Sciatica Pain Increase-help needed

I to take tramadol and gabapentin, Plus I have SCS Unit. And I am never really out of pain. But my Pm DR told me that I will have pain the rest of my life. But I have nerve damage. My fear is I losing my strength more each year

jim

Julie,

Your pain sounds like what everyone else experiences with a herniated disc which is diagnosed with an MRI. If your pain is serious enough, you may want to go to an orthopedic surgeon for further diagnosis. When I started having the type of pain you describe, it quickly got so bad that I couldn't function and had to take a lot of painkillers. Once I had surgery (1 month ago) the pain was greatly diminished, although still not completely gone.

I find a warm shower helps or bath.I try different stretching positions like sitting in a chair and on leg over the other and pull with my arm and turn like for piriformis stretch. You may need to see your Dr. for a reassessment for your medications and frequency taking them.

Has your Physiotherapist given you any exercises you did when you saw one? What mine said to me if I'm doing a stretch was that there would be more pain in my back doing certain exercises but more relief in the sciatica. Hope it gets better for you, Charry

Dealing with Spinal problems, you will find out what the Roller Coaster Ride is and who the Beast is.

Folks like Charry, who have been here before, understand the ups and downs, finds ways, sometime simple ways to get more comfortable.

A warm shower, an ice pack, a stretch may be all that is necessary to get you over a hurdle

I have been dealing with this since '95. I don't know whether it is the change of season or what but I am at my wit's end.........and I am slow to say such a thing. The stretches and hot soaks help briefly. I can take just so much medication since I live alone and there is nobody to keep an eye on me durring a bad flare when a temporary med increase would be helpful and justified. Medicaid won't pay for any more therapy as I am no longer a good investment. They say they have spent all the $$$$ on me that they want to. I can't go inpatient for a week of bootcamp rehab. as Medicare no longer will pay for inpatient rehab "just for pain reduction, mobility or quality of life issues". The pain originates at L5-S1 and radiates down to the large left toe. The butt pain is like a red hot poker. Pain Man doesn't make good eye contact anymore and just keeps saying "Im sorry". I don't know how much longer I can take this.

Why does it seem next to impossible to get surgery done when you have herniated discs and worsening sciatic pain? I'm now at the 2 month mark, it's not improving, it is getting worse. Doctors seem to willing to try 'bandaid' approaches and if they don't work, they just want you try again and again. My husband's been at this for years, still hasn't had surgery, hoping that the new doc we are hoping to get into, who will review our charts and scans first, will be the answer. I don't understand how people just live with this. Childbirth (with no epidural, no drugs at all) was easier than this is!

The hot bath or shower does help me - until I get out. The stretches - with neck and arm pain - I'd love one that would actually help instead of hurt more. I've been given exercises but was told not to stretch to the point of pain - and I don't think that would be a good thing - jmo. My doct took me out of PT b/c I'd leave with a migraine everytime, and the pain relief that I finally got at the end of each treatment when they put me on heat and TENS lasted minutes. Getting into a doctor to be reassessed seems to take forever and here where I am - the neurosurgeon I have - I have yet to even meet him! I pay to see him, but get stuck with PA or NP - and the PA has the audacity to say the NP is not anygood and that he usually doesn't see patients, he is usually in surgery with the doc. Very cold and uncaring, so we're moving on. Hopefully much sooner than later we'll find a real doctor with some compassion that will actually fix the problem. I don't see how conservative care can make herniated discs, bone spurs and spondylosis get better - I do see how it can lead to needing even more serious surgery the longer it's put off though. I'm in a lot of pain, so I probably sound grouchy. Tired of popping pills, just want to be better and have my life back!

Do you take a nerve pain med? I've found Cymbalta really helped my sciatica and low back pain. I've done some really helpful exercises for low back pain that's helped my back pain http://www.spine-health.com/video/sciatica-exercises-degenerative-disc-disease-video. I even sit on the chair and hold my stomach in or pull my navel toward my spine for temporary relief.

It's true though how the Surgeon expect a bone spur to dissolve on it's own? It's awful some of us aren't candidates for surgery. I'm going to a new Pain Management center at a hospital and hopefully trying ablation to see if that will help. Charry

Pain, Julie, Charry,

I went to my pain mgt doc last Monday and he gave me some samples of Cymbalta to try. It seems to be helping decrease the pain and improve my mood, although any pain level improvement would naturally make me feel better all around. I'm not advocating for Cymbalta, just reporting my experience.

