and it really wasn't THAT bad. i took both the 5mg valium and 2 vicoden before the procedure. i did feel the liquids going in and they did burn but it was bearable. don't get me wrong, it wasn't pain-free but nothing like i expected.

my left arm and chest did go numb after the procedure. it was pretty scary sitting up. it only lasted about 15-20 minutes though. my back was killing me last night. i guess that was the novacaine wearing off. today, my back pretty much still hurts so i can't decide it the epidural didn't work, or if it is just pain from the injection site. i assume i will have a better idea tomorrw.

the pm doctor gave me an rx for vicoden-still lowest strengh. i was surprised when my husband brought it home. the directions are to take only 3 pills a day. he knows i was taking 6 a day. what the heck is that all about? i only have a 30 day supply with no refills. i am having another injection next month. i know that today i will be taking more than 3 pills. my back hurts!! do i just call him on monday if the pain is still bad and get the ok to take more??

thanks for everyone's help and i hope everyone is having a great day. we have quite a little snow storm going on here!!

bye,
kathy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Did you happen to see the needle that they
put in your back? When I had my two rounds
done I turned around before he inserted the
needle and the needle was HUGE AND LONG! But
it doesn't hurt that much. It will take a
few days to a week to feel any results.

Hi cutieb.,

what are you crazy? no way did i want to see how big the needles were!! lol. i'm lucky i even did the procedure. when i go to the dentist i have to take valium. i am truly scared of needles.

hope it worked for you. the jury is still out on my procedure.
take care,
kathy

Hi Kathy http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
It can take a while, up to a week to 10 days, to start noticing positive effects from the epidural. When I got mine I started feeling better about 5 or 6 days after. But the first day I felt worse, so don't worry about that!

Good luck and I hope they help!
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif Telzey

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4 years of back pain
Annular tear L5-S1 diagnosed 3/02 via MRI
IDET 12/2/02
Still worse pain than pre-op, am told to wait 3-6 months for improvement

Hi Kathy, http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I'm glad that you made it through it, I hope you start to see improvement really soon http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

Take Care,
Baxter http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/heart.gif



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Two level laminectomy fusion L5-S1 & L2-3 done on 12/6/02.
Fifteen inch scar from the very top of butt crack (sorry), to the bra line.
BAK cages, rods & screws.(Titanium)
My pelvic bone was used for grafting.
Praying that the other two discs in between, won't have to be fused later, as I was told it was a possibility, due to the other two discs in between, not being in that great of shape.
Doc didn't want to fuse four levels, unless it is really necessary.
I would hate to repeat the surgery, as the recovery period, is so very painful.
I also have a free fragment in my T11-12 area, that I'm still refusing surgery for, at this point in time.
That surgery is way too dangerous for me to consider, until if affects my being able to walk.

Hi Kathy

I had a much different experience.

For my epidural they put me out totally for about 15-20 minutes. I woke up in a bed with the doctor talking to me. I felt tremendous relief the 2nd day. I can't say that I feel really good, but not having pain is great. I got my injection on the 6th and I'm supposed to go back again on the 20th for my next injection.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

Good Luck,
Larry

Larry,
Was that your first injection? The first one I had they put me out too, but th doc told me that was because they didn't know how my body would react to it, and the next two injections I was awake.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Hope you start to see some improvement soon. Hopefully you will get some relief from this, and even more form the others.

Good luck!
Take care http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
Lori

MaryAnne,

It was my first injection. I'm not very good with hospitals, surgery centers, doctor's offices, etc. Quite honestly, I enjoyed being put out. I'm supposed to go back in again next week. Maybe I should call my dr. and find out if they're intending on putting me out.

Funny story - When I went in the first time, I was sitting for awhile in the prep area. There was a young man sitting about 10 feet away from me behind a curtain. The dr. walks in and says to him that the anasthesiologist is in alot of traffic and will be about 20 minutes late. Would he like to have the procedure performed without the anasthesia? The man said to the dr., "I hope you don't mind but I'd rather wait. I hope I'm not holding you up." About 10 minutes later the dr. asked me the same question and I had no problem telling him that I'd wait an hour if that's what it took to get anasthesia.

MaryAnne, I've had amazing relief so far. I'm almost trying to not say that because I'm getting superstitious, but it took me almost 8 years to feel this good. I've been 99% pain free for 5 days. How were your results? AND the dreaded question, How long did the relief last?

My dr. told me that it was possible for my pain to go away for 20 years. I didn't ask him what % of people in my condition have pain relief for 20 years. I was so amazed that he would actually say 20 YEARS that the part of my brain that asks questions stopped working.

Thanks again for the info.

Larry

Unfortunately none of the shots worked for me and that was five years ago. At the time, I had just got out of the hospital from spending a week there. Had woke up with muscle spasms so bad they admitted me, but truthfully, I was on so many drugs, that I couldn't have told you if it helped at the time or not. It seemed the first shot helped but the last two, no. Now five years later, I can say that it was the worst of the worst for episodes, and spent a year fearing it was going to come back again. Luckily it hasn't but haven't found anything that works for very long and think that might be the story for most on here. The doctor has me on therapy for the third time in five years and this time it is traction and go this afternoon for the second of 6 times. If this doesn't help then it will be back to the drawing board. Glad to hear you are pain free, enjoy every minute of it. It has been so long since I have felt that, I can only dream.

Just wanted to maybe know a little more on the procedure you had. I've had my second surger on March 4 2003 for the removeal of the hardware put in on Oct. 29,2003. I had a rejection to the hardware. My pain isn't so bad if I just recline, but if I'm up and walking for a while I just want to lay down and dye. well not really but it sure would be great not to have this pain. The muscle spasms and numbness is another part of my recovery and they are not pleasant. If you or any one else can help just please drop me a miracle.
gege http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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