Guest guest Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Dawn, Although you were asking Ray, I figured you were trying to get feedback from anybody who has had injections under XRAY/Floroscopy I had my RT. SI joint injected with cortisone twice. One time I thought it worked for a month the other time not as long. From talking to my Rheum he said this is a hard joint to inject and its important to be done under this low dose X-ray. Dave in NC Former Decathalon Competitor, this reactive arthritis has been a real life changer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 > Went to the hospital this morning for trigger point injections with > cortisone and an anesthetic into right shoulder, cervical neck Ray- I read about your travails and wished to God there were something i (we)could do to help..You've been there so many times for us through the years, it only seems right that we should be there for you..if i can come up with anything, i'll write directly..You know , at one time I typed " Ray in Virginia " into Archives @RISG and my computer sputtered and choked and coughed then gave up..i got that interminable white screen telling me to check browser settings..finally on third attempt it gave it all up...thousands of posts (literally)..all the way back to '95 or '96..that's what i mean when i say ,'you've been there so often for so many of us over the years'..I'm not really up on 'karma' but doesn't it mean whatever you put into life in terms of good or bad deeds eventually balances out..hopefully in this life..you're certainly due some kind of break.Again you have been there for me many times and i thank you.. jeff lanneau HLA-B27Neg,, RS aka ReA, AS,Fibro, generally 'pooped'.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 <<Went to the hospital this morning for trigger point injections with cortisone and an anesthetic into right shoulder, cervical neck area, and right hip.>> Hi Ray, I was wondering, have you ever had injections into your spine joints under X-ray? Does that seem to help, if you do? Take care, Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Hi Ray, I hope the injections are working for you. I'm scheduled for my next epidural in the 19th, and I'm ready for it. Hopefully, you're new rheumy will be a good one. They certainly seem to be few and far between! I can relate to your sense of deja vu. My mother has suffered -- very literally -- from RA for as long as I can remember and looking back on her symptoms I feel she also had other problems tossed in for good measure. I don't know if her doctors never told her about anything beyond the RA or if she never told me about any other diagnosis. She's now in a nursing home and has been having breathing problems for a couple of years. The doctor prescribed O2, but she uses it only once or twice a day, and then complains that she's short of breath. A few weeks ago she finally told me the diagnosis for her breathing problem. She knew for some time, just didn't want to say. She clams up when I try to talk to her about her health. She has a guilt complex about my back problem and the spinal surgery I had when I was 17. I try to convince her that surgery or not, the problem would have developed and it's not at all her fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Jeff, You are too kind. I truly enjoy helping folks through RISG. I found RISG around the same time that I was forced into retirement by an incredibly bad flareup, way beyond my normal chronic symptoms. It, as usual, produced a lot of emotional problems brought on by my inability to cope with being so handicapped. I guess you could say that I lost one congregation but found another to minister to. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 5, 2002 Report Share Posted December 5, 2002 Jefferson B. Lanneau wrote: > Ray- > I read about your travails and wished to God there were something i > (we)could do to help..You've been there so many times for us through > the years, it only seems right that we should be there for you.. Ray, Jeff say it so well, what I am feeling. I wish there was something more that I, or any of us, could do - more than just wishing you improvement. I hope the injections help and are lasting enough to give you some rest. And that the increased dose on your meds help as well. Always keeping you in mind. Love -- kjg@... Canberra, ACT Australia Undifferentiated sero-negative spondyloarthropathy, probable PA. Symptoms 49+ years, diagnosed 3 years, Methotrexate and Celebrex one hell of a fighter!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2002 Report Share Posted December 6, 2002 At 06:08 PM 12/5/02 -0500, Dawn wrote: >Hi Ray, > >I was wondering, have you ever had injections into your spine joints under >X-ray? Does that seem to help, if you do? Hi Dawn, I've had SI joint injections numerous times, always done under X-ray/fluoroscopy. Mine have always been done in series of three injections about 6-8 weeks apart. The first injection is usually minimally effective, lasting only a week or two. Numbers two and three help much more. The third usually helps for several months, at least, before symptoms start coming back. http://home.dejazzd.com/hower Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 13, 2003 Report Share Posted March 13, 2003 I had trigger pt injections -- cortisone (or some similar steroid) and lidocaine -- all over my upper back (where I had constant muscle spasms due to an injury in my spine between the shoulder blades) in about 1996. They did nothing. Sorry. Ann Trigger Point Injections I am currently in pain management for my knees and now hips ... My pain management doctor suggested I try a trigger point injection which at his clinic consists of lidocaine (something similar) and dexamethasone. Even though I have had cortisone shots before maybe this will help. I will let you all know! Margaret in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2003 Report Share Posted March 14, 2003 Margaret: That is pretty much what I got in my legs. As I understand it, the physical action of the needle penetrating the muscle is what really releases the trigger point. Like I said previously, my trigger points came back a few days after the treatment. In fact, I may still have some, but they don't bother me anymore. I've been using the Stick pretty regularly. Maybe that is helping to keep them in check. The main thing is to figure out what is causing the triggers in the first place and try to fix that, otherwise the triggers will probably come back. - D > I am currently in pain management for my knees and now hips ... My pain > management doctor suggested I try a trigger point injection which at his > clinic consists of lidocaine (something similar) and dexamethasone. Even > though I have had cortisone shots before maybe this will help. I will let you > all know! Margaret in NC > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2003 Report Share Posted March 14, 2003 An update....I have recently had an MRI on both my shoulders, an xray on both shoulders and hips and had a whole body bone scan.....it turns up that I have several bone spurs in both shoulders which has been causing me quite a bit of grief....the bone scan shows that I have problems in both shoulders, both hips, both knees and both mid feet and last but not least changes in my lower lumber probably caused post surgical........man what a relief to find out that those are my only problems.....the o/s did a cortisone injection in both shoulders because both bursaes were extremely inflammed.....neither shoulder reacted well and I was in sooooo much pain. This last Tuesday, I went back for another injection for both shoulders in a different areas. He decided not to do it because of the multiply areas of discomfort. His thoughts were it may be for than just an orthopedic problem and he could possibly make it worse with another injection. Also, the radiologists that checked over my bone scan said, possible arthritic changes......however, the o/s couldn't see any signs of osteoarthritis anywhere.... So off I go to the pain clinic to see what they can offer to help relieve me of some of this pain....and I am supposed to have an appointment scheduled with a hip specialist....... and the saga continues......one day before I am old and gray someone will develop the magic pill and make me and everyone