One of the things I like about this forum is the wide range of ways to deal with sciatica. I'm always open to new ideas and especially like to hear from the voices of experience.

My thing for sciatic pain is an electric heat pad which I use all day,

I put it under my back or hip...and just lie there with my legs up on the edge of the sofa,

I combine this with spondylithesis stretching exercises,

I take magnesium citrate to relax the muscles,

so far I have avoided any type of pain med,

I do abdominal breathing exercises to oxygenate the lower back,

I beleive this has helped me since without it I reach my pain threshold real fast,

cause when i reach it....

I break down emotionally which leaves me exhausted,

my prayers go out to all....

braunfels, now that it has been 2 months, how are you feeling?

For everyone else that are treating herniated discs and sciatica, how long will you do that?

For any medical experts - can a herniated disc go away - heal on its own? What about bone spurs?

Hoping to get scheduled for surgery next week here - this is now 3 months and it is getting worse, not better. And I'm tired of adding to the list of meds. By the way, tried cymbalta and effexor (not at the same time) and I can't take them. I feel like I'm in this awful world because there are so many meds that don't agree with me. Both of those are SNRIs, and I can take paxil so I assume it's the difference between SSRI and SNRI - cymbalta and effexor both make me sweat all over all day long, and I feel miserably hot. So they are a no go for me. No nsaids, no cymbalta, no effexor. And I just want my life back, please!

Ouchy, and others,

I am improving...slowly but surely. Pain is much better and is only in the butt area now as opposed to butt, thigh and calf for so long. A physical therapist told me that a recovering sciatic nerve acts that way...the furthest away from the back heals first. Seems to be true in my case anyway. I am still taking Cymbalta but will probably quit that after my 1 month trial and hope everything is still OK. My leg is very weak and my foot still feels "frozen" but I am so grateful to not have the terrible pain to deal with that I do not care much (yet) about those 2 things. And, brianferry, I too am a very frequent user of an electric heating pad which has become almost an intimate part of my existance these past few months. Thanks again for all the good comments and info on this forum.

Did you have the kind of surgery with the small incision? What all did they do to your back (if you don't mind sharing)? I see the surgeon Tuesday and hopeful that I will at least be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It would be great to actually feel well enough to enjoy at least some of the summer.

Which reminds me - with the butt pain - has anyone ever experienced it spreading through your butt kinda around to the front - yes right where you sit and into the inside of your thigh? I've been having that off and on the last few days. And throughout all of this when my left leg gets hurting bad and my hip is hurting bad the pain spreads just right where the front of your leg meets your body, just exactly where that bend is.

Braunfels I hope to hear your leg pain goes away soon. My sister in law had the minimally invasive surgery last fall and after a couple months she had no more leg pain - now has no back pain, no leg pain, NO PAIN!

Hoping everybody has a little relief (or a lot!!) this weekend!

I am taking Gabitril and Lyrica plus Morphine Sulfate, Hydrocodone for BT and a muscle relaxer. I continue to do all of the stretches that I learned in PT over the years. I have been wrestling with sciatica for 25 years and am now pretty much wheelchair bound. There are other issues that contributed to ending up in it. I think I would be ok if I could just live in a large therapy pool set at 100 degrees. Everyone have a good weekend.

Yes, I think I've about worn out our heating pad and it gets to cuddle with me much more than my hubs does. We have a shower massage that you can take down so I love to get the water as hot as I can stand and get it on my neck, shoulders, low back, hips, butt, and legs. But the relief is over pretty fast. My pain med, hydrocodone takes the edge off of the hip, buttock and leg pain, helps more with the neck, shoulder pain that turns into a migraine. The muscle relaxer does usually make sure I do sleep most of the night. My body pillow is my other snuggle buddy, could not sleep without it. So I'm taking paxil, hydrocodone and soma. That's in addition to the blood pressure meds and thyroid meds and hormonal meds I was already on. So, that's another reason why I don't want more meds, don't want stronger meds, not interested in learning to live with the pain. Right now, I'm the major bread winner and for the first time ever, I've already used up the year's sick days and a few vacation days for this. I'm angry thinking that I'll have to use up all my vacation days to deal with this instead of traveling to see family. Either this doc come Tuesday will have the right plan, or this old lady will be making a 5 hour road trip, have a back up plan, a neurosurgeon out of state. This place takes care of Nascar drivers and the Carolina Panthers, so I figure they can probably take care of me. But I'm hoping this new doc here will make it so I don't need to take that trip. It blows my mind to think I could go have plastic surgery if I wanted to (and no thanks, I'm just not the type - not a pain lover at all), I could go get piercings all over my body, or tattoos, but it's the fight of my life it seems to get my back fixed...........but my fam doc/internal med doc specifically sent me to this doc so I could have my back fixed and

I don't understand why it is so hard to get this problem fixed when they have minimally invasive procedures in place......seems to me that is more cost effective and less time consuming then endless epidurals, PT, medicines - and all meds affect you one way or another. Let me off this rollercoaster!!!

