Please can anyone help in bad pain Steroids injection indentation

[greys43]

I need some help. In 2002 I fell in kitchen and since then had 2 back surgeries and have not really been out of pain. Been getting steroid injections almost every month since. for my perseids in my shoulder and hip. and my SI joint is going they said. Had MRI last month just showed all artist is getting bad. Went to Dr and they said nothing shows told them it hurts bad so they took a xray and said L3 is now slipping forwards. I have also have lost 3 facet joints at L3 L4 L5 in 2004 My problem is 2 months ago I had another injection at my SI and notice a indentation stated 2 weeks after it hurts so bad. The Dr who did surgery sent me to a non surgical Dr for that injection and his care. The indent is now going to my spine and you can see my rods now and I sit on my tail bone and you can see 3 thing and feel all 3 when I try to sit. My husband says my back looks so messed up. Yes I have asked the Dr who gave me the injection about six times about the indent and the pain he just walk away no answer. If I cough it hurts so bad. He asked if the last short work and I said no all he said I can't do anything for you go back to the Dr who did your surgery will need more for L3. They called for appointment for me the soonest one they have is May 27. It looks to me the indent is getting bigger. I have called 3 different Dr's and they can not help me. My artist Dr told me it looked like a Kenalog for injection not going in joint and I looked it up and it says it eats your muscle. I am in great pain all the time lucky if I sleep. The only thing I can think of is to go to the hospital. But don't know if they could help. You can see my bone now sticks out on side of back were injection was.

[Justoneofus]

Welcome to this board.

My little experience with going to the hospital is that once they know you are a "spiney" as we affectionately call ourselves here, they pretty much want to just give you something to ease your pain and send off and tell you to make an appointment with your spine surgeon.

I would think you might get a similar response, but dont let that dissuade you from going if you feel you have no where to turn and you might get lucky and they can try and help you further.

It does sound like either the injection has caused some atrophy of the muscle or that your spine surgeries have also been a contributing factor and that those muscles have gone inactive for a long period of time.

I have an indentation in my lower right lumbar wall, closest to my spine. That muscle shut down probably when I injured myself back in June 2003. I have been told by my rehab therapist that it is possible to get that muscle active again and it's just going to have to "relearn" and will take some work and time.

So what's happening with you may be the same and not permanent muscle loss.

I would guess all the issues you mentioned are contributing to your pain level and not just that muscle that is atrophied. Though that muscle does support your spine and without full support, your spine is vulerable to more issues. So it's certainly a factor.

The only thing I can suggest between now and your appointment is to stay on your meds and ask for something stronger if those are not helping you while you wait. And if you just can't take it.. go the ER.

We certainly understand your issues and your pain. Please continue to post here. You are in good company. All the best to you.

[greys43]

Originally Posted by Justoneofus

Welcome to this board.

My little experience with going to the hospital is that once they know you are a "spiney" as we affectionately call ourselves here, they pretty much want to just give you something to ease your pain and send off and tell you to make an appointment with your spine surgeon.

I would think you might get a similar response, but dont let that dissuade you from going if you feel you have no where to turn and you might get lucky and they can try and help you further.

It does sound like either the injection has caused some atrophy of the muscle or that your spine surgeries have also been a contributing factor and that those muscles have gone inactive for a long period of time.

I have an indentation in my lower right lumbar wall, closest to my spine. That muscle shut down probably when I injured myself back in June 2003. I have been told by my rehab therapist that it is possible to get that muscle active again and it's just going to have to "relearn" and will take some work and time.

So what's happening with you may be the same and not permanent muscle loss.

I would guess all the issues you mentioned are contributing to your pain level and not just that muscle that is atrophied. Though that muscle does support your spine and without full support, your spine is vulerable to more issues. So it's certainly a factor.

The only thing I can suggest between now and your appointment is to stay on your meds and ask for something stronger if those are not helping you while you wait. And if you just can't take it.. go the ER.

We certainly understand your issues and your pain. Please continue to post here. You are in good company. All the best to you.

Thank you so much What you say makes sense to me know. On the hospital that most likly is true too. The pain and the Dr who gave me the shot and no answer just gets to me. Rain is coming soon and boy I wish can I send it somewhere else for now. LOL I forgot also I have lost all reflex on my right leg again. My spot is about were yours is. I needed someone who know what I am going though. Also did not say my dad is dying things just tuff right now because of pain. That you for sharing this with me it helps. Deborah

[cherish1]

I'm not sure what the indentation is, but may I ask why you are getting so many steroid shots? Widely recommended medical advice is not to exceed 3 in one year. More than that really increases chances of horrible, irreversible side effects.

Has your doctor mentioned this to you? You might do a search online and get some info to check with your doctor.

[greys43]

Originally Posted by cherir

I'm not sure what the indentation is, but may I ask why you are getting so many steroid shots? Widely recommended medical advice is not to exceed 3 in one year. More than that really increases chances of horrible, irreversible side effects.

Has your doctor mentioned this to you? You might do a search online and get some info to check with your doctor.

I have a lot of trigger spots if one hits sometimes I can't walk to well. I have perseids in hip and shoulder. I have degenerative disc in 3 spots in back I have lost 3 facet joints so it seems I have a shot every other month. I asked the Dr's the same thing and they said you could only have the shot 3 times in the same area. I am going on 50 but my back is acting as a 75 year old. Was unable to walk for 3 years due to fall on tail bone in 2002. Then from not getting help in time due to no insurance L3 L4 went to bone on bone and was crushing my nerves. Now I have had 2 fusions at the same spot. The one I'm paying for when I woke up the first thing the Dr said was it will not hold we should of gone though the back and that caused 3 hernias that had to be repaired. I had 3 surgeries in a year May 23 2005, Jan 4 2006 and the last back June 9th 2006. And know they have found my L3 has slipped and since I lost facets at L3 L4 L5 it is now pushing down and I lost the little reflux I got back last year in my right leg. If I put my legs straight it will not lift at all. And I say it has a mind of it own at time. Sometime when I walk that dam right leg says I going this way not that. My husband laughs and says watch were our going and I say its not me its my leg wants to go in other direction LOL. I am paying for my 1st back surgery. That is when my state believed I was really hurt. The judge got mad because he had gave me the insurance and then the state took it away went back to judge he had the states Dr there and ask for his opinion and the Dr said what going on this lady is seriously hurt. By then it was kinda late I will be in pain the rest of my life because of it. I did not get on this for the money the state gives me a big $114 a month whoopie. All I told them is I needed help to fix the little hernia I had back then before all the rest sets in. I know have 4 kinds of artist in my back, hip and shoulders. Sometimes I can feel it in my neck. Any clues to help with pain I would love. When I started to walk again in Sept 2006 I had to get injection at first because if didn't walking became very hard. In Dec 2006 I was able to let go of my cane but it doesn't go to far from me still need it now and then depends on weather. I hope this help. If you want to ask anything else feel free. Deborah