daddyj
Board Addict
Reged: 02/06/03
Posts: 367
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It seems like a LOT of people on this board tend to have problems with discs. I myself just got an MRI back a short while ago and they found an annular tear at S2-S3 and a bulge at L5-S1. Of course my doctor told me that these aren't causing my severe pain and muscle spasms because they aren't touching the nerves.
Anyway, what kind of treatment have people had success with? Even though my disc problems aren't causing my pain, my doctor still recommended steroid injections to the disc?!?(I believe that these are epidural) Every post I have read about these are negative, so I will pass. Does anyone have any positive treatment options. TENS units? (I had a lot of luck with the PT electro-stim machine) Any of the different types of surgeries?
I would appreciate any information that anyone has to offer.
Thanks,
daddyj
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Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell
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Jamming4u
Newbie
Reged: 12/08/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Ohio
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If you did well with the PT stim unit than you will probably like a tens unit. It works ok for me sometimes other times not so well. depends on how bad pain is. I had the epidural shots- did nothing for me. I have cervical disc problems and I wish there was an alternative to the pain meds. but haven't found one yet. I hope you do and if you do please share it! Tammy
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turcica
seeker
Reged: 12/21/03
Posts: 312
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Hello daddyj, I have lumbar disc problems as well. L4-5, L5-S1. I have had epidural injections before. Sometimes they help other times they don't. I purchased a tens unit 2 years ago and still use it periodically. I personally find using it too often decreases the benefit I get from using it. I also apply ice packs to my lower back for 20 minutes when the pain is really bad. Some people prefer heat. Also I use Biofreeze, a product that I got from my physical therapist. Its also available on-line. It seems to help me better than OTC stuff. Hope this info is helpful. turcica
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turcica
The only failure is not knowing how to be happy
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zoe11
Journeyman
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Other side of the moon
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My epidural injections made me worse. It may help you though. Acupuncture really helped me cut down on the amount of pain medications I was taking before my second surgery.
My disc was totally blown between L-5, S-1, and now it's just bone on bone.
I hope you get better. It's no fun being in pain.
zoe
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Jamming4u
Newbie
Reged: 12/08/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Ohio
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I've used Biofreez in the past and it does work well. Capasin cream works really well to if you can get past the burning part. And make sure to wear gloves when applying it and don't let anyone touch where its at on your body!!
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Winter
Member
Reged: 04/08/03
Posts: 105
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I have a herniated C-6 and also TMJ. I have had the epidurals, facet & trigger points they didnt do anything for me. Although I have read with some types of pain they work well, but not on mine.
The tens units I have gotten a couple different ones & they have done nothing for my pain either, everyone is different so maybe for you it could work, my first tens unit was $1,000 when I bought it in 1994. I also think the tens or muscle stimulators they use in a Dr's office or PT are very different then the tens units you can buy? someone could know of a different type?
Im still searching for something, anything that will help.
I know my post probably didnt help much but wanted to throw in my 2 cents on those injections these PM Dr's push.
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Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
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daddyj
Board Addict
Reged: 02/06/03
Posts: 367
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I too got some biofreeze from a friend's mom, and it works pretty good. The same friend told me that they have a laser that is extrememly effective in relieving inflammation and wants me to go in and get it "lasered".
Anybody have any experience with chiropractic treatments like the laser or VAX-D?
thanks,
J.
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Misty morning, clouds in the sky
Without warning, the wizard walks by
Casting his shadow, weaving his spell
Funny clothes, tinkling bell
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Boobetty
Veteran
Reged: 12/30/01
Posts: 632
Loc: The windy City...Boo:)
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Hi daddyj,
I have that same problem in my L5-S1 but I had to have surgery due to it pressing on my spinal cord, also I have had a fusun/tytanium plate put in my T6-t7 due to the same thing. funny thing is that now when I had my MRI on my total back, they found that my L5-S1 has some herniation but my doc said not to do anything about it. The surgery is deffently the last resort and in my case it did not do much good anyway. Did they tell you you have degerative disc disease? If so then in the years to come you will need to work out the muscles around the area so that they will compensate for the uncontroalble problem that the problem disc does. Unfortunatly they do what they want. They take over if you do not work on the muscles around the area. Get your PT and if you can tollorate the tens, other coxs drugs antiflams then take them. Me, I ended up with sores in my stomach from so many cox drugs, antiflams, such as viox, celebrex. Was put on Norco to alimanate the pain and they seem to have stopped working for me as well. So it's a hard thing, hard to work out, back problems are just the worst and I wish you all the luck in the world. In the end, as my husband and doc say, you have to put up with some of the pain..
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living with pain is not living at all.  Boo
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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I wishI could help you some in your choices,I am sitting here today agonizing over whether or not to have the epidural.I am scheduld to go in for my first one tomorrow at 1:30 so I need to decide for sure rather quickly.I am afraid basically that if do not go in for it then the neurologist will not help me anymore and my Reg.Dr. has already said there is really nothing more she can do to help me,thus her referring me to the neurosurgeon.I too have the disc problems l4 l5 bulges l5S1 herniation and the bottom bone has been forced forward plus has a crack.I don't know really what all this means but I have been suffering with sciatica since Christmas.Of course the lortabs and other meds have been of great help but I guess you reach a point where you might need to go ahead and give something a try.I so badly want to be better by spring/summer I have sooooooooo much I want to do to my house and yard and stuff so maybe its worth a try.It just seems like there are way more negative than positive stories about these epidurals.Well I guess I will post here tomorrow and let ya'll know what I have done or when I get home fom the hospital.If anyone has any last minute words of encouragement or discouragement hahaha please post!!! Feel well all.......much love and happiness.........Wren'
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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Epidurals do help many people. If you have insurance or can afford the procedure, I think it is worth trying.