You're saying exactly what I've said - Childbirth x3 - 1 with forceps, none with epidurals, 2 no pain meds, Were ALL easier than sciatica. I've been doing this for 9 months. Was told by multiple doctors that I would get "better" in 9-12 months. No one wants to do surgery except as a last resort citing research showing no appreciable difference between people who had surgery and those who didn't after 2 years. I've been taking Neurontin (Gabapentin) since November and now am on the maximum dosage. I take Ibuprofen pretty much around the clock and supplement with Tramadol, and sometimes Oxycodone when the pain is unbearable.
You would think in 2012 there would be a solution for this, enough people suffer from this condition. I hope you get the answers you need. I see my doctor (1 of many) on May 9th - not sure what my next steps are either. Let me know what happens.

I'm also on Neurontin and using Ibuprofen and Ultram and Oxycodone (at night with horrible pain) - can't take it during the day, I, too am the major bread winner and have to work everyday. Let me know what your doc says on Tuesday - I see mine on Wednesday, then we can compare notes.
I agree with you about getting my life back - It is unbelievable that in 2012 we can transplant organs, do brain surgery, diagnose genetic disorders, but we can't find a permanent fix for sciatica.

Will do MNRN - I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers - maybe this is our lucky week.

:H
I hope so. Trying to follow my weekday routine today. I can no longer lounge in bed or sleep in like I used to. hurts too much just to lay there.
Going to try a short trip (45 min.) today. I live in Minnesota and this weekend is the "100 mile Rummage Sale" LOL, so, going to go to one of the cities involved and walk around.
I haven't travelled outside of Rochester since January. I'll let you know how it goes.
Of course, I always have my supply of Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Ultram with me wherever I go. I carry a pharmacy. Hope that someday that will be history.
Thoughts and prayers to you too. So glad my sister found this forum for me - what a life-line for all of us.

I LOVE rummage sales, so find some cool stuff! I just don't feel up to it and it is a rainy Saturday morning here - and if the hubs and me could manage to get the house into some semblance of clean without feeling tortured, I'd be a very happy woman. Will be anxious to compare notes with you this week after our doctor appointments!

Ouchy and others,

I had minimally invasive surgery to repair a severely herniated disc at L5 S1. Here's a link that describes that surgery:
Link removed

I spent 5 weeks to the day in horrible pain from my butt down to my foot. Hydrocodone helped some but not enough and my pain mgt doctor had me tough it out until surgery. When I woke up from the 2 hr surgery, I had immediate relief from the worst pain. I was told to expect that and it turned out to be the case. In another hour I was on my way home (driven by my wife) and that trip was so much easier than the one going to the hospital. As I've described in earlier posts, I've had more pain than I like during recovery but it is now improving and I'm feeling better about the future every day.

So, in my case it seems that the orthopedic surgeon fixed me up...that's what he says, I'm "fixed". I hope that you find the right treatment to get "fixed" yourselves. I do not easily accept having my life ruled by pain and would pursue whatever I could to change that.

Link removed, solicitation not permitted
Post Edited by The Spine-Health Moderator Team

I'm demanding it. The ortho surgeon I'm seeing (well both the hubby and me are seeing) - his office know that we are seeking surgery - and we are done with conservative measures that do not fix the problem. That is supposedly why it took 2 weeks to get the appt - the doc looked over our tests and charts - and if that doesn't work, then somehow week after next we will be making the 4-5 hour drive to NC. I will accept no less.

Your story, Braunfels, is the same one I hear from others who have had this surgery. Our internal med/fam practice doc tells us both the same thing. Surgery has risks, yes, but so does a life time of prescriptions and not having quality of life. My grandbabies - not being able to get on the floor and play with the, not being able to swoop them up, I don't get that time back and I'm bound and determined not to have any more time stolen from me!

