I am being steered towards injections despite progressive symptoms…

You can always find a Doctor to cut you or give you plenty of shots. Most of the time none of it works long enough for you to walk out door because of their numbing agent they use before you leave. Your young don’t be desperate like I was. They will hurt you. Take all you can and give it years. I’ve had twenty five years of their magic. I’m in a world of hurt until I die. Drugs will stop working along with your colon. Your best bet is to stay away.

I am sorta in the same predicament. I've had back issues for over 15 years. Pinched nerve I'm neck and back. My thighs get numb if I stand too long in one place. I asked my pain management doctor at what point do we do something? I don't want to wake up one morning and not be able to move. I believe they can do back surgery the way they did my hysterectomy. I was ready to go after a week when I had that. I take hydrocodone and now take extended release morphine for my bone pain from cancer treatments but even that does nothing for my back. You can't postpone some type of relief forever because once the nerve damage reaches a certain point, it's too late. I'm 67 and might end up in a wheelchair because of neuropathy from chemo but I don't want it to be from something that could have been prevented in the first place. They don't have to flay me open like a fish. Do the MRI and see what nerve is being pinched or cut off then make a 3 inch or less incision and do your thing. Sounds simple enough. It would be GREAT if it was that easy. It's frustrating though. Wish you success with your issues. ❤️

@jeffspain your post says- caution ! Thanks !..especially about effects of shots on colon ! I had CRC and treat what’s left of my intestines with great care…one doc offered me the shots, the others said don’t, and I am avoiding them, preferring gentle, focused physical activity and stretches, in addition to help from my excellent osteopath/MD.

@carol1024

Thank you so much for sharing this — I relate to a lot of what you’re saying. That fear of waiting too long and ending up with permanent nerve damage is exactly what’s been weighing on me as well. It’s frustrating to feel like the answer is always “manage it” instead of truly addressing what’s causing the symptoms, especially when they’re progressing.

I completely agree that at some point imaging and identifying the actual source of nerve compression should be the priority, not just postponing relief until damage becomes irreversible. I don’t want to look back and wonder if earlier intervention could have preserved function or quality of life.

I’m really sorry you’ve had to live with this for so long, especially on top of everything else you’ve been through. I appreciate you taking the time to comment — it helps to know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Wishing you relief and better answers too.❤️

@jeffspain

I appreciate you sharing your experience and I’m really sorry for how much you’ve been through. I can hear the frustration and regret in what you’re saying, and that carries a lot of weight.

I’m trying to walk a careful line — not rushing into anything out of desperation, but also not ignoring progressive neurological symptoms that could become permanent if left untreated. I agree that repeated shots and medications alone aren’t a long-term solution, especially when they only mask pain temporarily.

My hope is to find a provider who’s willing to look closely at the imaging, explain why the symptoms are happening, and discuss all options honestly — including risks, limits, and timing — rather than defaulting to procedures or pills.

Thank you for the warning and for being candid. Experiences like yours are exactly why I’m trying to advocate carefully and thoughtfully for myself.

Sorry, I didn't read all the posts so I apologize if I missed something.

I have l2-l5 mashed down discs, stenosis and now degenerative scoliosis from discs failing.
Very little back pain but severe sciatic pain. I was able to keep it managable for probably 3-4 years with shots.

Fall of 2024 it flared up but to wait until 1/25 to get on new deductible for shots again.
New MRI, 2 shots no improvement.

Surgeon (who I trust) recomended 3 level 360 degree fusion. I'm 64 and overweight, My wife is disabled from 6 fusions pelvis to T9 (whole another story) and I'm the sole income earner self employed doing lifting, bending, twisting, no employees to help. Fusion is not an option as long as I can keep walking.

Decided on a 3 level Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression. Had surgery 8/25, Left leg much better, right leg not so much.

I have to walk with a cane at night and in the morning and can't stand or walk for very long.
Unfortunately I get no pain relief from any drugs including narcotics, but if I walk through the pain and keep moving it gets tolerable.

At this point the problem most likely is coming for L4 nerve root being pinched from a bulged disc and foraminal stenosis. The last shot I had after surgery went at the L4 root and I had 100% pain relief but only lasted 2 days. More diagnostic than anything else.

But there are no guarantees that what an MRI image shows is what is causing your pain, it is best guess. My non surgical ortho Dr always says we treat people not images. Most people my age are walking around with some bad looking MRI's but have no pain. Just part of aging.

Long story longer, I hope to have a minimally invasive, lateral foraminotomy to open up nerve exit and remove bulging part of disc.

This may not be a permanent fix but it is better than a fusion which you can't go back from and you are pretty much guaranteed to have a fusion extended as the discs above fail due to added stress. There are a lot of studies on the effectiveness of them.

Everybody's case and circumstances are different. Do your own research, learn to read and understand medical terminology, google is your friend.

Don't stop asking your Dr. questions (bring note pad and/or friend) until you are satisfied. If he won't give you all the time you need, find another one, your paying for it with your pocketbook and life.

Get a second or third opinion, If you are doing surgery make sure your Dr. is good at the type you are having. Don't be afraid to suggest different treatments to find out why they may or not be suitable to your case.

