New member- chronic lumbar pain

neaswa

Hello forum members-
Just a quick synopsis, I’m 67 and have been in pain that’s gotten progressively worse for 3 years.  Mostly right side just above the buttock, and has now worked its way into both my hips.  Been diagnosed with DDD which is diagnosed as severe-L5 and moderate L4/L3.  Had many steroid injections which offered zero relief.  I had a RS hemilaminectomy at L4-L5 also no relief. I was scheduled to have Intracept procedure which ablates the basivertebral nerve in L4/L5, but since the surgeon had to reschedule 2 months out I decided to transfer to a new surgeon, who scheduled me for a nerve block in the area I had the hemilaminectomy.  I was very active and now I spend most my day in bed due to pain.  I am at my wits end.  Any support/guidance is very much appreciated.  Thanks for listening

chiarieds

Hi @neaswa - & welcome to the community. I'm so sorry to read about what you've been going through. Chronic pain can be a very difficult thing to manage. If you can, try & do a little bit of walking about, as being inactive for prolonged periods isn't the best thing.

In addition to what Teddybear12 has suggested, you might find some of the ideas in the following thread helpful if you look at the breathing exercise (diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing) for instance. This is something that may help reduce both stress & pain. There are also some gentle exercises & leeCal's meditation link. It's often a combination of things that can help dampen your pain a little, so hope it helps. Please see: https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/75929/coping-with-stress-low-mood-and-isolation-a-support-thread/p1

neaswa

Thank you so much!

chiarieds

You're most welcome @neaswa

neaswa

Hello chiarieds-
Some additional information.  I was walking 3-4 miles a day and even got back to the gym for lite strength exercises, but my routine hit a wall early January when I noticed much more pain than normal at hemilaminectomy site.  I still try to walk a little every day. Doctor has scheduled a diagnostic nerve block 2/28.  If they hit the right nerve they will schedule an ablation.  

neaswa

One more note- the hemilaminectomy was done 11/30/2020

chiarieds

It's good that you previously managed to do so much walking & exercise. Hopefully that stands you in good stead.   Kindly let us all know how you get on with the nerve block @neaswa

neaswa

Will do- thanks 

neaswa

I just received nerve blocks in my facet joints left and right side, although the left is where the pain is.  It did sting a bit but tolerable.  I still have the left side pain.  Does anyone have experience with how long the nerve block takes to relieve pain?