I have had eight spinal surgeries for stablization. There was never pain relief and I understood that possibility/probability going in. I've been through all the treatments and PT and most of the meds. At 63, I am now a freaking mess. 30 years of chronic pain is just too much. On top of the spinal issues, I have autoimmune and autnomic disorders. I will be praying that you will be a success story. They are out there. You just don't see many here as they tend to move on when they recover. Hang in there and stick around when you start to improve. Great big, gentle hugs.

Pain

Well, so far, so good today. Took a drive today - about 45 min. each way and walked around for about 1 1/2 hours.
Still need my pain meds and Neurontin, but, today was more than tolerable. Don't know if this is a result of the corticosteroid injection I had at the end of March, or, if I'm actually healing without surgery.
To Braunfels - thank you for sharing your experience with the minimally invasive surgery. Haven't watched the video yet, but I will.
If I continue like this, I will wait to push for surgery. Good thing is I can access the care pretty easily since I work in health care and for a Major health care organization.
We're all here for each other! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, everyone for sharing.
Last weekend I was ready just to die to stop the pain; now this weekend is a different story.
It's like waiting for hiccups to come back - will the pain come back with a vengeance? Will I eventually pay the price for having some 'good' days???? Or, have I turned the proverbial corner and on my way to recovery? I guess only time will tell.

Hi, I looked at the info regarding the microdiscectomy. Did you have general anesthesia or a spinal? Reading your post again, sounds like you had a general anes. - but maybe not very deep since you went home so soon after the procedure.
I've had general anes. last year to have my gallbladder removed, and would really prefer not to have it again any time soon. But, I would think the anes. for the gallbladder would need to be deeper since the abdominal muscles need to be still.
Anyway, glad to hear it went well for you, gives me hope if surgery turns out to be my next step.

the thing about pain meds is this....

when they take the pain away you may be inclined to do more activity than you would not do otherwise...

o.k. that`s cool.....but!

I`m doing prolotherapy right now and one thing they advise you is this....

don`t overwork the pain areas cause you will destroy the healing process....

so my insight is this....

by taking pain meds you may be blocking the healing process and actually doing more harm to the area....

that is one reason i avoid meds....

because if an area hurts...then maybe I shouldn`t really work that area too much.....

now this is for people who are trying to heal a given area....

if your pain is debilitating and you simply have no choice....

then my opinion is not valid for you....

my insight is for those who are trying to heal naturally and want to know where and how to take the steps necessary to help the healing process.....

I used to go out at night and walk to the supermarket....

by the time i got there my pain was screaming at me...

and i had to lie down on a bench....

i finally realized i was not going to be able to walk that far until a certain amount of healing took place....

one thing i`m learning is that sciatica healing is very slow....

we are talking maybe 5% to 10% a month....

realistically....

i`m taking the natural approach....

no meds no surgery....

I do ozone, prolo, supplements, exercises, stretching,deep breathing, meditation, etc.

I have spondy grade 2....

it`s been an uphill battle since day one....

everyday is a challenge....

Do you all actually get complete 100% pain free pain relief from pain meds? I don't. It simply takes the edge off and lessons the pain, makes it possible for me to work at my desk job and to do some of the things I need to do, and that's about it!

Hi Ouchy,
For the most part, I always have some pain present. This past week, it has been better, less use of Tramadol/Ultram. However, I take 1200 mg of Neurontin/Gabapentin 3 times/day (the maximum dose), I also take 800 mg of Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours with the Tramadol between for break-through pain. Occasionally, I have periods of no pain, but overall, there is always some pain present. Oh, I usually use Ambien to sleep at night, but I can't get my next prescription until next Sunday, so trying to use other over the counter sleep meds to help at night - not as effective, though.
I don't know if the steroid injection I had on March 30 is working, but there has been some relief. Last weekend was horrible, but I went back to bed rather than staying up after waking. Looks like I no longer have the luxury of lounging in bed on weekends - it just hurts too much.
Wednesday morning I had a bad start - my hips were so stiff and sore my husband had to help me in and out of the shower as I was afraid of falling.
What pain meds are you using?
I'm a RN working in our Obstetrical Clinic, so although there is some walking, it's mostly sitting. That being said, there is no way I could possibly work doing inpatient care - I couldn't do the lifting and other physical work required.
I know this is a long response - but I hope this helps. This is a formula that is working for me this week - I can't say if it will continue. I see one of my doctors this week to determine what happens next. Each day is different.

mnrn56 - if I make you a buddy is there a way I could send you a private message or exchange email addresses with you. I started to respond (and it was long) but there are things I don't feel like posting for all to read right now. But you are a nurse and I'd like to talk to you if you are willing...

