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spinal injections 3 weeks ago and have chronic pain again! why?

Posted , 4 users are following.

audigem
audigem

I was told by my doc i have bulging discs and micro fractures in the bottom of my spine l5 i suffer with chronic pain from it both in my back and down both legs. I had a steroid block injection 3 weeks ago in the facet joints and they worked for a bit but now the pain is back with a vengeance! Is this normal? Im at my wits end i am taking morphine for the pain but doesnt touch it. Im 26 years old and have tried everything so far. Apparently the facet joints are rubbing the wrong way? I really dont understand. Can anyone help me please?

1 like, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • joy47826
    joy47826 audigem

    Posted

    I resist those steroid injections...I had a script twice and did not do them.....

    I did acupuncture for the spinal stenosis issue that came on after hip replacement and found a great exercise for spinal stenosis at Spine Universe site....

    Exercise and stretch and think about acupuncture...also physical therapy could do good for that issue....

    • audigem
      audigem joy47826

      Posted

      Hi joy thankyou for your reply, i have tried exercise but as i cant even move now without the help of a walking stick or person its really difficult and a lot of pain. The spinal surgeon did mention surgery but what and when i dont know! I definitely wont be having the injections again! 
    • joy47826
      joy47826 audigem

      Posted

      Don't get excited with spinal/back surgeries, I know TOO MANY who regret every doing them, one leads to another, to another, to another....a vicious cycle.....

      There are special excercise and Physical Therapy could teach you some, to open up that spinal canal.

    • audigem
      audigem joy47826

      Posted

      No im not im dreading it but it seems like a last resort, i have tried physio is that the same as physical therapy? The physio stopped my treatment as he said it was making my problems worse and anything he did wouldnt help me so was no point wasting either of our time.
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 joy47826

      Posted

      Hi Joy ~

      I hear you when you stated a vicious cycle.  I had that same problem and my doctor explained that the most troublesome area screams loudly and the other problems sit "quietly" until that screamer is silenced.  Then, the second area that was injured, starts to scream, well, it has always screamed but couldn't be heard bc of the first screamer.  and so on and so on.  Not sure regarding general wear and tear but this is what happened to me after an auto accident.

      I  do agree with you regarding the Physical Therapies, it's always best to try it naturally because once done, you do become subject to things turning worse.

      Frustrated

       

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 audigem

      Posted

      Also, Audi, back surgery is one of the worse surgeries one could have.  It's your spine!  So, before you readily jump the gun and do this, think carefully and long and hopefully take baby steps in having a healthy recovery.

      Something that is as light as hydrotherapy could just be what would work for you...while under the water, our bodies are light and we can handle more than otherwise.

       

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 audigem

      Posted

      physio is done via therapist on the computer to test your abilites.  Physical is via a therapist with physical objects to use. Make sense?
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61

      Posted

      I stand corrected, it can be pilates etc.  But there is a physio that is done strictly on computers.  I could not do this because of my pulmonary sarcoidosis, I couldn't breath like I had been asked to do.

      This time I am finished smile wink

    • audigem
      audigem frustrated61

      Posted

      Umm i think so. I went and seen a man who was a pgysiotherapist and he discharged me because he said it would do more damage than good to my back. Who knows! Thats very strange how you have sarcoidosis?! My partner has too! Hes on methotrexate now but still struggles sometimes. How do you cope? Wes has his in his lungs.
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 audigem

      Posted

      Hi Audi ~

      I was dx'd with pulmonary sarcoid & Lymphnodes in 2005.  I was on steroids but body bacame "addicted" and couldn't wean me off.  Methotrexate and plaquenil were the drug of choice at that time. This past Sept, I was dx'd again and told the pulmonary sarcoid came back.  In addition I have it on my skin, nose, eyes (also sjogrens) ears, cartiledge and now in the heart.

      Coping with chronic extreme pain and sarcoid plus sjogrens, it's difficult regarding "coping".  It's not just hard on me, but it does affect my family as well.  Since my immune system is shot, I get sick so easily and often times, I have to pass on family functions and my husband goes it alone.  That is the hardest part of all.  We have become a bit distance but still intact.

      I wish Wes all the best well wishes.  How is he doing, btw?  Keep  strong, it sounds as if you are both handed a lot to shoulder.

      Frustrted

    • audigem
      audigem frustrated61

      Posted

      Aww i really feel for you thats awful. Whats sjogrens? Yeh i can only imagine what you are going through because it is hard enough for me to cope with chronic pain  let alone having to deal with what wes and yourself is going through. How did they diagnose you again? 

