuff which is said to be inoperable. Physio certainly helps. Mine was done in a bad fall some years ago but shoulder problems are much more common amongst people with diabetes.

Newdawn

[bulldozer4264 in reply to Newdawn]

I have lower back degenerating discs, had severe lower back pain (with sciatica) last year. After an MRI from my spine doc. I saw a pain mgt specialist who gave me steroid injections in the L3-L5 region, which was a good temporary solution. I then saw a physical therapist who taught me a small set of daily exercises to strengthen my lower back muscles and surrounding structures. They work. I have been pain free (some stiffness though) for a year. More details if interested

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to bulldozer4264]

Thanks bulldozer and glad you’ve found treatments that work for you. I was offered a steroid injection some years ago but had just been dx diabetic so didn’t fancy the steroid impact. I appreciate it’s only temporary relief and my back problems are definitely permanent with spinal stenosis. ☹️ Physio is practically on a no go rather than go slow in the U.K. presently. I’m waiting for an appt for my hands. I’m hoping once we get out of lockdown I’ll be able to resume swimming again.

Regards,

Newdawn

[bulldozer4264 in reply to Newdawn]

Swimming would definitely be helpful. If you decide to try the back exercises route, I would recommend you look up: pelvic thrust, planking, and birddogs. Those are the primary ones that help. Best of luck. BD

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to bulldozer4264]

That’s kind of you bulldozer and I googled them. I’m afraid with severe nodal arthritis in my hands and a fully torn rotator cuff injury, I sadly won’t be managing those positions any time soon. Some days I’m grateful if I can get dressed without sitting down. I might manage a leisurely breaststroke however 😊

Regards,

Newdawn

[Justasheet1]

Smitty,

Congrats 🎉 to both of you. Back pain is terrible.

A happy wife is a happy life!!!!

Jeff

[bennevisplace]

RFA is used in the UK too.

According to Cancer Research UK and MacMillan Cancer Support it's sometimes used to treat solid tumours.

Also used to treat back pain bfwh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uplo...

NB By blocking nerves RFA treats the symptoms (pain) not the underlying cause.

[Gman2]

Hi Smith, I just had the procedure done. I never had a sciatic issue until I carried a lopsided heavy object around this past Thanksgiving and the pain began in the lower back radiating down my leg into my ankle. It became unbearable. I just had the radio frequency procedure done last Thursday and the pain seems to have gotten worse at night when I lay down. How long did it take until the pain went away on your wife? I hope I improve soon as a simple walk and laying down is painful. Thanks, Gerry

[Smith123456 in reply to Gman2]

about a week

[Smith123456 in reply to Smith123456]

my wife takes gabapentin for the sciatica. she had the surgery done for spinal stenosis

[teakbank12 in reply to Smith123456]

I have spinal stenosis in the top of my spine.Two supposedly frozen shoulders and terrible lower back pain.

I've taken Gabapentin and Amitriptyline for ages

Also take oramorph but there's no relief.

Steroid Injections in both shoulders havnt helped.

Just had another ultrasound of shoulders.

Davr

[CORONOVIRUS]

I'm new to CLL, wondering, Is back pain common with CLL?

[SofiaDeo in reply to CORONOVIRUS]

I think once we get a CLL diagnosis, we are hyperaware of every "different" thing going on in our body!

[lsutigers2018]

My sciatica is horrible. Going to start with shots so I can workout and therapy.

[Smith123456 in reply to lsutigers2018]

try gabapentin. at least 900 mg per day