Nerve Blocks?

dannyo666

Anyone had one?I have severe nerve pain(cant sit for longer then 10 mins) after having a disectomy(L5-S1) 18 months ago.A nerve was damaged.Its been a life changing thing for me to not to be able sit.I got a nerve block 3 weeks ago that didnt work and now i have to wait until the end of July to go back to the specialist,even my GP says this is a joke.
I dont have insurance and am thinking of going private(if its possible) even though im pretty broke.What i want to know is does anybody with or without insurance have experiance with waiting this long between nerve blocks?Im starting to think it because of HSE cutbacks.I have to get this sorted ASAP as im losing my mind with pain for the last 18 months.If it costs me my savings then so be it-Im sure anyone with chronic pain can relate


Thanks

littlefriend

I also had nerve blocks done 3 weeks ago and they seem to have irritated the nerves or something. I rang the consultants office to see could I get them done again straight away as I have exams coming up and I'm very sore if I sit for any length of time. The secretary told me it is not possible to have the procedure done again for at least 6-8 weeks..maybe that is why there is a delay for you too? I am covered by VHI so that isn't an issue in this case.
I completely understand why you are losing your mind with pain. In my experience nerve blocks can be a bit hit and miss so I'm not sure if paying to get it done privately will be of much benefit to you. I have had a few different types over the past couple of years and I really only felt any benefit from one. Actually, I didn't realise that it had helped me until it wore off, it was kind of a gradual thing.
If you are going to go private you will be seen quickly in the sports surgery clinic in Santry, Dublin or else Hermitage Clinic also in Dublin. (I don't know if you are anywhere near Dublin, its just I have experience with both places and would recommend them). If you are seeing a consultant in a private clinic make sure he/she also works within the public system (public system has very stringent hiring process).
I hope you get some help soon.

dannyo666

Thanks littlefriend-That answered my question.I was told nerve blocks are hit or miss but at the end of the day ive lost 3 jobs because of not being able to sit and i cant keep "missing" for the next few years,im only 27 and my life has just stood still the last 2 years because of this.I was on lyrica for 4 months but got horrible side effects so i stopped,although i could sit for 2 hours straight with them,the side effects werent worth it.Just dont know what to do.How did your pain start and how long can you sit for?

Thanks

littlefriend

Oh Danny thats terrible. I really know how you feel. I also had to leave 2 good jobs and am now in college studying 12 hours a week trying to survive on back to education allowance. It isn't really how I envisaged spending my 30's.

I actually slipped discs in my neck. I had an operation nearly 4 years ago now that didn't really work. The surgeon wasn't really interested in me after that and sent me to a pain management specialist.

Now I can sit for maybe a couple of hours but I'd be very sore after that. Driving any distance is a killer too, as is flying. I can sort of manage the pain and it is defo not as bad in the summer time when the weather is warmer.

When I'm at home I usually have a hot water bottle kind of tied around my upper back and when I'm out I use those deep heat patches. Neither work really but they kind of stop me seizing up. They don't make any difference to the length of time I can sit, they just make me less sore afterwards. I'm not sure if that makes any sense.

In terms of medication,(mods this isn't medical advice just my experience) I was on lyrica for a while and amitripytline after that. I found both of them made me really forgetful and I just felt out of it all of the time. I was in such an amount of pain that I would have taken anything and at one stage I ended up in John of God's. I literally went nuts trying to fix the pain. That said, I was being pumped with painkillers etc for my neck and anti-depressants, sleeping tablets etc so I think all of that had a part to play in my 'breakdown'.

When I am very sore diazepam and solpadol/tylex/similar work very well. I don't really know what to suggest to you as over medicating yourself isn't a good idea in the long term. If I were you I would probably take whatever the doctor gave me until you can see the consultant again. Ring his secretary every day and you might get jumped up the queue if there is a cancellation (that has worked for me on more than one occasion). You should be able to get referred to a pain management program which teaches you how to deal with your pain.

I would not recommend spending all of your money on alternative therapies. Some may have some benefit in that you may feel relaxed after a treatment and that might relieve a bit of tension through your spine. I have spent a fortune - that I believe was wasted - on acupuncture, spinologist, hypnosis etc. In fact my original injury was caused by a chiropractor - thats another story though.

Sorry this post is rambling on a bit. I'm trying to study at the moment so my back is really sore at the end of the day.

Anyway, bottom line - you might as well resign yourself to the fact that this is going to take you some time to sort out. Remove stress from your life wherever you can. Your gp should be able to refer you for physio which might help you a bit while you wait for your next appointment with the consultant. I presume you are now under the care of a pain specialist rather than the original surgeon?? Maybe ask to be referred back to see the surgeon and see can anything be done for you.

I really feel bad for you. I can have a further surgery to make a cage kind of thing in my neck but I don't know whether to have it or not. The last one was so traumatic that I'm not sure I could handle it again - not unless it was 100% going to be successful.

