Re: Epidural injection/ Deb M.

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb!

I know this is an exciting time of year for you. I can't remember

where you are now! Ohio? We moved two months ago, but just to a

larger apartment in the same complex. We still have a long way to go

to get settled in. Most of our things have been in storage for 3

years.

I started physical therapy in the water a couple of weeks ago. It

isn't helping. In fact, the PT guys are stunned at how little I can

do and how sore and tired it makes me. They want me to call my doctor

and tell him it isn't helping. My doctor has mentioned injections,

too, but he didn't exactly say WHERE. I think the pain is too

widespread for them to help much.

Do you have a ct scan, MRI or something fairly recent? If so you

could send that to Dr. LaGrone (I'd call first) and he would probably

look at it for you. I am thinking about doing that after Christmas.

How large is the church you are a pastor of? I bet they are thrilled

to have you.

Kathy

>

> 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.

>