New Feature - Ask the Expert

I was diagnosed with a non-malignant spinal cord tumor three years ago.  When found the tumor was from T11-L1, it is now at L4.  I have had two surgeries to resect the tumor the first the neursugeon took the biopsy and felt there would be to much damage to my legs if it were removed.  The second neurosurgeon believed he could resect the whole tumor but after opening agreed with first surgeon that nothing could be done.

Now to the question, I have been on numerous pain meds to control the pain to no avail.  I would like to look into the pain pump but my pain managment doctor thinks I am to young, I am almost 51, my neurosurgeon believed this was a viable option but his assistant didn't agreeing that I was to young.  Do I have a say in this?  My quality of life is very limited at this stage and lets face it I am young to today's standards.  What is the average age of a pain pump participant and am I to young?

Thanks

Vickie

I wondered if anyone had any comments or information for me. I have been on Tramadol (200mg per day) and pregabalin(900mg per day) for around 3 years for my diabetic peripheral neuropathy along with other meds for high bp, high cholesterol, diabetes (metformin, ramipril ad pioglitazone) but over the past year I have been absolutely exhausted and can sleep for 12-18 hours (this happens around twice a week) Is this common? I don't feel clinically depressed (apart from being fed up of this!) I am a 3rd year university student, busy but can not concentrate and sleep all the time. My quality of life is very low. I can't really do anything - can't walk very well, tired and in chronic pain. Any comments? Thanks, Chez

I am a long time sufferer who by contrast with many had my migraines under control for the last 14 years. Then I got sick with a stomach bacteria. The doctor fixed that but the migraines that had begun to come more regular and more intense did not go away. Preventative meds were changed but to no avail.  The migraines really got worse after my doctors changed my pain reliever. They insisted the migraines were the cause of rebound headaches due to the research on it.  It wasn't until I went to see a new neurologist and he started me on a new preventative that the migraines subsided a little, however, he also doesn't want to give me the only medication that allowed me to have a normal life for 14 years.  So now when I get a severe to debilitating migraine I take what he gave me but pretty much I just suffer needlessly for hours until I decide to take something like phenergen to knock me out to hopefully sleep it off.  I have read about the studies and understand that rebound headaches are a reality, but has anyone thought that maybe I don't fit into that category??  I keep trying to be that good patient...I will try whatever you want....don't want to look like I am seeking some specific drug (already been through that in my lifetime). Any suggestions?

my doc has recenly told me i have cps,these servere pains are in my colon/stomach/liver/? i have had chroriss of the liver,which,has left me with unrepairable damage,also damage elsewhere.im being sent 2 st thomas and guys hospital in london,im on lyrica,duro pats,tramadol,and daizpam,and zimazane,im very hard cpoeing with it all,my marriage is breaking up,as the presure of this all 2 much,other ppl dont understand,and it has took over my life,i have a wife,a wee boy,im losing it all,i find lyrica good,but what might be  helpfull with it,2 try and get my life back,can help me in any way,thank you, stephen robinson

Hello: I have MS along with a million other things. About four years ago, the doctors found that I really had a messed up back. I can't spell one of them and the new one is Spinal Stnosis. I was on pain management for a while for something else but I'm off all pain pills. I found out that a patch, Lidoderm,Lidocaine Patch 5% and boy does it help. Sometimes my lower back aches, but if it sit down and rest for about 5 minutes, I'm good to go. I'm not in a wheelchair and I don't intend to ever be in one. I do recomend these patches for the cronic pain. What is your thought about this?