DTZNuff
Board Addict
Reged: 11/16/02
Posts: 312
Loc: B.F.E.
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I finally got a half assed diagnosis on my back problems.
Seems that I have arthritis in my back and it took an MRI and about 20 trips to my docs office to figure this out. The tight Best if kept off the board finally gave me a script for some Lortabs, so I could sleep at night. You see, I would wake up every night about 3:30am with by back hurting just terribly, and my doc just thought I was just trying to get pain meds. Every time I would call him. That is so not true. People that don't have any kind of chronic pain, don't know what it is like to have chronic pain. It really sucks. I have been going on about two months now of waking up every night between 3 and 5am and my back hurts so bad that I would wince with the pain. My wife is just like... maybe you should get on an anti-depressant it will raise you pain threshold. She is an RN. And has been a real big help, let me tell you. I ask her why don't you live a day or two in my shoes and see what it is like to have this chronic back pain? No answer for that. Big suprise. Well I feel like I had to vent and any of your comments would be greatly appreciated.
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 Serenity Now, Insanity Later!
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DTZNuff
Board Addict
Reged: 11/16/02
Posts: 312
Loc: B.F.E.
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P.S. My doc has scheduled me for a cortisone shot in my back and I hope that it helps. I would hate to go through all that abd get one for nothing. I hear that they really hurt.
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Serenity Now, Insanity Later!
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1962
Loc: Texas
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Your wife is right, how wonderful you have her support. So many of us on this board have to hide it from our spouses. Anyway, Prozac ER is known for it's pain relief qualities, I take it and it helps.
About that shot...my friend had bone spurs in her foot and used to get those shots - she said the shot gave her relief for a day or so, but the pain wasn't worth it. Everyone is different though and you should at least give it one try. Best of luck!
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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Okay sweetie, this is exciting news, because when your doc finally cuts loose with a cortisone shot AND an RX, he knows you're really hurting. You have probably gone thru all this checklist, but would you believe, I had a bad (read;bargin) mattress for a year and it did not help matters. How is your mattress?
I got one of those memory foam ones, but it is so humid where I live; I wonder if it is able to really do what it could in drier climates. So:
cortisone shots sometimes take a day or two to work; they are a miracle for lots of people;
Have you tried putting pillows between your legs?
Your wife is on to something with the anti-depressants, but I am thinking in a different direction than meds. I am treatment resistant when it comes to depression and meds.
This is why I never pass up a chance to laugh and often feel better after a really hard cry. I think some people have to make their own chemicals; anything they put in just skims thru;
So...anything that cheers you up or makes you laugh might indeed make you feel better.
I sincerely hope that your wife comes around; meet her halfway too (no offense intended; it is just I know I am not fun some days, so I know how it goes....) and that your doctor starts really trying to see what works.
Good luck with the shot. Do not be scared; it is a big needle but they administer it expertly and it does not really smart that much. 
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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brain4201
Enthusiast
Reged: 08/13/02
Posts: 216
Loc: 1 hr from Dallas
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Just a thought, but you might mention to your MD something about Conscious Sedation under flouroscopy. This is how my PM doc did my three Epidural Steroid Injections, and all I had to do was ask him to konk me out with some Versed, Fentanyl, and Diprovan...you dont ask that, but that is what they use, it is one hell of a knockout punch...Hope that helps, the shots really did help my neck, but I still take pain medication sometimes for the pain...Thank god for YOD!!
B
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"Life is only what you make of it"
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buey
Old Hand
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 453
Loc: USA
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Prettyday has a good idea. While it may not be a cure all for you, a better mattress can make a huge difference.One I would highly recommend is the Select Comfort Sleep Number. The commercials are not lying. I have a family member who suffered with sciatica for years. One week on that bed and he had not had the pain since the bed was purchased and that was 4 yrs ago. The relief to him was nothing short of a miracle. From going to barely walking some times for weeks and on all kinds of meds, to a back that does not bother him at all...that's saying something.
You might want to give it a try along with your medications.
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537
Threadhead
Reged: 12/08/01
Posts: 766
Loc: west coast CA
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I'm sorry to say that so far the shots have not worked for me. I had my first set two weeks ago, and go in for the next set next week. It was quite painful right after, from the injection, but then relief never came. I hope it works better for you!
