Guest guest Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Hi , After seeing 2 internists, one general orthopedist, one neurologist and one anestheologist, I was led to an orthopedist who specializes in the spine. Before I got to him, however, I had the MRI, I had 3 epidural injections, and I had a 12 week course of physical therapy. I also had 2 injections of Enbrel injected in my back (those did help more than anything!) That is still experimental treatment being done in L.A. So once at the spine specialist's office, for awhile, he had me take Vioxx, for awhile he did the facet injections...meanwhile I was real tired of the pain pills and of having the back pain. (I had a herniated disc, spinal stenosis and some degerative disc disease). One day I marched into my appointment and said " it is time to operate " . He had been trying everything with me to avoid that. So we talked and I prepared myself and had the surgery last year. Recovery went very well, I had a brace to wear for a short period and some physical therapy at home. 6 months later I was a new person; even the bone stimulator came out early and I kicked the narcotics pretty quickly. I had a spinal fusion - in it he used bone from my hip and I had given blood to myself in 3 previous sessions at the blood bank. I also had aquatic physical therapy for 12 more weeks and ever since I have been involved in an aquatic fitness program at the PT center, not only to strengthen my back, but other muscles as well. So that's my back pain story. No opinion here, that is just my experience. ~ Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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