I do think that doctors give us pain med for a reason, and some need them and some do not. But not taking pain med might mean barely moving at all or not at all, not being able to work, and not being able to dress oneself, not being able to prepare a meal and clean up afterwards, not being able to get groceries once you are driven there. I was hesitant about taking my pain meds, but for different reasons than you have. My doc just told me that he wants me to take them at least in the morning and at bedtime. My grocery store is a 5 minute drive, and walking from the car to the store doors and throughout the store and waiting in line hurts! Taking my pain meds doesn't allow me to feel like doing something that would make me hurt more - it simply helps to take some of the pain away. But I have a question for you. Were you actually told your spondylosis could 'heal'? Can herniated discs 'heal'? Can bone spurs heal? Naturally? I looked up some of the therapy you are on, and I can comprehend pain relief, but how do those things heal? I've heard one other person who said their doctor said their herniated disc in their neck 'might heal on its own'. But I have a feeling it doesn't heal, just the pain may go away - for a while. But maybe I'm wrong. I'm truly writing out of curiosity.

Mnrn56,

Yes I had general anesthesia at a hospital that did both in and outpatient sugery. I must have had a fairly light dose because I woke up quickly and had all my senses and mobility in no time at all. My orthopedic doc said ahead of time I could opt for in patient but I didn't have to unless I was a Medicare patient in which case it was mandatory. Not sure why that is and I was glad I could come and go the same day. I have a real fear of hospitals and I get anxious just thinking about having to stay in one again.

Ouchy and others,

Microdiscectomy surgery seems to be pretty common for the type and location (L5 S1) of injury that I had. At least around here (Central Texas) there are quite a few docs and hospitals/clinics that do this. As I keep saying, IN MY CASE surgery seems to have worked. I am not 100% back to my old (64) self yet, but I see that as likely to happen.

Ouchy, I am interested to find out what happens in your case so I'll keep watching. If there's any thing else I haven't mentioned that someone is wondering about, let me know. I'm not sure how this forum works but I would be glad to respond to one on one e-mail.

Thanks again everyone.

I was told my S1 bulging disc might "resorb" and that in 9-12 months I would be better regardless of what I did.
The pain meds and medication like Neurontin do decrease the pain and allow me to function - as I've said in other posts, if I miss my afternoon dose of Neurontin, but 6:00 pm I'm paying for it by being in horrible pain for the rest of the evening - even if I take it late.
I've been told the same thing about surgery versus no surgery; that in about 2-5 years those with surgery didn't do any better than those without surgery.
If you're 'Googling' topics first enter "Scholarly Articles" - then you will get actual research papers on the topic (although my might know this already - my apologies if I'm giving info you know)
So, I don't know if the disc truly 'heals', or actually 'moves or resorbs' back into the space, or, if, as you say, the pain goes away for a while. I just know this will be a year in July, with the worst of the pain starting in December where i was sobbing on the way since it hurt so bad.
But, there is so much uncertainty about this - I think I'm serious about developing a foundation about this - if there isn't one already

Hi, here is a link to a research article. It's hard to get through some of the research language, well, for me anyway, but essentially it says that surgery is more effective the higher the herniation.
Those with L2-L3 or L4-L5 have the best results from surgery, followed by L4-L5 with moderate effectiveness, and then L5-S1 with the least benefit in the long run from surgery.
Now, There are a lot of variables to consider when reading research articles or when discussing surgery. (Easier for me to be rational when my pain is under control)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2657310/

This is the link - let me know if it works for you.
A week ago I was convinced I needed surgery - not sure what's going on now, though

that is a good question,

I have grade two spondy...I read a post here by another member that mentioned he got his grade two down to grade one (with different natural therapies),

now maybe we can`t heal a spondy 100%...but if we can get it down to a manageble level and avoid surgery,

i think we have a winner....

so basically when we say healing we are talking about several things,

the main one being the body`s ability to heal itself naturally,

how much healing will take place will depend on many factors,

I`ve recovered from about four herniated discs,

all on my own, no meds, no interventions,

the treatmetns that work best are heat and massage, deep abdominal breathing,

along with good nutrition and supplements to help the healing process,

lots of water, vitamins C, E, A , D,

minerals magnesium, calcium,

I have an inversion table and the minute i feel a disc hernia coming in,

i`m on the table trying to loosen the spine and permit the disc to get back into its space,

of course not veryone can get into an inversion table,

and this is where ozone can be the option,

there are options.....

doctors are trained to prescribe drugs....

that is their main job,

once you realize that....you begin to see the fact of the matter,

and begin to look for alternatives to pain managment that don`t involve drugs,

but i may remind you that is my humble opinion...