Ask me anything, I'd be happy to help you if I can. I hope I haven't depressed you with this reply.

dannyo666

Na you havent depressed me,not anymore than i am already anyway;).I laughed when i saw the bit on you wasting money on chiropracters etc because thats exactly what i done,gave a chiropracter €5000,a spineoligist €200 and a physio around €3000 in the last 3 years since i first herniated my disc.The chiropracter swore i didnt have a herniated disc and told me not to get an MRI,after no pain relief i had the MRI (€800) and of course-a herniated disc.Same with the guy who done my op-He couldnt give a ****e about me afterwards and sent me to a pain specialist.I can understand operations not going to plan but all i and i presume yourself would want is some answers to want went wrongnot just tossed away to the "failed" pile.

2 years ago i was running 50+ miles a week and in the army.Now im reseigned to lying down all day ona bed as i cant sit and standing is starting to affect me now in other places(savage heel pain and upper back pain) aswel because thats all ive been doing the last 18 months-just standing from the moment i wake up until i go to bed,the bodys not made for that.Have you any other pain from compensating not sitting?For me these pains are almost as bad as the pain of the original nerve pain

As for medication,i just wont take anything because my own GP is a muppet and would quite happliy just have me stay on them forever if they work,he actually didnt believe me when i kept going to him saying "its only sore when i sit".I later found out through a family member who went to him about me because they were so worried about my state that"He has never seen this,especially in 27 year old".He said he sees a load of twentysomethings pretending they have pain to stay on the sick.Who in the name of God would make up they cant sit?-Pathetic really as surely he could have put 2+2 together seeing as i had a disectomy only a few months previous and had worked all my life and had spent around €10000 tring to fix it while getting €200 a week of the disability allowance,not understanding is fine but to not believe me-Ill never forgive the man.I have tried diazepam and got no relief

Anyway we all have our storys,thats some of mine.My 10 minutes sitting is up(lucky im a quick typer:D)

All the best with the neck,i would always go with surgery if offered thats just my opinion,i would rather be in short term agony rather than long term pain but im sure your situation is different to mine as is everyone elses,there are no guarentees as weve found out the hard way

All the best

Keep me posted on your treatment

puppy cat

Hi there,

I've had numerous rhizotomy procedures (nerve blocks) done on my neck and upper back over the last few years, all this was following a bad car accident.

I was referred to a pain management specialist in Blackrock Clinic and had the procedures done in the Beacon. As I have private health insurance the full cost was covered. I did however get copies of the invoices and each procedure cost on average €2,500! And that was just in the day ward, go in at noon, leave before 6pm.

He did one side of my neck or back one week and the other side the following week, then I wouldn't be back for the next lot for a few months. I have to say I only found one out of over a dozen procedures to be of any help.

In general the pain actually increased for about 4 weeks after then started to drop a bit, then level off, then after about 3 months it would go back up again. And this was what happened with the procedure that actually worked. The rest of them that didn't work left me unable to walk or sleep for a few months after.

I too was given Lyrica and Tylex, and I use Thermacare heat pads every day, can't sit for long times, can't drive much etc. I'm taking Cymbalta now and it does seem to be helping, and as its also an anti depressant I'm feeling a bit better mentally too as well as physically. So we're all in the same boat it would seem.

I really don't know what to say to you to be honest. Not much help I know.

As far as I know you could see a consultant privately and then ask to be transferred onto their public list. So if you went to your man in Blackrock I think the initial consulation fee was about €210, €100 each time after that. Something to think about maybe?

Look after yourself, and remember, you're not alone in this situation, even though I'm sure it feels like it sometimes.

Caoimhín

Ive had 5 discectomies over the past 6, still get some leg pain. Im in for a spinal fusion next month which should sort out the pack pain once and for all.

The best nerve blockers i took are called Lyrica, but the best advice i can offer you it to get second and even third opinions form doctors and surgeons.

Also, i find physiotherapy and pilaties help enormously after surgery and helps prevent another relapse by strengthening your core muscles,

PrettyP

Is a nerve block and a rhizotomy the same thing? I've had many rhizotomies over the past 5 years which is when they literally burn away the nerve endings, however, I have a friend who has had what she calls nerve blocks and she just seems to get injections to numb the area.

If it is a case that you've just had the numbing injections, (which seems likely to me as I've been told not to have a rhizotomy any more frequently than every 6 months and you say you've been told you can have your procedure again in 6 to 8 weeks) then ask about the possibility of the rhizotomy. The one piece of advice I give to everyone is that I was given trial injections and told that if they worked then a rhizotomy would work. However the injections did not work for me but I told them they did so that they would go ahead and do the rhizotomy anyway and y'know what I was right to do it!! Even though the injections hadn't worked for me the rhizotomy DID really help me. Reduced my pain by about 40 to 50 percent. Not a cure I know but reduced the pain enough to let me get on with some sort of a "normal" life.

I am lucky enough at the moment to be with Vhi so the rhizotomy is covered (and yes for me also it ranges from about 2000 to 2500 euro for the procedure). I had my first couple in the public system and was on a waiting list for 6 months and was then treated under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Found out afterwards that I could have contacted the NTPF myself after 3 months and they could have done me then but they wil not contact you until you've been waiting 6 months. Crazy.

Also just to let you know my injury is in my lower back (fell down the stairs) and it started when I was 29 (I am now 39). I also got the "you're very young to be having this problem" speech many times. Didn't know there were age restrictions on falling down the stairs!!!!

