Epidural spinal steroid injection did not work...w... - Page 3

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

Maybe during this long slow process he will miraculously lose some weight along the way. The only way joints can handle a lot of excess weight, is with very, very strong muscles and muscle groups supporting them.

How do muscles get stronger? Muscles that support the knee joint do not increase in strength by sitting.They require additional resistance, and on a regular basis.

As for the spine. A little different in that it requires both strength in the correct muscle groups, and flexibility in others. One without the other doesn't cut it, it requires both, and then some. How are these things acquired? Some can even be accomplished when sitting, but very little. That would be increasing ones flexibility.

The ones requiring more strength? With the right movements this can also be done while sitting. Is any of this easy? Not in the least bit, be it sitting/standing or lying down.

Just throwing a few more things out there. As I said in my last post to you. My primary interests are in you getting through this long slow process as easily as possible. The best doctors/surgeons and pills can only do so much. If and until a patient decides they have to be the biggest part? Chances of permanent success is very slim.

Take care of yourself,

hckynut 🇺🇸

hckynut(john)

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

@chiclet

I would not expect the appt with the spine surgeon to result in a date for surgery. There are other pain relief options; nerve block and ablation, that have to be tried before surgery is considered.

Surgery corrects many issues and can give people a better life. I benefit from 2 knee replacement surgeries myself, but surgery is traumatic for the body, and there are no guaranteed results. Not all patients who need surgery pass the pre surgical testing to qualify for surgery.

My husband had an ablation procedure in October, and will do another in April; the Dr at the VA does one procedure that covers both sides of the spine. My husband will continue this type of treatment long term; surgery is not in the picture as an option.

Another family member just finished the second round of ablation to burn nerves near the spine; the spine specialist only treats one side of the back at a time with a month between sessions. This procedure can be yearly, for an extended period of time.

Based on your posts, and what I've been thru with my family members, I believe your husband has just gotten started on the treatment process for his back, and this is not a situation where one thing is the magic fix. Relief is going to come thru trying several options.

Sciatic nerve inflammation is responsible for that pain that radiates down his right side into his leg and can cause weakness, even resulting in falls. Getting that inflammation under control will make a big difference.

Keep your husband encouraged to try all the options the spine surgeon offers and be realistic in terms of accepting that relief will be gradual. Your husband is going to deal with arthritis pain for the rest of his life regardless; none of the options to help his back will take away arthritis pain.

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

@chiclet - I developed sciatica shortly after we all went into quarantine. I was in so much pain. I went to our hospital clinic, where they did an X-ray. They sent me back to my family practice, which was closed.

Finally I was able to talk with my doctor. He sent me to physical therapy. After doing that for the summer I was borderline needing an injection.

I toughed it out for a while, then called the pain doctor my FP had recommended. The first injection helped for a while; the second did nothing. In all I had 5.

Finally the doctor told me about the MILD procedure. It's an outpatient procedure, done in his office. In my case he stretched two ligaments.

THAT helped! I had it in October 2021.

You might want to ask your doctor about that. Good luck with whatever you choose to do going forward!

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@chiclet wrote:
Thank you for all your input. I learn a lot from this forum.
We go back to Ortho on Friday and will see what Doc says.
As far as weight loss goes that is a lost cause. He has always been obscessed with food. Everyone loves to eat but he has some serious problems with it. It is all he thinks about. Our office/den is now a food pantry as the kitchen won't hold it all. He has diabetes and has never tried to help himself and change his lifestyle. His endocrinologitst has tried to get him to have weight loss surgery but he will have any surgery doctors throw at him but that one because he would not be able to eat like he does now. He knows it all and you cannot tell him anything. He would never go to a chiropracter. After 30 years my patience is worn thin. Please pray for us both.

@chiclet

In the past 15 years I've had about 6 epidural injections. The first provided the least relief and each subsequent one was not the same as far as pain relief, or how long they lasted.

I then changed insurance and doctors, and haven't had a shot in about 4 years now. I would have them if I needed to, but I'd say those shots had a cumulative effect, and probably reduced my pain on any given day by more than 50 percent.

I know nothing about your situation except what you posted in this thread, but it sounds to me like your hubby is self-medicating with food.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@GoneButNotForgotten wrote:
I don't understand why some people react with downright horror at the thought of surgery for pain relief. Do they think this makes them morally weak for "resorting" to surgery? I sure wish surgery would help me.

@GoneButNotForgotten I really wish surgery would work for you also. I had two seperate Cervical Spine Surgery Fusions (2003 and 2004) and I am so glad that they worked.

When the Neurosurgeon said he could help me, I asked him how, and he said with surgery and the word that came out of my mouth was "WHEN" and it was on.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@chiclet wrote:
Thank you for all your input. I learn a lot from this forum.
We go back to Ortho on Friday and will see what Doc says.
As far as weight loss goes that is a lost cause. He has always been obscessed with food. Everyone loves to eat but he has some serious problems with it. It is all he thinks about. Our office/den is now a food pantry as the kitchen won't hold it all. He has diabetes and has never tried to help himself and change his lifestyle. His endocrinologitst has tried to get him to have weight loss surgery but he will have any surgery doctors throw at him but that one because he would not be able to eat like he does now. He knows it all and you cannot tell him anything. He would never go to a chiropracter. After 30 years my patience is worn thin. Please pray for us both.

@chiclet

In the past 15 years I've had about 6 epidural injections. The first provided the least relief and each subsequent one was not the same as far as pain relief, or how long they lasted.

I then changed insurance and doctors, and haven't had a shot in about 4 years now. I would have them if I needed to, but I'd say those shots had a cumulative effect, and probably reduced my pain on any given day by more than 50 percent.

I know nothing about your situation except what you posted in this thread, but it sounds to me like your hubby is self-medicating with food.

@Tinkrbl44 I don't know how he does it. When i was in pain the last thing I wanted was food.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Sage04

Me either, but food can be a distraction from emotions ... feelings .... so maybe some can use it to distract from physical feelings, too.

bellarosa1 · ‎06-21-2015

You are in a very difficult situation. People need to be proactive in their care especially as we age. Health care providers can only do so much if one doesn’t really want to get better. Surgery is only a solution with certain back issues. Be aware that some spine surgeons just want to operate and the intended outcome is very rarely achieved. It is extremely painful and this isn’t like a slipped disc where the problem is fixed and the patient feels much better in a day.
He has several issues. I also have had my issues with weight but honestly he will not feel better unless he starts there. He may want to consider a therapist to tackle that food addiction. There is cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR and other avenues to help.
Inflammation needs to be reduced. Inflammatory foods include dairy, processed foods and SUGAR. Sugar is huge …. it is so addictive and unfortunately in this country is in almost all processed food.When you start to reduce these foods and add in good tasting healthy food it makes it easier.
Food is medicine… honestly. He also needs to add in some simple exercises at this point. Sitting all day doesn’t help the back at all. Believe me, my back has been an issue for several months now and is just starting to feel better. My back is also full of arthritis.
Bottom line is he has to want to feel better and make little changes. It’s frustrating…. but he needs to really really want this.