C4-C5 Quad with chronic pain seeking advice

C4-C5 Quad with chronic pain seeking advice

Q:

Age: 45 Sex: M Concern: Spinal cord injury

Hello Dr. Tran,

I am a C4-C5 quad, been in a wheelchair over 22 years. I have had to deal with neuropathic pain the entire time. The hypersensative area is the chest, from the top of the shoulders down to the nipple line. It feels like a real bad sun burn, very painful to the touch, breeze, even a hair touching causes pain.

Over the years we have tried a ton of oral medications from neurontin, lyrica, elavil, morphine, methadone, etc...even the lidocaine patches. Nothing has helped.

I have a baclofen pump for my spasms. Seems like using the pump would be the way to go for my pain, unfortunately the doctors I have worked with before have been too cautious to explore this avenue.

I am at my wits end with my pain. It has mentally drained me. Would you be able to work with me? I am in San Jose.

thank you,
l0st1

-- l0st1

A:

Pump might work for you. Unfortunately I don't do pumps. Spinal cord stimulator is the other option. You might want to call Valley Medical Center. They have a robust spinal cord program. I trained at that program years ago.

-- Sherman Nam Tran, M. D.

to ask Dr. Tran.