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Reply With QuoteThanks Justin, very informative. I would love to see this and the schedule of drugs you posted on CL's post, all together and like in the pain management section as a sticky, for future reference.
This is a discussion on Nerve Pain after Artificial Disc Replacement (Activ-L, L4/L5) within the Surgical Outcomes forums, part of the Spine Surgery Forums category; Originally Posted by Ruth I just thought I'd ask about this to see if anybody could shed any light on ...
Ruth,Originally Posted by Ruth
I just thought I'd ask about this to see if anybody could shed any light on it. I've read on a site somewhere (not sure how reputable it was) & I've heard somebody mention it on another forum site that anti-inflammatories can help with nerve pain?
Post op I've been taking them twice a day anyway but I'm not sure if they're giving me any relief on the nerve pain side of things. I was thinking of maybe dropping one off as I have IBS & they tend to aggravate it & make me bloated which isn't great for maintaining good posture.
Any ideas?
Anti-inflammatories help relieve pain and reduce swelling by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (and subsequent products made "down stream" like prostaglandins). NSAIDs don't discriminate and inhibit the normal activity of two forms of the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-1 and COX-2). However, "newer" drugs like Celebrex, Vioxx, etc., target COX-2 only in an effort to minimize inhibition of COX-1, which has the ability to produce prostaglandins that protect the gastric mucosa.
Medications such as Lyrica (Pregabalin) and Neurontin (Gabapentin) are frequently prescribed for nerve pain. These medications are considered anticonvulsants (also called neuroleptic medications).
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA's) like Amitriptyline and Nortriptiline are also used to treat nerve pain.
Anticonvulsants and TCA's are usually first-line drugs for neuropathic pain. NSAIDs are not preferred for treating neuropathic pain. However, NSAIDs can greatly help some patients that are utilizing a combination of drugs for complex neuropathic pain.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Thanks Justin, very informative. I would love to see this and the schedule of drugs you posted on CL's post, all together and like in the pain management section as a sticky, for future reference.
31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
Good idea! I will do it soon.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Yeah, real good idea. :thumpup:
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
Thanks for the info! Justin - Thanks for the info. I'm on Meloxicam which is a Cox 2. The Pregabalin & Amitrip are helping considerably but I don't think the Meloxicam is adding much (if any) to that. It's just something I've heard mentioned via 3rd party physio & forum sites. I may try reducing my Meloxicam & see what happens!
1993 Back pain age 29.
1998-2001 DDD at L1/2. 10 admissions for discography/epidurals/facet injections/disc injections/RFA's.
2005 ALIF at L1/2 with BMP & good result: pain free
2007 DDD at L4/5 unresponsive to epidural. Discography: early degeneration, anular tear & bulge. Limited response to core strengthening.
2009 ADR (activ L) L4/5.
2012 Myofascial Pain Syndrome T10-L2
Ruth, good luck! Remember to address any medication changes / concerns with your treating physician(s). Please keep us posted.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
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