else better.......I know it's a good thought.... Trigger Point Injections I am currently in pain management for my knees and now hips ... My pain management doctor suggested I try a trigger point injection which at his clinic consists of lidocaine (something similar) and dexamethasone. Even though I have had cortisone shots before maybe this will help. I will let you all know! Margaret in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2003 Report Share Posted March 14, 2003 Nobody mentioned removing the spurs? Ann RE: Trigger Point Injections An update....I have recently had an MRI on both my shoulders, an xray on both shoulders and hips and had a whole body bone scan.....it turns up that I have several bone spurs in both shoulders which has been causing me quite a bit of grief....the bone scan shows that I have problems in both shoulders, both hips, both knees and both mid feet and last but not least changes in my lower lumber probably caused post surgical........man what a relief to find out that those are my only problems.....the o/s did a cortisone injection in both shoulders because both bursaes were extremely inflammed.....neither shoulder reacted well and I was in sooooo much pain. This last Tuesday, I went back for another injection for both shoulders in a different areas. He decided not to do it because of the multiply areas of discomfort. His thoughts were it may be for than just an orthopedic problem and he could possibly make it worse with another injection. Also, the radiologists that checked over my bone scan said, possible arthritic changes......however, the o/s couldn't see any signs of osteoarthritis anywhere.... So off I go to the pain clinic to see what they can offer to help relieve me of some of this pain....and I am supposed to have an appointment scheduled with a hip specialist....... and the saga continues......one day before I am old and gray someone will develop the magic pill and make me and everyone else better.......I know it's a good thought.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2003 Report Share Posted March 14, 2003 yes, he did mention it, but because I have a multitude of other issues, he doesn't think it would be wise at this time......and he would prefer additional input of why my body is going wacko... RE: Trigger Point Injections An update....I have recently had an MRI on both my shoulders, an xray on both shoulders and hips and had a whole body bone scan.....it turns up that I have several bone spurs in both shoulders which has been causing me quite a bit of grief....the bone scan shows that I have problems in both shoulders, both hips, both knees and both mid feet and last but not least changes in my lower lumber probably caused post surgical........man what a relief to find out that those are my only problems.....the o/s did a cortisone injection in both shoulders because both bursaes were extremely inflammed.....neither shoulder reacted well and I was in sooooo much pain. This last Tuesday, I went back for another injection for both shoulders in a different areas. He decided not to do it because of the multiply areas of discomfort. His thoughts were it may be for than just an orthopedic problem and he could possibly make it worse with another injection. Also, the radiologists that checked over my bone scan said, possible arthritic changes......however, the o/s couldn't see any signs of osteoarthritis anywhere.... So off I go to the pain clinic to see what they can offer to help relieve me of some of this pain....and I am supposed to have an appointment scheduled with a hip specialist....... and the saga continues......one day before I am old and gray someone will develop the magic pill and make me and everyone else better.......I know it's a good thought.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Dianne, Xanax has a 6 hour half-life in the body, which makes it a very short acting (and fast acting) Benzodiazipine compared to Ativan with a 12 hour half life and Valium with a 40 to 50 hour 1/2 life. What you are experiencing just before your next dose is slight withdrawal symptoms because the level of drug has fallen below what your body has habituated to. Regular Xanax is supposed to be taken 3 or 4 times a day to maintain adequate levels, but there is a sustained release formulation available that doesn't have to be taken so often. When I was on Xanax, I only took a very low dose .25 mg 2 times a day at first. But I would get withdrawal symptoms of not feeling right--a little tense, a little twitchy--until I took it 3 times a day. To get off it, I took 1/8 off the .25 mg pill, every week or two depending on how I felt. It was a slow process. There is a group in England that advocates switching shorter acting benzos to a longer acting benzo like Valium and weaning off from that one. I think I was able to come off the Xanax because I was on such a low dose and my neck problem was at a minimun from the prednisone. Otherwise I couldn't have come off it. I should add that I went on Zoloft around that time, which " smoothed " out the withdrawal symptoms between doses. Some doctors think you can go on SSRIs and just come off the benzos but that isn't the case but they do help. Rochelle -- In neck pain , dadams1959@... wrote: > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Dianne, Xanax has a 6 hour half-life in the body, which makes it a very short acting (and fast acting) Benzodiazipine compared to Ativan with a 12 hour half life and Valium with a 40 to 50 hour 1/2 life. What you are experiencing just before your next dose is slight withdrawal symptoms because the level of drug has fallen below what your body has habituated to. Regular Xanax is supposed to be taken 3 or 4 times a day to maintain adequate levels, but there is a sustained release formulation available that doesn't have to be taken so often. When I was on Xanax, I only took a very low dose .25 mg 2 times a day at first. But I would get withdrawal symptoms of not feeling right--a little tense, a little twitchy--until I took it 3 times a day. To get off it, I took 1/8 off the .25 mg pill, every week or two depending on how I felt. It was a slow process. There is a group in England that advocates switching shorter acting benzos to a longer acting benzo like Valium and weaning off from that one. I think I was able to come off the Xanax because I was on such a low dose and my neck problem was at a minimun from the prednisone. Otherwise I couldn't have come off it. I should add that I went on Zoloft around that time, which " smoothed " out the withdrawal symptoms between doses. Some doctors think you can go on SSRIs and just come off the benzos but that isn't the case but they do help. Rochelle -- In neck pain , dadams1959@... wrote: > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Dianne, Xanax has a 6 hour half-life in the body, which makes it a very short acting (and fast acting) Benzodiazipine compared to Ativan with a 12 hour half life and Valium with a 40 to 50 hour 1/2 life. What you are experiencing just before your next dose is slight withdrawal symptoms because the level of drug has fallen below what your body has habituated to. Regular Xanax is supposed to be taken 3 or 4 times a day to maintain adequate levels, but there is a sustained release formulation available that doesn't have to be taken so often. When I was on Xanax, I only took a very low dose .25 mg 2 times a day at first. But I would get withdrawal symptoms of not feeling right--a little tense, a little twitchy--until I took it 3 times a day. To get off it, I took 1/8 off the .25 mg pill, every week or two depending on how I felt. It was a slow process. There is a group in England that advocates switching shorter acting benzos to a longer acting benzo like Valium and weaning off from that one. I think I was able to come off the Xanax because I was on such a low dose and my neck problem was at a minimun from the prednisone. Otherwise I couldn't have come off it. I should add that I went on Zoloft around that time, which " smoothed " out the withdrawal symptoms between doses. Some doctors think you can go on SSRIs and just come off the benzos but that isn't the case but they do help. Rochelle -- In neck pain , dadams1959@... wrote: > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Dianne, Xanax has a 6 hour half-life in the