@judyhendricks1959
Judy- Unfortunately I have too much experience with multilevel complex anterior and posterior fusion with plates, pedicale screws and rods from C3-C6, T2-S1. The only thing not fused or stabilized are C7-T1, So I can turn my neck halfway from side to side to keep my drivers license. I’ve had 14 major back surgeries from 2/2005-5/2015. I’m also on my second implanted SCS’s, and second implanted intrathecal drug pump. So I feel very qualified to answer any question you may have. Most of these were done over many years, except the last 2. I was fused from T10-S1, pretty much in straight line. But I developed Thoracic Kyphosis (a hunchback) in 2014 that would require 2 orthopedic surgeons that specialized in the repair of spinal deformities. My neurosurgeon that performed most of the fusion’s I had said he was too squeamish to do the rebuild. I’ve included some X-rays for you to see the end result. Every surgery and recovery were different. So many uncontrollable factors can make the experience range from a nightmare to a gift from God. Your doctor, and the relationship you have with them, the hospital, the nursing and tech staff, food service, imaging and even the orderly’s responsible for gurney transportation. You need a good advocate to make sure your getting the care you need, which can be very different for each situation. Now you have most of my Back(ground), pun intended, so ask me anything, if I haven’t lived it, I know where to get the information you need.

@bilt4pain
Wow, you are totally rebuilt! I don't know how you endured do much. I have a lot of questions if your up for answering some. Who was ur neuro surgeon? What began this spine process in you, an injury, accident...?
My biggest concerns are how bad the post op pain is and just how much flexibility will I loose. It must be hard to adjust to the new normal after rods...? I'll save other questions for next

@judyhendricks1959
I’m still not sure how I endured it. Apparently the body has a high tolerance for physical trauma. And pain meds helped. I’ll get to every question you have. I’ve had 3 surgeons, Dr. Ciacci in Annapolis, Md, then Dr. Neece, in Frisco TX, and the last 2 major rebuilds were from Dr Callewart, specialist in spinal deformities, in Dallas TX. How did it start: In my early 20’s, I was recruited to a Federal (3 letter) agency. My function was very diverse. I had a parachute accident and compression fractures of several vertebrae. 20+ years later I developed degenerative disc disease after it was reinjured in 2004. Post op pain can be a double edged sword. Sometimes on the OR table the body has to be positioned in an unnatural way. For instance, one surgery required my arms be hyper extended above my head and pushed backwards. My armpits were in more pain than my back, and lasted a month. The pain in the hospital has never been a problem. Always got a PCA, Patient Controlled Analgesic, also known as a morphine button. It will dispense a preset amount of drug every 15 minutes if you push the button. It’s the pain after you get home, along with the loss of range of motion that’s the real issue. The intense trauma the body experiences lasts a few months, but easily handled by 10/325 Hydrocodone. Depending on what’s getting done will determine a loss of flexibility vs a permanent loss of a specific function, like bending or twisting at the waist. When the Lumbar Spine is fused, that’s a permanent loss. And it took me a while to adjust to my new normal. And I’ve had several new normals. In the beginning it was very hard hard physically and emotionally. You have to relearn how to live with all the assistive devices. To put on socks, shoes, wipe my behind, and in my case walk with a cane. I think it’s the most difficult part of the recovery. Being forced to sleep on your back, and in the middle of the night you subconsciously want to sleep on your side, but when your body attempts it, it locks up and wakes you up from the jolt inside you. I wish there was a voice function for this chat. I have so much to say, but no patience to type for a long time. I work off my phone. Keep asking, I’ll always answer. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you too! Wow, bad initial injury!! Holy crap. Sounds like
you've seen and lived through more than 90% of people ever could tolerate,
so first off - kudos to your never say never spirit. I too have endured a
lot in life (not surgical but emotionally) and I consider myself pretty
tough. If, someone told me we HAD to move our house 2 feet to the left, I'd
find a flippin way to get it done. I'm a do-er not a quitter. This just
scares the crap out of me. It feels like I just might not have what it
takes to pass with flying colors or more realistically pass well with no
adverse events.
I guess fortunately for me I've already become a back sleeper due to
another issue that doesn't allow me side sleeping for past 2 years - ✅ ha!
I've also, at the advice of patient experiences I was told I should watch,
have seen what I'll need postop for loss of mobility, hygiene etc. yah,
it's gonna stink and seems everythings gonna take longer to do but it is
what it is, right.
Is your walker a permanent need for you now? The extensive degree of your
repairs require it?
Should I be asking my surgeon if he'll have a co-surgeon doing it with him?
Had your surgeon done these before? I'm sched. Feb 9th at Mass General in
Boston, but am in the process of 2nd opinion in AZ at Barrow Neurological
Institute. I've gotten the written report from them but they offered me to
come there for more info. So, we are planning on a face to face consult
possibly with some other scans in AZ now. So sadly, I have to call MGH to
let them know I'm at least postponing Feb 9th. Hope that doesn't blow up in
my face. Did you get 2nd opinion?? How & when did you know you had no
choice left? Pain? Nerve compression, loss of function? How did you choose
ur surgeon??
What is ur current level of functioning?
Thank you for everything your ok with sharing! It's like a million
questions, but I hope it helps you in some cathartic way.