bakzero
Journeyman
Reged: 11/18/03
Posts: 54
Loc: PA
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First I would like to thank DB members they always answer my questions.
Ill get to the point.
I Have Degenerative Disc Disease in the Lumbar Spine L-1, L-2 and L-3 (severe) and also I have herniated L-3 before. Pain is a 24-hour thing for me. I have been going to the DRs for about a year for it.
Treatment consist of
Biofeedback (I think that what it is called?), Tens Unit (Always replacing those Best if kept off the board sticky pads) Ice/Heat and a daily massage from the wife.
I get prednisone/Lidocaine injections in the back.
Meds consist of the following:
(Some I take every day)
Soma
Relefen
Skelaxin
Motrin
Hydro
Xanax (insomnia)
The last time I was at the Dr we talked about going the next step and getting epidural shots. Should I get them is there another option?
Im tired of getting X-rays and MRIs.
I went to a chiropractor last week and all he did was charge me for Adjustments.
I did not feel any better but worse than before I step in the door.
My wallet was empty and now the pain has doubled.
Sorry for babbling, hopefully this will make some sense.
Just needs some advice.
Thanks
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troll
Stranger
Reged: 07/18/03
Posts: 14
Loc: wy.,usa
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i know the feeling of 24/7 pain......have had 3 neck ops. ...2 thoracic outlet surgeries....then finally last aug. they went back in cleaned up a ball of nerves & scar tissue & did a latisimuss(SP)flap op,where they took a back muscle (lat.)rerouted it it up thru my neck trimmed it & wrapped my nerve in it....he was right up front going in it wouldn't make the pain go away,only hopefully lessen it....was maybe a 40% reduction but have a feeling that isn't gonna last...pain startin' back down my arm into my hand,along w/ incredible neck pain....also a brand new one on the left side of my chest....doc finally said he "disturbed" a sensory nerve,probably will not heal,but he CAN clip it....problem is,permanent numbness in the left part of my chest.....to many this doesn't sound like a big deal,but i don't cherish the thought....gonna hold off as long as i can to see if by chance it DOES heal itself & if not,give time to see how much original pain comes back....jeeeez,didn't mean to ramble.....in the famous words of savoy brown..."just cuz ya got the blues,don't mean ya gotta sing"....LOL.....guess that was just me venting....crux of post was i had ZERO use for a tens unit....on a drug regimen to start a pharmacy,but at least till now has kept me up right & working....
when my mother was alive,she had deg. back problems.....ep. shots helped her tremendously.....got relief from 3-6 months per shot......sorry 'bout the trollish babble,but hope the input helps.....
troll
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owmyback
Member
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 108
Loc: PENNSYLVANIA
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I suffer from DDD as well. Pain is pretty much constant. Neuro's just want to cut me open. L-4, L-5, and S-1, also with spinal stenosis.
Am taking Botox injections
Lortab
Methylphenidate
effexor xr
klonopin
ultram
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bakzero
Journeyman
Reged: 11/18/03
Posts: 54
Loc: PA
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Botox?
Does that really help?? With DDD?
Thanks for the info
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carrigaline
Journeyman
Reged: 01/22/03
Posts: 82
Loc: So Cal
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I had good results with epidural injections but not everyone gets relief from them. The procedures were done on an outpatient basis; I was given sedation beforehand so I didn't experience any pain during the injections. They helped me for about 6 months. Hope this info helps. Good luck.
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BlackCat
Old Hand
Reged: 09/22/03
Posts: 409
Loc: Bed
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Owmyback/anyone,
DDD is a very tough condition - especially given its "Degenerative" nature.
Has anyone had any of their doctors recommend or discuss DISC REPLACEMENT and tiny Titanium Cages between the vertebrae along with rods & pins through the vertebrae for support? I guess it would be a two level procedure if you have L4/L5 and L5/S1 disc degeneration. I think they cut you open from the front as well as back and it requires a very skilled team of surgeons, but can stop DDD in its tracks and relieve the assocaited pain (or so I've been told).
