Serve Sciatica in left leg again

[leophoenix]

Hi There,

I have had surgery back in 2001 2006, 2008 & 2009 all together I have had 6 operations for L5/S1 Disc Prolapse all for thesame thing, and recently in February 7th 2012 had an Steriod Injection.

The problem is I have reported pain last year in March 2011 starting again, in June 2011 I had an MRI a follow up in August 2011, the outcome was I had Epdurial Tissue and would not operate again and put me forward for Pain Clinic.

I had a Steriod injection this year and it did not work and the pain has gone worse. I went back to my GP and told him the Symptons which were serve cronic leg pain, unable to walk long distance, unable to hold bowls correctly, can't bend down, dizzyness, and sick twice as well.

Now I know I have had 6 operations but to be honest this is not scar tissue, I had an emergency MRI on the 29th March 2011 who my GP refered me and again that came up with same thing as the previous scan but they mentioned there is compression on the L5/S1 disc.

Can someone tell me this is not scar tissue as I had the surgery in July 2009 and started getting the pain back in March 2011 and up till now it's gone worse.

Thing is in 2001 my first operation was 'OK' for 5 years without any pain at all but from 2006 till now 2012 it starting over again.

I think there is a piece of small disc compressing the nerve and is that small it doesn't show on the MRI. I am waiting for a second oppinion and also on the 1st May 2012 seeing Pain clinic for a DCS implant.

I don't know how long the appointment will take for a second oppion but I know I wont get this before 1st May so what the hell do I do. Push for DCS implant for wait for other surgeon to decide if he wll operate and take a look.




This discussion is related to L5S1 SCAR TISSUE COMPRESSION.

[ggreg]

Well then, looks like your second opinion doc will indeed be able to tell you what is going on with your disc in there, and what might be causing your various pains, and hopefully come up with a new treatment plan for you.  I also hope the DCS implant thing will help out, that would be good.  Me, I just wish they'd give me a permanent implant of morphine or something.  HA!  Always good to run across someone else who knows what it's like to put up with back pain, it is just so profoud in its effect on a person.

By the way, I take Lyrica (pregabalin) that helps with my back pain A LOT.  It's not an opiate, so docs are more willing to prescribe it.  Maybe someone will let you have some samples and you'll get some relief.  

[leophoenix]

Hi there, thanks for replying back apologies for spelling mistakes but typing in pain puts me off. I have had 6 operations on the same place, not replaced a disc but keep takin out the disc that is prolapsing. Looking at my scan I don't have disc there but I think there is something there very small. I have put in complaints about this and why is it taking so long. When I get my second appointment I will stay until I get an answer proper, I understand they don't care if they have not experienced pain like we have then why they keep holding back while it's going worse. This where people take action when things don't get done. I have put up this for long time another 4 weeks just have to wait again

[ggreg]

The way I see it, it doesn't matter if it's scar tissue or a bulging disc or an embedded knife causing your symptoms, you have a rather serious problem with pain, not to mention bowel incontinence, and this has been going on TOO LONG!!!  I very much like the idea of the second opinion, so keep that appointment in place, for sure.  Also, keep the pain clinic appointment, and if they want to do a DCS implant, fine, go ahead, it won't change your need for a second opinion.  Usually with DCS implants, they do a relatively short testing period to make sure this pain treatment is going to work, and then they go ahead with the real thing.  But you still need that second opinion and this is because I am not sure if treating symptoms is the only thing docs should be doing right now.

I became confused when you said you had six operations for a disc prolapse at L5-S1 over the last decade, and your most recent MRI also reported compression of the disc in the same place L5-S1.  I am assuming therefore they replaced your prolapsed disc at some point, and now it's beginning to fail once again.  Looks like they'd go ahead and fuse your lower spine.  

Now, this is where your second opinion is important, because I am not an expert in all this sugical activity, but it just seems to me you've got a problem with the nerves in the area, in particular the sciatic nerve that you've identified, but also could be other nerves are affected, could be you've developed cauda equina syndrome which is a bunch of nerves that have to do with your bowel incontinence, and even the spinal cord could be compromised.  Without seeing the pictures from your scan, I cannot know, nor would I then even be able to hazard a guess as to what nerves or possibly the spinal cord are being affected by whatever the heck is going on in your lumbosacral spine!!!  So, your second opinion is needed, no matter what other relief measures your pain clinic tries on you.

So, just go along with the program, and definitely hang onto getting that second opinion no matter what, and hopefully this new doc will be helpful to you, maybe show you some of the scan pictures to explain things, you might even write a letter to the doc you will be seeing, explaining as briefly as possible your history of previous ops, kind of like you have here, and also all the various symptoms you have, treatments and surgery he might suggest, and ask to have things explained to you and to go over a couple scan pictures for you.  That way, when you come, he'll know what you need from him and will hopefully be prepared.  I REALLY hope this fellow will take the time to work with you on all this and straighten you out.  

I really feel for you.  I have one screwed up back from a car wreck, it hurts so much and for so long, and apparetly no one has a clue or even seems to care about all my pain and suffering.  Yah, I knows how you feels.  But hang in, I just think things have gotten to where your caregivers cannot see the forest for the trees at this point.