You medical types, Part Two

[Penguinfan]

Thanks to all who replied in the last thread, hopefully I can get some more advice from you that have been through this or know people who have.

Looks like I have a pretty big herniated disk that is resting on the nerve that runs down my right leg. I would honestly say at times the pain is a 9.5 on a 10 scale.

First doctor I saw gave me a steriod pack and Vicodan which helped a verry little and after 3 visits he sent me to another doctor. I get the feeling the first doctor is there to weed out the people looking for pain pills or to get off work.

Second doctor described in detail what is going on and said surgery to remove the disk was about the only option. I really can't be off work that long right now, just too much opportunity that I may have to wait two more years to get again.

We talked about it and he set up, forgive my spelling, an Epidoral Cortizone injection for next week and up to two more if needed. In the mean time he gave me more steriods and a perscription for Tylenol with Codine.

What does that injection involve and will it work?

I've been through enough medically that needles don't bother me, but is it a good idea to shove one in your spine?

 

[SixFive]

he referred you to a "pain clinic". These are usually run by the anesthesia department, and most hospitals have them. The procedure is an epidural steroid injection. These are usually done in a series of 3 injections which are 2 weeks apart. I've had 3 series of these injections, and while it only helped me minimally, I have known people that it did a lot of good for.

I did have a complication once. The doctor caused a dural puncture. This causes a leak of cerebrospinal fluid which usually gives u a killer headache. The treatment for it is a blood patch which hurt like hell imho.

I think you should definitely give this treatment a go. It's pretty risk free (what happened to me above is 1 in a 100 per the statistics), and it doesn't hurt too bad.

The doctor has you to sit on the side of the bed and pretend you are hugging a beach ball so your lower back gets rounded. It's not really painful so much as it is just an uncomfortable pressure. Give it a go, and hopefully it will help you.

 

[Penguinfan]

Thanks Six Five. How would you say you feel now?

What other treatment did you have?

 

[SixFive]

Thanks Six Five. How would you say you feel now?

What other treatment did you have?

I have mostly good days now with a few bad thrown in. I did have surgery to correct my first disc rupture, got my herniation in 2001, and I've been dealing with it since without surgery.

I've also had physical therapy numerous hours, chiropractic care, vax-d, and spine-med.

 

[Penguinfan]

Wow, well I sure hope you have more good days than bad. I know how I feel these days and it ain't impressive.

Good luck with it.

 

[buddy]

Pf,

Just finished a series of three epidurals for a herniated disc in my neck which compresses two nerves in my left arm.

The procedure itself is not a big deal. Everything is done under x-ray guidance.

Pinch and a burn
Needle is in the epidural cavity
Injecting the steroids
"You're finished"

The effect of the steroids on the pain is rapid.

 

[The Boys]

Get a second opinion from a "GOOD" Chiropractor. I've been in the health insurance market for 24 years and I'll tell you from experience Chiros and MD types look at this differently.

True story: My wife had major back issues. The MD wanted to cut her and do major surgery for disk issues. She worked with a very well known Chiro in our city and today's she's doing great...........................at least talk to one and get his opinion, bring your X-rays. Hope your sleeping on a good mattress.

 

[SixFive]

Pf,

Just finished a series of three epidurals for a herniated disc in my neck which compresses two nerves in my left arm.

The procedure itself is not a big deal. Everything is done under x-ray guidance.

Pinch and a burn
Needle is in the epidural cavity
Injecting the steroids
"You're finished"

The effect of the steroids on the pain is rapid.

have a friend that is looking at this option. I'm not familiar at all with doing them in the neck. You've had good success??

 

[Hamster]

Penguinfan.....if you are considering an epidural injection, do it under Fluoroscopy(x-ray). Procedure usually takes less than 20 minutes, depending on your anatomy and if you have any scar tissues in that area. You will be given a light sedation of Versed and Fentanyl for pain. Contrast(dye) will be injected in the area this is giving you discomforts and will be visualized on the x-ray monitors. Then, the steroid( Depomedrol or Celestone) will be injected along with some anesthestic agent such as Marcaine. Reducing the inflammation and pain maybe noticed in 3-5 days if the steroids are going to help you.

 

[The Sponge]

Thanks to all who replied in the last thread, hopefully I can get some more advice from you that have been through this or know people who have.

Looks like I have a pretty big herniated disk that is resting on the nerve that runs down my right leg. I would honestly say at times the pain is a 9.5 on a 10 scale.

First doctor I saw gave me a steriod pack and Vicodan which helped a verry little and after 3 visits he sent me to another doctor. I get the feeling the first doctor is there to weed out the people looking for pain pills or to get off work.

Second doctor described in detail what is going on and said surgery to remove the disk was about the only option. I really can't be off work that long right now, just too much opportunity that I may have to wait two more years to get again.

We talked about it and he set up, forgive my spelling, an Epidoral Cortizone injection for next week and up to two more if needed. In the mean time he gave me more steriods and a perscription for Tylenol with Codine.

What does that injection involve and will it work?

I've been through enough medically that needles don't bother me, but is it a good idea to shove one in your spine?

Pen i had this done and they put me to sleep so i didn't feel a thing. I was very leery at first because i was never put under before. They do help but this is something you are gonna have to get used to. Your pain now in my opinion will get better and never get any worse. Make sure you have good doctors. Feeling this type of pain will make you do things a whole lot differently than you were use to. You have to learn how to use your knees a lot more picking things up. No more twisting to get stuff, just turn around and grab it. Its funny but i never talk about my back problems except for here. Everyone thinks your faking it but xray's don't lie. 80 percent of the people don't want to hear about your back problems and the other 20 percent are glad you have them. Until they feel this pain themselves they will never understand. Its a pain in the ass but you will be okay. This shit can make you fall into a depression because you start to feel useless. I had to give up a fantastic job i killed myself to get, all because of this shit. One of the worst things you can do is try to rush yourself back. I had so many set backs i wanted to just shoot myself.

 

[buddy]

6'5",

The problem area is in the cervical area of my neck, but the injection is given in the back area near either shoulder blade. Doc says it's called a "mid-line injection" but the needle has to go in from an angle.

Yes, cervical epidurals have been a big relief for me.