Question:
I am 26 years old and have had 6 operations - 3 on my spine, 1 on my knee, 1 on both legs, 1 intestinal for mekylsdiverticulum. My intestinal surgery was approximately 8 years ago. Spinal surgeries (Spinal Fusion of L5/S1 level) were approximately 7, 6, 6 years ago respectively. My knee was around 3 years ago and both legs were around 2 years ago.

My orthopedic surgeon has had me on vicoden for over a year now, and I have to see him this Friday because he doesn't think that I need it anymore. I have electric sensations that run down my butt to the backs of my legs through my knees and calves. I have recently (within the last 2 months) developed tailbone pain. Here is the funny thing: when I touch my tailbone, I don't feel anything and it doesn't hurt. The pain is real. It feels like it is bruised, but doesn't hurt to touch. My low back constantly hurts. My surgeon has run me through so many tests (spinal taps, CAT scans, poking my discs, etc.) and has come up with nothing. The X-Rays look good.

He tries to tell me about new medications, but my gastoenterologist(GI) tells me not to take any of them because of the condition of my stomach. This includes NSAIDs, anti-inflammatories, and aspirin. Tylenol isn't strong enough to kill the pain and Ultram is a joke (causes internal bleeding also. Not advised by my GI).

I have tried the following medications:
Lodine, Motrin, Celebrex, Arthrotek, Lorcet.

I am currently on the following:
Bentyl - for stomach
Paxil - for stomach, SP
Vicoden - back, nerves, tailbone
This combination is the best that I have ever been on. Very good results.

Any advice to tell my Ortho? I am laying everything on the table, thinking of getting my GI involved. I have never felt better in my life than I do now.

Also, what could be causing my tailbone pain, electric sensations, etc?

Answer:

Sounds like you have been through the ringer. I don't have any advice on the tailbone problem but I would like to suggest that you bring up oxycontin to your doctor. It's a time released percocet.I hope your days stay pain free.

At the risk of hurting an Ortho's feelings, I'd get me to a neurodoc as soon as possible. Get a good referral and all your records and films and tell them about the electric shocks. Maybe you're developing a case of stenosis?

the excrutiating tailbone pain I experienced for six months before I was finally referred to my gynecologist turned out to be caused by endometriosis. In my case, adhesions had formed, pulling the uterus far enough backwards to put pressure on my spine which caused the tailbone pain. Medication has helped immensely.

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