1. < Spine Health

Spinal Stenosis & Degenerative Discs: Long-term use of epidurals

Posted by virtuous69 @virtuous69, Oct 17, 2016

Hi signed on with user name victorious. But there are many days I'm in bed alot and I just want to cry and have pity party. I need some positive help with my spinal stenoisis and Irritable bowel Syndrome not to mention Firbromyalgia and other stuff that goes with. I'd like to have positive feed back, but also there my main question is about epidurals. I've had several which helped for about 3 weeks (guess I thought, gee I have some energy so go do a few things I couldn't before) a. My main question in low back degenergive back and mid thoracic spinal stenosis and thinking about another epidural. However research has told me these spinal injections are not good for you in the long run. I do go to PT for muscle knots., am stressed with aging husband and don't get the exercise I need. I want to be positive but some days I really need to tell someone.........I hurt.

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grammyx4 | @grammyx4 | Jan 11, 2017
In reply to @grammyx4 "Hello everyone! I haven't posted since I had my spinal injection in September of 2016. I..." + (show)
@grammyx4

Hello everyone! I haven't posted since I had my spinal injection in September of 2016. I have been doing well, the injection did the trick for me! However, right after Christmas, I again started to feel the pain from the fractures in my left sacral and left pubic bone. I had hoped that they had healed completely while I was getting relief from the injection. I returned to my pain dr and he administered another injection just yesterday. I'm already feeling some relief from the constant pain. Hopefully this injection will get me through the completion of the healing of the fractures. JJ, I had my spinal fusion done in Tyler, Tx and also worked with pain drs associated with my neurosurgeons office there! It is such a small world! My fusion was a complete success and I really didn't have too much down time. But, I'm like you, I'm a mover and there's not too much that keeps me down. I too used the scooters at stores right after the surgery but am back to pushing a grocery cart! I agree with your ideas of having a good attitude. It is everything, all tho hard to do at times. My inspiration has been to see those who are worse off than me, and to see their go to attitudes. It gives me the desire to push forward and deal with my situation. I hope everyone finds the relief they are seeking, my prayers are with you all!

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Hi JJ, the doctor that did my spine fusion does do surgery at the Texas Spine & Joint Hospital in Tyler but is associated with Tyler Neurosurgical Associates in the Olympic Plaza building connected to the ETMC. His name is Dr. Paul Detwiler and he also has performed back surgery on several friends, all with great results. My husband and I are from the Beaumont area (Nederland) but had moved to Lake Sam Rayburn after retirement. We learned about the Tyler group from our friends and so traveled there for treatment and surgery. I thoroughly trust the drs in Tyler and hope you find the answers that you're seeking from them. It's such a hard decision to make to actually have surgery, but I've always thought if it will give some relief to chronic pain, it's worth it! I have a friend in tx who is seeking treatment in Austin for a hip replacement. It has taken her a while to make that decision, but she just can't live with the pain any longer. The dr she is going to see does a non-invasive hip replacement procedure. Maybe there is something like that to help your condition? Keep me posted on how your appt goes, and remember to keep your spirits high! Good luck and God bless! 

REPLY
jjwest | @jjwest | Jan 12, 2017
In reply to @grammyx4 "Hello everyone! I haven't posted since I had my spinal injection in September of 2016. I..." + (show)
@grammyx4

Hello everyone! I haven't posted since I had my spinal injection in September of 2016. I have been doing well, the injection did the trick for me! However, right after Christmas, I again started to feel the pain from the fractures in my left sacral and left pubic bone. I had hoped that they had healed completely while I was getting relief from the injection. I returned to my pain dr and he administered another injection just yesterday. I'm already feeling some relief from the constant pain. Hopefully this injection will get me through the completion of the healing of the fractures. JJ, I had my spinal fusion done in Tyler, Tx and also worked with pain drs associated with my neurosurgeons office there! It is such a small world! My fusion was a complete success and I really didn't have too much down time. But, I'm like you, I'm a mover and there's not too much that keeps me down. I too used the scooters at stores right after the surgery but am back to pushing a grocery cart! I agree with your ideas of having a good attitude. It is everything, all tho hard to do at times. My inspiration has been to see those who are worse off than me, and to see their go to attitudes. It gives me the desire to push forward and deal with my situation. I hope everyone finds the relief they are seeking, my prayers are with you all!

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Thank you for your well wishes. It is so relieving to have someone to talk with who understands what all this is about. I Now have an appointment with a Urologist. My General Practice Dr. did a blood workup and did not like what the results showed concerning my kidneys. I will keep you posted. Thanks again....peace and love jj

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Vickie | @vickiekay | Jan 12, 2017

Last year, my kidney counts were not good....my general practitioner called and told me to get to Mayo quickly....I was in "stage 3 kidney failure" -- long story short, my specialist there changed my "water pill" that I was on with my other blood pressure pills and everything went back to "normal" within a week! I panicked but was so thankful for the change....don't worry too much yet. It may be a 'simple fix' for you too. Best wishes!!!

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1 reply
jjwest | @jjwest | Jan 13, 2017
In reply to @vickiekay "Last year, my kidney counts were not good....my general practitioner called and told me to get..." + (show)
@vickiekay

Last year, my kidney counts were not good....my general practitioner called and told me to get to Mayo quickly....I was in "stage 3 kidney failure" -- long story short, my specialist there changed my "water pill" that I was on with my other blood pressure pills and everything went back to "normal" within a week! I panicked but was so thankful for the change....don't worry too much yet. It may be a 'simple fix' for you too. Best wishes!!!

