Community Chat

[sylviahomeatlast]

yes, yes, yes, no

[JustJules]

I have not personally, but last year my dad received treatment for his back pain. He had successfully battled prostate cancer, but during that process of MRI's and CT scans they discovered a herniated disc at T-11 in his spine. He received 3 treatments of lumbar spinal injections, and then 1 treatment of cortisone spinal injections for arthritis, and they all helped him. I think back issues are so unique to everyone, and you have to find the treatment that helps you. Some people even seek out acupuncture as a remedy... when you are in pain, I think everything should be considered an option. Thankfully for my dad, his treatment helped that pain, but I know it doesn't work for everyone.

[Lotus]

For crying out loud!!!

I had a huge response typed out and it has somehow disappeared. Let me have another cup of coffee and do it again. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

[lovescats]

I would ask your doctor if taking steroids can trigger diabetes.

[Lotus]

I'm going to post a shorter version or my original one I did that DIDN'T post.

Had my shot on THursday under sedation (I was chicken) and was able to go on a nice walk without pain on Saturday....about a mile!! Yay for me.

I had my MRI and Xrays....showed disc damage up and down my spine and stenosis.

I'm hoping that I continue to improve and I know that it may not help and subsequent shots may be necessary.

I asked about the side effects because I'm experiencing the facial flushing, night sweats, stomach pain (I feel hungry often, which is NOT the norm for me) and a feeling of restlessness/anxiousness....and retaining some fluids.

The Pain Mgmt Dr wanted me to check in today so I will and mention all these things to him. And I will ask him about the diabetes.

Thanks for all of your replies.

[moonstone dunes]

Hi Lotus, I have the same Dx, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. It got worse 5 years ago. I went to a neurosurgeon. First he had me do PT but it didn't help[ so I went for a series of cortisone shots - they like to do a series of 3. I had an MD, an Anesthesiogist he was excellent. He used some type of imaging thing and it was painless. I had three shots spaced over 6 weeks. I had no side effects but did have to lie face down after each shot for at least 4 hours, so I had them in the afternoon.

I overdid some exercising because my back was happy after it but all the activity rendered the shots useless. Pace your activities because you will feel better...just take it easy because the shots are treatment not a cure.

[sfnative]

I had one and did not have a positive outcome. However, 4 months later I had an MRI and THEN we found out why. My L5-S1 was so bad, nothing but surgery was going to make it better.

Please know that I have 3 friends who had successful epidurals. Had great pain relief that lasted from 3-4 months. So happy for them, as they were all in need of something to work for them. I only know of one other person in my little world who did not have a positive result and his low back case turned out to be as complex as mine, so in the end, no surprise there.

I had no side effects whatsoever and neither did my friends.

Wishing you well in your quest to decrease your levels of pain.

[hckynut]

On 4/20/2014 sophiamarie said:

So, nobody takes pain pills - just shots w/o being sedated. Legs flying off the table when he hits a nerve????? Really????? And you still go back to him????

Some of us had reasons we could not and cannot take pain pills and I am one of them. Partially because of some health issues, but mostly because I do not like how they effect the thing that sits on top of my shoulders. I would rather put up with some pain than that option.

As I said, I have had numerous injections in many parts of my body including my lower spine/upper spine/shoulder and elbow, and they were all done by doctors that "did not hit a nerve" because they knew what they were doing. Sure some of them were not as comfortable as taking a nice warm shower, but none of them were "legs flying off the table" either.

Can't clump everyone into the same box or maybe basket. Some have reasons for not taking certain pills and I have several of them.

[hckynut]

On 4/21/2014 Lotus~ said:

For crying out loud!!!

I had a huge response typed out and it has somehow disappeared. Let me have another cup of coffee and do it again. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Hi Lotus,

I've had that happen to me twice with my a'hem, short replies. After the second time if my post is one I think might be important I copy it onto a Blank Word Processor sheet as a "just in case". Several times since they have mysteriously disappeared even though I hit "submit", but now I have a copy and can try it as many times as it takes.

Might consider doing the same thing if you feel like your post is an important one to you and probably others that read it.

[birddrops]

On 4/21/2014 Lotus~ said:

I'm going to post a shorter version or my original one I did that DIDN'T post.

Had my shot on THursday under sedation (I was chicken) and was able to go on a nice walk without pain on Saturday....about a mile!! Yay for me.

I had my MRI and Xrays....showed disc damage up and down my spine and stenosis.

I'm hoping that I continue to improve and I know that it may not help and subsequent shots may be necessary.

I asked about the side effects because I'm experiencing the facial flushing, night sweats, stomach pain (I feel hungry often, which is NOT the norm for me) and a feeling of restlessness/anxiousness....and retaining some fluids.

The Pain Mgmt Dr wanted me to check in today so I will and mention all these things to him. And I will ask him about the diabetes.

Thanks for all of your replies.