Scoliosis, Herrington Rods, Nerve Pain

[crippledcowgirl]

I'm 25 and had herrington rods to fuse my spine to stop the curving of my spine, due to scoliosis. The rods have been in approx. 10 years.  I am now experiencing nerve pain. My doctor is convinced it is from the scoliosis. My left hip is the worst. I have severe pain that can turn into pins and needles that runs down to my knee. Sometimes a flare up can make it difficult to put weight on my leg/hip.  I am being treated with Gabapentin (neurotin) and also Tylenol 3 and sometimes Demerol.  I am afraid of becomming addicted to narcotics.
For those who have been on Narcotics long term...how do you cope?
Has anyone else experienced nerve pain after spinal fusion from scoliosis?

[naganator2000]

I have had Herrington Rods in my back for 25 years now and only in the last couple of years have I had complications. I have been on a combination of Vicodin, Morphine ER, and Soma for about 14 months now. To keep me from mental addiction, I take only as directed and most of the time I take less, even when the medication isn't working too well. I just tell myself it is only for pain. My body is physically addicted to the medication. I stopped the Morphine once and tapered myself down to one a day for 5 days, I spent two weeks with severe stomach cramps and diarhea. Bad addiction is only mental. Any long term dose of narcotics, your body will be addicted. Just don't let yourself run out of medication, and don't take more than directed. Best of luck to you!

[898]

I know person who has the rod implanted to the lumbar spine for 25 years and experience pain from time to time.
In my late teens I had severe back pain when lifting heavy loads due to the bone disease of the thoratic spine.
I took some back exercise classes as well as physiotherapy. As a result, my back pain was much improved.
You should ask the doctor about the alternative pain therapy, as Tylenol 3 can become addictive.