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Thu, 07/02/2009 - 11:03
Lower back pain relief?
Hi there.
I saw my surgeon's PA yesterday and apparently the facet joints at L4/5 are swollen and inflamed which is causing my lower back pain and the disk is bulging and impinging on a nerve which is causing my sciatica.
I'm on a medrol pack for the next five days and next week I'll get an ESI and facet injection, both at the same time.
Does anyone have experience with these? Have you had them both done together? Did you get any relief and if so, for how long?
Please let me know your experience. I'm not too worried, but would like to hear your story.
Thanks
Cath
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October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. C4/5 and 5/6 fused, still movement at C6/7.
February 2009 - Lower back pain and sciatic pain.
January 6, 2010 - Scheduled for TLIF at L4/5.
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Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind. ~John Lancaster Spalding
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I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.
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Hiya Cath! I've had multiple of both of those done, not at the same time though.
I don't think the ESI is designed to help with back pain. The facet injections are another story. They should help with back pain and not have much affect on sciatica.
My first ESI worked -- for 8 months! It did nothing for back pain, but did help with the sciatica in my leg. Other than that nothing worked for me. The procedures themselves were no big deal. I did have them give me a mild sedative for each procedure, and each only took about 10 or 15 minutes.
Good luck, I really hope they help you!!
Jay
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C3-C4-C5-C6 bulging with stenosis, L5-S1 annular tear and bulge, L3-L4-L5-S1 facet joint syndrome, OA: nothing severe enough to cause problems. Multiple MRIs, EMG & NCS tests, lumbar ESI's, facet injections, medial branch block injections, RF rhizotomy L3-L4-L5, discogram. Scheduled for LP mid October.
Now be a good boy and swallow all these pretty pills..... Ibuprofen, Valium, Baclofen, Avinza. Vicodin & Tramadol for BT pain.
Yeah, the PA said the ESI is to help with the sciatica and the facet injection is for the back pain.
Wow, 8 months? That's awesome. I hope I'm that lucky. My PA said that I would be sedated and that they won't release me unless I had someone with me to drive me home.
You remember that gal in Colo who owned the furniture store? She died after an ESI, didn't she? That's the only thing that kinda freaks me out. LOL
Thanks again, Jay-buddy.
Cath
October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. C4/5 and 5/6 fused, still movement at C6/7.
February 2009 - Lower back pain and sciatic pain.
January 6, 2010 - Scheduled for TLIF at L4/5.
----------------------------
Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind. ~John Lancaster Spalding
----------------------------
I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.
I've had 5 ESIs and although they didn't help with the nerve pain, they didn't kill me (LOL) nor did they hurt. Well, one of them was a little painful, but not bad. I hope you're one of the 75% who gets relief!
Nancy
L5-S1 right sided posterolateral disc protrusion/herniation abuts and may cause mass effect on the origin of the descending right S1 nerve root. At L4-5, there is minor generalized annular bulge present left sided foraminal annular tear is present unassociated with significant focal disc herniation.
Five ESIs, from 8/08-1/09
Lami/disc 3/02/09. Feeling pretty good to date (not 100%, but 85?): 4/27/09.
Back issues SUCK!!!
Thanks Nancy. Turns out that in order to stay with the medical group that helped me with my cervical issues, I'll have to wait until August 6. I really like them so I'll just have to wait.
Cath
PS I'm glad they didn't kill you.
October 21, 2008 - ACDF, 3-level (C4/5, 5/6 6/7), with hardware and eight screws. C4/5 and 5/6 fused, still movement at C6/7.
February 2009 - Lower back pain and sciatic pain.
January 6, 2010 - Scheduled for TLIF at L4/5.
----------------------------
Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind. ~John Lancaster Spalding
----------------------------
I am in no way affiliated with the medical profession. Any recommendations I make are based on my personal experiences only, so do not take my comments as medical rules.
I hope the injections help you. I'm just sorry you have to wait so long to get them. That'll give you more time to worry about it! At least I know I would. I've never had any either, so I'd be chicken. Take care,
Debbie
I've had about 6 Lumbar ESI's, none which really helped. (But I did have some luck with my Thoracic and Cervical ESIs)
Facet injections helped more in the lumbar area, but what really helped me the most was trigger point injections. I just needed something to calm things down so they would take care of themselves.
Trigger points did that for me
Ron DiLauro (aka PapaRon)
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The information provided by members of Spine-Health should never be considered as formal medical advice. It is recommendations based on member's personal experiences only.
This can vary from person to person, so do not take comments as medical facts or rules