      Wes is doing fine he has worse days than others depending on the weather and how hes feeling etc. He takes 2.5mg of methotrexate 6 a day once a week and it seems to be helping. 

      Fingers crossed for you that your pain doctor gets to the bottom of it!

      No they just said i should have a appt in a few weeks! I suppose given i dont pay for my medical care i shouldnt complain.

  • frustrated61
    frustrated61 audigem

    Posted

    Hi Audi ~

    I had an auto accident in 2004 and then again in 2013.  I suffered bulging discs all up my spine and also sufferd a fractured neck and two broken areas on my spine.  I was fused C4,5&6 and L2-S1.  That was from the 2004 accident.  This recent accident, I have to have the Si joint reconnected as it separated in the accident from me twisting and trying to undo the seatbelt.  It was while trying to undo this, he hit us again. (twice!) Anyway, after the first accident, I did get the results as far as the fusion made sure I was put back together, however, sadly the pain was horrific.  They called that surgery "failed back syndrome". I had no other choice but to have these surgeries.  I do get injections and sometimes they work and sometimes they work but not for long.  To be honest, if they only lasted a week or two, it's one or two weeks I'm w/o the severe pain.  I did try acupuncture but for my injuries it did nothing. Joy mentioned physical therapy too, how is that doing?  Also, not sure how your insurance is, but there is also hydrotherapy.  That was one thing I was looking forward to but it was determined that I just couldn't tolerate any kind of therapy.  I was an avid runner, walked 15-20 miles a week, yoga and jazzersize.  You can only imagine how my lifestyle changed.  I even had to stop working, I just couldn't it.  My doctor told me after my surgeries, I'd be sky-diving, haha, maybe the only time I've dived is when I fell down the stairs or out of bed LOL.

    The thing I would suggest to you is try, try, try anything at least once or twice and see how your body reacts.  As far as injections, sometimes it takes a few times before it actually gets what it's asking the body to do. Other than what I've stated, I'm not sure what else there is. 

    I truly wish you all the good luck in the world!  Take care and let us know how you're doing, please?

    Frustrated

  • frustrated61
    frustrated61 audigem

    Posted

    Also, you stated why is that pain coming back after injections?  First, it's not a cure all.  You have   bulging discs.  They can "shrink" but once you've had this problem, you can sneeze or laugh or even a slight giggle and it can throw you out of whack!  Until you build up your abdomen muscles to help support your back, it could remain that way for a very long time.  I had a slight problem before my accident but it was from all that wear and tear on my body from running and so on.  I, at that time, took an aqua class and I would go in approx 30 mins before my class would start and go to the deep end where it wasn't being used and quietly do leg lifts, anything I would know to do to build up my abdomen muscles.  It was a God-send!

    Good luck, Audi!

    Frustrated

    • audigem
      audigem frustrated61

      Posted

      Hi frustrated sorry to hear all you are going through/have bee through. I used to be very active myself doing zumba everyday now i can barely walk 20 metres without a walking stick. I have tried everything my doc has suggested and i am now under the spinal surgeons who did the injections as a diagnosis to see if it was my facet joints causing the pain down my legs and in my back. If the pain went or eased then they had their answer and could continue with spinal fusion surgery. Ive also been told my spine is crumbling at the base which is very unlucky for a 26 year old. I had a fall at work and they think that triggered it. Im not able to work now and have been deemed not fit for work, my quality of life is minimal i dont sleep. I have lost a lot of weight as i dont have a appetite because of the pain and stress. 
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 audigem

      Posted

      Audi ~

      I'm so sorry to hear of all your pain.  I would suggest if you trust the surgeon has your best interest at hand, by all means, do what they say!  You can tell if they are sincere, I could with mine and knew he would not lead me astray. 

      You are so young to be suffering like you are.  Is your work supporting the idea that you did this at the workplace?

      I wish you well, please let us know how you are doing

      Frustrated

    • audigem
      audigem frustrated61

      Posted

      No my company dismissed me on health grounds because i wasnt fit for the job. I have gone to a no win no fee now. Thankyou for your kind words.
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 audigem

      Posted

      We have "workmans compensation" for work related injuries. They are pretty "nasty" if it becomes chronic.  It's a good concept but they need to have internal managing that actually helps fot both the "workplace" and the "paitent".

      Mine wasn't at work.  I had to use all my sick days then compensation from work kicked in plus the auto insurance paid.  Long story!

      Anyway, December is almost here!  I'm excited for you two.

      Frustrated

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