body, which makes it a very short acting (and fast acting) Benzodiazipine compared to Ativan with a 12 hour half life and Valium with a 40 to 50 hour 1/2 life. What you are experiencing just before your next dose is slight withdrawal symptoms because the level of drug has fallen below what your body has habituated to. Regular Xanax is supposed to be taken 3 or 4 times a day to maintain adequate levels, but there is a sustained release formulation available that doesn't have to be taken so often. When I was on Xanax, I only took a very low dose .25 mg 2 times a day at first. But I would get withdrawal symptoms of not feeling right--a little tense, a little twitchy--until I took it 3 times a day. To get off it, I took 1/8 off the .25 mg pill, every week or two depending on how I felt. It was a slow process. There is a group in England that advocates switching shorter acting benzos to a longer acting benzo like Valium and weaning off from that one. I think I was able to come off the Xanax because I was on such a low dose and my neck problem was at a minimun from the prednisone. Otherwise I couldn't have come off it. I should add that I went on Zoloft around that time, which " smoothed " out the withdrawal symptoms between doses. Some doctors think you can go on SSRIs and just come off the benzos but that isn't the case but they do help. Rochelle -- In neck pain , dadams1959@... wrote: > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Tom, I agree, we do what we can to lessen our pain, whether with Xanax or pain meds or both. If we weren't in pain, we wouldn't need it. Are you on an antidepressant as well? My pain doctor wouldn't treat me until I was on one, which in my case was Zoloft. It did make me feel better without fogging my brain like the Xanax did. So far I've avoided the opiate pain meds, and deal with pain by limiting physical activity, using good posture at all times, taking frequent naps and when needed neck injections. (I haven't have surgery yet but anticipate a 3 level cervical fusion due severe stenosis of nerve root at C5-6 and to mass effect of 3 degenerated discs on spinal cord. My MRIs are a mess!!) Rochelle -- In neck pain , tomhfsu@... wrote: > > I am also on Xanax. I have been on it for years along with my pain meds.. I > use it to counter depression. Like all meds after awhile you do not really > feel any side affects. I have been told by my doctor that most of the meds I am > on I am addicted to. BUT what is the choice? I can either hurt more or be > more depressed. I guess we all make our own decisions about what we are willing > to do.. > Tom > > > In a message dated 8/31/2008 7:22:47 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, > dadams1959@... writes: > > > > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy > but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it > but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel > deal here. > (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Tom, I agree, we do what we can to lessen our pain, whether with Xanax or pain meds or both. If we weren't in pain, we wouldn't need it. Are you on an antidepressant as well? My pain doctor wouldn't treat me until I was on one, which in my case was Zoloft. It did make me feel better without fogging my brain like the Xanax did. So far I've avoided the opiate pain meds, and deal with pain by limiting physical activity, using good posture at all times, taking frequent naps and when needed neck injections. (I haven't have surgery yet but anticipate a 3 level cervical fusion due severe stenosis of nerve root at C5-6 and to mass effect of 3 degenerated discs on spinal cord. My MRIs are a mess!!) Rochelle -- In neck pain , tomhfsu@... wrote: > > I am also on Xanax. I have been on it for years along with my pain meds.. I > use it to counter depression. Like all meds after awhile you do not really > feel any side affects. I have been told by my doctor that most of the meds I am > on I am addicted to. BUT what is the choice? I can either hurt more or be > more depressed. I guess we all make our own decisions about what we are willing > to do.. > Tom > > > In a message dated 8/31/2008 7:22:47 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, > dadams1959@... writes: > > > > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy > but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it > but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel > deal here. > (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Tom, I agree, we do what we can to lessen our pain, whether with Xanax or pain meds or both. If we weren't in pain, we wouldn't need it. Are you on an antidepressant as well? My pain doctor wouldn't treat me until I was on one, which in my case was Zoloft. It did make me feel better without fogging my brain like the Xanax did. So far I've avoided the opiate pain meds, and deal with pain by limiting physical activity, using good posture at all times, taking frequent naps and when needed neck injections. (I haven't have surgery yet but anticipate a 3 level cervical fusion due severe stenosis of nerve root at C5-6 and to mass effect of 3 degenerated discs on spinal cord. My MRIs are a mess!!) Rochelle -- In neck pain , tomhfsu@... wrote: > > I am also on Xanax. I have been on it for years along with my pain meds.. I > use it to counter depression. Like all meds after awhile you do not really > feel any side affects. I have been told by my doctor that most of the meds I am > on I am addicted to. BUT what is the choice? I can either hurt more or be > more depressed. I guess we all make our own decisions about what we are willing > to do.. > Tom > > > In a message dated 8/31/2008 7:22:47 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, > dadams1959@... writes: > > > > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy > but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it > but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel > deal here. > (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Tom, I agree, we do what we can to lessen our pain, whether with Xanax or pain meds or both. If we weren't in pain, we wouldn't need it. Are you on an antidepressant as well? My pain doctor wouldn't treat me until I was on one, which in my case was Zoloft. It did make me feel better without fogging my brain like the Xanax did. So far I've avoided the opiate pain meds, and deal with pain by limiting physical activity, using good posture at all times, taking frequent naps and when needed neck injections. (I haven't have surgery yet but anticipate a 3 level cervical fusion due severe stenosis of nerve root at C5-6 and to mass effect of 3 degenerated discs on spinal cord. My MRIs are a mess!!) Rochelle -- In neck pain , tomhfsu@... wrote: > > I am also on Xanax. I have been on it for years along with my pain meds.. I > use it to counter depression. Like all meds after awhile you do not really > feel any side affects. I have been told by my doctor that most of the meds I am > on I am addicted to. BUT what is the choice? I can either hurt more or be > more depressed. I guess we all make our own decisions about what we are willing > to do.. > Tom > > > In a message dated 8/31/2008 7:22:47 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, > dadams1959@... writes: > > > > > > > Definitely I won't go back on the Xanax as good as it felt. > > OK, I'm on a low dose of this.? Did you feel?funny (like not dizzy > but?disoriented a bit)?when it was time for your next dose.? I'd love to get off of it > but won't/can't for now... > Dianne > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel > deal here. > (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Rex, Depo Medrol, is a corticosteroid like prednisone, that is used for injection into a specific area of the body to quell inflamation. My pain doctors have not used depo medrol but betamethasone, which probably has a longer half-life. Some doctors still use cortisone for injection. I think there are all sorts of corticosteroids out there for injection and in general, doctors are careful about how much and how often to use these injections. The right amount will dampen inflamation for varying amounts of time while too much or too often can cause damage by weakening muscle, tendons, ligaments and soften bones. In a chronic condition, like spinal