Nerve compression after surgery for Cauda Equina

[Mymysonlyone]

Ho- just wondered if anyone had been through a similar thing. A relative had surgery for Cauda Equina which failed. She had had a new nerve compression- due to pressure from centralised disc - but she has been refused surgery despite the excruciating pain. She has tried several neuropathic painkillers but nothing seems to touch the pain. She has also been refused spinal injections. Does anyone know why? The Surgeons only talk about potentially bring in more pain from surgery?

[arvine]

hello Mymysonlyone, well I havent had surgery and dont want, but I have had a disc extrusion L2 L3 , nerve impingement for 5 weeks now, believe was caused or disturbed bulging disc, with an injection at pain clinic of bupovacaine, light anesethic , had 8 injection s in back, 2nd week of treatment had same injections, but one went right into a nerve, put me thru the roof with pain at the time, these were unguided injections, when I left clinic didnt, feel too bad, went there for some treatment for spinal stenosis, osteo, pain in lower back couple days later, now 5 weeks ago, went back and told dr, (anesthiosolgist) about pain like knife lower left back, groin, and thigh, he was not concerned, talked about cortisone shot, in bottom of spine well I went home with pain, and decided against going back to him, read reviews very upsetting , went to my GP, said nerve pain, prescribed t3,s and lyrica, and sent req ro MRI, no meds touch nerve pain, although lyrica, and another gabapentin is suppose to help, results of MRI showed what was happening, nerve root impingement causing excrutiating pain down front of thigh, groin, and now last few weeks, numbness on side of thigh, anyway, he sent referral to back surgeon, and when I saw him, told him that should be last resort, not happy with me, but I had set up treatments at a non invasive decompression centre, they use high tech machines, you lie on a bed that decompresses your spine, suppose to allow disc to slip back in, away from nerve and heal, So far I have gone for 5 treatments, hve to go everyday for first 2 weeks, need 20 sessions , and since had this going on for so long, taking time to get some relief, may be slight better, still knifing pain in front of thish at times, burning feeling, and of course numbness remains on side of thigh for last few weeks, I have committed to this treatment andhoping good results, it,s very debilitating, , on my own, can,t do much, struggle around my apt with walker to make bed, shower etc, so my first experience with nerve pain, and can t believe its the worst pain ever, can empathize with your friend, just though Id tell my story, maybe part can enlighten, or cause your friend to inquire re this type of treatment, wishing her all the best

[MSTKing]

hello - it’s worth calling The Spinal Injuries Association - they also have lots of info on their website.

[Mymysonlyone in reply to MSTKing]

Thanks - but we have already been in touch with them. They could not give advice about spinal pain. There is only the Spinal Nurse - Carol for bladder and bowel issues!

[MSTKing in reply to Mymysonlyone]

Sorry that didn’t help - being referred to one of the regional spinal units might help. They are able to look at everything not just the injury but pain etc etc. it won’t help immediately but could help long term. (You might already be under a regional spinal injuries unit - if so, sorry again!)