As a last note, and I say this to everyone too, have a look at www.chronicpainireland.org I'm nothing to do with the association, just found them on the web myself about 5 years ago and they have a good forum for people with chronic pain

Hope some of this helps

squeky

if ye are having all them procedures done and they are not working then i suggest ye look up "Spinal Cord Stimulator", Ask your pain specialists about it, i have had all that ye have had including all the pills ye describe to and i had the "SCS"implant fitted and it may be the next route for you all to look at!

irishh_bob

dannyo666 wrote: »

Anyone had one?I have severe nerve pain(cant sit for longer then 10 mins) after having a disectomy(L5-S1) 18 months ago.A nerve was damaged.Its been a life changing thing for me to not to be able sit.I got a nerve block 3 weeks ago that didnt work and now i have to wait until the end of July to go back to the specialist,even my GP says this is a joke.
I dont have insurance and am thinking of going private(if its possible) even though im pretty broke.What i want to know is does anybody with or without insurance have experiance with waiting this long between nerve blocks?Im starting to think it because of HSE cutbacks.I have to get this sorted ASAP as im losing my mind with pain for the last 18 months.If it costs me my savings then so be it-Im sure anyone with chronic pain can relate


Thanks

i had a nerve block ( my second one ) in a private clinic less than two weeks ago and it didnt improove things one iota , the 1st one i had ( last june ) in beaumont public hospital actually made my pain worse , i regret now having had it , i had been off painkillers for six months previous to the injection but figured i had nothing to loose and that the nerve block might rid myself of pain entirely , at no stage did the doctor say in advance that the injection could make matters worse , since then i have had to go back on pain killers and my quality of life has greatly reduced , from talking to people this past year and from reading posts on CHRONIC PAIN.IE , it appears to me that nerve blocks hardly ever work , the only beneficiarie seems to be individual doctors bank accounts , besides , the actual proceedure is incredibly non specific and vague when you think about it , like throwing darts at a dart board and hoping you hit the bullseye , your there lieing on the operating table and the doctor asks you to vaguely point to where your sore and then starts marking with a pen , surely they should arrange for a scan so as to be able to pin point exactly where the problem is , frankly , ive become very cynical with doctors since my accident and subsequent chronic pain , in my experience , the patient has to make all the running , getting info is like pulling teeth and in the case of a certain pain specialist based in beaumont ( who talks to you while standing up ) , your left with the impression that your just an irritation , the sad reality when it comes to chronic pain is that you never rid yourself of it and are left with no choice but to withdraw from certain aspects of your former life

pm me if you like to know which doctors i attended , at least one of them is nice

regards

bob

dannyo666

PrettyP wrote: »

Is a nerve block and a rhizotomy the same thing? I've had many rhizotomies over the past 5 years which is when they literally burn away the nerve endings, however, I have a friend who has had what she calls nerve blocks and she just seems to get injections to numb the area.

If it is a case that you've just had the numbing injections, (which seems likely to me as I've been told not to have a rhizotomy any more frequently than every 6 months and you say you've been told you can have your procedure again in 6 to 8 weeks) then ask about the possibility of the rhizotomy. The one piece of advice I give to everyone is that I was given trial injections and told that if they worked then a rhizotomy would work. However the injections did not work for me but I told them they did so that they would go ahead and do the rhizotomy anyway and y'know what I was right to do it!! Even though the injections hadn't worked for me the rhizotomy DID really help me. Reduced my pain by about 40 to 50 percent. Not a cure I know but reduced the pain enough to let me get on with some sort of a "normal" life.

I am lucky enough at the moment to be with Vhi so the rhizotomy is covered (and yes for me also it ranges from about 2000 to 2500 euro for the procedure). I had my first couple in the public system and was on a waiting list for 6 months and was then treated under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Found out afterwards that I could have contacted the NTPF myself after 3 months and they could have done me then but they wil not contact you until you've been waiting 6 months. Crazy.

Also just to let you know my injury is in my lower back (fell down the stairs) and it started when I was 29 (I am now 39). I also got the "you're very young to be having this problem" speech many times. Didn't know there were age restrictions on falling down the stairs!!!!

As a last note, and I say this to everyone too, have a look at www.chronicpainireland.org I'm nothing to do with the association, just found them on the web myself about 5 years ago and they have a good forum for people with chronic pain

Hope some of this helps

Yeah i think that this is where im headed-Temporary nerve blocks to find the nerve and then to "burn" it when its found,which could be never.Im shocked theres no sticky on this forum for http://www.ntpf.ie/home/ .Maybe everyone here already knows about it or something,im only new in this forum so i dont know.What i do know is that i have a family member who is a nurse and says the NTPF is the greatest unknown scheme in Ireland.After a 3 month wait your entitled to that day procedere to be done ASAP in Ireland or foreign,it does include disectomys even though it doesnt say it on the list.It actually looks to good to be true but it is one of those rare things that looks good and is true as im sure Prettyp can testify to.