arthritis, the relief from a steroid injection often doesn't last unless some form of physical therapy is done for strengthening of muscles to help support the arthritic joints. In some conditions (especially acute conditions), the inflamation goes away for a long time, which happened with the bursitis in my shoulder. Rochelle -- In neck pain , raburtongdyr@... wrote: > > Anyone know anything about Depo Medrol injections? > > Rex > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > Re: Re: Trigger Point Injections > > > > > Hi. > I was wondering...what seems to be the best med that those of you here have used for trigger points and muscle spasms? > My doctor has me on Zanaflex 3x's a day. > I have also tried Soma. > I have not had relief from it with either med. > The only thing that seems to help at all is zanax, BUT my dr wont prescribe it because it has such a bad reputation with addiction... : ( > > thanks. > -- > The Pets Pal > http://360./petspal2003 > --------- [PainInTheNeck- Back] Re: Trigger Point Injections > > PainInTheNeck- Back@groups .com > > Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 9:45 AM > > > > Just to make it clear: the trigger point injections I mentioned that > > I get at the TJ headache center are very shallow and wouldn't cause > > this problem. I have, however, had deep trigger point injections > > right along my spinal cord. Those are the dangerous ones. When I had > > those done I was under a very light sedation and the doctor was > > talking to me the entire time to ensure he wasn't hitting anything > > he wasn't supposed to. > > > > Blessings, > > Randy > > > > > > > > > > > > I heard and or read more than once that about 90% of spinal > > > surgeries > > > > are unsuccessful. I don't believe that they are quacks or they > > > mean > > > > wrong I do believe that the spine is such a complex system that > > > they > > > > do their absolute best but there are so many variables, and so > > > much > > > > that can go wrong. I believe that those who are cured by > > surgery > > > or > > > > chiropractic, or P/T are damn lucky few and should thank God, > > kiss > > > > the ground and generally be very happy and careful that they > > > dodged > > > > that bullet. The rest of us are here, or should be here. When I > > > had > > > > my first surgery in 1982-3 or so, there was no P/T no banks of > > > tests, > > > > they did x-rays and went right in surgically. It was an utter > > > > failure, and that doctor was a butcher. My Second surgery done > > 4 > > > > years later was at a big city teaching hospital, > > Jefferson > > > in > > > > Philadelphia. I had a surgeon who was at the top of his game > > and > > > was > > > > doing fusion which then in 1987 were new and experimental. I > > was > > > > under for about 12 hours, he did a great job, I felt better when > > I > > > > woke up, was walking the next day, and had 13 very good years. > > I > > > was > > > > also careful and thankful for a new lease on life. The Doctor > > who > > > > did the fusions was sued out of business because he was doing > > > fusions > > > > with hardware and in a way that were not approved by the FDA. I > > > > didn't get in on the suit because he saved my life, and I told > > him > > > > so. He now raises horses in Delaware. His name is Sanford > > > > Davne. He was a young bright Doctor who took his time to > > explain > > > > everything and really cared. He also did surgical rebuilds for > > > many > > > > famous Philadelphia Athletes, and the R & B singer Teddy > > > > Pendergrass. I was damn luck he took me on as a patient. My > > Back > > > > gave out from me just bending over slightly in Jan 5, 2000. I > > > knew I > > > > needed surgery but by then the Doctors were required by the > > > insurance > > > > companies to try every non surgical method first. before they > > > could > > > > cut. This wasted 4 months and thousands of dollars, when both I > > > and > > > > my Doctor knew I needed surgery. The MRI's, CatScans, EMG's you > > > name > > > > it all pointed to disk and nerve damage. I had a business that > > > was > > > > busy in the summer and dead to slow in the winter / spring. It > > > would > > > > have really helped me to have surgery in Feb / March, but I had > > to > > > > wait until May 15th. Right before our Busy season hit in our > > > > Portrait Photography business. Thanks to insurance regulations > > I > > > > almost lost my business that summer. The surgery was somewhat > > > > successful. I went from total agony, couldn't walk etc, to > > > tolerable > > > > agony with meds, braces etc. Again insurance required all types > > > of > > > > P/T. I went to 3 different physical therapy practices, rang up > > > huge > > > > bills and in the end, hurt my back, and blew out my knee. The > > one > > > > good thing is I lost 50 lbs, because I was awake almost 24 hours > > a > > > > day and couldn't eat. Before I move on My 3rd back surgery > > was > > > to > > > > remove my old hardware, clean out bone spurs and scar tissue, > > > remove > > > > 2 newly damaged disks, fix a tear in the Dura, the sheath that > > > covers > > > > the spinal cord, they didn't know I had that until they went in > > ( > > > it > > > > also caused spinal fluid to leak ) and fuse 2 additional levels. > > > So I > > > > now had all new hardware with 4 or 5 levels fused now, I really > > > don't > > > > know. I know it's S1, L1, L2, L3, & L4. It also took about 12 > > > hours > > > > because the old hardware was very hard to get out, and they > > hadn't > > > > foreseen the Dura damage. They had me walk the same day. That > > was > > > > real fun. I stood up after being basically forced to and lets > > just > > > > say fluids came out both ends. I was totally embarrassed, But > > had > > > a > > > > great caring nurse who said I wasn't the first or the last to do > > > that. > > > > > > > > My Doctor had noticed damage to my neck area and kept asking > > > before > > > > the latest lower back surgery if my neck and or shoulder hurt. > > I > > > > said no they didn't. But once the pain subsided from the > > surgery > > > my > > > > neck and shoulder started to kill me. Seems the pain from the > > > lower > > > > back over-rode the pain from the neck and shoulder. He showed > > me > > > > where on my Cervical spine there were bone spurs pressing on my > > > > spinal cord to the point of almost cutting into them. There > > were > > > > also herniated disks on two levels. He told me this was the > > cause > > > of > > > > my shoulder and neck pain and this surgery was a no brainer that > > > > would relieve that pain. He told me he had the same problems > > and > > > > surgery cured him, and he has to look down over patients for > > > > multi-hour operations. I had that surgery December 28th > > > > 2000. Wanted to get it in while all my deductible was used for > > > the > > > > year. As Soon as I woke up, I said to myself what the hell did > > I > > > > do. I was in much more pain that pre surgery. They said that > > was > > > > normal and it would subside, but it never did. The next two > > years > > > I > > > > tried everything, P/T, Injections, acupuncture, healing > > services, > > > > second opinions, 3 pain management specialists, nothing > > > > helped. This surgery was a total failure. The best anyone > > could > > > > offer was exploratory surgery, because no test showed a reason > > for > > > the pain. > > > > > > > > So my reason for saying all of this is get second or third > > > opinions, > > > > look into the new very non-invasive disk repairs, try to avoid > > > > surgery and or fusion if you can. If you get all the opinions > > you > > > > can and they all say surgery is your only hope, then by all > > means > > > > make an educated decision and do it. yours may be the one that > > is > > > a > > > > great success. My Brother-in-law had surgery and fusion and his > > > has > > > > been a success. My second one was a great success fro 13 > > years. > > > For > > > > me I've been told that having had 4 surgeries from age 22 up > > until > > > > age 40 that this is as good as it get. Until they find a way to > > > > replace disks and undue some of the damage I have, this is where > > > I'm at. > > > > > > > > > > > > As far as the pillow. I require an ice pack on my shoulder > > > blade > > > > and or neck to reduce the pain