Re: Steroid inj. OR Narcotics

[Guest guest]

I have rods from T-2 to S-1. I have had numerous cervical injections, including

steroid and diagnostic. I have also (unfortunately) had 2 CT Mylograms. The

CT's were not fun, but an experienced Dr. can get around the rods and into the

spine as needed with the help of MRI or CT imaging. I have just began tapering

off of narcotics after my third spinal surgery. Each of us has to decide (with

the help of our drs.) what is best for us re: additional or continued pain meds

or alternatives. One thing is for sure.....narcotic pain meds don't solve any

real problems, but they do make life bearable for those of us with constant and

chronic pain. I have been on most available pain medications over the last 4

years. My complaints are that the dose never seems to work long enough without

being raised, I feel " spacey " and tired more than I like and last, they seem to

take away my appetite. As previously mentioned, I am fused from T-2 to S-1.

Additionally, 12 days ago I had a multi level cervical disc replacement. My

hope is that I will become pain free enough after recovering from this last

surgery that I will be able to taper off of all narcotics and get by with the

occasional over the counter pain med as needed. Good luck with your pain

management.

Melody

Steroid inj. OR Narcotics

Just curious if others on here with spinal fusions and hardware

have ever tried steroid injections?

Right now I am on Neurontin, Zanaflex, and Vicodin.

My pain Dr. is talking about doing steroid injections later..

He wants to wait until at least a year since my last surgery

which was for a neck fusion on a ruptured disc.

Problem is...I'm very concerned about letting anyone do ANYKIND

of injection on my back! After all, I have been told that I could

not recieve an epidural during childbirth BECAUSE of the rod,

no mylogram because of the rod (NOT complaining there)

One doctor even specifically told me that it would be very dangerous to

ever let anyone do injections of any kind on my back.

I just dont know whos right or wrong.

AND whats WORSE??? LOng term pain medication or steroid injections???

So I'm just a bit confused and want others input please.

By the way, I'm 37 with major double curve scoliosis. Entire thoracic

spine fused with herrington rod. No fusion on lumbar curve BUT the

curve is so bad that all of the disc in lumbar are bulged, and early

degenerative disease ect...which is why I am in pain.

Not to mention the arthritis in my hip now (one leg shorter)

I am still working (as much as I can)

I'm a dog groomer and have gone from 5-6 dogs a day to

now (small dogs only) 2-3 a day. Dont know how much longer

I will be able to though. I hurt every day after and during work.

I guess what my main question is how do others here cope with pain

management?

Which route is worse?

Thank you and sorry this was so long.

Liz

[Guest guest]

I've had my share of injections as well. I went in for " pain

managment for a year after my second back surgery and what was

supposed to last a couple of years only lasted a month at the most. I

had more steroid injections until I finally found out that was making

my bipolar mania go up to a high point. It finally lead to my

divorce. I know that now because when it all wore off I could really

tell it. So be careful if you have a mental illness and taking the

steroids. I don't want to alarm anyone. It may not effect you. Just

be careful and listen to your body. I do still take Loratab and

probably always will. Thank God I haven't had to take any for about a

week now so that's good for me. God Bless All of you, Dereise....

>

> I have rods from T-2 to S-1. I have had numerous cervical

injections, including steroid and diagnostic. I have also

(unfortunately) had 2 CT Mylograms. The CT's were not fun, but an

experienced Dr. can get around the rods and into the spine as needed

with the help of MRI or CT imaging. I have just began tapering off

of narcotics after my third spinal surgery. Each of us has to decide

(with the help of our drs.) what is best for us re: additional or

continued pain meds or alternatives. One thing is for

sure.....narcotic pain meds don't solve any real problems, but they

do make life bearable for those of us with constant and chronic pain.

I have been on most available pain medications over the last 4

years. My complaints are that the dose never seems to work long

enough without being raised, I feel " spacey " and tired more than I

like and last, they seem to take away my appetite. As previously

mentioned, I am fused from T-2 to S-1. Additionally, 12 days ago I

had a multi level cervical disc replacement. My hope is that I will

become pain free enough after recovering from this last surgery that

I will be able to taper off of all narcotics and get by with the

occasional over the counter pain med as needed. Good luck with your

pain management.

