steroid injection today and given gabapentin

Rochelle, I have had a history of back problems, finally properly diagnosed when I was age 50 with an MRI. Had lumbar surgery for two herniated discs. Had a few other disabling episodes since (15 yrs ago) until last year when I had another herniated disc. This time MRI did not show herniation, so Dr chose conservative route this time with Steriod injections, and until I could get injections approved, he prescribed Gaberpentin/Neirontin. Took the Gaberpentin for about four months and had some relief, almost over night until I had first injection. I then stopped using it, until the injection wore off. Again, I used the Gaberpentin until I could get my second injection for about two months with some relief. This second injections has really lasted a long time, hoping it continues to keep inflammation down in that Disc. I wish you well in your pursuit of health, I had some relief using Gaberpentin, without the side effects that are common. Will

What a terrible thing to happen. How long did you Have to wait for first injection?

 

Dear Rochelle, 

First of all if you are in pain and have been at your job long enough you need to submit a workers compensation claim. It is not your fault that the wheel on your chair broke and you are more hurt now. Also for the problems you are having it sounds like you need a stronger medication than gabapentin and tramadol. I would ask to switch to Norco 3 times a day. If you have insurance get a full MRI and for goodness sakes please get a doctors note and take charge of your life. If you go back to work it could meke things worse. Go on short-term disability and call an attorney. (not one on television, but a good attorney for workers comp) that will be willing to come to your home and go over everything that happened to you. That way you can get your surgery and medical bills paid for. Don't let the doctors screw you around. They do not like chronic pain patients sometimes because they feel we can't be cured. I am a shining example of being on my way to recovery. I've had the same problems and I now take a multitude of medications to stay out of physical and mental pain since my injuries took place as part of a bad car accident and physical abuse from my ex which I have had no contact with in 3 years. Good luck. Gabapentin and tramadol won't touch that type of pain. You may also need lidocaine patches and muscle relaxers. Debra 

I also wanted to tell you that I would ask for something stronger or better like Lyrica and a Narcotic pain reliever. You are 49 so they can't say that you are too young or that you are an addict as long as you have a clear medical history. Let's be honest. You need medication to get you through if you file short term disability at work. Then the MRI then the physical rehabilitation. I also need to tell you that if they refer you to a pain specialist please do a review check. Some of them think that people that have cancer only need Oxycontin/Oxycodone but you may be a good candidate. Don't take too much and stay active. If you feel any type of bad feelings about a pain specialist you are going to see or if you read bad reviews cancel ahead of time and schedule with another place. You have a say in your medical decisions and some of the pain specialists have God complexes. I kid you not. When I was in horrible pain I went to see a Pain Specialist for advice for a Transfuraminal ESI. He would not do the surgery. I could barely walk. He wrote in his notes that I had a weird body shape. I was 30 pounds overweight from pain! Also he said it was ironic that I was allergic to Gabapentin. "Ironic". He also said that I drank 1 to 2 drinks of alcohol per day when we never discussed that. On the admittance form that I ordered I mentioned I used to drink when I was younger but now take mediations so I don't drink. Now I have lost my Social Security Case because of this scumbag doctor. If you get a doctor like that don't go in or walk away right away. Doctor's have no way of telling how much pain we are in. Its amazing that in 2015 they still have not developed a brainwave or some other technique to see how much pain we are in. Good luck to you. Yes. Apply for short term disability and consult a lawyer and a good disability claims person that will both come to you. Not one from TV. Its a good chance now that you are widowed that you maybe able to collect your husbands disability benefits if not now but in the future too.