enough to even think about > > > > sleeping. Still I don't sleep anymore in bed, despite the fact > > I > > > > take enough pills to make an elephant sleep. But I can sleep > > > while > > > > reclined in my LaZboy chair. So for me I have much better luck, > > > not > > > > laying down, but reclining. I go to bed because I'm away from > > my > > > > wife all day long, but If it's sleep I want, then it's down to > > the > > > > chair. So you may want to try a recliner, or a Craftmatic type > > > > bed. They are expensive but I see them used all the time in the > > > > local pennysaver newspapers, or craigs list. Well that's my > > long > > > > winded diatribe for this evening. Sorry but this subject hit a > > > nerve > > > > and we have several new friends on our list who may benefit if > > > they > > > > are considering surgery. Also Remember these are my results, we > > > are > > > > all very much individuals with our own sets of problems and some > > > of > > > > us are blessed with the best Doctors around, others not so > > > > good. Just remember this is your spine your talking about you > > > want > > > > only the best in there poking around or you could be in for a > > life > > > of > > > > misery. Thanks for listening, Dave > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Rex, Depo Medrol, is a corticosteroid like prednisone, that is used for injection into a specific area of the body to quell inflamation. My pain doctors have not used depo medrol but betamethasone, which probably has a longer half-life. Some doctors still use cortisone for injection. I think there are all sorts of corticosteroids out there for injection and in general, doctors are careful about how much and how often to use these injections. The right amount will dampen inflamation for varying amounts of time while too much or too often can cause damage by weakening muscle, tendons, ligaments and soften bones. In a chronic condition, like spinal arthritis, the relief from a steroid injection often doesn't last unless some form of physical therapy is done for strengthening of muscles to help support the arthritic joints. In some conditions (especially acute conditions), the inflamation goes away for a long time, which happened with the bursitis in my shoulder. Rochelle -- In neck pain , raburtongdyr@... wrote: > > Anyone know anything about Depo Medrol injections? > > Rex > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > Re: Re: Trigger Point Injections > > > > > Hi. > I was wondering...what seems to be the best med that those of you here have used for trigger points and muscle spasms? > My doctor has me on Zanaflex 3x's a day. > I have also tried Soma. > I have not had relief from it with either med. > The only thing that seems to help at all is zanax, BUT my dr wont prescribe it because it has such a bad reputation with addiction... : ( > > thanks. > -- > The Pets Pal > http://360./petspal2003 > --------- [PainInTheNeck- Back] Re: Trigger Point Injections > > PainInTheNeck- Back@groups .com > > Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 9:45 AM > > > > Just to make it clear: the trigger point injections I mentioned that > > I get at the TJ headache center are very shallow and wouldn't cause > > this problem. I have, however, had deep trigger point injections > > right along my spinal cord. Those are the dangerous ones. When I had > > those done I was under a very light sedation and the doctor was > > talking to me the entire time to ensure he wasn't hitting anything > > he wasn't supposed to. > > > > Blessings, > > Randy > > > > > > > > > > > > I heard and or read more than once that about 90% of spinal > > > surgeries > > > > are unsuccessful. I don't believe that they are quacks or they > > > mean > > > > wrong I do believe that the spine is such a complex system that > > > they > > > > do their absolute best but there are so many variables, and so > > > much > > > > that can go wrong. I believe that those who are cured by > > surgery > > > or > > > > chiropractic, or P/T are damn lucky few and should thank God, > > kiss > > > > the ground and generally be very happy and careful that they > > > dodged > > > > that bullet. The rest of us are here, or should be here. When I > > > had > > > > my first surgery in 1982-3 or so, there was no P/T no banks of > > > tests, > > > > they did x-rays and went right in surgically. It was an utter > > > > failure, and that doctor was a butcher. My Second surgery done > > 4 > > > > years later was at a big city teaching hospital, > > Jefferson > > > in > > > > Philadelphia. I had a surgeon who was at the top of his game > > and > > > was > > > > doing fusion which then in 1987 were new and experimental. I > > was > > > > under for about 12 hours, he did a great job, I felt better when > > I > > > > woke up, was walking the next day, and had 13 very good years. > > I > > > was > > > > also careful and thankful for a new lease on life. The Doctor > > who > > > > did the fusions was sued out of business because he was doing > > > fusions > > > > with hardware and in a way that were not approved by the FDA. I > > > > didn't get in on the suit because he saved my life, and I told > > him > > > > so. He now raises horses in Delaware. His name is Sanford > > > > Davne. He was a young bright Doctor who took his time to > > explain > > > > everything and really cared. He also did surgical rebuilds for > > > many > > > > famous Philadelphia Athletes, and the R & B singer Teddy > > > > Pendergrass. I was damn luck he took me on as a patient. My > > Back > > > > gave out from me just bending over slightly in Jan 5, 2000. I > > > knew I > > > > needed surgery but by then the Doctors were required by the > > > insurance > > > > companies to try every non surgical method first. before they > > > could > > > > cut. This wasted 4 months and thousands of dollars, when both I > > > and > > > > my Doctor knew I needed surgery. The MRI's, CatScans, EMG's you > > > name > > > > it all pointed to disk and nerve damage. I had a business that > > > was > > > > busy in the summer and dead to slow in the winter / spring. It > > > would > > > > have really helped me to have surgery in Feb / March, but I had > > to > > > > wait until May 15th. Right before our Busy season hit in our > > > > Portrait Photography business. Thanks to insurance regulations > > I > > > > almost lost my business that summer. The surgery was somewhat > > > > successful. I went from total agony, couldn't walk etc, to > > > tolerable > > > > agony with meds, braces etc. Again insurance required all types > > > of > > > > P/T. I went to 3 different physical therapy practices, rang up > > > huge > > > > bills and in the end, hurt my back, and blew out my knee. The > > one > > > > good thing is I lost 50 lbs, because I was awake almost 24 hours > > a > > > > day and couldn't eat. Before I move on My 3rd back surgery > > was > > > to > > > > remove my old hardware, clean out bone spurs and scar tissue, > > > remove > > > > 2 newly damaged disks, fix a tear in the Dura, the sheath that > > > covers > > > > the spinal cord, they didn't know I had that until they went in > > ( > > > it > > > > also caused spinal fluid to leak ) and fuse 2 additional levels. > > > So I > > > > now had all new hardware with 4 or 5 levels fused now, I really > > > don't > > > > know. I know it's S1, L1, L2, L3, & L4. It also took about 12 > > > hours > > > > because the old hardware was very hard to get out, and they > > hadn't > > > > foreseen the Dura damage. They had me walk the same day. That > > was > > > > real fun. I stood up after being basically forced to and lets > > just > > > > say fluids came out both ends. I was totally embarrassed, But > > had > > > a > > > > great caring nurse who said I wasn't the first or the last to do > > > that. > > > > > > > > My Doctor had noticed damage to my neck area and kept asking > > > before > > > > the latest lower back surgery if my neck and or shoulder hurt. > > I > > > > said no they didn't. But once the pain subsided from the > > surgery > > > my > > > > neck and shoulder started to kill me. Seems the pain from the > > > lower > > > > back over-rode the pain from the neck and shoulder. He showed > > me > > > > where on my Cervical spine there were bone spurs pressing on my > > > > spinal cord to the point of almost cutting into