I have a part time job....and when i get pain....

I simply go to the restroom and cry my heart out (just kidding)...

I have learned to manage my pain differently...

I get up earlier and do my massage, heat and stretching exercises which brin my pain levels down,

then i go to work and hope for the best.....

it`s not easy...

but i have leaned a lot about sciatica and natural pain managment on my own....

I do realize that many people are in different conditions than I and pain meds are not an option for them,

they are a necessity....

I write my experience for those who want have info on the natural ways to bring pain down....

and even if you do take pain meds....

maybe your dose can be lowered by taking a proactive approach and not relying completely on the drug....

let`s say you run out of med and you are in pain....

by simply putting a hot humid towel oevr the area...

you can lessen the pain....

the basic science behind pain is this,,,

pain is lack of oxygen and circulation in that area....

Brian - and bone spurs? And degenerated discs? Worn out discs?

Hi mnrn56 and all,
I found this article in the link you sent me. So I am fuming just a bit here. If so many patients do better with surgery, seems to me it shouldn't be so darned hard to get it done! The hubs and me were talking today about when I decided on how much money to have put in my FSA account - now, we all know stuff can happen, that's why we have insurance BUT we are spending, spending, spending and watching my FSA drain away and all the things that we needed to take care of this year, well I suppose we are at the mercy of the doctors who prolong this agony and the insurance of the woman who decided it wasn't important to have her eyes on the road in 530pm traffic on one of the busiest streets in town. I'm not going into detail, but there were some big things we needed to get done this year, we are in our 50's and some things shouldn't be put off. Also, the longer this is put off, the longer my hubby can't look for more work, the longer I can't earn bonuses, the longer that if I have a bad day I have to use up vacation time, upping my risks that I won't even have vacation pay to pay for the first 2 weeks when/if I do have surgery - and that's how it is - either no pay or use vacation pay till 2 weeks are up and then if you are still out, you get a whopping 60% paycheck. I really think I have a very good chance of being able to return to work in 2 weeks due to the nature of my job. Hoping I don't have to beg or lay this all out for the doctor (who has no idea what it is like to live on a middle class income and has no idea how devastating a missed payday would be). And what is with auto insurance? Why should I worry about how we'll survive, pay our bills, etc while I get taken care of due to the negligence of someone else? I sure didn't plan on having this problem to deal with, loved my car, had no plans to replace it, and it was enough to deal with the shoulder and neck problem along with migraines that I already had and the hubs was already getting [cough cough] treatment for his low back problem - had had an epidural (the last of 3) ONE week before the wreck and those aren't cheap even with insurance.

Okay I'm venting - and hey mnrn56 - by the way, we got the reports on my hubs' epidurals and when he went back for the 2nd and 3rd one - because they said 'even if you get the slightest bit of relief even for just a very short time, that's a good sign and you should continue getting the epidurals' - well, that's ALL he had - a little relief, very short lived - but what did his chart say for the second and third one? Patient reports substantial pain relief...... why do they do that? Even the report I sent you - they said I tolerated it well? Hmmmmm, the anes nurse told me in recovery that she 'topped me off' and she hated it all went so badly and hurt so bad and took an hour to get that dye in instead of the few minutes it should have taken. I cried several times - that's patient tolerated procedure well???

Okay gonna stop venting and try to prepare my mind and check my emotions and try to be prepared for my very early orthopaedic back surgeon doctor's appt tomorrow morning..... hope everyone is having as good an evening as possible!

Thought I'd share this one too, but I haven't looked at it yet.... http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/

Well I found out today that I probably have permanent nerve damage in my right leg and foot. This really makes me angry, because right after the wreck, that wasn't the case. I love my new doc - and he said obviously the nerves have less space and are getting worse.....so I don't know and didn't think to ask, could that have happened during the myeleogram or was it just going to progress since the other doctor's office drug their feet to take care of me. And it makes me angry that any doctor puts off taking care of anybody's back when nerves are trapped - because that can be the result.

