title: Failed surgical therapy for chronic back pain and sciatica may be due to hypofunction of the sympathetic nervous system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a distinctive pharmacological treatment for chronic pelvic pain and sciatica after spinal surgery with a laminectomy and spinal fusion failed to provide relief.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dextroamphetamine suflate was prescribed to a woman with a history of chronic back pain which was attributed to a ruptured disc. The pain was still unbearable after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting dosage, within three months of the correct dose, 25 mg twice a day, relief was provided and has persisted for ten months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic pelvic pain and sciatica both may be symptoms of hypofunction of the sympathetic nervous system. In addition, with other pain symptoms, this can be effectively treated with sympathomimetic amines.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Check
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whetstone
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000601:surgery; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012585:Sciatica / Q000601:surgery; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003913:Dextroamphetamine