them. There > > were > > > > also herniated disks on two levels. He told me this was the > > cause > > > of > > > > my shoulder and neck pain and this surgery was a no brainer that > > > > would relieve that pain. He told me he had the same problems > > and > > > > surgery cured him, and he has to look down over patients for > > > > multi-hour operations. I had that surgery December 28th > > > > 2000. Wanted to get it in while all my deductible was used for > > > the > > > > year. As Soon as I woke up, I said to myself what the hell did > > I > > > > do. I was in much more pain that pre surgery. They said that > > was > > > > normal and it would subside, but it never did. The next two > > years > > > I > > > > tried everything, P/T, Injections, acupuncture, healing > > services, > > > > second opinions, 3 pain management specialists, nothing > > > > helped. This surgery was a total failure. The best anyone > > could > > > > offer was exploratory surgery, because no test showed a reason > > for > > > the pain. > > > > > > > > So my reason for saying all of this is get second or third > > > opinions, > > > > look into the new very non-invasive disk repairs, try to avoid > > > > surgery and or fusion if you can. If you get all the opinions > > you > > > > can and they all say surgery is your only hope, then by all > > means > > > > make an educated decision and do it. yours may be the one that > > is > > > a > > > > great success. My Brother-in-law had surgery and fusion and his > > > has > > > > been a success. My second one was a great success fro 13 > > years. > > > For > > > > me I've been told that having had 4 surgeries from age 22 up > > until > > > > age 40 that this is as good as it get. Until they find a way to > > > > replace disks and undue some of the damage I have, this is where > > > I'm at. > > > > > > > > > > > > As far as the pillow. I require an ice pack on my shoulder > > > blade > > > > and or neck to reduce the pain enough to even think about > > > > sleeping. Still I don't sleep anymore in bed, despite the fact > > I > > > > take enough pills to make an elephant sleep. But I can sleep > > > while > > > > reclined in my LaZboy chair. So for me I have much better luck, > > > not > > > > laying down, but reclining. I go to bed because I'm away from > > my > > > > wife all day long, but If it's sleep I want, then it's down to > > the > > > > chair. So you may want to try a recliner, or a Craftmatic type > > > > bed. They are expensive but I see them used all the time in the > > > > local pennysaver newspapers, or craigs list. Well that's my > > long > > > > winded diatribe for this evening. Sorry but this subject hit a > > > nerve > > > > and we have several new friends on our list who may benefit if > > > they > > > > are considering surgery. Also Remember these are my results, we > > > are > > > > all very much individuals with our own sets of problems and some > > > of > > > > us are blessed with the best Doctors around, others not so > > > > good. Just remember this is your spine your talking about you > > > want > > > > only the best in there poking around or you could be in for a > > life > > > of > > > > misery. Thanks for listening, Dave > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Rex, Depo Medrol, is a corticosteroid like prednisone, that is used for injection into a specific area of the body to quell inflamation. My pain doctors have not used depo medrol but betamethasone, which probably has a longer half-life. Some doctors still use cortisone for injection. I think there are all sorts of corticosteroids out there for injection and in general, doctors are careful about how much and how often to use these injections. The right amount will dampen inflamation for varying amounts of time while too much or too often can cause damage by weakening muscle, tendons, ligaments and soften bones. In a chronic condition, like spinal arthritis, the relief from a steroid injection often doesn't last unless some form of physical therapy is done for strengthening of muscles to help support the arthritic joints. In some conditions (especially acute conditions), the inflamation goes away for a long time, which happened with the bursitis in my shoulder. Rochelle -- In neck pain , raburtongdyr@... wrote: > > Anyone know anything about Depo Medrol injections? > > Rex > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > Re: Re: Trigger Point Injections > > > > > Hi. > I was wondering...what seems to be the best med that those of you here have used for trigger points and muscle spasms? > My doctor has me on Zanaflex 3x's a day. > I have also tried Soma. > I have not had relief from it with either med. > The only thing that seems to help at all is zanax, BUT my dr wont prescribe it because it has such a bad reputation with addiction... : ( > > thanks. > -- > The Pets Pal > http://360./petspal2003 > --------- [PainInTheNeck- Back] Re: Trigger Point Injections > > PainInTheNeck- Back@groups .com > > Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 9:45 AM > > > > Just to make it clear: the trigger point injections I mentioned that > > I get at the TJ headache center are very shallow and wouldn't cause > > this problem. I have, however, had deep trigger point injections > > right along my spinal cord. Those are the dangerous ones. When I had > > those done I was under a very light sedation and the doctor was > > talking to me the entire time to ensure he wasn't hitting anything > > he wasn't supposed to. > > > > Blessings, > > Randy > > > > > > > > > > > > I heard and or read more than once that about 90% of spinal > > > surgeries > > > > are unsuccessful. I don't believe that they are quacks or they > > > mean > > > > wrong I do believe that the spine is such a complex system that > > > they > > > > do their absolute best but there are so many variables, and so > > > much > > > > that can go wrong. I believe that those who are cured by > > surgery > > > or > > > > chiropractic, or P/T are damn lucky few and should thank God, > > kiss > > > > the ground and generally be very happy and careful that they > > > dodged > > > > that bullet. The rest of us are here, or should be here. When I > > > had > > > > my first surgery in 1982-3 or so, there was no P/T no banks of > > > tests, > > > > they did x-rays and went right in surgically. It was an utter > > > > failure, and that doctor was a butcher. My Second surgery done > > 4 > > > > years later was at a big city teaching hospital, > > Jefferson > > > in > > > > Philadelphia. I had a surgeon who was at the top of his game > > and > > > was > > > > doing fusion which then in 1987 were new and experimental. I > > was > > > > under for about 12 hours, he did a great job, I felt better when > > I > > > > woke up, was walking the next day, and had 13 very good years. > > I > > > was > > > > also careful and thankful for a new lease on life. The Doctor > > who > > > > did the fusions was sued out of business because he was doing > > > fusions > > > > with hardware and in a way that were not approved by the FDA. I > > > > didn't get in on the suit because he saved my life, and I told > > him > > > > so. He now raises horses in Delaware. His name is Sanford > > > > Davne. He was a young bright Doctor who took his time to > > explain > > > > everything and really cared. He also did surgical rebuilds for > > > many > > > > famous Philadelphia Athletes, and the R & B singer Teddy > > > > Pendergrass. I was damn luck he took me on as a patient. My > > Back > > > > gave out from me just bending over slightly in Jan 5, 2000. I > > > knew I > > > > needed surgery but by then the Doctors were required by the > > > insurance > > > > companies to try every non surgical method first. before they > > > could > > > > cut. This wasted 4 months and thousands of dollars, when both I > > > and > > > > my Doctor knew I needed surgery. The MRI's, CatScans, EMG's you > > > name > > > > it all pointed to disk and nerve damage. I had a business that > > > was > > > > busy in the summer and dead to slow in the winter / spring. It > > > would > > > > have really helped me to have surgery in Feb / March, but I had > > to > > > > wait until May 15th. Right before our Busy season hit in our > > > > Portrait Photography business. Thanks to insurance regulations > > I > > > > almost lost my business that summer. The