So for the last 14 months I have been dealing with some pretty terrible back pain. I efuse to take narcotics anymore, so it’s been a long year. Lots of physical therapy, a few medial branch blocks, and today I had the intracept procedure done on L4 and L5. Surgery was successful according to the doctor.
I have a lot of trust in him. He has been really great so far. I would explain more, but the damn anesthesia makes putting together sentences kind of hard right now.

Here is a website (not my doctor) that has a pretty good explanation and some videos of the procedure. I watched the one where the hammer the probe into the bone. I definitely feel that right now.

Here’s to hoping to be relieved of chronic back pain.

Heal up, brother! Hope you are back to full pelt soon!

Get well soon and hope it's a quick and full recovery!

Hope you’re feeling better soon!

BTW, one of my doctors told me that taking moderate doses of Tylenol and ibuprofen simultaneously was as effective as opioids.

Wish you a full recover to your former self.

I hope you’re back up and moving around soon.

I had back surgery 25 years ago, back is messed up again and have a neurosurgery appointment tomorrow. If they opt out of doing anything, my pain Dr. wants to do a neurostimulator.

Get well soon and keep us updated.

quote:

Originally posted by 95flhr:
I hope you’re back up and moving around soon.

I had back surgery 25 years ago, back is messed up again and have a neurosurgery appointment tomorrow. If they opt out of doing anything, my pain Dr. wants to do a neurostimulator.

I've had three spinal chord simulators over the years, all were implants not just trials. If your situation comes to needing one, be 100% honest with yourself & doc during the trial.

I had a diskectomy on L5S1 after a couple years of moderate discomfort and a month or so of severe pain. Felt immediately better. Still stiff, but far better. Had to have a revision done two weeks later when I reherniated. That was 2021. Back is very good now. Totally worth it.

Hoping for a speedy recovery!

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

BTW, one of my doctors told me that taking moderate doses of Tylenol and ibuprofen simultaneously was as effective as opioids.

This was told to me by an ER doctor who knew of the study.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

BTW, one of my doctors told me that taking moderate doses of Tylenol and ibuprofen simultaneously was as effective as opioids.

I alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen, every few hours, if needed.

Good for you! I have a family member that’s been struggling with chronic neck and back issues for most of their adult life and they are terrified of that type of surgery. I really wish they would take a look at the advances that have happened in the last few years, but I certainly understand the concern of making things worse rather than better.

Hoping for a fast recovery for you!
I've had 3 surgeries at l4/5 level myself so I know a little of what you've been going through, and yea its NOT fun!

So a couple days later. My right hip has a nerve issue. It’s either from the procedure or from the position I was in during the procedure. I was given a pretty heavy dose of corticosteroids to reduce the swelling and make my hip feel better.

Right now my hip hurts worse than my back.

The back feels pretty good and the pain I am used to feeling seems to have subsided. It’s kind of hard to say as everything is pretty sensitive right now.

Follow doctor's orders for the recovery. Don't rush it. Things like weight limits for picking up objects, lifting anything above shoulder height, bending down, lying on a couch or sitting in a chair, etc. Be sure to walk or do whatever movement is recommended.

Be sure your physical therapist is experienced with your kind of surgery.

I found the acute post-op pain reduced quickly, in just a very few days. I was off the Aleve-Tylenol routine in maybe 4 or 5 days. Be aware that Tylenol can cause gastro-intestinal bleeding.

Good luck and heal fast!

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
So a couple days later. My right hip has a nerve issue. It’s either from the procedure or from the position I was in during the procedure. I was given a pretty heavy dose of corticosteroids to reduce the swelling and make my hip feel better.

Right now my hip hurts worse than my back.

The back feels pretty good and the pain I am used to feeling seems to have subsided. It’s kind of hard to say as everything is pretty sensitive right now.

I had never heard of the intracept surgical tx; hope it works well for you.

Last year I had XLIF surgical procedure to address pretty serious issues related to disc degeneration at L4-5. The procedure involved an approach from the side, just above the iliac crest on my R side to remove the degenerated disc and install a “cage” that restored disc height, then was filled with a bone paste for fusion. Surgery was completed by two incisions on either side of the vertebral processes and installation of “straps” to anchor the spine there for fusion.

There’s a point to all this. I experienced severe pain in my hip area post surgery. It took me a few days to get one of the surgeons who assisted on the phone. Yeah, like you a short term Rx of a steroid, but most important was an adequate level of gabapentin. That drug specifically targets nerve pain, and you need to take enough to get through this period of time post surgery.

Keep us posted on your recovery. Hoping for good results Beancooker! My wife has terrible back pain and is contemplating surgery.

Had that done five yrs ago, after busting things up around 1970. Successful...hope you also..

Hope you are getting better.