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gage
Member
Reged: 11/27/02
Posts: 138
Loc: south central U.S.A.
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well today i have much more compasssion for back pain sufferers,i did something really stupid yesterday and hurt mine!!! that stuff hurts!!!!
ive never tried antidepressents for pain except for about a week once(elavil)do those things really work??? i been thinking about trying them for my feelings of mild depression and pain.
hope you get to feeling better soon and the shot works!!
gage
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johng
Board Addict
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 354
Loc: great lakes
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the sleep number bed by select comfort helped my sleeping soo much. it let get more sleep then i thought possible.
as far as anti depressants imop it should be used in conjuction with adiquate pain relief. it may raise your pain threshold but it wont make it go away (kinda defets the purpuse if you are still in alot of pain)
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Ask and it will be given to you Matthew 7:7
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dixierose
Newbie
Reged: 06/03/03
Posts: 33
Loc: Deep South
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Don't give up on the shots yet...the first shot did nothing for me either...made the pain even worse. The second one seemed to work for a couple of days. I had my third one last Thursday, and am happy to say that it is still working!!!! At least on my lower back and hip. I am having problems with my neck and shoulders, but that's a fairly new problem (only about a week old), and the shots weren't designed to help that.
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American by birth...Southern by the Grace of God.
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antique
Banned
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 215
Loc: east coast
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I haven't had the cortisone shots, but I have had marcaine shots. The marcaine numbs the muscle so it can relax and break the cycle of spasming. It seems to be the only thing that I have tried thus far that works to stop the spasming. The shots are painful, but the relief is immediate. The spasms do return eventually.
Anyway, I've heard that you can get a mixture of the cortisone and marcaine. You may want to ask your doc about that so you can get some immediate relief. I may try the mixture next time. I'm just leary of steroids. I would be very interested to get yawkaw's opinion about the injections and the use of cortisone. I invite anyone else with medical knowledge to respond as well.
I just reminded myself that you were talking about pain from arthritis. Sorry for the diversion. I just posted in another thread that bextra has given me relief from the pain from arthritis. It took some time to work and it doesn't help with other pain that I have. Also, it's expensive, but may be worth a try.
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mslily
Board Addict
Reged: 09/06/02
Posts: 322
Loc: Cincinnati, OH
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I am right there with you on waking up in the middle of the night from breakthrough pain. When I used to see my PMD, he prescribed lortab for use during the day and zanaflex for back muscle spasms at night. I can't praise this med enough...I sleep through the night (it knocks me out!) and I don't have any pain...until once I'm up the next morning, of course. Zanaflex and Soma (either one) have been lifesavers for my nighttime muscle pain. Have you tried either of these? As for the steroid shots, I have never had these, but I have had epidural injections (6 altogether) and they were worthless to me. The injected area was numb for about 2-3 days and then worse than ever after that. I have heard mixed reviews on here about these types of injections. I think it just depends on your injury. Mine is a bulging disc and I have nerve damage in the surrounding areas. My PMD was absolutely confident that he would alleviate all of my pain (that is how they get you coming back to shell out the big bucks on these treatments...and the doctor said that they were cumulative, so that I held onto hope). The only thing that my PMD did to help my pain was to prescribe narcotic pain meds. I wish I would have saved my money and found OP's sooner. Oh well! Live and learn!
Candice
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buey
Old Hand
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 453
Loc: USA
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There was a guy named Skip something or other who ran a site about pain and the inability to get it controlled properly because of doctors that would not prescribe narcotics. He was really against those shots for some reason. Perhaps someone who is familiar with it can elaborate.
I have plantar faciitis that acts up ocassionally and the cortisone shots were offered to me by my podiatrist but he did mention to me that afer awhile the cortisone can do more harm than good.
I chose the more conservative approach. Ice, stretching, wearing a boot, taping and Vioxx. Of course this will not provide relief in all cases.
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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It is 3:30 and I could take more painkillers, but what's the use? I have to push back thru training and that's all there is to it. I know cortisone shots work wonderfully for many people, including my mom with arthritis; now for me it was really so-so. Acupuncture worked the best. I am just procrastinating because it was not easy.
