Epidural Injection for Back Issues
Yesterday I had my 4th Lumbar Epidural Injection for my lower back pain. I have had back pain for years but just thought it was part of my FIBRO. My rheumatologist sent me a few months ago to have an MRI on my lower back and I find out I have:
-Degerative Disc & Facet Disease (especially L4 & L5)
-Protruding Disc with Bony Spirring
-Stenosis in L4 & L5 with Displacement and Compression of the Exiting Left L4 Nerve Root
Well….. isn’t that nice? I say that sarcastically, but it is nIcE in a sTrAnGe way. I had my series of 3 epidural injections with the last one in May. I had SIGNIFICANT relief in one week!! So I was able to get rid of some of my pain and at least the back pain has nothing to do with my severe fibromyalgia. I was given steroid, short-term pain medicine, and long-term pain medicine. They never know how long this will help an individual, but I have talked to a few that have gotten relief for 3 to 5 years. My pain returned after 3 months, but it was a GLORIOUS 3 months with little back pain! I was told that some patients may have to go every 3 months since the medication works differently in each patient. The anesthesiologist told me that since I am back within the 3 months that it meant that I was getting most of my pain relief from the steroid. He told me that I would be a good candidate for back surgery by reviewing my issues and that it could potentially help my issues for long-term. I am not excited in the least about the possibility of having back surgery, but it would be so nice to FINALLY be able to “FIX” something. I have found with Fibromyalgia there is not much that you can “FIX”. I hear that there is research being done that could one day be able to help fibro patients and I welcome the day. There are medicines that help some people with fibro, there are some people who have a touch of fibro, and there are people like me that take medicine that helps a wee bit but still suffer from constant pain. So with all the stuff that I have going on with my lower back is kind of a “good thing”, because it is something that can be “FIXED”.
Isn’t it weird how perspective can change depending on how you are affected and the pain that you endure daily?
Tags: Back pain, bony spirs, degerative disc & facet disease, displacement & compression, Epidural, Epidural Injection, Fibro, Fibromyalgia, Lumbar Epidural Injection, protruding disc, stenosis
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August 7, 2012 at 6:41 pm
I’ve had this procedure twice and it is unbelievable how it relieves the pain. Mine lasted a couple of years but I need to get another one real soon….
August 8, 2012 at 12:30 pm
So glad that it helps you as well. It is unbelievable how it relieves the pain. Two years is wonderful. Make your appointment and feel better soon!
August 8, 2012 at 12:11 am
Glad you has some relief and that you finally have some answers for your back pain. I understand the “strange nice” feeling. My Mom also has FM (and psoriatic arthritis), her idiot Rheumatologist (he also used to be mine, after he diagnosed me with FM he told me not to come back) told her that her back hurt because of her FM and because she was fat. She had out GP send her to a back specialist and they did an MRI and found out she had stenosis as well. She had surgery in November 2011 and the difference is almost miraculous. She could stand up straight the next day, she hadn’t been able to in almost a year. So I know it’s scary but there’s a positive outcome story for you!
August 8, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Thank you for telling me about you and your Mom’s experience and for the encouragement. Blessings!
August 8, 2012 at 8:12 am
I think this may happen more often than not with Fibro patients. We have so many aches and pains it becomes hard to distinguish if it is something else. I am glad that you may find permanent relief for at least part of you pain problem. God is good!
August 8, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Yes, God is good. 🙂
August 8, 2012 at 9:46 am
I have nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! This award was inspired by the Sisterhood of Traveling pants and is an award for female bloggers to encourage the spirit of sisterhood. Congratulations!
http://makingthejourneyhome.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=464&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
August 8, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Thank you so much! 🙂
August 10, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Thanks so much for the encouragement by nominating me for the award. Blessings!
August 29, 2012 at 8:23 pm
As someone with fibro I pray they find a fix soon. I too had steroid injections but they actually increased my pain so that was my last try with that! Great post!
August 30, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Well…. my first injections (a series of 3) gave me almost 3 months of no to low back pain and no sciatic nerve pain, which was awesome! I went back for my 4th one a couple of weeks ago and I am already hurting and my sciatic nerve pain came back last night. I could hardly sleep – even taking a sleeping pill. I hope I get relief soon. Thanks for your comments.
September 12, 2012 at 4:39 pm
So glad to read this blog because I just had two done in March in my thoracic! It is bittersweet to find someone who can relate. 🙂
September 13, 2012 at 12:55 pm
I understand what you are saying. This is exactly why I started blogging. It is good to talk to people that REALLY know what I am feeling and experiencing. Blessings to you!