Pain medication

[bamoore]

I had a fusion in 2009. L/4-L/5 artificial discs and 5 screws/ 2 rods. After a long recovery I felt pretty good for while. I would optionally have some pain but manageable. Starting in the summer of 2013 low back pain returned. I call it chronic pain. Most of the time pain levels 7-8. Started treatment from medical group that did the surgery. First step was pain meds and then a series of injection treatments. 4 separate injection treatments over about 6 months. No results at all. The last injection they called it a hardware injection to try to determine if pain was from the screws. I maybe had some relieve for a few hours but honestly it was hard to tell.
After all that I had surgery to take out screws and rods. I am know 2 months out from surgery. Doing aquatic physical therapy  3 days a week. In my 4th week. Doing 4 more weeks. Therapist says I am defiantly getting stronger. But I still have same pain at fusion site.
Just wanting some advice or input. Am I stuck with this pain forever? Not real sure where to turn. The only thing that gives me relieve are the pain meds. Are there doctors that will prescribe pain meds long term?

[trixy71]

Hi there, yes there is help for long term pain management. Ask either your surgeon or GP for a referral to a pain management doctor or clinic, they will be able to help you with long term pain management. They also have other things they can try to help manage your pain. Good luck to you.

[bamoore]

Thanks.

[bamoore]

No just removed screws from original fusion. Still have artificial discs in place.
I am doing my best to be patient but gets frustrating at times.
Thanks for your reply.

[TheLightSeeker]

There are answers outside the conventional medical box, as well.
If interested, post at the Alternative Therapies or Complimentary
Medicine Communities.

Cheers!
Niko

[Kalvin]

When you say same pain at fusion site, are you saying that they removed the artificial disc and did a fusion instead??

It took me 8 -10  months to recover from my L4/5 fusion, so don't give up yet!!
And yes, if you don't get any better there are Doctors that will  manage your pain long term. Lets just hope it doesn't come to that.

Take Care