Has anyone had this type procedure or know anything about it like its success rate, etc.?
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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One of my good friends, an auto mechanic for a big name dealership, had DDD for years due to his work. Anyway, just last week had the titanium replacement discs put in in 2 places. He had both in the cervical spine area, and to preserve mobility, they used the titanium discs rather that fusion. He had severe pain and weakness in one arm and in the neck, had severe headaches as well. The disks were replaced last week on Monday, he was out of the hospital on Wednesday and I saw him on Thursday. He said the surgical pain is nothing compared to the relief he got from the procedure. He said the referred pain is completely gone, and even this soon after surgery, is able to move his neck in most natural positions without a lot of pain. He also said he takes far less pain meds now that he did prior to the surgery. For him, it was a terrific success.
I wish I still had his detailed email, but I recall him saying that they used donor bone grafts over the metal "cage" area. He will not be able to go back to work on transmissions, but can do other, less physical automotive mechanic work in the future, thankfully.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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bakzero
Journeyman
Reged: 11/18/03
Posts: 54
Loc: PA
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I'm taken back though on the epidural shots.
The word on the block states that you can only get a few shots before you build a tolerance? Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I went to in Nero in Phila and he stated that I should be a Good candidate for the disc removal/repair.
he also stated about inserting (forget the name) something in the back to reduce the pain.
Sometimes I would love to take a hacksaw to my own back to relieve the pain. It's getting to the point that I would love if I did not have a lower part of my body at all (from the Lumbar part down, sparing the frank and beans of course.... lol.
I'm tired of hearing that F&*^#@G MRI machine and laying on the X-ray table while the lady/man is saying "Hold your breath; ok you can breath now."
S$@#W THOSE DOC'S WHO THINK THAT THEY ARE GOD.
That A$$ (DR) said to me last week "Wow you are in Pain!"
No S%!T DR! I love eating all those pills like breakfast food in the morning/noon/night. I love walking around in a F*%$!&G haze! Not being able to function like everyone else.
Staying up all NIGHT!
I love going to the Dr office and asking you for more hydro because you will not give me a refill and only instruct me to only take them when the pain is severe.
Pain is EVERYDAY!
Oh well, life goes on.
I feel a lot better venting. Sorry to take it out on DB Members.
"Don't Die on the GOALLINE"
Edited by bakzero (12/10/03 10:59 AM)
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Bakzero posted: I get prednisone/Lidocaine injections in the back.
If you are getting shots in your back now, what is the difference between that treatment and an epidural?
Just curious?
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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bakzero
Journeyman
Reged: 11/18/03
Posts: 54
Loc: PA
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For your curious mind.....
I assume that the epidural shots would do better???
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 892
Loc: usa
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I've had both procedures...anterior spinal fusion w/titanium cages & posterior fusion w/pedicle screws....my suggestion, if your going to have the surgery have an ORTHOPAEDIC surgeon do it, NOT a neurosurgeon...you want the spine to be put back together correctly & be functional...there is minimal involvement w/the spinal cord itself...and trust me, the ortho who did my posterior could dance circles around the neuro surgeon who did the anterior...and he was much more liberal w/pain medication than neurosurgeons are....I had mine long after permanent nerve damage had been done, so my outcome was less beneficial....discuss pain managament LONG before you get to the OR..what his practices are after surgery...if 2 months post op your having trouble, is he going to tell you to take ibuprophen & a little soma? The best of all possible worlds would be to find a group that encompasses orthopaedic surgeons & pain managmemnt spec. in one group...just in case
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 892
Loc: usa
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I think she's asking you what kind of injections you are now receiving? If it involves a steroid & numbing agent, given in the back via lumbar puncture, it is an epidural....so if you're not getting epidurals, what are you getting? trigger point injections?
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