re: Legit chronic pain people

I have 2 bulging discs (not operable) and bone spurs in L3/4 and L4/5 that my doctor was focusing on for the past 2 years since I have pain down the front of my thighs to right above my knees. The last nerve ablation there didn't give me any relief, and my hips and back of my legs were absolutely killing me every time I laid down or sat still for more than about 10 minutes. He started with a steroid/pain injection in my SI joints that I got about a weeks worth of relief from so we progressed to the ablation. If this works longer term, then I think we are on the right track and will have the fusion later this year. Its a really shitty surgery to go through from what I've been told but I'll do anything right now to stop the pain and the pain meds.
His nurse also mentioned that since the SI injections and ablation hurt worse, post-op, than the lumbar ones that its more likely that's where my pain is coming from since there was likely much more inflammation in that area which causes more pain post op than if there wasn't much inflammation.

Latest update:
Going to have left side SI joint fusion on 8/24 by Dr Isaza. I feel better now just knowing that there is a probable light at the end of the tunnel.

I pull out my bandanna, wipe the sweat òff my face, say "frickit" and drive on!

Update:
Had my SI joint fusion done yesterday. Everything went well and I'm hoping to be discharged this morning. Dr. put a nerve block in my hip/pelvis that should last about 72 hours so I've only got some minor soreness right now. I hope it doesn't ramp up too bad but I'm prepared if it does.
Here's to hoping this does it and I am pain free in a month or so.

Good luck man


If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?


I'm asking because my left lower lumbar has gotten progressively worse with 'injuries' happening more often and lasting longer and being more debilitating. I just made 35.. when I was 18 in 2001, I was diagnosed spinal stinosis or whatever and a protruding disc in my L4-L5 and told I already had arthritis like a middle aged person.... I was put on strong pain killers and soma as a HS student and the rest is history....

Well fast forward almost 20 years and a few really bad car accidents, and now I have bouts with it where I go several days having a hard time taking showers, getting to and from my car and stuff like that... only thing I take is BC powder and Neruoten helps the shooting pains down my left leg into my heel...

I guess I'm just rambling, but sounds like you have been battling for a while as well... and advice or remedies you could give? I'm a self professed addict so I try my best to stay away from narcotics because I'm scared to death to be off to the races.


Good luck again

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I mean people with true 24/7, debilitating, and life altering chronic pain. I can imagine they immediately get thrown into the category with all of the other drug seekers, abusers, etc despite having medical proof that warrants aggressive treatment.

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I have some constant pain because of various surgeries. It sucks, but sometimes you just have to learn to live with it. Dr. Drew is always harping on people with painkiller addiction that the constant pain can have something to do with the painkillers top.

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And I'm told the fusion there is very risky and seldom recommended

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I was recommended some type of plate fusion back around '02 but I just refused and asked them to up my pain meds and went on a decade long bender... coming out the other end now and I'm getting scared that I could possibly become legit disabled.

I've done massages and PT, cortisone shots, stretching and it's all hit or miss.

It seems about every 3-4 months I've always had my scheduled bouts but they seem to start being more frequent and more severe. I'm legit scared.

This current bout started on the 8th and hasn't let up. Some days are slightly better but then the next day trying to get out of bed, BAM it's back to not being able to even stand on my left leg.... I hobble around like an old man. Have to sit with my legs crossed in a weird arse way... I know people can tell I'm struggling even though I try and play it off

Just sucks and affects everything

I didn't take care of myself very well while playing HS football. Had several injuries that I would not let totally heal before I would make my way back on the field. Fast forward to 2010 and I got in a pretty bad wreck. Idiot pulled dead out in front of me on Airline @ highland and I tboned him at about 60mph. Separated my shoulder and hurt my neck. Dr seems to think that pain was bad enough that I didn't notice the injury to my lower back. FF to 2.5 years ago and back spasms put me in bed for a week at a time twice. Got diagnosed with 2 slightly bulging discs at L3-L5 and bone spurs but for 2 years I would only get minimal relief from epidurals and nerve ablations. Dr finally just 6 months ago suggested doing a test run of injections in my pelvis (SI joint) and it worked pretty well for about a week so we did a nerve ablation about 2 months ago that gave me probably 70% relief that had lasted until now. Knowing this was my primary source of pain, I elected to go ahead and do the fusion before the ablation wore off (and I already met my out of pocket max for the year so it was "free"). Surgery was yesterday and I'm really only sore at the moment but he did put a 72 hour nerve block so by tomorrow evening I'll probably be in a good bit of pain for a few days and will be on crutches for 12 weeks minimum. To me it's all worth it if it works well since 3 months of recovery is much better than hurting for God knows how much longer. The surgery was done by Dr Isaza, very nice older surgeon and definitely knows his stuff. This is the implant they put in me ifuse
Hope all works out for you as I can sympathize on how constant pain over a long period of time can really wear you down both physically as well as mentally
ETA: I'm 38 years old