Replying to purple cat 45

[Jenles]

I have had severe spinal pain for years. Two spinal ops (both worked for a time) physio and loads of meds. My pain is getting worse over time. Saw a chiropractor early on - wrong advice! I have stenosis, arthritis, spinal problems and fibromyalgia all causing severe pain also sciatica. Was taking morphine for long time but decided to stop. Now take paracetamol, tramadol and gabapentin. Found best help from naproxen but not allowed to take it now. Nothing has ever stopped the pain after surgery’s effects faded and then ended. Pain management course helped with coping ideas. But I rely on mobility scooter and can’t stand for more than v. short time. I wash up bit by bit and sit for other tasks. My husband helps out and have to pay cleaner each week.

[Barbola]

I can feel your pain. Have same issues but the dr said risk operating since im 82 and so far can manage the pain with an occasional tramadol and 3x week phys therapy plus daily stretch exercises on floor, 15 min when getting up in morning and 15 min before bed. Seems to help, i can now walk 15 to 30 min. On good days. Two years ago kidney failure from Meloxicam, not allowed any Anti inflammatory drugs. Suffering from this 35 yr or more, emergency room with morphine injections many times.

Few months ago had my first series if 3 epidural steroid injections, the sciatic nerve was so Inflamed.

This3 epidurals helped but every doctor (pain doc, orthopedist, sports med) stressed to move, moe body, , exercise and stretch. With stenosis worst u can do is chiropractor......well meaning friends suggest it but their treatment in this case could cripple me totally!

Best of luck! Did u ever get epidural steroid?

[Jenles in reply to Barbola]

Yes, I have had lumbar epidural steroids but they don’t always last long and no-one locally seems to be willing to do them with proper anaesthesia (so that I don’t feel the pain.) I used to attend a pain clinic where the consultant did them ( and tried various other procedures) but when she retired I was told they wouldn’t be seeing me anymore. Since then I have felt that little help is being given, other than medications that seem to be doing very little to help.

[Purplecat45]

Thank you jenles that good to know that surgery doesn’t always guarantee pain free for life 😢how disappointing for you

[GuitarAngel]

Hi I have very similar to you. I also have mild heart failure. The pain from lower back abnormality and sciatica is so painful. My knees keep giving way also. I take Zapain and Tramadol. Can’t take Naproxen. Also have nerve pain down left outer thigh. My GP doesn’t recommend much I do physio exercise on my knees when I can apart from that I can’t get any help at all.

[Jenles in reply to GuitarAngel]

You have my sympathy. It’s hard when health problems seem to put you on the margins while other people may be able to access more useful help. Not that I don’t want them to have it - just that I would like it too!

[Purplecat45 in reply to Jenles]

Sometimes it’s so hard especially when we can’t get help from the nhs to help us have a better quality of life 😢

[Purplecat45 in reply to GuitarAngel]

I’m sorry to hear that guitar angel

Can you not get a second opinion and they might suggest something ?

[Jenles]

The trouble is that the NHS is underfunded and overworked + too few staff in many departments. I think they all do their best under the circumstances.

Depending on the help ,you need you could contact your local occupational health department and ask if they could visit you and see if there is anything they can do to make your life easier.

[Tropyek]

Hey jen same pain nothing works. Maybe.? Just got. Norco hf 10 installed on the 4th they turn it on 18th of Nov. Pain relief stimulator go to a neurologist after you research unit. I got my fingers s crossed tried it all for years epidural, facet blocks etc.