@bob,id like to pm you for sure to find out who that decent doc was

Thanks

squeky

im a chronic pain sufferer for years now and like i have said, ive had all the nerve/biers blocks and you name it i have had it, if the nerve blocks are no good for you then you need to be thinking along the lines of other alternatives, Research SCS "Spinal Cord Stimulators" or PM me and ill give you my views on it,

i used the national treatment purchase fund and they are great!

thats my 2 cent opinion!!

babs.jones

Hey,
I'm like the rest of you in the same Pain Boat. I had the Epidural injection last year (the one that they use an x-ray and inject the epidural into you) fair enough I couldn’t feel pain for about 10 hours (but I also couldn’t feel my legs). I got this done in Santry Sports clinic and it cost €800.
I have no health insurance and pained for majority of my treatments last year ( coming to a total of over 8k)
I had a diseconomy last aug and its "popped Out" again. But I was told because I went private for some stuff I went missing in the public system and that’s y there was long waiting lists for me

I'm currently waiting on a public MRI (which is on Monday but have been waiting since Feb) I haven’t got the money to do private stuff this year.
I Have no feeling in my right leg and was told by the consultant that I just have to make do with the pain!!

I'm usually drugged out of it I take DF118 , Tylex and Bidol and Valum. I was on Duragesic patches last year but I was in such a vegetate state on them & the withdrawals were unbearable I swore I wouldn’t go back on them.

I always thought Y me I’m only 25 and I have a 5 year old boy but I know i'm not the worst out there.

Sorry I rambled there for a bit in answering your question I found the nerve blocks don’t work and a consultant told me once that getting them done is like if you have a leaky pipe and you only put a piece of tape on the leak. It’s not going to fix it in the long term!!

Caoimhín

babs.jones wrote: »

I'm usually drugged out of it I take DF118 , Tylex and Bidol and Valum. I was on Duragesic patches last year but I was in such a vegetate state on them & the withdrawals were unbearable I swore I wouldn’t go back on them.

Be careful with that stuff. A bad back is shít enough without being addicted to pills.

Caoimhín

littlefriend wrote: »

I was in such an amount of pain that I would have taken anything and at one stage I ended up in John of God's. I literally went nuts trying to fix the pain. That said, I was being pumped with painkillers etc for my neck and anti-depressants, sleeping tablets etc so I think all of that had a part to play in my 'breakdown'.

When I am very sore diazepam and solpadol/tylex/similar work very well.

Thats rotten. I stick to Diefe and panadol myself, been on everything under the sun but I find that Difene and paracetamol is greater than the sum of its parts.

Im an expert when it comes to back pain.

dannyo666

Looks like a lot of people in the same boat.@babs jones-You have no feeling in your right leg and were told to deal with the pain and had to wait 4 months to get an MRI on the public list?Thats a disgrace.If theres one thing ive learned from the last 2 years on the public system is that you have to annoy and pester docs and whoever else to get seen.Youre just a name to them,whereas if you tap-tap-tap away at secertarys and docs then you will see things happen a lot faster i swear.Especially get onto your GP as he has the power to pull the strings.
I was supposed to get another MRI last November.I waited until January(shoulda done it sooner) to enquire what was the delay and i found out that somehow my name never even was on the list.If i didnt do the phoneing around then who knows where id be.They realised my mistake and got me in 2 weeks later but it just shows like.Ive had a load of smaller thing aswell that i had to make happen myself.

@Caoimhin-Dont think diafene and panadol/paracetemol do anything for nerve pain and have been told a mixture of the two is like "gunpowder" in your stomach.

Hpoe ye get sorted soon

Caoimhín

dannyo666 wrote: »

@Caoimhin-Dont think diafene and panadol/paracetemol do anything for nerve pain and have been told a mixture of the two is like "gunpowder" in your stomach.

Hpoe ye get sorted soon

Thanks Danny, i think i am immune to difene at this stage though..

Tootle

Just to help understand a bit more about chronic pain, I'd highly recomend Reading Explain Pain by David Butler. You can get it on Amazon. It's a bit pricey but well worth it

LegacyUser

OP my boyfriend had a herniated disc in his lower back last year. He literally went from a slight back pain to full blown sciatica in the space of about 3 weeks. He couldn't put his clothes on in the morning, or sit for any period of time. He's only 27 too - the doctor was shocked.
Anyway he went in for an operation and woke up still in pain. The worry made things so much worse...everyone said "oh you'll be fine after the op", and he wasn't. The nerve down his leg and into his heel still wasn't great.He was on Tylex, Difene and Lyrica for months. He ended up getting the nerve block done, twice in the space of 6 weeks. It was done in the SSC in Santry, as were his MRI's - all private. He found it did quite a good job...apparently the scar tissue from the op was causing part of his problems. He still gets twinges, and a couple of weeks ago, he pulled something again getting out of bed in the morning. He's left so much money with the physio and consultant since last year though, it's sickening.
He found the SSC very good though...I've since been back myself with a sports injury and can't recommend it enough. Obviously as it's private you've to pay, but you can claim some of it back on tax at the end of the year.
Have you looked in to getting insurance at all?
Best of luck....having lived with someone who has that I can only say my heart goes out to you.

