Epidural injection

[Guest guest]

I saw Dr. Stanley Lee a couple weeks ago. Good news - no surgery. Bad

news - not so much anyone can do for me. So, I'm off for my 5th bout

of physical therapy in 7 years. I'll try real hard to find someone

with experience dealing with post-harrington patients, so maybe I'll

have some different results?

He suggested Advil is just fine and I might find some relief by taking

it more regularly instead of sporadically (since I'm allergic to most

other NSAIDS).

The nerve impulse in my top left leg appears to be coming from my L3

nerve. He thinks an epidural cortisone injection into that area may

help if the nerve is inflamed. If so, I could get it a few times a

year. If there is another irritation, the injection won't help. Since

L3 is fused, of course, the physiatrist would go in under the fusion

(from L5).

So, as patients, what do you all think? What is your experience with this?

Dr. Hu had suggested facet joint injections 3 years ago, but only for

generalized pain in the lower back and SI joint. So, I didn't get

them. Now that I have a specific symptom, tied to a specific nerve,

I'm more inclined to do it. It's scheduled for 12/28. I'm going to

talk to the office and physiatrist to get more info (how many have you

done where you had to go in under fusion, for instance?? What exactly

happens? Can I have valium so I won't freak out?)

I'm trying to talk myself into it, but I'm really scared. Also, this

is a very trying and stressful time for me. We just moved into our new

house this past weekend, and this is my first December as a full-time

pastor, so it is a little crazy! I love Christmas, so I'm up for it.

And I don't mind 4 services on Christmas Eve. It's just a lot of work,

and a lot of learning and doing things right the first time.

So, any words of wisdom from those of you who have been on this path

before?

Thanks!

Deb M.