Anyway, I'm having a steroid epidural next Thursday - my choice to go ahead and try - doc said if I was his sister, he would say just give it a try. He said it 'might help' but we'd never know if we don't try. But he also gave me the option to go ahead and schedule surgery and is already talking about what that would entail. So on the 29th of May I'll go back to see him and depending on whether or not and how much the epidural helped, we'll decide on surgery - which would be a 2-3 day stay and he said could mean rods and screws to fuse L2- L5. And that I might always have some back pain but he could eliminate the leg pain. For my hubby, he has to have a myeleogram since our other quack doc (who I took great delight in FIRING today - remember your doctor is your employee - you pay them, they work for you) never bothered to order for him, I had the first appt, saw a NP and she did order mine. His old one already indicates he needs surgery and he just finished his series of 3 epidurals in Feb and got little to no relief - so the myeleogram is only to see how much surgery he needs - and the hope is he can have the minimally invasive one still.

The moral of the story is - don't stick with doctors who put you off and aren't helping you - move on and find one that will. Don't wait till you have permanent nerve damage!!!

Got rescheduled for this coming Friday because I came down with an ear infection and sinus infection and supposedly they can't do it if you are on antibiotics? Too funny b/c my fam practice doc would have given me a shot of steroids (I can't take oral ones) to help the sinus infection but didn't since I was about to have the epidural. I'm told it will be late afternoon Friday, nothing to eat or drink after midnight Thursday - and no pain meds allowed. I get migraines if I don't stay hydrated and if I don't eat. Can't take anything for that - and i'm going to be put to sleep so why do I need to be in pain - back and leg pain included - from midnight Thursday until the epidural - and not that the pain med even comes close to making it all go away. I am seriously considering cancelling it period, and since my doc is sooooo difficult to talk to, maybe sending a fax to him that I don't want the epidural and want to go on with surgery? Thoughts? Although he pressed on and on for the epi, he did say that I didn't have to and he would do my surgery. A subsequent visit about my neck is when I found out he loves to lecture and feels that I'm priviledged to pay for an office visit just to ask him a question. Funny, I feel he's priviledged that so many of us have back problems and that he gets paid chunks of money to see us, just even to answer a question or 2 and he doesn't even have to see me until an hour or more past my appt time. But he's good, and I'm tired of looking, I can no longer consider traveling (should have done that long ago while I maybe could have) so I'm going to stick with him and endure his personality, but then again, he has to endure mine!

I've been nauseated for days trying to decide about this epidural that I do not believe will work, that didn't help my husband (series of 3) and neither did it help almost everybody I know. I"m also scared I'll be one that ends up in even more pain, and I can't take more time off work or if I do end up having surgery, I'll end up with no pay for a couple weeks - and I'm the major bread winner of the family.

HELP!

Hi

For me they only worked for a short while maybe a week or so max, I had a series of 3 ( EPIDURAL STEROID/CORIZONE INJECTIONS) then a fourth under x ray to pin point exact spot, I also had the rhysiotomy (not sure of spelling ) which burnt the nerves by radio frequency, this created more pain, I have back pain from bulging disc, this has affected my right side buttocks/hips/thigh/ burning in knee and shin, as of late I have the burning started in my left side same areas as the right, I am seeing a neuro surgeon, he has ordered x rays of lumbar/hips, nerve conduity tests, CT scan and MRI.When the results are in we will sit down and decide, My Pain med doctor sent me to see him for surgical option, I would take this in a heart beat fed up of the pain,

Hope this helps you a little

Dave

the epidural injections worked for awhile for me - i don't think they lasted the entire 3 months as suggested.
The Neurontin/Cymbalta combination seems to be working the best so far.
I had a repeat MRI about a week ago which showed the bulge at S1 is a little worse than it was in December which is strange since the pain has been less.
Treatment and surgeries are different for everyone and i know using meds isn't curing the problem.
I might be looking at surgery at some point - will let you know as I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon on June 7. It's more just to have the consult in place in case i need surgery.
i've talked with people who have had L5/S1 bulging discs and they resolved without surgery. now, i don't know how the problem was diagnosed or treated in the interim, but there are people out there who had resolution without surgery.
This pain is so horrible and unrelenting i wish that there was more research to figure out how to cure this once and for all.