dannyo666

Oh's back problems wrote: »

OP my boyfriend had a herniated disc in his lower back last year. He literally went from a slight back pain to full blown sciatica in the space of about 3 weeks. He couldn't put his clothes on in the morning, or sit for any period of time. He's only 27 too - the doctor was shocked.
Anyway he went in for an operation and woke up still in pain. The worry made things so much worse...everyone said "oh you'll be fine after the op", and he wasn't. The nerve down his leg and into his heel still wasn't great.He was on Tylex, Difene and Lyrica for months. He ended up getting the nerve block done, twice in the space of 6 weeks. It was done in the SSC in Santry, as were his MRI's - all private. He found it did quite a good job...apparently the scar tissue from the op was causing part of his problems. He still gets twinges, and a couple of weeks ago, he pulled something again getting out of bed in the morning. He's left so much money with the physio and consultant since last year though, it's sickening.
He found the SSC very good though...I've since been back myself with a sports injury and can't recommend it enough. Obviously as it's private you've to pay, but you can claim some of it back on tax at the end of the year.
Have you looked in to getting insurance at all?
Best of luck....having lived with someone who has that I can only say my heart goes out to you.

Thanks for that.Ive looked into insurance but i cant claim on anything for 6 months and my premium would be huge,im "damaged goods" as far as their concerned.Im looking into going private,each nerve block is €1800 in my hospital in Cork.At the moment im waiting 8 months between nerve blocks which is a joke.I keep hearing about that place is Santry and im definitly going to have a look at it.Im a bit worried though if i go private and the nerve blocks dont work that any further surgery/procedure will have to be private aswel,i cant all of a sudden go public when the cost starts to get out of hand so its a tough one

Thanks again

irishh_bob

dannyo666 wrote: »

Thanks for that.Ive looked into insurance but i cant claim on anything for 6 months and my premium would be huge,im "damaged goods" as far as their concerned.Im looking into going private,each nerve block is €1800 in my hospital in Cork.At the moment im waiting 8 months between nerve blocks which is a joke.I keep hearing about that place is Santry and im definitly going to have a look at it.Im a bit worried though if i go private and the nerve blocks dont work that any further surgery/procedure will have to be private aswel,i cant all of a sudden go public when the cost starts to get out of hand so its a tough one

Thanks again

based on my own personal experience ( 2 unsuccessfull nerve blocks ) , from talking to others who have had the proceedure and from reading dozens of posts on chronicpain.ie , im of the opinion that nerve blocks rareley ever work and the biggest beneficiaries are the wealthy consultants who perform them , never forget that money is the prime motivation of most doctors in this little country

LegacyUser

While I agree with irishbob on the subject of consultants wholeheartedly, the nerve block did work for my boyfriend.For him I think the scar tissue from his op was rubbing the already sensitve nerve that had casued the original pain, and he was having a lot of trouble walking properly etc, which exacerbated the problem.The nerve block basically de-sensitised the nerve and allowed it to heal. However OP it's up to yourself...how bad things are for you personally, and what you're prepared to try. I can imagine that your insurance premium would be quite high, but maybe it's worth looking into anyway....if, by some horrible luck you still have this problem in 6 mths time, at least you'd have the cushion there of insurance.
Best of luck to you, hope it works out.

PrettyP

I agree, I know a lot of people who have had no success with a rhizotomy. I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I'm still in pain but it's about 40 percent less. When the rhizotomy wears off (usually after about 9 months for me) the pain whacks back up so I know it's doing me some good. I would just ask your doctor to clarify if you're having a nerve block that numbs the nerve or a rhizotomy which actually burns away the nerve ending. Both worth a try once but if it doesn't work don't keep giving the docs your money!

As I said before in this thread after 3 months on a list in the public system you can contact the National Treatment Purchase Fund so no-one should be waiting 8 months for a procedure (it's different for MRIs etc). Don't be afraid to ring them. They can only say no (and they'll probably say yes)

dannyo666

Just got quoted €300 for a nerve root block in Santry or €600 if i want to be knocked out during the procedure(which i dont).People on this thread have said €2500 and my own hospital in Cork said around €2500-Im starting to think its €2500 if i have vhi/quinn healthcare and the hospitals can ride the insurance companies whereas if its coming directly out of my own pocket then its gonna be €300,cant really understand it,Anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks

babs.jones

Theres a famous plastic surgeon in Phisborgh in dublin that gives you the steriod and anasteic injection that is supose to last 3 month. It didnt work for me. It only cost me 120 or 130 Cant remember but wasnt that dear!!
I dont know if i have mentioned it but i was told by a surgen that all these nerve blocks and injections and drugs are just like putting a peice of tape of a leaky pipe it wont fix the problem permentally.