It is a treatment that most doctors will want to try, so might as well get it over with. Hopefully the epidural(s) will give you lasting relief.
And if it is effective you will may need less or possibly no medication, saving yourself money and the tolerance issues that eventually pop up with long term opioid treatment.
Good Luck.
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Hi Wren-
I know that in my case, there were certain procedures I had to do before the doctors would institute long-acting opioid therapy--including multiple types of injections including epidural steroid injections, thoracic nerve root block and even trigger point injections of lidocaine for muscle pain associated with the DDD.
In my case, the steroid injections can't improve bone-on-bone issues or fracture pain. The nerve root block also failed to stop or reduce my pain (again, bone-on-bone issue)...the trigger point injections only seemed to numb my skin.
But, it was par for the course, and I was willing to try anything. They aren't that painful (at least mine weren't) and are definitely worth trying as they attempt to help or resolve the actual problem--with the steroids, anyway, rather than just treat symptoms.
If you are viewed as unwilling to try, the doctor may be less willing to work with you. So, I'd do it. But that's just me. Good luck, whatever you decide.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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thanks everybody,both very helpful posts.I am rather leaning toward going ahead and trying it.No, I do not have insurance but the hospital from what they have said will let me make reasonable payments.The last time we checked into insurance it was about 5-600 mo. so its really hard to pay that when you are basically healthy people and trying to sink every penny you have into fixing up your home.But I guess everything will work out.Mostly my pain thus far has been more sciatic youknow like butt and leg pain and today I am suffering with the worst lower backache that nothing seems to help.I am running out of sleep position options!! I guess anyone with this problem knows what that means,both sides hurt,cannot sleep on back and stomach is a big no no as that gives me worse back pain.I may have to buy a lazy boy and sleep sitting in that!!! well thanks everybody again..it is so nice to know you can pop on here with a problem and within no time you have people posting to help ya out.You are all the best!!! wren'
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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I was also supposed to have them done, but my co-pay alone each time would have been $250, so for now I opted out. Especially since I've heard so many people say they don't help anyway.
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Wren-
Did you let your doc know that you don't have health insurance? My insurance is almost $1000/month for the 4 of us (my ex and my 2 children and I) through BCBS, but it covers EVERYTHING. Without health insurance, I couldn't imagine how much the quality of my life would decrease!
If I was without insurance, I would advise my doctor and ask to opt for less expensive treatments, especially with the hit and miss results of the epidural injections and nerve blocks. I would HOPE the doctor could justify bypassing such treatments and prescribe a cheap and long-acting narcotic such as methadone. But I don't know your medical history or situation, so perhaps I am going a bit too far on this one.
Anyway, good luck!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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wren
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/01/02
Posts: 284
Loc: up north & homesick for the di...
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you know my neurosurgeon does know that I don't have insurance,I specifically mentioned it to him and he went out of his way to dig up a bunch of boxes of Bextra (which by the way has anyone founs any relief at all from these?? I hated them they made my stomach feel really weird),anyway he made sure he got me those so I wouldn't have to pay for them.I didn't ask about the cost of the epidural and didn't have a clue until a few folks on here mentioned the cost to me.I seriously doubt he would jump into a longacting narcotic just yet.he has only seen me once and seemed to think if the epidurals don't work I will need surgery.What did I expect a neurosurgeon to say!!!!!!!! Actually though I was rather impressed with the office as they said the normal office visit is 250. but if you are self pay and pay within a week it is 50.00!!!! I had never heard that before,and that was the fastest I ever paid a bill in my life!!!! LOL Ok still undecided....I guess you shouldn't eat or drink for 4 hrs. or so before you go,did anybody have problems with that?? Is it because of nausea perhaps????? Thanks so much for all your info!!WREN'
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Wren-
All the meds I take leave my mouth so parched that I never follow the instructions about having something to drink. I had multiple spinal chord injections (and that injectable cement procedure, too) last week and I drank a can of Dr. Pepper before the procedure. There is no sedation or anesthesia during the procedure, so I'm not sure why the instructions (unless it for a medical emergency where if something really awful happened and they had to put you out and take you for immediate surgery or some really remote thing like that)... Even so, I've ALWAYS cheated on the no fluids thing--even before major surgery involving general anesthesia (they tube you anyway, so it isn't like you can aspirate vomitus or some such thing!)...
However, I don't advise this. This was personal decision and after boat-loads of surgeries, I feel like I'm a pro at it now!
If you want, I'll scan a copy of the post-procedure info I received and email it to you--or can post it here. Not a big deal at all. So, I wouldn't be too anxious about the procedure (save the anxiety meds for when you get the bill!!!  )-- It may actually help you!
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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