Hello, New guy in pain

[stoked64]

NJ Gene,

I have been seeing a P.M. doctor over the past year, while trying to get to the bottom of my pain. Taking Norco and Lyrica 3 times a day to get me by.


When I came to, post-op from my last surgery (decompression surgery), I knew right away something wasn't right. This was my 3rd lumbar surgery and it had a much different feel... not a good one in my leg's.

It's my belief that the Dr. man-handled my nerves.. The surgeon was quick to dismiss me and said my nerves needed time to recover and prescribed gabapentin and released me (kicked me to the curb). It's been 1 year and it's not getting any better.

Dr. Coric said a implanted nerve stimulator may help mask the pain but he has only seen around 60% success rate with them (he doesn't perform this procedure). I haven't see too many good stories on-line with implants. Dr. Coric also recommended against additional injections and said he doesn't think it would provide any relief.

[Cynlite]

stoked64, I'm very sorry you are suffering and depressed. Please don't give up hope. Pain and post surgery trauma can cause post traumatic stress and sometimes severe depression. I've been through this as others have on this forum so, we do understand! It's a very tough road to travel. The first step is to get emotionally healthy and if you need drugs to do that then see a specialist. Emotional pain for me leads to physical pain so, I've had to learn to keep myself calm over the years. You can do this too.

While I'm sure Dr. Coric is a fine surgeon, I could not find him on the lists of top ADR doctors in this country. I have analyzed many of the post surgery stories on this board and unfortunately, the people who I believe have had the most trouble with ADR surgery are the ones that went to surgeons in the U.S. who don't have the experience that the top ADR surgeons have here. There truly are only a handful in this country right now that have an excellent track record from what I could find.

It is also not uncommon for patients to see 3 different surgeons or more and get different answers. I think this has to do with the surgeon's experience so, keep looking. I gave up and into the pain for about five years and really wish I had not. My neck degenerated a lot during this time.

I have a complicated medical history so, I retained Dr. Zeegers in the Netherlands this year to look over it and give me his opinion. Hopefully, I will have his opinion next week. He has helped many others on this board so, that would be my recommendation to you. He knows more about ADR surgeries and outcomes than any surgeon in the U.S. in my opinion. He is also the only surgeon I know that will look over a person's entire medical history as it relates to their condition. There is also Dr. Clavel and Dr. Bierstedt who both have significant experience and good track records so, they would be good to reach out to also. I don't have any top ADR surgeons in the state where I live so, I have been working with the surgeons in Europe. If you want to stay in the U.S. then I would take Gene's suggestion and consider contacting Dr. Blumenthal at the Texas Back Institute. Just because you reach out for opinions from surgeons in Europe, does not mean you have to travel there. You could take that information and use it to find a surgeon here. I wouldn't give up until I had a bunch of surgeons that all agreed that there was no hope surgically.

Hang in there and good luck.

[Buckeyeback]

Stoked,

I'm not sure what the quality of nerve pain you are having, but unless you have CRPS type of burning pain or constant numbness, I would think your nerves can still heal. Obviously, provided that you are not having any nerve compression still. It's commonplace for surgeons to say that it may take up to 2 years for a nerve to fully heal. There just isn't much blood supply to those delicate tissues to heal quickly and even less when you get into the central nervous system. I've also been told that as a rule of thumb, the length of time a nerve has been compressed; you can expect it to take half that time to heal. I also agree with the OP, an EMG doesn't tell those physicians much. they couldn't tell me if my nerve compression was from my back or the sciatic nerve being compressed somewhere in my lower torso. That is just my experience though. I don't think they can tell you if your nerves are permanently damaged at only one year. JMO. I hope I am right for your sake.

~BB

[stoked64]

Thanks to all for the positive comments. For those who are not familiar with Dr. Dom Coric from Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates. Dr Coric is one of the top US neurosurgeon that specializes in ADR and several on this board recommended.

