Chronic Leg Pain

[sweetchel17]

I have been seeing a pain management specialist for a year now and getting the steroid injections to help alleviate permanent nerve damage in the left leg. I had two surgeries on the L5 S1 disc almost 2 years ago. The pain medication worked really well at first but I've built up a tolerance to it. My question is should I go with a spinal cord stimulator or should I see if there are other medications to take first?

The pain is debilitating and I haven't had much of a life for almost two years. There is so much pain and weakness in the leg...not to mention that I fall constantly because when I get up to walk my leg "gives out". Its like stepping into a hole. Any adivce?

sweetchel1

[Tuckamore]

Hello and welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am very sorry that you are having so much increased pain.  

You have asked a very good and difficult question. I'm afraid I do not have the answers for you. I do think you are approaching this is decision in the correct manner, gather as much information as you can and educate yourself.

If the SCS was effective for you and you had little complications I may highly consider that route again. Additionally you can investigate other medications and their side effects, way all the pros and cons before you make the decision. Possibly the addition of a SCS may at least reduce your need for increased pain medication.

Our members should post with their opinions. Best of luck to you. Please let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck

[opus88]

Hi sweetchell and welcome for sure.
I too suffer from leg pain(neuropathy).I also see a PMP...the steroid injections I've had were to my hips to attempt to alleviate with no results.
I have been on gabapentin for 5-6 years and this did a tremendous job for a while, recently they have upped the dose to a very high level with no results.
I am also on a narcotic...which seemed to only make it worse....so of course recently they have increased the narcotic...so far this is working, but again I am skeptical for how long?
I've been told to consider Lryica.
Have you tried any of these anticonvulsant medications, or narcotics?

best...

[sweetchel17]

I did give Lyrica a try but it didn't work. I haven't had the SCS before but I'm willing to give i t a try. I just know that I can't stand being a hostage to the pain anymore. I'm concerned about long term use of the narcotics I've been given and I've built up such a tolerance to them that they rarely do anything for me anymore.

I'm glad I've found a place where I can ask questions and share information.