Re: [Spinal Disorders Support

October 1, 2009

An Epidural Steriod Injection (ESI) is usually a 'shot gun' approach. It is

also a diagnositic procedure. If it helps, and it can take 2-5 days for the

cortizone to help with the pain. Since the cortizone is mixed with lidocaine,

you should get some relief at least for a couple of days with the lidocaine.

Over the past two months I have had two nerve blocks, and a facet joint

injection. About a year ago, I had three ESIs, they did not do much for me, and

since they are more general in nature they are not as good as a diagnositic tool

as a block or facet joint injections. So you are looking at what to do, maybe a

nerve block or facet joint. They can work for 6 months. Oh, and ESI and Nerve

blocks are usually done in a series of three over three months.

The idea is to put surgery off as long as possible without causing major injury.

So, I don't think that it is that you are self-pay, but your doctor may be

trying to put off the surgery. He may also be trying to not put you under

financial stress that a surgery would. I'd do some research on want can be done

while trying to avoid surgery.

Now I have something to add and your mileage may vary. I'll admit to living in

a large city, so I have lots of options for this. Find a Chiro who has massage

technicians who work in his office. The nice thing when you find this you can

barter for lower rate. Usually if you are paying out of pocket with no chiro

care insurance this is something they will offer. I did twice weekly half hour

deep tissue massages on just my back. Yes, it helped with the pain, more

importantly it keep my sanity. Let face it we all lose our niceness while in

pain.

I hope there is something here that can help you. And know that you are not

alone.

>

> Hello,

> Isn't it sad that we can predict the weather. I find my pain is worse when we

have storms coming in.

>

> I had a steroid shot last week in the caudal area. I feel that I'm being blown

off as we are self pay and do not have insurance. My last MRi was a year ago and

since then my lower back pain has increased to needing pain killers every day.

The surgeon said as I did not insurance he would not do another mri, how can he

tell the changes. The old one said I had herniated disks at L4/L5 and L5/Si. It

was the chiropractor who looked at my mri and said T11/12 was also herniated and

that what was causing my pain higher up. the surgeon totally ignores me when I

ask about that pain. The doctor that did the steroid shot said he was going to

do a shot gun approach, how was that supposed to help, actually it made no

difference what so ever.

>

> this did not start out as being long winded but I have had to give up work

because of the pain and trouble walking adn I'm wondering do you all think that

I need a second opinion. I did have surgery on sequesteres L1/L2 las year as

well.

>

> thanks

>

> susan

>

October 2, 2009

I can remember vivdly getting up one morning in the middle of a snowstorm. I

turned on the " Today Show " and there was some " quack " doctor on there saying

that an aching back had nothing to do with the weather. And the old saying " I

can feel a storm coming " , or ... " I can feel in in my bones " , was a fallicy. All

in the person's head... I wanted to jump through the TV screne and strangle the

man...

Re: [spinal Disorders Support

> The reason that you have more pain when the weather changes is that

when the baromatoe changes the body will swell just a little. People

that do not have back problems don't feel the change, but people with

back problems don't have any room to have the increase growth. That is

why it hurts more in the winter. As far as Steroid shots some work and

some don't. With me I have had spinel epadurals that some would last a

few days and some would last a few months.When it comes to your back and

pain it is always better to get more then one opion. This is your back

and once you get surgey it is to late to get a second opion. Ask, Ask,

Ask. write down all the questions you need to ask a DR so you know

exectley what you want to tell them. Make sure you totaly understand

what the Dr is going to do and that you are sure that this is what is

best for you. Good Luck great5kids

>

> Hello,

> Isn't it sad that we can predict the weather. I find my pain is worse

when we have storms coming in.

>

> I had a steroid shot last week in the caudal area. I feel that I'm

being blown off as we are self pay and do not have insurance. My last

MRi was a year ago and since then my lower back pain has increased to

needing pain killers every day. The surgeon said as I did not insurance

he would not do another mri, how can he tell the changes. The old one

said I had herniated disks at L4/L5 and L5/Si. It was the chiropractor

who looked at my mri and said T11/12 was also herniated and that what

was causing my pain higher up. the surgeon totally ignores me when I ask

about that pain. The doctor that did the steroid shot said he was going

to do a shot gun approach, how was that supposed to help, actually it

made no difference what so ever.

>

> this did not start out as being long winded but I have had to give up

work because of the pain and trouble walking adn I'm wondering do you

all think that I need a second opinion. I did have surgery on

sequesteres L1/L2 las year as well.

>

> thanks

>

> susan

>

October 2, 2009

Our weather here on the So. Or. coast is changing now and boy did my legs hurt

last

nite! My sciatica kicked in full bore and my legs ached, tingled and had little

strength.

I could hardly contain the pain, I couldn't so I just laid there in bed and

tried to make them

comfortable. I sleep with pillows between my legs and even that put pressure on

the leg

on the bottom so I had to offset my legs, I just had the worst time, and the

weather was changing

so I imagine that had something to do with my pain. I am looking forward to

that injection, I wish

they would call me with an appointment. My L4-5 sucks and has a synovial cyst

there. My hips

hurt to walk, especially the left side. I just have so many pain problems in my

back to my toes.

oh well, gotta carry on,

gentle hugs, Coleen

________________________________

From: cathy mccarthy <bbhorsetack@...>

spinal problems

Sent: Fri, October 2, 2009 6:22:39 AM

Subject: Re: Re: [spinal Disorders Support