Dr Coric concluded that my MRI's don't show significant impingement or stenosis that would convince him to operate. My EMG clearly show Chronic Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve root (as opposed to Acute) but because this is chronic and not acute there is no surgery that would rectify/repair this issue.

He did say, that even though the nerve could still repair itself; he was not confident that I would see further significant improvement because it has been a full year with no improvement.

[bwink23]

Originally Posted by stoked64

Thanks to all for the positive comments. For those who are not familiar with Dr. Dom Coric from Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates. Dr Coric is one of the top US neurosurgeon that specializes in ADR and several on this board recommended.

Dr Coric concluded that my MRI's don't show significant impingement or stenosis that would convince him to operate. My EMG clearly show Chronic Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve root (as opposed to Acute) but because this is chronic and not acute there is no surgery that would rectify/repair this issue.

He did say, that even though the nerve could still repair itself; he was not confident that I would see further significant improvement because it has been a full year with no improvement.

I couldn't walk on my left leg prior to surgery without it going dead, and my mri's never showed nerve impingement or stenosis. I still get some sciatica sometimes, but the pain and dysfunction around my left hip and leg isn't as bad as it was pre-surgery. Maybe issues were more bio-mechanical in nature, and still are. There is an expensive scan you could still try called an MR Nuerography, which deals solely with looking at nerves to try and locate impingements or compressions....it's a long shot, but it is a shot none-the-less. It would cost at least 3 grand to have it done, unless you have really good insurance. That's the trouble sometimes, if the doctor can't visibly see defects, they can't convince insurances to cover their procedures. Anything other than would be "exploratory" surgery, and they would never do that unless there is justifiable cause with near conclusive evidence of where the problem site is.

You are in a tough situation my friend. I suggest you send your scans overseas and have a credible European surgeon take a look, try a couple of them, and see what they tell you. If they don't see anything that can benefit you, try the scan i was telling you about, what have you got to lose besides some cash flow.


Reading over all you had done...you've had alot of work done that hasn't involved the discs themselves, except for that microdiscectomy. I take it your discs look pretty good on an MRI??

[Dema]

I agree with the comments, that the EMG can help determine the nerve roots that are damaged, but not sure how it can conclude the nerve is permanently damaged!
It may also help to see a good neurologist to help determine the cause of your pain. When my spinal cord was injured, and was told surgery is not recommended until it heals, and that can take 6-12 months or more! I started taking some supplements to help accelerate nerve healing (Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Lipoic acid, Inositol, Vitamins B6 & B12), the MRI taken 7 months post the injection that injured me showed the cord to have healed well (not sure how much the supplements helped or if it was just a matter of time!). As for the pain symptoms I got after the cord injury, they improved in the first 2-3 months, but after that there was little to no change with some symptoms still there today.
Would be good to first confirm what is causing your pain, if there is still some nerve compression or damage from last surgery!

[Harrison]

Nerve damage permanent? There are so many helpful remedies, especially in the field of energy medicine. As well, a much healthier lifestyle that includes detox and “eat for your liver” lifestyle should help.

Assuming the nerve is now un-impinged, you can definitely improve your pain levels – there are so many paths to wellness!

As well, check out this topic (et al):

https://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f6...-repair-11553/

[Harrison]

Also see this topic from femalepowerlifter:

https://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f4...93/index9.html

She and many others have had good results with the Zyflamend.

[Harrison]

And joining to original topic. Pls read the forum header before posting.

[drewrad]

I took all those supplements but also add in a lot of good fats. Nerves love fat. I take coconut oil everyday with lemon oil and honey. Also, I eat a lot of nuts of all kinds. FAT = GOOD. Your brain/nerves will thank you.

I also take the aforementioned L Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic acid, etc.

One question. How would you rate the nerve pain you describe? If 1 is a mosquito bite and random irritating itching throughout the night and a 10 is you pass out from the pain and want to end it all. Where in that trajectory of pain do you lie most times?