Post by sct2012 on Sept 28, 2012 9:26:36 GMT -6
I had an ependymoma removed from the L5-S1 area 3 months ago. Yesterday I got the results of the first MRI since surgery. No signs of tumor were seen.
However, pain is still an issue. mild to moderate. I would say 2 to 3 most of the time and at work it gets up to 7. Pain starts on left side of sacrum and radiates to my left glute and hamstring. I am taking tramadol 50 mg and ibuprofen 200 to 300 mg as needed. I try to use both as sparingly as possible, knowing that the more I use them the less effective they will be. I am only 33 and these meds have to work for me the rest of my life. I could get on something stronger but am trying to stay off anythng habit forming. Although there is evidence that tramadol can be habit forming, I find it very effective and I can still function at work just fine on it. On days that I work 12 hour shifts which is once a week) I usually have to take hydrocodone 10/325 at bedtime because the pain is pretty severe by the end of the shift.
Yesterday I told my doctor about the ongoing post-surgical pain and asked what he thought about Neurontin or Lyrica. He said either would be a good option and he started me on neurontin 300mg three times a day. Last night was my first dose and it seemed to be effective.
Also, he pointed out that due to the surgery I now have a psuedomeningocele in the lumbar section. He said I should not worry about it and that it was not to blame for my pain. Can anyone tell me more about these meningoceles? What problems if any will they cause me?
However, pain is still an issue. mild to moderate. I would say 2 to 3 most of the time and at work it gets up to 7. Pain starts on left side of sacrum and radiates to my left glute and hamstring. I am taking tramadol 50 mg and ibuprofen 200 to 300 mg as needed. I try to use both as sparingly as possible, knowing that the more I use them the less effective they will be. I am only 33 and these meds have to work for me the rest of my life. I could get on something stronger but am trying to stay off anythng habit forming. Although there is evidence that tramadol can be habit forming, I find it very effective and I can still function at work just fine on it. On days that I work 12 hour shifts which is once a week) I usually have to take hydrocodone 10/325 at bedtime because the pain is pretty severe by the end of the shift.
Yesterday I told my doctor about the ongoing post-surgical pain and asked what he thought about Neurontin or Lyrica. He said either would be a good option and he started me on neurontin 300mg three times a day. Last night was my first dose and it seemed to be effective.
Also, he pointed out that due to the surgery I now have a psuedomeningocele in the lumbar section. He said I should not worry about it and that it was not to blame for my pain. Can anyone tell me more about these meningoceles? What problems if any will they cause me?