This is not easier.
Just give it a try, ask for some of the other remedies available, but keep an open mind. You know, one never can tell what one patient will respond to when another doesn't.
Good luck!
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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DTZNuff
Board Addict
Reged: 11/16/02
Posts: 312
Loc: B.F.E.
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The diagnosis is finally in and my doc is telling me that I have arthritis in my middle back. I am only 32 and I wonder how this is going to effect me for the rest of my life. My grandfather had arthritis really bad especially in his back, which come to find out is kind of rare. I know that it was very dibilitating for him.
Anyway, I could tell that my doc still had reservations about giving me pain meds so I could sleep through the night, but I don't know what else to do. And I think that he is at a loss also. I am scheduled for the cortisone shot Monday, I will let everyone know how it turns out. And by the way, to all, thanks for your posts. You guys are great. 
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Serenity Now, Insanity Later!
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lala
Member
Reged: 06/21/03
Posts: 140
Loc: michigan
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yes marcaine is a fast acting pain inj.but short in duration,that's why some docs put cortisone with it; to help extend the pain relief and anti-inflammatory response;which cortisone is known for.But overall, I haven't had much success with shots of any kind-except,morphine or something like that.I have arthritis too, and my knee and back are beginning to feel the effects of this Michigan weather change.I went in one week early to my doc for my pain med.I have a wonderful doc,he didn't ask me any questions as to why I needed a refill one week early or anything.He just wrote my script and asked me if I'd like to try duragesic,so I told him sure.But,I have to wait for some paperwork to come back in about a week or two.So, in the meantime I'm still taking my regular meds.I too,taken anti-depressants for PMS;but,I know it also helps with the pain.I have thought about asking for an rx for (progmulide)??,I'm not sure if I spelled that right.But, for those of you who know your meds,you know what it is.This med is supposed to really be a great potentiator and extender of narcotic pain relievers.I know my doc wouldn't have any problem with it,if only I could find it.Does anyone know where I can get this med? And about how much it will cost? Thanks for your help.Ooh,back to the subject.I have tried bextra,toradol,and none of these worked for me.I have a high pain tolerance so,this non-narcotic stuff wouldn't work for me.I won't even waste my time or money on that mess.I hope my back pain isn't gonna get worst because of the winter! My knee already know it's Fall.I have invested in a good eggcrate mattress to put on top of my waterbed and let me tell you-it's so wonderful and heavenly.I wished I had thought of that loooong time ago.Try out the eggcrate, back sufferers.Hey i've missed being here.I missed all you guys.I haven't been online for about 3 weeks now.I'm back!!!!!!!!  BTW,cortisone shouldn't be used regularly,it's for inflammatory responses and allergy responses,also it greatly reduces your own immune system and should be used with caution.
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lala
Member
Reged: 06/21/03
Posts: 140
Loc: michigan
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Well,I sure hope like crazy that the Cortisone injection works for you.B/c in my exp.I don't think they help at all;IMO-it's a waste of my valuable time & money in gas.The stuff may help you and I hope it does but,sincerely it's the narcotic injections that "really work" but,some docs try to push the non-narcotic stuff off on people 1st.I normally am not pessimistic but,exp.have shown me to go with what you know works best.Besides,if your gonna get poked then let it be with something good.JMHO
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buey
Old Hand
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 453
Loc: USA
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Ack! A waterbed with a bad back? I know some people swear by them, but they generally lack the support that a healthy back needs, can't imagine sleeping in one with a bad back. Glad you got the eggcrate pad, that will help a lot. Not trying to be a jerk about your choice of mattresses. It's just that an old boyfriend had one of those suckers and it killed my back everytime I slept on it and I was only 22 years old at the time and had an intact bod.
As far as the shots. My mother gets them once in awhile and they DO help her. But I have heard of so many people who say they didn't work or made the condition worse if they take them for a long time.
Give it a try if you are so inclined. Let us know how it worked for you if you don't mind.
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gummy
Stranger
Reged: 09/06/03
Posts: 8
Loc: California
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Hi DT -
I wanted to share regarding the epidurals - they have been a god send for my husband who has suffered with spinal stenosis for years (2 back surgeries also) The pain clinic gives him a relaxant of some sort before the shot and that helps (but you have to have a ride home)...
