Topic: Lumbar Epidural: I'll enjoy it while it lasts

[MCRider]

Neurologists have run out of suggestions for my neuropathy. Which has added a nasty "dropfoot" condition. So I left the electricians for a carpenters viewpoint. New MRI shows a compressing disc, but ortho doc doesn't think it is a root of any problem other than a recent bout of cramping.

Suggested an epidural, into L3-L4. Man what a difference. All conditions are improving. No cure I'm sure, but relief is relief.

I know some people don't do well with these shots, and long term they cause arthritis. But for now... 

[FunJimmy]

Sorry to hear about this Ron and glad you're finding a bit of relieve if even short term.

I'm sure you've been down every road searching for some improvements but if you haven't seen a Chiropractor yet, give it a try. Now, like every profession, there are good practitioners and some not so good ones but the right Chiropractor can save you a lot of suffering. I'm fortunate, I have a great guy.

Example. Wife had a couple of bulged discs and couldn't stand erect for months. Litterally! Was taking Tylenol 3 constantly for a couple months just to make it through the day.  She had an MRI and back clinic scheduled her for surgery when I suggested she go see my Chiropractor. In the interview he asked her if a 50% reduction in pain would be acceptable because that's what back surgeons consider successful. Long story short, she postponed surgery and gave him a shot. In less than a month, she was completely cured and pain free. That was over 8 years ago. We owe a lot to him.

I'm not saying a Chiropractor can solve every issue, but they can fix many more than we realize.

Cheers
Jimmy

[MCRider]

Thanks for the comments, I agree totally. Check your PMs.

[CBJoe]

Good deal Ron!  I totally agree with seeing a Chiropractor...fingers crossed it can also help.

Cheers, Joe

[Retro Rocket]

Been around sport for a long time and chiropractors are considered more of a witch doctor over here, I would go see a really good physiotherapist, they not only concentrate on the bones but work the muscle groups supporting the injury, they will also recommend a good plan of exercises to help support the injured area.... The best way to find a good physio is through a good sporting body, athletes rely on them heavily....

[Don R]

 I found a good chiro too. We're near the Palmer college of chiropractic, that might help. There are still a few quacks though. One here sells vitamins and one works with an attorney.

[edwardmorris]

I've had lower back issues ever since I hurt mine 7 years ago at school. All kindsa PT and painkillers did nothing but put if off for a while. Then I visited with a holistic napropath (I think this is very similar to a chiro??) and the difference has been amazing. I'm no where near fully cured, but no more painkillers or 8 week PT sessions. I just see him once a month for preventive adjustments and a few dietary supplements. Just chiming in, +1 chiro/napro, maybe worth it.

[MCRider]

I'm very involved with chiropractic. Got the "best" in town. I'm sure its delayed the current epidural treatment, not to mention stiff necks, popped ribs, etc over the years. I had my hips adjusted before the epidurall. The hope was to make the insertion more accurately. Who knows, I just know I'm not hurting day 4.   

[Damfino]

Who knows, I just know I'm not hurting day 4.   

[bwaller]

Been around sport for a long time and chiropractors are considered more of a witch doctor over here, I would go see a really good physiotherapist, they not only concentrate on the bones but work the muscle groups supporting the injury, they will also recommend a good plan of exercises to help support the injured area.... The best way to find a good physio is through a good sporting body, athletes rely on them heavily....

RR agreed, Chiro's are generally considered witch doctory here as well...at least by the medical profession. Unfortunately like others have mentioned not all Chiropractors are ideal, but I think these people were first on the scene and are being replaced by younger better educated. At least that's my experience. I have two (40 something) guys I've seen most recently and they are all about execise in conjunction to their work and my recover surprised even me.

I was also seeing a physio therapist for a different recovery and she was young and awesome too. (did I mention cute  ) No question these folks have all the know how & do-dads, but for back issues sometimes I think more is needed.

Point is....there is no point  except maybe don't settle on the first "expert" you find, because there may be someone better to help with your ailment. Asking around eventually leads to somebody suffering from very similar issues and may put one on a faster track to recovery.