surgery was somewhat > > > > successful. I went from total agony, couldn't walk etc, to > > > tolerable > > > > agony with meds, braces etc. Again insurance required all types > > > of > > > > P/T. I went to 3 different physical therapy practices, rang up > > > huge > > > > bills and in the end, hurt my back, and blew out my knee. The > > one > > > > good thing is I lost 50 lbs, because I was awake almost 24 hours > > a > > > > day and couldn't eat. Before I move on My 3rd back surgery > > was > > > to > > > > remove my old hardware, clean out bone spurs and scar tissue, > > > remove > > > > 2 newly damaged disks, fix a tear in the Dura, the sheath that > > > covers > > > > the spinal cord, they didn't know I had that until they went in > > ( > > > it > > > > also caused spinal fluid to leak ) and fuse 2 additional levels. > > > So I > > > > now had all new hardware with 4 or 5 levels fused now, I really > > > don't > > > > know. I know it's S1, L1, L2, L3, & L4. It also took about 12 > > > hours > > > > because the old hardware was very hard to get out, and they > > hadn't > > > > foreseen the Dura damage. They had me walk the same day. That > > was > > > > real fun. I stood up after being basically forced to and lets > > just > > > > say fluids came out both ends. I was totally embarrassed, But > > had > > > a > > > > great caring nurse who said I wasn't the first or the last to do > > > that. > > > > > > > > My Doctor had noticed damage to my neck area and kept asking > > > before > > > > the latest lower back surgery if my neck and or shoulder hurt. > > I > > > > said no they didn't. But once the pain subsided from the > > surgery > > > my > > > > neck and shoulder started to kill me. Seems the pain from the > > > lower > > > > back over-rode the pain from the neck and shoulder. He showed > > me > > > > where on my Cervical spine there were bone spurs pressing on my > > > > spinal cord to the point of almost cutting into them. There > > were > > > > also herniated disks on two levels. He told me this was the > > cause > > > of > > > > my shoulder and neck pain and this surgery was a no brainer that > > > > would relieve that pain. He told me he had the same problems > > and > > > > surgery cured him, and he has to look down over patients for > > > > multi-hour operations. I had that surgery December 28th > > > > 2000. Wanted to get it in while all my deductible was used for > > > the > > > > year. As Soon as I woke up, I said to myself what the hell did > > I > > > > do. I was in much more pain that pre surgery. They said that > > was > > > > normal and it would subside, but it never did. The next two > > years > > > I > > > > tried everything, P/T, Injections, acupuncture, healing > > services, > > > > second opinions, 3 pain management specialists, nothing > > > > helped. This surgery was a total failure. The best anyone > > could > > > > offer was exploratory surgery, because no test showed a reason > > for > > > the pain. > > > > > > > > So my reason for saying all of this is get second or third > > > opinions, > > > > look into the new very non-invasive disk repairs, try to avoid > > > > surgery and or fusion if you can. If you get all the opinions > > you > > > > can and they all say surgery is your only hope, then by all > > means > > > > make an educated decision and do it. yours may be the one that > > is > > > a > > > > great success. My Brother-in-law had surgery and fusion and his > > > has > > > > been a success. My second one was a great success fro 13 > > years. > > > For > > > > me I've been told that having had 4 surgeries from age 22 up > > until > > > > age 40 that this is as good as it get. Until they find a way to > > > > replace disks and undue some of the damage I have, this is where > > > I'm at. > > > > > > > > > > > > As far as the pillow. I require an ice pack on my shoulder > > > blade > > > > and or neck to reduce the pain enough to even think about > > > > sleeping. Still I don't sleep anymore in bed, despite the fact > > I > > > > take enough pills to make an elephant sleep. But I can sleep > > > while > > > > reclined in my LaZboy chair. So for me I have much better luck, > > > not > > > > laying down, but reclining. I go to bed because I'm away from > > my > > > > wife all day long, but If it's sleep I want, then it's down to > > the > > > > chair. So you may want to try a recliner, or a Craftmatic type > > > > bed. They are expensive but I see them used all the time in the > > > > local pennysaver newspapers, or craigs list. Well that's my > > long > > > > winded diatribe for this evening. Sorry but this subject hit a > > > nerve > > > > and we have several new friends on our list who may benefit if > > > they > > > > are considering surgery. Also Remember these are my results, we > > > are > > > > all very much individuals with our own sets of problems and some > > > of > > > > us are blessed with the best Doctors around, others not so > > > > good. Just remember this is your spine your talking about you > > > want > > > > only the best in there poking around or you could be in for a > > life > > > of > > > > misery. Thanks for listening, Dave > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2008 Report Share Posted September 1, 2008 Hi Rex, Depo Medrol, is a corticosteroid like prednisone, that is used for injection into a specific area of the body to quell inflamation. My pain doctors have not used depo medrol but betamethasone, which probably has a longer half-life. Some doctors still use cortisone for injection. I think there are all sorts of corticosteroids out there for injection and in general, doctors are careful about how much and how often to use these injections. The right amount will dampen inflamation for varying amounts of time while too much or too often can cause damage by weakening muscle, tendons, ligaments and soften bones. In a chronic condition, like spinal arthritis, the relief from a steroid injection often doesn't last unless some form of physical therapy is done for strengthening of muscles to help support the arthritic joints. In some conditions (especially acute conditions), the inflamation goes away for a long time, which happened with the bursitis in my shoulder. Rochelle -- In neck pain , raburtongdyr@... wrote: > > Anyone know anything about Depo Medrol injections? > > Rex > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > Re: Re: Trigger Point Injections > > > > > Hi. > I was wondering...what seems to be the best med that those of you here have used for trigger points and muscle spasms? > My doctor has me on Zanaflex 3x's a day. > I have also tried Soma. > I have not had relief from it with either med. > The only thing that seems to help at all is zanax, BUT my dr wont prescribe it because it has such a bad reputation with addiction... : ( > > thanks. > -- > The Pets Pal > http://360./petspal2003 > --------- [PainInTheNeck- Back] Re: Trigger Point Injections > > PainInTheNeck- Back@groups .com > > Date: Friday, August 29, 2008, 9:45 AM > > > > Just to make it clear: the trigger point injections I mentioned that > > I get at the TJ headache center are very shallow and wouldn't cause > > this problem. I have, however, had deep trigger point injections > > right along my spinal cord. Those are the dangerous ones. When I had > > those done I was under a very light sedation and the doctor was > > talking to me the entire time to ensure he wasn't hitting anything > > he wasn't supposed to. > > > > Blessings, > > Randy > > > > > > > > > > > > I heard and or read more than once that about 90% of spinal > > > surgeries > > > > are unsuccessful. I don't believe that they are quacks or they > > > mean > > > > wrong I do believe that the spine is such a complex system that > > > they > > > > do their absolute best but there are so many variables, and so > > > much > > > > that can go wrong. I believe that those who are cured by > > surgery > > > or > > > > chiropractic, or P/T are damn lucky few and should thank God, > > kiss > > > > the ground and generally be very happy and careful that they > > > dodged > > > > that bullet. The rest of us are here, or should be here. When I > > > had > > > > my first surgery in 1982-3 or so, there was no P/T no banks of > > > tests, > > > > they did x-rays and went right in surgically. It was an utter > > > > failure, and that