He also was having sleep problems, his doctor put him on Ambien which saved him - unfortunately, now that he can not sleep without it, his new physician (the other moved) took him off it due to people becoming dependent (too late - duh)! No other medication helps, I've told him to have his new doctor send him to a sleeping disorder clinic (ha ha - that will be the day) Has anyone got tips on getting off ambien? If it's not one thing, it's another...
Anyway, DT, I'm cheering for you - it sometimes takes the 3rd shot before you find relief but I'm hoping it works as well for you! I'll be looking forward to hearing all about it...
Be well all...
Gummy
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DTZNuff
Board Addict
Reged: 11/16/02
Posts: 312
Loc: B.F.E.
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Just got back and had my Epidural Steroid Injection. All went well and I am crossing my fingers that this helps. I really am at the end of my rope. I have tried just about everything else. I will keep you all posted on how it goes. The bad thing is that if this doesn't work, what will I do? Will I have to take painkillers for the rest of my life?
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Serenity Now, Insanity Later!
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theborg
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/20/02
Posts: 295
Loc: Boston
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I'm not a doctor but I work in this field. Have you tried surgery? Maybe an artificial disk would help?
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Forget your fears and want no more
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dkushner99
Newbie
Reged: 12/31/02
Posts: 47
Loc: San Jose, CA
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Same thing happened to me! They really didn't beleive me. Especially because when I would go into the office and they would perform tests and every movement they asked me to perform caused only a little pain. But at night I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep and it hurt so much that I didn't even want to get up to take meds. I was on the verge of crying many times. I did cry at times. I am a man that rarely crys!
Finally, I started to tell them .. "It feels like someone took a bat and hit me in the lower back - BAM!!", then it feels like someone took a knife and pushed it between the edge of the spine and the tissue, then I would yell out AHHHHH"!
Then they had me try all sorts of stuff like motrin and celebrex and skelactin, and more junk, I had probably 15 appointments over many months. What a waste of time, money and my patience!!! Then when finally after they had no more options, they would prescribe 1 bottle of hydro 5/325 (no more) and refer me to another doctor who would try the same Best if kept off the board thing. Finally, I asked for Norco and was treated like I said something wrong. The Pain management doctor gave me one bottle of norco and said that she could no longer help me and that I should see someone else. I get all me meds via OP now.
The fact is:
1) There are some people that work the doctors for pills.
2) Because some people work the doctors for pills, the doctors treat all patients like they are liars and are only there for the pain meds.
I realize that there are SOME doctors however that understand that there is a condition called "CHRONIC PAIN", and there are actually meds that do work to releive the pain.
PS - The cortezone does help!! It is the only thing that worked for me other than hydro, but for me it didn't last as long as it was supposed to. I think it does work fort most people for up to 6 weeks .. maybe more. The shot didn't hurt.
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gummy
Stranger
Reged: 09/06/03
Posts: 8
Loc: California
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It sure is depressing when you are legitimately in pain! I know - how profound! I mean you can kind of understand the doctor putting you through hoops to make sure he isn't starting a drug trade (or maybe he's already got one going & doesn't want the competition  ?!) But to torture someone for that long and send you on...? Puleeese!!! Stick with the OP's...
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DTZNuff
Board Addict
Reged: 11/16/02
Posts: 312
Loc: B.F.E.
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Well finally the injection is starting to help. It wasn't the magic pill that I was looking for, but it is funny that as its helping me a little more each day, I realize just exactly how much pain that I was in, and didn't even realize it. It is amazing what you can get used to and live with every day and not even know it. I have awaken up at night a few times in pain, but it has definitly helped and I hope that it continues to do so.
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Serenity Now, Insanity Later!
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DTZNuff
Board Addict
Reged: 11/16/02
Posts: 312
Loc: B.F.E.
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Actually woke up Sunday morning 4:00am with a terrible backache. So bad that I would wince with pain. I am going to call my doc first thing Monday morning. The epidural cortisone shot seems to be just messing with me. One day I feel better and the next, I feel that I am in just as much pain if not worse than before. It seems that I can't win for losing. If anybody has any suggestions, I am all ears????
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Serenity Now, Insanity Later!
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