Question
I had a spinal fusion on my back at L5-S1 in 2003.With hardware,I have had nothing but back pain ever since,I just had an emg done thats showing nerve damage to both my legd,right side more so than left.And I was wondering what is done for nerve pain ?Thank you for any help.Dawn

Answer
As a person that has nerve pain, I can tell you that it is difficult to treat and manage.  The treatments vary from person-to-person because each nerve pain issue is as different as each individual.

Besides physical therapy, exercise, and stretching, the typical treatment for nerve pain is to prescribe pain relief medications.  Traditionally, these drugs begin with something like Tylenol.  The process continues up an 'analgesic ladder' where each drug is a little stronger as you move up the ladder.  These stronger meds include codeine-containing drugs, antidepressants, and narcotics like morphine and methadone. The antidepressants work for some people as does a drug called neurontin or gabapentain. Your physician should be able to help you find an approach that can relieve some of your pain.

Thank you for your question, Dawn.  I hope that my answer gives you some helpful information.