mudbone
03-17-2007, 10:33 AM
Hi all, I come from a different forum so I am new here. Short history- I have several herniated disks and some other things I dont quite understand with my spine. I'v been on a bunch of meds of different kinds, some worked some didnt, some were bad., Now on Oxycontin and roxicodone for rescue. My Dr is now sending me to a neurologist for eveluation and has described these shots that after about 3 of them I should be pain free. Has anyone else had them? if so what were your experiences. Did it help? Hurt? Was it worth it?
I am scared of shots like you cant imagine, :blob_fire I mean Id rather be hit by freight train, so they probably gonna have to put me out.:)
I am scared of shots like you cant imagine, :blob_fire I mean Id rather be hit by freight train, so they probably gonna have to put me out.:)
Sponsor
Katirina
03-17-2007, 12:19 PM
Are you talking about steroid injections? I go to a pain clinic and the doctor there gives me with injections with the use of an x-ray machine. I had shots in the doctors office prior to this. Here is the difference I experienced. In the doctor's office I would lay down and pull my legs up and he would tell me exactly what he was doing. There would be a numbing shot and then the injection. It was not pleasant but he was very gentle and I have had migraine shots all my life and also these same type shots in my neck so it was okay. At the pain clinic they gave me an iv and had meds in it that made you forget what about the procedure. Of course this is a lot more expensive but with insurance wasn't that bad. I was afraid also but the results were good for a while and now I am in awful pain. However some people get the shots and are pain free for months. Tell the dr of your fears as most doctors can be very nice and sympathic. Good luck.
Tripletmom
03-17-2007, 03:59 PM
Katrina is right...usually steriod injections are given in a series of 3. It is usually the first "hoop" you need to jump through in pain management, and then if they don't work, you might then do an RFA (Radio Frequency Albration) which is also used with needles that vibrate so quickly, that they heat up and burn the nerve endings that are causing the pain...these are the ones done with help of and Xray and IV meds.
I found the steroid injections to be more unpleasant, obviously, mostly at the injection site where it was bruised.
Good Luck~
D.
I found the steroid injections to be more unpleasant, obviously, mostly at the injection site where it was bruised.
Good Luck~
D.
mudbone
03-17-2007, 06:24 PM
Thanks for the input, as I know there will be many "hoops" as I'v been jumpin now for a while. Did they work enough for you to be completely off the meds?
Tripletmom
03-17-2007, 07:53 PM
Hi Mudbone~
I had a L4/5 fusion back in 97'. Before going to that length, I had to do the steriod injections to see if they would be helpful, unfortuantely they were not. After my surgery, my ortho doc kindly referred me to a pain specialist. With him, I did the RFA under IV meds, and I found those to be very helpful. I have had several of those when the pain got worse and the meds were not working.
We moved to another state several years ago, and although I FINALLY found a Dr that treats me well, she is not qualified to do injections, so I have not had any while here, and really haven't needed to...thankfully.
Anyway, to answer your question...no, I still have to use meds, but NOT as much and NOT as strong. It really is a personal thing...what doesn't work well for one, may work well for another, and vice versa...
Good Luck, and I hope you feel well enough to keep jumpin' through those hoops...LOL
D.
I had a L4/5 fusion back in 97'. Before going to that length, I had to do the steriod injections to see if they would be helpful, unfortuantely they were not. After my surgery, my ortho doc kindly referred me to a pain specialist. With him, I did the RFA under IV meds, and I found those to be very helpful. I have had several of those when the pain got worse and the meds were not working.
We moved to another state several years ago, and although I FINALLY found a Dr that treats me well, she is not qualified to do injections, so I have not had any while here, and really haven't needed to...thankfully.
Anyway, to answer your question...no, I still have to use meds, but NOT as much and NOT as strong. It really is a personal thing...what doesn't work well for one, may work well for another, and vice versa...
Good Luck, and I hope you feel well enough to keep jumpin' through those hoops...LOL
D.
babs17
03-18-2007, 02:58 PM
Quick Question....if i may butt in with your post....I had the Nerve Block injection (which I believe you are about to have Mudbone...it hurts when they are doing it...but not as bad as a Discogram test). Then I got the Radiofrequency Injections last week (Not as painful as the Nerve Block, but slightly uncomfortable), but they don't seem to be helping either. So, I was wondering if anybody knows the next step my Doctor would take if neither worked?? I don't see him for another 2 weeks, but I am starting to get nervous about the next step.
