Posted 5/6/2013 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I am a 37 year old male living in the UK and have suffered from chronic pain for over 6 years I have two separate problems. Lower back L4/L5 and L5/S1, Mid Back T6.
Re my lower back i originally visited a consultant back in 2007 and an MRI was performed which reported Disk dehydration at L4/L5 and L5/S1. Disk bulges at these levels with an annular tear at L5/S1. The L4/5 disc bulge indents the thecal sac, slightly more prominently to the left of midline and mildly effaces the left L5 nerve root within the thecal sac. The L5/S1 level has a left sided paracentral broad based disc bulge. . It again indents the thecal sac more too the left compressing the emerging left S1 nerve root within the spinal sac. . I do have some leg pain to my left leg which consists of tingling and numbness down to my foot. This leg pain is not all the time however i do get flare ups probably a few times a month. I get a dull ache pain continuously around the affected disc area which becomes acute on some occasions and makes me scream out in pain.I have had an epidural steroid injection to this area which was very painful and had little effect.
The injury to T6 occurred in Aug 2010 when I fell flat on my back while on crutches following a fracture to my calcanium. MRI does not show any damage however I have constant nerve pain which is very specific to T6 and feels like someone is stabbing me with a knife in this area. I have had several trigger point injections in this area which had little effect.
Over the past five yeas I have had a variety of pain medications. These included nerve talets Gabapentin, pregbalin etc which had little effect on my pain especially to T6. I am currently on a 25 Fentanayl patch which although helps with my pain, i still get regular breakthrough pain. I still struggle with the constant fatigue. I still work full time and do shifts and spend the majority of my time off sleeping due to the pain meds, which affects the time i have with my family. I have now been referred to a neuro surgeon for consideration of surgery and awaiting my appointment. I would be grateful if anyone could assit with the following queries i have.
1. As most of my lower back pain is in my back rather than my leg would surgery still be an option.
2. Is spinal fusion likely to be an option based on my above MRI results and history of continuing pain. Has anyone had a spinal fusion which has helped with continual lower back pain.
3. Are there any options for the nerve damage to T6. I have read before about procedures to kill nerves off, has anyone any experience of this?
I have been struggling for years now and all the conservative treatments have failed to improve my quality of life. I realise that surgery is a last resort and that it may not make my pain better however I have heard of surgery that has helped people and allowed them to stop and reduce their pain medications.