L5-S1 facet issues and God knows what else I have

05-11-2008, 09:20 AM

Happy Mother's day everyone!
I am feeling kind of depressed today on good old Mothers Day.
I havent gotten an MRI yet, but I did get L5-S1 and right side sacro-iliac joint injections about 11 days ago. Immediately after the injections I felt amazing. ( from the marcaine numbing stuff). Now I am back to square one, so I guess the steroids arent helping very much. I actually felt a tiny bit better , but last night I went to a party and was standing more than usual (in one spot) and sitting a lot, too. Now today i feel like in invalid. I can hardly walk. And i do not want to limp because I had a C5-C7 fusion 16 months ago and when I limp, it tenses up my whole upper body and makes me totally out of whack and spasms develop up top! So I am trying HARD to not limp.
A couple of questions (I am on the verge of tears here because i cannot believe I am going thru all of this spine stuff all over again). I see the Dr. (a physiatrist) on the 19th for a follow up after the facet and SI injections.
My questions are this:

1) How soon after the first injections can I do it again? I have heasrd that sometimes it takes a series of steroid injections in a row. My PT (a pelvic specialist is concerned that i cannot progress until i get this pain under more control. She seems to think I should get another injection. I KNOW I am totally still inflammed). This has been going on non-stop for a year and getting worse. I cant even substitute teach for a half a day now, due to not being able to stand very long.

2) I know i will be needing an MRI to make sure nothing else is going on. It wouldnt surpirse me if I had DDD, also. I had all of this same stuff in my neck too. (I am 52). That wasn't a question, I realize (LOL)

3) I had radiofrequency rhizotomy in my neck and it helped somewhat. Has anyone had this in the area I am having a bad time with and if so did it help??? It helped my neck, but it didnt help the DDD in the neck, just the facet issues.

4) Can they do the RF rhizotomy in the SI Joint, too?

Ok that is probably enough inquisition for now.
Thanks everyone.
Sue

05-11-2008, 09:42 AM

Hi, I am sorry you are going thru this and I am glad you came to the board. It is good to let it out to someone who can understand your pain. Many people just do not get it.

As far as the epidurals, they are usually done in a series of 3 and they can be done 1 weeks a part. Some people need 2 some people need all three. Did you have any relief from the last injection? If so, going with #2 is a great idea.

As far as the rest, I can't help you. Good luck and I pray that you find some relief soon.

05-11-2008, 10:11 AM

Thanks for the response. I actually didnt get an epidural, I just got steroid shots in the facet joints and SI Joint on one side. I know epidurals are different. They seemed to be minimally helping, but now they dont seemed to be working anymore.

05-11-2008, 10:29 AM

I have had the root tips burnt in facet joints and It did help for about a year and I am going to prob have to have it done again, my back has really been bothering me alot here lately,
I have had the steroids and all none of that helped me, I know what you mean by being down I am 43 and have the body of a 90 yr old, I barely can get out of the bed in the morning,

05-11-2008, 10:47 AM

My issues started at 45, so I know how you feel. I am trying to do everything I can to make sure I am not a disaster by the time i get to retirement age. I would actually like to enjoy those years, ya know?

L5-S1 facet issues and God knows what else I have

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