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Vickie, wow your sharing has truly put my mind at ease. I could not imagine what the problem can be. I have my first appt. on Feb 13th, I will let you know what I find out.
Thanks again.....PEACE AND LOVE JJ

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Vickie | @vickiekay | Jan 14, 2017

I really hope that you can set the worry aside. I spent so much energy fretting when the change of one little pill put me from stage 3 kidney failure back to normal. Keep me posted....I care.

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allisonsnow | @allisonsnow | Feb 12, 2017
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of epidurals. I found them to be helpful. A good pain management doctor will limit the number of injections per year. My doc had a limit of 4. After the first 2 rounds, I didn't need any for another year. There have been no long term side effects. Short term, I felt similar to taking oral prednisone ( the 5 day pack) a bit bloated, tired, and flushed.
It's ok to be frustrated and vent! I don't think any of us can be positive all the time, but it does help. So many folks on other sites wallow in what they can't do. Here in the chronic pain forum, you will find helpful, understand, and kind folks. I'm glad you are here!

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to what other sites are you referring to where they "wallow" ? I try to keep a more open mind and can understand that sometimes on these sites ,including Mayo sites, people need to discuss the realistic limitations of their disease. This is not to say we don't need to push ourselves to perform to the max but it can get even more depressing if all you hear is "be more positive" sorry I am terminal, or "exercise makes you happier" many days this works BUT reading ONLY THIS on a HIGH PAIN DAY... INSTEAD OF OTHER COPING MECHANISIMS...just adds to depression.
Sometimes ,as virtuous, said we just need to vent. To have a shoulder to cry on and not get preached to about "being positive". There is a time and place for everything. I am 100% positive most of the time BUT I occasionally need someone to just hold me ( or equivelant on computer) and throw me a pity party. If you consider this wallowing then please respect me and my suffering and one or two days a year... let me wallow...without being judged.

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allisonsnow | @allisonsnow | Feb 12, 2017
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of epidurals. I found them to be helpful. A good pain management doctor will limit the number of injections per year. My doc had a limit of 4. After the first 2 rounds, I didn't need any for another year. There have been no long term side effects. Short term, I felt similar to taking oral prednisone ( the 5 day pack) a bit bloated, tired, and flushed.
It's ok to be frustrated and vent! I don't think any of us can be positive all the time, but it does help. So many folks on other sites wallow in what they can't do. Here in the chronic pain forum, you will find helpful, understand, and kind folks. I'm glad you are here!

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background degenerative joint disease, fibro, carpal tunnel, planters factious( know spelled wrong) 3 surgeries on knees, 3 on 1 and 1 on the other...SHOULDERS, knees...2 on each, misc. surgeries on thumb, index finger and elbow. Most of pain now is back (several bulging discs and granulomas? on spine) and CANCER PAIN why is it most research points to the existence of cancer pain and yet most Dr.s' say it doesn't exist. I have Thymoma/Thymic cancer had my chest cracked went thru radiation and chemo , having my second recurrence.
I also know a little bit about pain but am sure many people suffer more than I
BUT PLEASE don't say I wallow

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allisonsnow | @allisonsnow | Feb 12, 2017
In reply to @oldkarl "I, too, had the epidural series. It did not not help. But it did give me..." + (show)
@oldkarl

I, too, had the epidural series. It did not not help. But it did give me some hope, just that someone took it seriously.

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people believing in your pain can mean a lot !!!

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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Feb 13, 2017
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of epidurals. I found them to be helpful. A good pain management doctor will limit the number of injections per year. My doc had a limit of 4. After the first 2 rounds, I didn't need any for another year. There have been no long term side effects. Short term, I felt similar to taking oral prednisone ( the 5 day pack) a bit bloated, tired, and flushed.
It's ok to be frustrated and vent! I don't think any of us can be positive all the time, but it does help. So many folks on other sites wallow in what they can't do. Here in the chronic pain forum, you will find helpful, understand, and kind folks. I'm glad you are here!

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Welcome to the Chronic Pain group, @allisonsnow. I'm glad that you've joined us here as well as in the Cancer and PICs groups.
I see that the choice of the word "wallow" has struck a chord for you. If you re-read Jen's message, you'll see that she agrees with you saying, "It's okay to be frustrated and vent." Venting definitely has its place here and it is accepted without judgement. Jen goes on to say that she has observed other community sites where people only talk about what they can't do, and that she appreciates that members of the Connect community allow for that too, but also offer kindness, and helpful and supportive information.

Allison, You have quite a combination of pain conditions. It is hard to imagine, but your strength and participation is inspiring for other members. Who is helping you with pain management? Your oncology team? Palliative care team?

REPLY
janetdh | @janetdh | Feb 13, 2017
In reply to @sandytoes14 "@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of..." + (show)
@sandytoes14

@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of epidurals. I found them to be helpful. A good pain management doctor will limit the number of injections per year. My doc had a limit of 4. After the first 2 rounds, I didn't need any for another year. There have been no long term side effects. Short term, I felt similar to taking oral prednisone ( the 5 day pack) a bit bloated, tired, and flushed.
It's ok to be frustrated and vent! I don't think any of us can be positive all the time, but it does help. So many folks on other sites wallow in what they can't do. Here in the chronic pain forum, you will find helpful, understand, and kind folks. I'm glad you are here!

Jump to this post

I get it totally. It is so hard to know sometimes what to say to folks that have your best interest at heart and want you to be better, but that is not what is happening. So pretend? My circle has gotten pretty small as my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome has worsened. It is O.K. to recognize that it sucks, but just not to stay in that space.

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