[DWS]

The last time I went to a chiropractor he did not take the x-rays correct and after five adjustments he told me to go to the emergency room because I was in so much pain and I found out after going to the emergency roomthey didn't take the correct pictures either, believe it or not, when into therapy traction for a month and then found out my neck was broke the whole time so the chiropractor tore up my neck, I will never go to a chiropractor again. I have a plate and four screws C-6 was splintered and many pieces, now because of it.
I've got so much scar tissue now it's hard to do epidural shots anymore.
What ever you do. do not get stuck on pills, do other means.
Found out I have degenerative disc disease from working in the construction field all my life I always thought I could do more than the other guy when I was younger and I did, but now I'm paying the price.
Don't even want to talk about my lower back.
Like I said do not rely on pills.
Mine happen in 2003 and have tried everything from acupuncture to therapy and everything in between I have  nerve damage now and my left side the from my left shoulder all the way down to my fingers.
Pills are a Band-Aid not a cure, no reason to take them.took me to many years to figure that out, now I am off of them and i'm thankful.
 no matter what the pain will be there, so don't add anything to it, like pills.

[MCRider]

Hey Schmitty! Lovely picture.      

A little loopy from the anesthetic, but that's long gone now.

Not really too affected from the cortizone other than at the point of the pain.

[MCRider]

Sorry for your ills DWS. Sounds miserable.

[DWS]

Thanks MC, as you know something that we have to deal with the rest of our life.
Get a hot tub and a good massage therapist. 
Oh yeah try to stay fit exercise laying around only makes it hurt worse.

[saltcitycafe]

I had to do an epidural steroid shot in my upper back for a bulging disk. The disk was pinching the major nerve for my left arm. It was agony and numbness and all sorts of hell. The shots help but I will have to get them a few times a year

[DWS]

Overtime you'll get scarred tissue and I will be hard to do

[BobbyR]

There is a Medical Specialty called Physical Medicine. They will mix Physical Therapy with medicine to try and aviod surgery. I used them for my wrists which I was told needed surgery. I did not need anything but to stretch my fascia and get a few shots in some muscle knots.

The disk is surrounded by muscles and tendons and sometimes if those structures can be made stronger it squeezes the disk back into place.   

[Don R]

A coworker was getting hospital therapy for a neck problem and it turned out his was also broken. He was lifting weights with his head. OMG.
  My buddy has nerve damage from a clot in his leg. He was on so many pain meds he had two bad teeth and didn't know he had a toothache.
 I too overdid it as a young worker trying to find my place in the company. I spent a long time since preaching the gosphel of taking care of your body at work and play. Some of the young guys get it.

[DWS]

Yeah pills are bad I was on every kind of painkiller that you can think of, the last three I was on was OxyContin, Percocet and Valium altogether for 6 years and all they wanted to do is keep upping the dose, I kept saying no no way And finally just decided to get off of them I was tired of taking pills all day every day four times a day your life is nothing but taking pills when it gets to that point and then once you get used to the pills the pain comes back tenfold.

[edwardmorris]

...........
The disk is surrounded by muscles and tendons and sometimes if those structures can be made stronger it squeezes the disk back into place.

This is what I'm hoping for when I do my core strengthening exercises. Its a loooooooooooooong process as I really can't stress my lower back, only work it out just enough to slowly strengthen it. I used to do a lot of weight training and completely ignored core training, a mistake I will be paying for, for the rest of my life.

[MCRider]

I'll be using this opportunity to re-emphasize core exorcize and maybe it wilil reverse some problems ala BobbyR. I'm in it earlier stages than some of you guys.

BobbyR: My neurologist sent me to Physical Medical doctor w/asst. Good effort, but I didn't respond.

[DWS]

I hope they find something for you that works.
As we all know, a good bike ride is good therapy.
Marry x-mas
Duane

[BobbyR]

I'll be using this opportunity to re-emphasize core exorcize and maybe it wilil reverse some problems ala BobbyR. I'm in it earlier stages than some of you guys.

BobbyR: My neurologist sent me to Physical Medical doctor w/asst. Good effort, but I didn't respond.

Sorry it did not work out. I will say this as the Brother of a Doctor and a friend to a few. They are not all equal in skill and ability. You may want to try another one.

[saltcitycafe]

I have been hearing really good things lately from people who have tried inversion therapy. Basically the teeter hang up things where you strap your feet in and hang upside down taking all the pressure off your spine. Anyone else tried this?

[Lost and Confused]

Just had my fifth surgery in five years. Two on neck, two on back, one on knee. Worked heavy job for thirty years, , have a disease called Fortnier's (D.I.S.H.). Redused dexterity, pain is better, just want to be able to ride.


Hang in there, Bob