Chronic Lower Back Pain Issues

History:  March 1993 - discectomy L-4  L-5     Between 1993 and 2004 had 6 epidural/ cortizone shots  two series of 3 shots.  Dec. 2005  fusion for L-4 L-5. As well as a surgery to remove pain pump tube that broke off in my back when Dr tried to remove 2 days out of fusion surgery. Also had another series of  3 cortizone shots.(total of 9 shots) Spring 2007  L-4 L-5  re-do fusion as well as fusion for L-5 S-1. Two rods with 6 screws.  I have had a swollen left foot since fall of 2003.  Nerve pain was mostly down left side.  Lower back, Hip, Leg and Foot.   As of Jan 2010  started having pain in right outside hip area.  Pain has now started to move down the right side hip, leg and foot.  I check my scar area from time to time.  I noticed recently there looks to be bruising within the scar tissue?  My right side pain feels as if the muscle skin is being pulled, stretched, ripped along my lower back into hip, butt, and leg.  I feel an electric shock down my right side hip leg foot if I sneeze, cough,  gagging/throwing up, and with bowel movement.  If I lay down the ripping feeling feels more intense.  I am currently taking 15mgs of morphine every 8 hours.  I am taking vicodan for newer right side "break through" pain.  My pain Dr has also added 250 mg  of levetiracetam (sub for Keppra) for nerve pain.  I also found out my vitamin D level was 20.  The range is 30-100.  My doctor said they are concerned for anything under 60.  I am currently taking 50,000 IUs of D2. my body does not convert from inactive form of D to an active form of D.  Most people with chronic pain seem to have a vitamin D issue.    

1.  Anyone else on Keppra (levetiracetam 250mgs) ?  It can cause white cell count issues. Does anyone have history with this therapy?  It is meant to treat nerve pain.

2.  I had an MRI (with contrast) taken it shows hardware in place.  Does hardware that is broken or loose show up on MRI (with contrast)?

3.  Has anyone had broken hardware removed and their pain level improved?


Anyone have ideas or similar stories please share..
Thanks Kelly