>

> Melody

> Steroid inj. OR Narcotics

>

>

>

> Just curious if others on here with spinal fusions and hardware

> have ever tried steroid injections?

>

> Right now I am on Neurontin, Zanaflex, and Vicodin.

> My pain Dr. is talking about doing steroid injections later..

> He wants to wait until at least a year since my last surgery

> which was for a neck fusion on a ruptured disc.

>

> Problem is...I'm very concerned about letting anyone do ANYKIND

> of injection on my back! After all, I have been told that I could

> not recieve an epidural during childbirth BECAUSE of the rod,

> no mylogram because of the rod (NOT complaining there)

> One doctor even specifically told me that it would be very

dangerous to

> ever let anyone do injections of any kind on my back.

> I just dont know whos right or wrong.

>

> AND whats WORSE??? LOng term pain medication or steroid

injections???

>

> So I'm just a bit confused and want others input please.

>

> By the way, I'm 37 with major double curve scoliosis. Entire

thoracic

> spine fused with herrington rod. No fusion on lumbar curve BUT the

> curve is so bad that all of the disc in lumbar are bulged, and

early

> degenerative disease ect...which is why I am in pain.

> Not to mention the arthritis in my hip now (one leg shorter)

> I am still working (as much as I can)

>

> I'm a dog groomer and have gone from 5-6 dogs a day to

> now (small dogs only) 2-3 a day. Dont know how much longer

> I will be able to though. I hurt every day after and during work.

>

> I guess what my main question is how do others here cope with pain

> management?

> Which route is worse?

>

> Thank you and sorry this was so long.

> Liz

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I did have some sort of injection, a nerve block. Probably steroids. My surgeon

said it was ok. It was to help ease the pain from the screws in my pelvis. It

did help for maybe 3 months. But I don't want to get anymore. I'm gonna tough it

out till I get the screws out. It messed me up hormonally I think. I'm in

menopause and suddenly after the injections I had my period. I don't really know

what it's all about.

________________________________

From: petspal2003 <petspal@...>

Scoliosis Treatment

Sent: Thursday, January 8, 2009 8:13:40 PM

Subject: Steroid inj. OR Narcotics

Just curious if others on here with spinal fusions and hardware

have ever tried steroid injections?

Right now I am on Neurontin, Zanaflex, and Vicodin.

My pain Dr. is talking about doing steroid injections later..

He wants to wait until at least a year since my last surgery

which was for a neck fusion on a ruptured disc.

Problem is...I'm very concerned about letting anyone do ANYKIND

of injection on my back! After all, I have been told that I could

not recieve an epidural during childbirth BECAUSE of the rod,

no mylogram because of the rod (NOT complaining there)

One doctor even specifically told me that it would be very dangerous to

ever let anyone do injections of any kind on my back.

I just dont know whos right or wrong.

AND whats WORSE??? LOng term pain medication or steroid injections?? ?

So I'm just a bit confused and want others input please.

By the way, I'm 37 with major double curve scoliosis. Entire thoracic

spine fused with herrington rod. No fusion on lumbar curve BUT the

curve is so bad that all of the disc in lumbar are bulged, and early

degenerative disease ect...which is why I am in pain.

Not to mention the arthritis in my hip now (one leg shorter)

I am still working (as much as I can)

I'm a dog groomer and have gone from 5-6 dogs a day to

now (small dogs only) 2-3 a day. Dont know how much longer

I will be able to though. I hurt every day after and during work.

I guess what my main question is how do others here cope with pain

management?

Which route is worse?

Thank you and sorry this was so long.

Liz

[Guest guest]

Yes I have all of the above, Scoliosis, Rods, Hardware, Stenosis and the

injections.  They helped me a lot.  They have worn off now and I need more.  I

think I should just have the stenosis surgery.  I am a Wuss about the surgery. 

I got on a Stenosis Chat and no one really responded to my questions. I

cannot get feed back on others take on the surgery.  I know everyone is

different.  Will Stenosis Surgery just lead to more surgery.  I may hav eto have

it anyway.  I cannot just ignore the problem.  Are there other options?