My question to all the Stupid consultants in ireland (Who think they are god) why the feck cant they just replace the pipe or repair it popperly!! The Doctors in tallaght hospital hate me coz i keep asking why they just wont do the fusion it will make me better. they say i wont have any quality of life ( IE I wont be able to bend or turn 360) but i have NO quality of life now but i have pain!! I will live with not been able to bend or walk straight or turn 360 as long as the pain goes!!! :mad:

dannyo666

Sorry to hear that babs.Isnt there any other option then a fusion for you?Ever try a different consultant,even in a different hospital/part of the country maybe-Looks like ill be doing that and i dare anyone doctor/consultant here in Cork to try to stop me.Look after number 1 when on the public system cause no-one else is

babs.jones

dannyo666 i was told there are only three orto docs in ireland that specialise in nerve damage one in dub (myn) one in cork (yours prob) and dont know who the ither one is. they all have teams but your file has to be assesed by the head doctors!!!!
A&E will only take me seriously if im incontinent and cant feel both legs. Feel like wetting myself on purpose!! AGGGGGG
Having a bad night tonight with pain my back locks and i cant move (sometimes my leg falls from under me) then the really sharp pain like someone has a sharp poker hot knife and is stabbing me down both legs. The drugs only numb it a lil but not much Still feel the pain!!

dannyo666

babs.jones wrote: »

dannyo666 i was told there are only three orto docs in ireland that specialise in nerve damage one in dub (myn) one in cork (yours prob) and dont know who the ither one is. they all have teams but your file has to be assesed by the head doctors!!!!
A&E will only take me seriously if im incontinent and cant feel both legs. Feel like wetting myself on purpose!! AGGGGGG
Having a bad night tonight with pain my back locks and i cant move (sometimes my leg falls from under me) then the really sharp pain like someone has a sharp poker hot knife and is stabbing me down both legs. The drugs only numb it a lil but not much Still feel the pain!!

Jesus,sounds like your in bits-There are 5 anesetists alone in Cork that i know that do nerve blocks and there only the ones i know of.There not known as nerve specialists,altough they are the only ones that can give nerve blocks.There must be 10 times that many in Dublin.Who told you there were only 3?Honestly id say bypass your GP and do your own research-Seriously

babs.jones

danny i past the stage of nerve blocks they dont work had two types done the docs are Neuro Orthopaedics that i need to opperate on me!!
Hope u get somewhere with your nerve blocks but my opion is that they dont work if your in chronic pain!

irishh_bob

perhaps someone could PM me with the names of some very good pain specialists in dublin or leinster , ive gone through two already , without success


thanks

irishh_bob

hi again , id be interested in talking to anyone for whoom , having a nerve block made things much much worse , at no stage was i told by my doctor that having a block could cause the pain to intensify , how is it that thier are no consequences for doctors who balls up proceedures - operations , if a mechanic advised me to recondition and engine in my car and the car ended up heading for the knackers yard , thier would be hell to pay for , why are doctors more or less a law unto themselves in this country

its a serious question :mad:

dannyo666

I was told that the pain could get worse and it did,it got much worse but only lasted 2 weeks and then went back to normal.I see what your saying about docs being held responsible for causing more pain but as far as i know doctors worldwide dont understand nerves all too well,so i dont think its their mistake its just left down to how every individual reacts,everyone is different.I was left with permanent nerve damage after a disectomy but i dont blame the surgeon,i was warned beforehand it could happen,i signed a waiver before the surgery which im sure you done before your nerve block.You have a case though that you should have been told there was a chance a nerve block could make thing worse-shocked they didnt tell you that

When did you get it done?

irishh_bob

dannyo666 wrote: »

I was told that the pain could get worse and it did,it got much worse but only lasted 2 weeks and then went back to normal.I see what your saying about docs being held responsible for causing more pain but as far as i know doctors worldwide dont understand nerves all too well,so i dont think its their mistake its just left down to how every individual reacts,everyone is different.I was left with permanent nerve damage after a disectomy but i dont blame the surgeon,i was warned beforehand it could happen,i signed a waiver before the surgery which im sure you done before your nerve block.You have a case though that you should have been told there was a chance a nerve block could make thing worse-shocked they didnt tell you that

When did you get it done?

indeed i did sign a waiver prior to the nerve block but during my consultation some weeks before the actual proceedure , at no time was i told the pain could increase post op , i was told the op was not without risk but only in the sense that thier was a one in ten thousand chance or something that i could go into cardiac arrest while under anasthetic , regarding my having a case , surely i would need another doctor to verify that the pain was now worse , 1st of all , im not sure this would be possible and secondly , doctors are the biggest clique of any proffesion in this country and finding a pain specialist who would condemn the work of a fellow pain specialist would be next to impossible IMO


p.s , i had the botched nerve block exactly 12 months ago , pm me if you wish to know what consultant performed the proceedure

regards

bob

kittykrazy

babs.jones wrote: »

Theres a famous plastic surgeon in Phisborgh in dublin that gives you the steriod and anasteic injection that is supose to last 3 month. It didnt work for me. It only cost me 120 or 130

Hi! Is this dodgy or worth it? My GP/surgical team isn't really bothered by my condition 1yr post l5-s1 discectomy. Am I complaining over nothing? My sciatica's better but I've been told my nerve is scarred and damaged and needs to be stretched but it hurts so much to even straighten my leg. My overall situation is improved but I can't carry much without excruciating pain, can't sit for long and can't get more than 2-4hrs sleep). My pain med options are diclofenac and even with a gastric protector (lansaprazol) I bloat so much I can't stand upright (and it sucks to be hurting in 3 places in stead of just 2), paracetamol, ibuprofen (I take those a lot) and codeine analogs and valium (so out of it that that I'm distracted from the pain and I build up a resistance quickly). I take the valium a couple of times a week to get a comfortable few hrs sleep (less cramps/spasms). How ccan I get the doc to listen to me? And not just prescribe! Do I have a right to further treatment or am I complaining when I shouldn't?

