Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] Hello,I have suffered with severe back pain for about six years. I was supermom caring for three children, active PTA member and pillar of the community. When my kids were 6,9, and 12 it was imperative that I go back to work. I continued all of my activities ,raising my children relatively alone, working six days a week, and had some back pain which I attributed to lifting. and I ignored it. In 2004, my children were grown, I moved to NJ to be with my now husband. I was working full time and I began to have several serious sciatica attacks. When it became so disabling and painful I saw a spine specialist followed by a spine surgeon. In 2005 I had a fusion which cured the sciatica, however, I still had lower back pain. About three months after the surgery, I fell apart. Diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia my world began to crumble. I had a laminectomy and several steroid injections, epidurals and a neuro stimulator. One year after the stimulator it was removed as it did not work anymore.(removed in Sept. 2011. Since then I cannot stand for more than 5-10 minutes without severe lower back pain, I cannot exert my body for more than 5-10 minutes and I only have relief if I am in bed(most of the time). Unfortunately, to add to my issues, I have been diagnosed with CVID(Common variable Immuno Deficiency for the past two years making it necessary to have IV gamma every four weeks. It is believed that a possible cause was from treatment of severe asthma with heavy steroids. I also have recently been diagnosed with COPD. My rheumatologist has tried three IV treatments to relieve some of the RA pain but unfortunately I suffered anaphalaxis each time. Obviously, I was fortunate to be in the hospital and I came back!(LOL) no too funny.I was treated for several years with morphine time release drugs for my back pain as well as a nerve dissection in my wrist.That being said, I just became so fed up with myself and doctors, that I did not see my spine doctor for seven months(I had been seeing him monthly).My rheumatologist insisted I see my spine doc to try to determine where some of the pain is actually coming from. Finally, I had an MRI last week and saw doctor today. I have the report and disc, and my doc feels I should not have any future surgery, so he will try to give me some nerve blocks while anesthisized in a surgery center.After reading the report, I think I have more bulges, herniations and other issues going on in my back then there are disc!(LOL).I live in NJ, am a 66 year old female, married for the past eight years(2nd marriage) and very lucky to have a great husband who has been doing all of my duties. He retired last year and I would so love to becoming his real partner to share a somewhat healthy lifestyle with.Sorry I have been so wordy, but I felt that I had to describe whatever I was able to.My question is.....finally...... can you help. I read today about endoscopic treatment and it sounded awesome. Not sure if that was the term but I am sure you know what I mean. Thank you so very much for taking the time to read my lengthy letter.Sincerely,Marsha Gonzalez  email-   YYYY@YYYY  phone # 1-917-715-1325I have noticed that many of the doctors available now are not spine specialists and that is only the type of specialist I would like to hear from. I will be willing to pay for the service but only if I am assured the answer will come from said specialist. Thank you again
[|AI|]  Hi, thanks for writing to Chat Doctor. From your description, I assume that you are concerned more with your back pain (though you have many other health issues). An Endoscopic surgery in the form of discectomy is helpful in cases where there is severe leg pain (shooting pain down the leg along with tingling or numbness). There is no surgery which will provide relief for exclusive back pain. You can go for RADIO FREQUENCY ABLATION, which is said to provide good pain relief in low backache. The pain relief can last between 6 months to 2 years (maximum) depending upon the case. Hope this information is helpful. Good day