Thing is he told me that if the nerve damage I have isn't permanent) but he thinks it is, but even if not - it will not help with the nerve damage and will not help prevent further nerve damage. mnrn56, like I told you I hurt my back (which did have ONE bulging disc but hardly ever gave me problems, at least not the last 5 years) during a wreck we were in early this year. I know for a fact that 1 week after the wreck I did NOT have nerve damage. How do I know? Because I could do the walk on both heels and my reflexes were correct. Now I cannot walk on my right heel and my reflexes are all to you know where in my right leg and not that great in my left. I know that epidurals can cost upwards of $4000 and yes insurance will pay a lot of it and yes I'll get paid back by the at fault driver's insurance co - but I just am not so sure for that kind of money, for going that long with nothing for pain relief and not 'being allowed' to take anything for the migraine I know I"ll get (have been told to NEVER have surgery or a procedure where you have to fast in the after noon - but of course that's just me telling them what I've been told and from experience. I'm just a cash cow, what do I know?) I can't not treat a migraine, and if I get one, I will be. If I was having it say 7am, I'd have to go from midnight till 7am with no pain med, food or water, which would probably not be so bad - but till 3 or 4 pm??? And see, there you are, you feel some pain relief but yet your bulging disc is getting worse. That scares me. Permanent nerve damage is just that - permanent. I gotta decide fast!

And the story posted above sounds like my husband. The 1st epidural he got quite a bit of relief, but it was very short lived. 2nd one, he got no relief and felt worse. 3rd one, he was starting to feel relief, but exactly 1 week and 1 day later we were in the wreck. I've told every doctor I've seen, yes I need some pain relief, but I only want that short term - I want my body fixed as close to possible to how it was before the wreck, not just something to mask the pain - although, not taking medicine for pain means I absolutely can't function and sometimes even with it, it is very difficult.

Your experience with epidurals is what I hear over and over and over. And I think no helping nerve damage, no preventing it, and $4000 or more a pop for MAYBE a week or 2 of relief. Thing is my doctor is so full of himself when you try to talk to him, he lectures. The first visit he was Dr. Nice and after that he is Dr. I-Am-So-Good-You-Should-Thank-Your-Lucky-Stars and while you are feeling so bad I'm going to tell you about my overhead, how I could be in NYC charging patients $10,000 a visit (which I would be doing but logic would tell me those patients would be far and few between), and Dr. No-You-Can't-Call-Me because I'm just too busy. I am thinking of faxing him and saying - you said I didn't have to have the epi and could go on for surgery, if you really mean that, that is what I want to do. The back problems take away my being able to play with grandbabies who are rapidly becoming children and I don't want to miss it. I don't want to spend the summer like this and not be able to enjoy some of the stuff we love to do, and emotionally, I need the wreck behind me. I don't know, can't make up my mind, but it is mostly fear that stops me from cancelling the epidural - fear that unless I spend the money, on something he knows won't work, he won't do my surgery. He's the 3rd doc, and frankly, I'm tired of the hassle to get another referral.

I'm glad my doctor isn't like urs! I went to him on Tuesday May 1st and I had surgery on May 9th. My right leg was numb and very painful on Monday the 30th of April. When I saw my doctor the next day he said I had already lost muscle in my right leg and sent me right over for a MRI and to see a nuro surgeon.

Well this is hubby's 4th doctor and my 3rd. We LOVE our family practice/internal med doctor and he's been great at arranging referrals, and seeing to it that we get meds to get a little relief. But this is the first doctor that actually offered to do something. The only other option is to travel. First, we can't stand much more than 30-45 min in the car at a time, so even flying wouldn't help. Second, the hubs is a contractor and his work is slow like the rest of the world, so we are okay but big expenses are out of the question. Third, I'm now using vacation days for medical needs - I had used 1 sick day in Jan for a virus and took 1 discretionary day (only get one of those) for something I wanted to do. Then we get 8 sick days total, I was written out for a week after the wreck because of the concussion, so that brings us up to 6 - then the myeleogram brought it up to 8 (had to take the next day off), and then various appts for me and the hubs, I've used 2 vacation days (out of the 15 I get) I have 13 paid days off left. So I feel like we are out of options. I don't take well to his attitude and he doesn't know quite how to take me, I'm anxious to see how he acts next time - and there is one more possibility here where I live, I just don't want to start all over again - but I can use that!!

Hi, would you qualify for Short Term Disability or the Family Medical Leave Act? I know it wouldn't pay 100%, but could provide some financial relief?
I know o doesn't help long term, or relieve the pain - wish there was something else out there for you.
when is your next appointment? I mean, will you see the doctor before your procedure on Friday?
That is a long time to go without fluids - could they admit you as an outpatient and give you IV fluids before the procedure to ensure you don't get dehydrated to help prevent a migraine? - Just another thought.
when will you get the settlement from the insurance co. for the accident? do you have a lawyer?
It's all so complicated, and again, people just don't understand the pain associated with this.
I do hope this works for you and you get some relief until you can maybe have surgery