doctor was a butcher. My Second surgery done > > 4 > > > > years later was at a big city teaching hospital, > > Jefferson > > > in > > > > Philadelphia. I had a surgeon who was at the top of his game > > and > > > was > > > > doing fusion which then in 1987 were new and experimental. I > > was > > > > under for about 12 hours, he did a great job, I felt better when > > I > > > > woke up, was walking the next day, and had 13 very good years. > > I > > > was > > > > also careful and thankful for a new lease on life. The Doctor > > who > > > > did the fusions was sued out of business because he was doing > > > fusions > > > > with hardware and in a way that were not approved by the FDA. I > > > > didn't get in on the suit because he saved my life, and I told > > him > > > > so. He now raises horses in Delaware. His name is Sanford > > > > Davne. He was a young bright Doctor who took his time to > > explain > > > > everything and really cared. He also did surgical rebuilds for > > > many > > > > famous Philadelphia Athletes, and the R & B singer Teddy > > > > Pendergrass. I was damn luck he took me on as a patient. My > > Back > > > > gave out from me just bending over slightly in Jan 5, 2000. I > > > knew I > > > > needed surgery but by then the Doctors were required by the > > > insurance > > > > companies to try every non surgical method first. before they > > > could > > > > cut. This wasted 4 months and thousands of dollars, when both I > > > and > > > > my Doctor knew I needed surgery. The MRI's, CatScans, EMG's you > > > name > > > > it all pointed to disk and nerve damage. I had a business that > > > was > > > > busy in the summer and dead to slow in the winter / spring. It > > > would > > > > have really helped me to have surgery in Feb / March, but I had > > to > > > > wait until May 15th. Right before our Busy season hit in our > > > > Portrait Photography business. Thanks to insurance regulations > > I > > > > almost lost my business that summer. The surgery was somewhat > > > > successful. I went from total agony, couldn't walk etc, to > > > tolerable > > > > agony with meds, braces etc. Again insurance required all types > > > of > > > > P/T. I went to 3 different physical therapy practices, rang up > > > huge > > > > bills and in the end, hurt my back, and blew out my knee. The > > one > > > > good thing is I lost 50 lbs, because I was awake almost 24 hours > > a > > > > day and couldn't eat. Before I move on My 3rd back surgery > > was > > > to > > > > remove my old hardware, clean out bone spurs and scar tissue, > > > remove > > > > 2 newly damaged disks, fix a tear in the Dura, the sheath that > > > covers > > > > the spinal cord, they didn't know I had that until they went in > > ( > > > it > > > > also caused spinal fluid to leak ) and fuse 2 additional levels. > > > So I > > > > now had all new hardware with 4 or 5 levels fused now, I really > > > don't > > > > know. I know it's S1, L1, L2, L3, & L4. It also took about 12 > > > hours > > > > because the old hardware was very hard to get out, and they > > hadn't > > > > foreseen the Dura damage. They had me walk the same day. That > > was > > > > real fun. I stood up after being basically forced to and lets > > just > > > > say fluids came out both ends. I was totally embarrassed, But > > had > > > a > > > > great caring nurse who said I wasn't the first or the last to do > > > that. > > > > > > > > My Doctor had noticed damage to my neck area and kept asking > > > before > > > > the latest lower back surgery if my neck and or shoulder hurt. > > I > > > > said no they didn't. But once the pain subsided from the > > surgery > > > my > > > > neck and shoulder started to kill me. Seems the pain from the > > > lower > > > > back over-rode the pain from the neck and shoulder. He showed > > me > > > > where on my Cervical spine there were bone spurs pressing on my > > > > spinal cord to the point of almost cutting into them. There > > were > > > > also herniated disks on two levels. He told me this was the > > cause > > > of > > > > my shoulder and neck pain and this surgery was a no brainer that > > > > would relieve that pain. He told me he had the same problems > > and > > > > surgery cured him, and he has to look down over patients for > > > > multi-hour operations. I had that surgery December 28th > > > > 2000. Wanted to get it in while all my deductible was used for > > > the > > > > year. As Soon as I woke up, I said to myself what the hell did > > I > > > > do. I was in much more pain that pre surgery. They said that > > was > > > > normal and it would subside, but it never did. The next two > > years > > > I > > > > tried everything, P/T, Injections, acupuncture, healing > > services, > > > > second opinions, 3 pain management specialists, nothing > > > > helped. This surgery was a total failure. The best anyone > > could > > > > offer was exploratory surgery, because no test showed a reason > > for > > > the pain. > > > > > > > > So my reason for saying all of this is get second or third > > > opinions, > > > > look into the new very non-invasive disk repairs, try to avoid > > > > surgery and or fusion if you can. If you get all the opinions > > you > > > > can and they all say surgery is your only hope, then by all > > means > > > > make an educated decision and do it. yours may be the one that > > is > > > a > > > > great success. My Brother-in-law had surgery and fusion and his > > > has > > > > been a success. My second one was a great success fro 13 > > years. > > > For > > > > me I've been told that having had 4 surgeries from age 22 up > > until > > > > age 40 that this is as good as it get. Until they find a way to > > > > replace disks and undue some of the damage I have, this is where > > > I'm at. > > > > > > > > > > > > As far as the pillow. I require an ice pack on my shoulder > > > blade > > > > and or neck to reduce the pain enough to even think about > > > > sleeping. Still I don't sleep anymore in bed, despite the fact > > I > > > > take enough pills to make an elephant sleep. But I can sleep > > > while > > > > reclined in my LaZboy chair. So for me I have much better luck, > > > not > > > > laying down, but reclining. I go to bed because I'm away from > > my > > > > wife all day long, but If it's sleep I want, then it's down to > > the > > > > chair. So you may want to try a recliner, or a Craftmatic type > > > > bed. They are expensive but I see them used all the time in the > > > > local pennysaver newspapers, or craigs list. Well that's my > > long > > > > winded diatribe for this evening. Sorry but this subject hit a > > > nerve > > > > and we have several new friends on our list who may benefit if > > > they > > > > are considering surgery. Also Remember these are my results, we > > > are > > > > all very much individuals with our own sets of problems and some > > > of > > > > us are blessed with the best Doctors around, others not so > > > > good. Just remember this is your spine your talking about you > > > want > > > > only the best in there poking around or you could be in for a > > life > > > of > > > > misery. Thanks for listening, Dave > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 23, 2009 Report Share Posted February 23, 2009 So I had 5 injections done today...A couple at the top of the shoulder blade area (near the neck) and 3 near the lower part. The dr. actually asked me where I was tender and wanted them placed. The part that kind of threw me for a loop, was when she walked in with the consent form and the possible puncturing a lung release. That kind of scard me. I almost didn't go through with it. It didn't hurt too much. When she stuck the first needle in near the upper trap/neck the muscle went crazy and she said that was a good sign. Anyway...so almost 10 hours later, man am I sore. Anyone know how long this soreness lasts?? When, if at all, should I notice if this is helping or not. So far all I feel is needle injection pain everywhere and my arm is still hard to lift very fast. She said something about heating pad, but I can't remember now what she said because I was still freaking out about puncturing a lung. Swap Your Paperback Books http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php?r_by=booksforever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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