I'm really glad I found this thread. I've got so frustrated that I've stopped saying anything and I'm trying to work around the pain. Thanks for starting the thread. Are we all living in pain and just trying not to make it worse? There's gotta be a better way!

Caoimhín

kittykrazy wrote: »

Hi! Is this dodgy or worth it? My GP/surgical team isn't really bothered by my condition 1yr post l5-s1 discectomy. Am I complaining over nothing? My sciatica's better but I've been told my nerve is scarred and damaged and needs to be stretched but it hurts so much to even straighten my leg. My overall situation is improved but I can't carry much without excruciating pain, can't sit for long and can't get more than 2-4hrs sleep). My pain med options are diclofenac and even with a gastric protector (lansaprazol) I bloat so much I can't stand upright (and it sucks to be hurting in 3 places in stead of just 2), paracetamol, ibuprofen (I take those a lot) and codeine analogs and valium (so out of it that that I'm distracted from the pain and I build up a resistance quickly). I take the valium a couple of times a week to get a comfortable few hrs sleep (less cramps/spasms). How ccan I get the doc to listen to me? And not just prescribe! Do I have a right to further treatment or am I complaining when I shouldn't?

I'm really glad I found this thread. I've got so frustrated that I've stopped saying anything and I'm trying to work around the pain. Thanks for starting the thread. Are we all living in pain and just trying not to make it worse? There's gotta be a better way!

Hi there KittyKrazy.

Just reading your post and it is almost identical to what i have gone through.

Ok, first of all, go easy on the valium and the strong painkillers. The problem with those is that your body gets used to them and builds up a tolerance. You end up having to take more and more to get the same relief (and it is nasty coming off them).

I have had 5 discectomies over the past 5 years and i am in again next month to have the dodgy disc removed and a fusion.

My advice, (from someone who has been through it all) is that you certainly should go to another doctor if you don't feel like you are being listened to. Get a referral to another surgeon (i can recommend one if you PM me) and a new MRI.
In the mean time, go to a qualified physiotherapist. He/she will show you exercises that will strengthen your back and relieve some of that pain.

Remember, it can take up to a year for it all to settle down but you sound like you are getting worse.

Regarding the injection, it is called an epidural and it is carried out by a pain specialist/anaesthetist. I had one and i got no relief, indeed the told me during the proceduer that i should take disprin for the pain :mad:.
However some people do get some pain relief which gives their back time to heal.

I hope this helps as i know how horrible it is to be in pain all the time. I ended up having to take antidepressants as the stress and pain left me suicidal. It is soul destroying to be fobbed off with more pain killers all the time, almost like they dont believe you. I honestly think that most of them dont give a ****, they just want their €50 off you.

Take no shít KittyKat, find another doctor and surgeon and dont give up until you get an MRI.

Good luck.

dannyo666

kittykrazy wrote: »

Hi! Is this dodgy or worth it? My GP/surgical team isn't really bothered by my condition 1yr post l5-s1 discectomy. Am I complaining over nothing? My sciatica's better but I've been told my nerve is scarred and damaged and needs to be stretched but it hurts so much to even straighten my leg. My overall situation is improved but I can't carry much without excruciating pain, can't sit for long and can't get more than 2-4hrs sleep). My pain med options are diclofenac and even with a gastric protector (lansaprazol) I bloat so much I can't stand upright (and it sucks to be hurting in 3 places in stead of just 2), paracetamol, ibuprofen (I take those a lot) and codeine analogs and valium (so out of it that that I'm distracted from the pain and I build up a resistance quickly). I take the valium a couple of times a week to get a comfortable few hrs sleep (less cramps/spasms). How ccan I get the doc to listen to me? And not just prescribe! Do I have a right to further treatment or am I complaining when I shouldn't?

I'm really glad I found this thread. I've got so frustrated that I've stopped saying anything and I'm trying to work around the pain. Thanks for starting the thread. Are we all living in pain and just trying not to make it worse? There's gotta be a better way!

Hey Kittykrazy,read through all this thread for posts from myself and you will see i have prettty much the exact same symptoms as you post L5-S1 surgery.PM or leave a message here and ill tell you what im upto.I cant sit for longer then 10 mins for the last 2 and a half years post surgery but im finally getting a bit of treatment now,even though theres no improvement,at least there is a bit of movement.Might take me a day to get back to you-going through a rough patch now sittingwise,so mightnt be able to answer you till late tonight or tommorow.Honestly theres a way out of your pain,you just gotta know who to contact and who to piss off.

Take care

kittykrazy

Thank you Danny and Caoimhin for your responses.

I read the thread through before I posted and it was reading about similar situations (but mine is not as severe) that gave me the courage to post. So, thank you for sharing your experiences and taking the time to read my post and give me feedback. I admire your honesty.

