Possibility of Solving Chronic Back Issues

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have had some chronic back issues that have gotten worse as I have aged. I have had one surgery (it helped SOME!) and my back Dr says he won't do any more surgeries. He suggested back Ablations, which is electronic burning of the nerve where the pain originates. It is an involved process that takes awhile to identify which nerves are actually causing the pain.

I started the procedure several weeks ago and in my case there are 3 main nerves in my lower back on the right & left sides that are causing the pain. They do several tests to make sure these are the right nerves. He injected a numbing solution that last 6 to 8 hours in each nerve to deaden the pain. If the pain stops temporarily, he knows he has identified the right nerves.

Monday I went in for the real thing on my right side. My Dr ablated the 3 nerves, which was a pretty uncomfortable process that lasted about 1/2 hour. The pain on my right side is gone! Left side scheduled in 2 weeks.

The big question is how long it will last. I had a nerve ablated in my neck 4 years ago and it is still pain free. Hope this comes out the same. Now I can get back to walking and gym work....keeping my fingers crossed. For any of you that have back issues that are really bothering, talk to you Doctor!!~

 

[JimP]

Good luck with it.

I have found that one of the hardest things to do is to get a Dr to actually listen to you about a problem. I fought with gout for close to 30 years before it was actually diagnosed and I was able to get the medications to take care of it. I had multiple blood test along with x-rays and nothing came from any of it until a PA actually started looking at the correct stuff, he had gout also and knew what all I had been gone through trying to get it diagnosed correctly.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Just got back from a mile walk with no pain!! First time I have been able to do that pain free.

 

[disabled combat vet]

I went to a pain management doctor and got shots in my back one time and it didn't work and they also gave me ibuprofen and that didn't work, so I just saw a different doctor and she started me on muscle relaxer and so far it's not working and I'm supposed to get I believe different shots in the back so we'll see. My goal is to try pain meds but we'll see. I hope that is one of my options when I see her at the end of the month.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Walking again everyday since the back procedure and man I am out of shape! Got to keep going everyday and increase my time and distance.

 

[JimP]

Every time that I see a new post on this thread I think that is one of the spam post about alleviating back pain.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I hope it continues to help. Good to see you get back to being active. I have a question. I always thought nerve pain was there to let us know something was wrong with our body. Is that anything the doctor addressed?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Yes it is. I have some chronic lower back issues and have had one surgery. My Dr says I am not a candidate for any more back surgery as I'm just too old. He say he has had less than 50% success on people my age (83). The procedure worked on my neck. Had it done 4 years ago and pain is gone. My right side that was done last week has really improved, hope the left side results are the same as the right.