Stan
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- May 18, 1999
- Messages
- 5,177
Pain medication is not a great long-term solution. Depending on the actual problem* spinal injections are the next least-invasive option. (* "sciatica" is just a generic term for several different problems, including disc compression and stenosis). Then there's an inter-spinal device option which is real surgery but still not very invasive (it's just a large "spacer" they use to keep the vertebrae apart. Next up is usually a laminectomy, and finally a spinal fusion.
I went to therapy with no luck whatsoever (but the insurance providers make you do that first). Then I had spinal injections - helped, but not long term. Then I went with an X-Stop inter-spinal device (that reduced the pain by about 50% (which wasn't enough for me).
Then I went back and had spinal injections, and the combination is keeping me pain free. No playing tennis or anything, but I can take 5 mile walks again with no pain.
Have you seen an orthopedic or neurosurgeon yet? You really have to get an MRI to see what's causing the problem.
As you said, pain medication isn't a great way to deal with this. Just got another refill of the 10/325 Hydrocodone to get me through until the surgery. I hate the meds and am terrified of addiction. Stopped for several weeks, no withdrawal symptoms, so don't think that's an issue. But when you can barely move, they're helpful.
Bonked my head on the roof of my car. The worst thing is getting up or down to a seated position, and I just kind of fell. Nothing major, no cut or concussion, just another thing I'm dealing with.
Nice side effect, but pain is an excellent way to lose weight. 30 lbs. since late April. Appetite is non-existent. Forcing myself to eat, but at times it's just to painful to get up and make a sandwich or throw something in the microwave. I'm a really good cook, but those skills are temporarily on hold.
Another one of those "way to much info" posts, but if it helps others or somebody has advice for me, it's worth it.