Caomhin - I hardly ever take the evil codeine and valium is just a couple of times week. My little helpers are paracetamol and ibuprofen to the max. I hope this discectomy works for you. I heard that there is some sort of silicon disc replacement surgery but I don't know if that's available here. Will you let me know when you're surgery is scheduled for? I will be thinking of you and hoping you get to smile at least once each day. I will PM you re a surgeon, thank you for that.

Danny - I'm thinking of you too and hoping that you'll find the perfect cushion position for comfort! I've found that sitting on x amount of pillows so that my shins are perpendicular to the ground and with just my "sitting bones" on the edge of the sofa is ideal (for longer than any other position).
I like your advice about, "you just gotta know who to contact and who to piss off." So true! Will you keep me updated on how your treatment is progressing?

I think having somewhere we can moan and not have to put on a brave face is really important. I'm listening if you need to vent. (Sorry if that sounds presumptuous).

Thank you again for your advice.

muddled1

Hi-new here. Have been suffering with chronic pain for about three years, mostly in shoulders, wrist and fingers (Dequarvains Tenosynovitis), I also have cervical spondylosis and scoliosis. My GP swtiched me from Ouravail and paracetemol to Lyrica and Paracetomol and I am on Effexor. He switched the pain meds only because I went for physio (third time around) and am in too much pain for the physio to do anything. Just started the Lyrica a week ago, which GP is titrating. He said he will refer me to Pain Clinic (Cork) if things haven't improved. I didn't ask to be kept oiff work and he didn't usggest it (I'm a secretary). I am optimistic and doubting at the same time if you get me. I will be a public patient at the Pain Clinic-I understand CUH has one, as does MUH. Anyone out there gone to either of these clinics? I would be grateful to hear your experience.

thanks

Bidd

Hi everybody,

I've had Chronic Pain for 14 years. Diagnosis Neuropathic (nerve) Pain and Fibromyalgia. I can relate to all of the above. Been there done that. Unfortunately, at the moment there is no cure for Neuropathic Pain. There is only control by way meds, blocks, SCS etc and finding the right combination of treatment is very difficult and time consuming. What will work for one person may not for another. But you have to keep trying.

Whatever you do please try and keep moving. I know this is extremely difficult when you are in pain but it is essential so you don't have more problems down the line. Gentle exercise eg stretches are good. Hydrotherapy also.

You don't have to do this on your own. There is help out there. This is a list from Chronic Pain Ireland of Pain Clinics - some are better/have more facilities than others but that info is better confined to a PM. But what one person may find good another may not. To the best of my knowledge these Pain Clinics are public as well as private. You will need a referral from your GP.

http://www.chronicpain.ie/index.php?q=links

I would also like to say that I have seen a lot more research in the last couple of years than there was previously. So there is hope. In saying that there is a lack of awareness among GP's re CP and early intervention is crucial.

You have to be your own Advocate. Research as much as you can - there are plenty of Forums and FB Groups. NeuroTalk is an excellent worldwide Forum with a wealth of info. Please consider joining Chronic Pain Ireland. It's a voluntary organisation with a membership fee of E22 approx. It's good to connect with other people here in Ireland who know what you are going through. CPI are also on FB. Also note that people who have gained control over their pain are unlikely to come to pain Forums etc.

Chronic Pain is not recognised as a disease in it's own right. CPI are running a campaign alongside other European organisations to have CP recognised as a disease. You will find more information on the CPI website.

Here's to a low pain day to you all.

B

tony.2009

Hi
just new to this site
have had 2 years terrible pain experience still ongoing all started after a hemorrhoid procedure suffered awful pain after this procedure
the pain continued for months afterwards and was then referred to a pain specialist
whom told me it was nerve pain in the anal canal
i have since had 2 nerve blocks had about one months relief after each one then pain back to normal then had a laser procedure same story again
am in for another laser procedure tomorrow but i do not hold much hope
i was told a spinal cord simulator may help me
am on meds neurositill amytriplene to help
any with similar problem please advise me as this has totally changed my quality of life
regards tony

dannyo666

tony.2009 wrote: »

Hi
just new to this site
have had 2 years terrible pain experience still ongoing all started after a hemorrhoid procedure suffered awful pain after this procedure
the pain continued for months afterwards and was then referred to a pain specialist
whom told me it was nerve pain in the anal canal
i have since had 2 nerve blocks had about one months relief after each one then pain back to normal then had a laser procedure same story again
am in for another laser procedure tomorrow but i do not hold much hope
i was told a spinal cord simulator may help me
am on meds neurositill amytriplene to help
any with similar problem please advise me as this has totally changed my quality of life
regards tony

Tony click on my name and go to my homepage-Ive had a stim for 4 years now and was life changing in a good way(this may not happen for you)therses little info about SCS out there and its just my experience and info etc....hope it helps....dont think i can post a link here as its not allowed i think which is a joke as its info for everyone with chronic pain........

LegacyUser

damage nerves in my right elbow from a fall
i have taking all the pain stuff and patches
just wondering what eles is there for chronic pain on the list for a nerve blocker