An introduction, and a few questions.

[TheArtDisarray]

I'll try not to make this too long, as I tend to ramble, but I'll do the best I can.

My name is Trin, and I'm 20 years old. I've been living with chronic pain for a year now. My pain started when I was pregnant with my son, and because of the location of the pain and the pregnancy, no doctor was comfortable with doing any kind of imaging tests, so it was just recently that I finally got a diagnosis. I have severe nerve, joint, and muscle/tissue damage in my left hip, severe arthritis at the base of my spine, and moderate scoliosis. My doctor isn't sure if the scoliosis is going to progress, but it looks optimistic so far.

At the start of my pain, I was pregnant, so I was very, very wary to take any kind of pain medicine. I wasn't even able to do basic activities, let alone walk, so I finally gave in. I started with tylenol 3, which did almost nothing for the pain, so my midwife finally convinced me to start taking percocet. The pain from my back and hip was getting so bad that I would start having contractions from the stress of the pain, and I was losing weight from being in so much pain that I didn't even want to eat. They told me that the medication would be much less harmful to my son than all of the stress from the pain, so I caved, and was on percocet for the duration of my pregnancy. With my joints and ligaments being so vulnerable during pregnancy, and the weight of my son putting extra stress on my back and hip, my pain kept progressing. After I gave birth, I was still in a state of endless severe pain.

I started seeing a primary care doctor a few weeks before I had my son, and he has been absolutely wonderful. He had my imaging tests done, got me into physical therapy, and started me at a pain clinic. He takes care of my medications; I went from percocet 5/325 mg 2 every 4 hours, to oxycodone hydrochloride 15 mg 2 every 4 hours, and I was just today switched to MS Contin 30 mg, twice a day, with the oxycodone hydrochloride for breakthrough pain as needed.

I have been to the pain clinic twice so far. The first procedure they did was a steroid and lidocaine injection into my sacro illiac joint, and all that did was increase the pain in my hip tenfold. I couldn't walk for over a week, even with the medication. A few days later, the doctor decided to do another steroid/lidocaine injection, but this time in the lumbar region of my spine. What they're doing now is diagnostic; they're trying to find some of the nerves that are causing the pain so they can burn them. Unfortunately, all this injection did was aggravate the pain even more, and the cortisone never took effect. So now I have another appointment with them tomorrow for another lumbar facet block. I'm not sure how many times they will try this before they give up on this route.

I had an appointment with my primary care doctor today, and he put in an order for a TENS unit for me. I was wondering if any of you have used this, and what were your experiences with it? Also, I'm looking for advice from anyone who's had to have these steroid injections, as I'm not sure if what is happening to me afterwards is normal (increased pain, no relief whatsoever). I'm not sure what to say to my pain management doctor, and I'm worried that if this next injection doesn't work, he'll just want to do another one. Do I keep trying the injections, hoping one will finally work, and just deal with all of the increased pain from the failed ones, or should I talk to them about a different route? I'm still getting used to all of this, and it's not been an easy time. Any advice is very appreciated, and I'm grateful if you made it this far. Thanks in advance.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Trin,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum, I am so sorry to hear about your pain. I am glad that you have found us and I hope you can provide you with some useful information. I am so very glad that you have a great PCP. It makes all the difference.

I have severe SIJ (sacroiliac joint) Dysfunction. I have had two injections into my SIJ's. The lidocaine numbs the joint, the steroid reduces the inflammation. If that is the source of your pain it should be relieved for 2-6 hours. Immediately following the injections I had no pain. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. (Which is how it's suppose to work if you have SIJ issues.) Shortly after the numbing medication wore off the pain returned and was worse than every for a few days before it eased. I did find that I had less pain for approximately 6-7 days but than it returned, worse than before. So it is my guess is that your SIJ is not the source of your pain. You are correct they are attempting to locate the site of your pain.

I have had a TENS unit which aggravated my pain also. Some ppl claim great releif with them, unfortunately I am not one of them. But it is non-invasive and certainly worth trying. The one I had was adjustable and you may have to "play" with it to find the level works best for you.  

I would suggest that you keep doing as the PMP suggests unless you have a good and rational argument as why it could be detrimental. Hopefully they will be able to locate the source of your pain and treat is accordingly. If you decline treatment they will not look favorable upon your cooperativeness. I have done everything and seen every specialist my PCP has recommended. She says so many of patients do not and she wonders why they even bother coming to see her if they will not follow her recommendations, which makes a lot of sense to me.  

I second Mollyrae's post, please continue to post and become an active memeber of our community. There is great support here and many warm and caring members. We all wish you luck in your search for a diagnosis. I'll look forward to your updates.
Take care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello The Art:

I do not have advise for you at this time...I just want to welcome you to the Pain Forum. You might find it a really nice place to be. Great place to vent !!!!  Great place to meet new friends who suffer as you do. I hope you continue to post. It's a great community.

Mollyrae

[Red931]

I do use a TENS Unit and find that it does work if used in conjunction with ice or heat. I have herniations and a bulge L4-L5 and L5-S1 which causes pain from the Sciatic Nerve.

I have had the injections but found them of no use to me at all. Some people do well on them, but we are all different. You should not have more than 3 injections in a 30 day time period.

I suggest to talk to your primary doctor today about all of your concerns as he is the doctor prescribing all of your medications.

Good Luck.