Thanks.
Good Luck Mudbone..hope these injections work out for ya on the 1st try!
Thanks.
Good Luck Mudbone..hope these injections work out for ya on the 1st try!
Katirina
03-18-2007, 09:14 PM
I would like to know the next step also. I have had the injections and am having one this week only because my husband is having surgery and I hope it might help for a week or so. I see a surgeon tomorrow because I feel I need to hear what one has to say about my condition. I am 59 and have spinal stenosis that cause most pain in my tailbone and also in my legs. I have to sit to work 4 - 10hr days and it is very difficult. I am taking medication also. So I will tell you what my surgeon says and hope someone tells what would be the next step. Thanks
babs17
03-18-2007, 09:33 PM
Did u have the radiofreqeuncy, or the nerve block?
mudbone
03-18-2007, 10:48 PM
As for myself, I am just getting started down other paths besides medication. I mean I have seen a orthopedic and he wanted to do surgury which I really dont want to do. so, for years I have been seeing my primary care Dr for meds. She tried to get me into PT, but I am on a very limited budget and time contraints so that option was pretty much out. I regularly use my TENS unit which I think helps some; I crank that sucker up so I feel more electricity than pain and weird as it sounds when I hurt so bad at times I'd rather feel the high stimulation (shocking the hell out of where I hurt)than pain.
I am now just getting refferred to the neurologist to rule out other causes of my pain and possibly go through the shots. My PM Dr says there can be many causes other than just disk and nerve problems. I am not sure of what they consist of, just what I've been reading so I really dont know whats in store for me. I also have to see a reumatologist again to rule out other possible causes. And because I wont go to PT he wants me to see a "Physologist" ( hope I spelled that right) so they can instruct me on some technics of exersize I can do at home that may help.
I think this new PM Dr I am now seeing is doing his best to not only help me with my pain, but also cover his rear end by giving me other avenues of pain management besides just medication. I am fully prepaired to comply to the best of my ability (thank God for insurance) but even the co-pays are taking away from my family not to mention the time spent. I have to try though.
So, I cannot give you any info on the different types of injections, but if I do indeed get them I surley will report back here to you folks as to what all happens -good and bad! My hopes are different from my expectations, but who knows! I may be weaning down off meds here in the near future! Its been so long being on different meds I am sort of pestamistic about all this. Time to put the kids to bed for now so, talk to y'all later....:wave:
I am now just getting refferred to the neurologist to rule out other causes of my pain and possibly go through the shots. My PM Dr says there can be many causes other than just disk and nerve problems. I am not sure of what they consist of, just what I've been reading so I really dont know whats in store for me. I also have to see a reumatologist again to rule out other possible causes. And because I wont go to PT he wants me to see a "Physologist" ( hope I spelled that right) so they can instruct me on some technics of exersize I can do at home that may help.
I think this new PM Dr I am now seeing is doing his best to not only help me with my pain, but also cover his rear end by giving me other avenues of pain management besides just medication. I am fully prepaired to comply to the best of my ability (thank God for insurance) but even the co-pays are taking away from my family not to mention the time spent. I have to try though.
So, I cannot give you any info on the different types of injections, but if I do indeed get them I surley will report back here to you folks as to what all happens -good and bad! My hopes are different from my expectations, but who knows! I may be weaning down off meds here in the near future! Its been so long being on different meds I am sort of pestamistic about all this. Time to put the kids to bed for now so, talk to y'all later....:wave:
dani808
03-18-2007, 11:50 PM
You should really look into prolotherapy? Ihave done all of the things mentioned here and found actual success with it. I didn't have to have my final surgery because of it. It is just sugar water injected into the ligaments and joints around the area that forces it to tear so it will reheal right. It is a little painful but well worth it. It was developed by the US ski team coach but is becoming very popular and only a few docs do it right now which will be changing very soon as it is really a miracle.
marie59
03-19-2007, 10:27 AM
i just ahd my first shot on thurs .my pain doc does it with xray machine and sedation,what a breeze i would do it again anytime as it happens shot was not a relief so going for my second one maybe that will help.so good luck. love marie jumping through hoops lol.:angel: