Connect
← Return to Lumbar Steroid Injection vs Facet Nerve Block
Discussion
Lumbar Steroid Injection vs Facet Nerve Block
Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 20, 2022 | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
You said it all! Thank you for sharing so I know I'm not the only person that happened to. My first epidural I felt relief for a year. I stupidly thought I was done with the pain so continued my previous exercise pattern. When it came back, epidurals didn't work any longer but it didn't stop me from trying to find just the right spot. I, too, am always looking for ways to get off pain meds and I usually have very supportive doctors. About a year ago I tried myofascial release and it was too painful for me. However, when I decided to try again, the practitioner was very understanding and is taking a very slow approach this time. I am actually seeing some pain relief but know it will be a long journey since I've dealt with it for 13 years. Dry needling also gave me some relief but the person who did it moved away and subsequent therapists definitely were not as good or communicative to ensure they were targeting the right source of pain.
I also meet with a psychologist every 2 weeks as well as twice a week chiropractic and twice a month deep tissue massage. It's a lot of money to spend to try and get rid of the pain and the meds but I believe one day I will be successful if I have a good support system.
Replies to "You said it all! Thank you for sharing so I know I'm not the only person..."
Connect
Your very welcome! I want to tell you that I have been taking opioid pain medication for 19 years. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2003 and have other health issues that contribute to pain. In 2019 my doctor started to taper my pain medication after the 2016 CDC Opioid Prescribing Guidelines were published. Those ‘guidelines’ soon became implemented as if they were law. In March this year, my pain doctor lost his license to prescribe opiates. The DEA went after him, as they are with other pain doctors and revoked his license. All his patients scrambled to find new doctors, including me. Since then, it’s been impossible for me to find a doctor who will prescribe that dosage of pain medication. My dosage had been tapered down to the 90MME requirement in the guidelines, but doctors are scared to prescribe so a new doctor abruptly cut me to 40MME (morphine milligram equivalent) or 40mg a day. So, for the past few years I’ve been in a constant state of withdrawal and heighten pain. On Wednesday last week, I took my last pain pill. My new doctor has prescribed something to help with withdrawal, an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxers. It’s only been 3 days but I actually feel better than I did on opioids. No medication is perfect and ideally I’d like to be off them! But right now I’m accepting the treatment plan with this new doctor to see if it will help. If he can help me get moving physically, I will be able to gradually build back strength and hopefully do more! I’ve read that taking opioids for long periods of time can actually start to contribute to body pain. I now have the opportunity to check that out for myself! I definitely will not stay on these meds for 19 years!