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Getting guided epidural steroid injection in 10 days
Have had my harrington rod 52 years now, had it when I was 16 and now 68. From 60 degree C curve to 10 degree with 7 fused. NOW...L5 - S 1 has a mess going on after MRI showing severe arithritus, stenosis and 6 bulging discs. I did a clinical trial for cancer sur vivors weight lifting last fall and that was a mistake - dead lifted 130 pounds - you can imagine now. SO I have been in 2 different PT programs - hurt more. Medical Marijuana - zip pain reduced. Muscle steroid injections helped but will only do them evert 3 months and prednisone helps but can't stay on them. Gabapentin only use at night because I am still working and get dopey. I ice it at night and helps but daytime is very hard. Walking - ugh and that is my thing with my dog for exercise.
SO finally they signed me up for the pain mangement people to do the guided injection which will be tricky they said with my rod. Just a longer path to get there. Yippie.
WHO has tried these - results ? I think this is my last option. I am trying not to walk hunched over .
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bdiververison, I haven't had the epidural, but my best friend, Mom, did and she had good relief. It is interesting that they will take a longer route to dura. I don't think this is your last chance, though.
I don't know of any other ways to overcome the pain when I walk for 5 mins. I pray it works, but if there are other things, I am all ears. Thanks
There are many more surgical remedies you might venture into. Some people even have their harringtons removed. But it sounds like reduced space at L5-S1 is causing your pain. An epidural would reduce the inflammation and might help. There are microdiscectomies, laminectomies, designed to give more space to the spinal cord. Sometimes the ligament is stretched and they can remove part of the ligament. You might want to see an orthopedic surgeon for a fuller assessment (eventually). One of the more exciting new developments is the artificial disc.
Are they imaging your spine with CT?
Sometimes a vertebra will slip slightly forward over the next vertebra usually because the disc isn't patent, compressing the central canal. https://spineconnection.org/back-pain-conditions/spondylolisthesis/ It usually worsens when a person walks for say five minutes. They bend forward because that opens the space in the central canal.
Wishing you luck with this epidural.
Oh yea that sounds true to me - walking pain and bending forward to compensate
I have a number of problems and fusions in my cervical and lumbar regions. I still have awful pain. They have tried epidural shots 11 different times and they have never helped me. However I know people who have had great success with epidural steroids.
I hav also had ablations in both areas. The cervical lasted 6 months. The lumbar did not work. They tried a technique called ViaDisc on my L5 S1 and it failed. My next step is Spinal Cord Stimulator.
Good luck. I sincerely hope it works for you!!
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