Nerve block

[eman1200]

Yup, strange post, but has anyone gone thru L4/L5-S1 back issues? I've already had 3 shots that didn't do much, then took a turn for the worse a few days ago and can barely walk. I'm scheduled for a nerve block shot on Tuesday and although I'm aware it's only a temporary reprieve, has anyone gone through this before?

I'm freaking out about my current situation (the pain, not being able to do jack squat) and am hoping to hear some positive results experienced by anyone on TRF.

thanks in advance.

[Rolex Junky]

I hear you. As a docter i can tell you that the results of nerve blocks are disappointing in general. As a patiënt i have had lumbar surgery with instant relief.

Good luck. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[Runnin' Rebel]

I had it done once, they didn't use any pain killer medicine, hurt like a MFer. Make sure they use some pain block, biggest needle I ever saw, never again, get a 2nd opinion before they jab you with that 5 inch needle

[Grissom]

Originally Posted by Rolex Junky

I hear you. As a docter i can tell you that the results of nerve blocks are disappointing in general. As a patiënt i have had lumbar surgery with instant relief.

Good luck. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Amazingly, ditto here from me........

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by eman1200

Yup, strange post, but has anyone gone thru L4/L5-S1 back issues? I've already had 3 shots that didn't do much, then took a turn for the worse a few days ago and can barely walk. I'm scheduled for a nerve block shot on Tuesday and although I'm aware it's only a temporary reprieve, has anyone gone through this before?

I'm freaking out about my current situation (the pain, not being able to do jack squat) and am hoping to hear some positive results experienced by anyone on TRF.

thanks in advance.

I have had several....use to work....then stopped.
I hade to retire at 48 because of that (back pain)and lots of other things (arthritis)
DDD etc..in my back
I take lots of dope everyday is the only way i can live
and I mean not just 2/3 5/500 hydrocodone either...but thats how I started.
I have one disk fused but it only made it worse.
you can PM me and i can tell you all the stuff i tried....
Im L4/L5/S1 also
Right now i have a power chair and a walker....on a good day I use a cane...but thats only a few few feet at a time.
One more bad thing is being on dope....cant drive... plus after 15 mins im in so much pain could not drive anyway....so wife drives everywhere.
Its a hellava life at only 54
Dont want to scare you but there it is....I never ever would have thought
I would end up like this and I use to jog 6/7 miles a day 20 years ago.... now i cant walk 6/7 feet.

[Dr.Brian]

I used to do some pain medicine years ago. Epidural steriod injections work great for some people, and not at all for others. The same is also true for surgery. We saw a lot of "failed back" patients that had no relief after significant back surgery. Good luck.
BTW, not all "certified" "pain specialists" are the same, nor do they have the same training. Make sure yours is fellowship trained in pain medicine, many are not. If they're not Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiologists, I would find another provider.

[rsg]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

I have had several....use to work....then stopped.
I hade to retire at 48 because of that (back pain)and lots of other things (arthritis)
DDD etc..in my back
I take lots of dope everyday is the only way i can live
and I mean not just 2/3 5/500 hydrocodone either...but thats how I started.
I have one disk fused but it only made it worse.
you can PM me and i can tell you all the stuff i tried....
Im L4/L5/S1 also
Right now i have a power chair and a walker....on a good day I use a cane...but thats only a few few feet at a time.
One more bad thing is being on dope....cant drive... plus after 15 mins im in so much pain could not drive anyway....so wife drives everywhere.
Its a hellava life at only 54
Dont want to scare you but there it is....I never ever would have thought
I would end up like this and I use to jog 6/7 miles a day 20 years ago.... now i cant walk 6/7 feet.

Have you seen someone who specializes in the SI joint?

[rsg]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

I used to do some pain medicine years ago. Epidural steriod injections work great for some people, and not at all for others. The same is also true for surgery. We saw a lot of "failed back" patients that had no relief after significant back surgery.

More common than not, most docs let the patients "ripen" so that even if they only have a 50% reduction in pain they still are thankful.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by rsg

More common than not, most docs let the patients "ripen" so that even if they only have a 50% reduction in pain they still are thankful.

I think I'd be pretty thankful for a 50% reduction in my chronic pain.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by rsg

Have you seen someone who specializes in the SI joint?

Yes...even saw the doc who works on the AZ cards and ASU football team...
also saw one in Houston who did surgery on my lower disk.
Its spinal stenosis/DDD/Arthritis/neuropathy and 3 disk that did me in.
the last told me severe spondylosis is causing most of my pain.
I use to be 6'3.....now im about 6 foot

[eman1200]

Dang, gmh, real sorry to hear that.
I just can't believe all the horror stories I hear out there. I mean crikey, I'm fargin 41, am I done, physically, forever?!? That's insane!!!
I went to a new Dr and she (was wearing a rolex btw lol) changed my hydrocodone prescription and, uh, gave me oral steroids to take until the block. She DID mention that this is basically a troubleshooting step and may not 'fix' me. Great.

[eman1200]

so I just had this done this afternoon. definitely no significant immediate relief. hoping that within a day or so it kicks in, I'll keep you posted. however, over the last week my pain level has been about an 8 WITH meds, and I would say that as of the start of the yankee game (just after 20:00EST) I'm at about a 6 without meds. well, if u consider gentlemen jack after a few glasses of wine meds, I dunno.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by eman1200

so I just had this done this afternoon. definitely no significant immediate relief. hoping that within a day or so it kicks in, I'll keep you posted. however, over the last week my pain level has been about an 8 WITH meds, and I would say that as of the start of the yankee game (just after 20:00EST) I'm at about a 6 without meds. well, if u consider gentlemen jack after a few glasses of wine meds, I dunno.

If you have a problem with blood sugar those steriod shots can make your B/S level shoot up to diabetic range in some people -126mg/dl and over ...mine went to 300-400 mg/dl ...and im not diabetic 2 days after the first shot.
I will never have another one.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by eman1200

Dang, gmh, real sorry to hear that.
I just can't believe all the horror stories I hear out there. I mean crikey, I'm fargin 41, am I done, physically, forever?!? That's insane!!!
I went to a new Dr and she (was wearing a rolex btw lol) changed my hydrocodone prescription and, uh, gave me oral steroids to take until the block. She DID mention that this is basically a troubleshooting step and may not 'fix' me. Great.

I took prednisone for 14 months ....and gained 50 pounds.
Hydrocodone will work great....for a while....then its starts to take a little more to work....
I never dreamed I would be taking 200 mg a day of oxycodone a few years ago.....somedays im in sooo much pain I would shoot up heroin if i could get it.
My advice to anyone is try to make do on Aleve and forget the opiates....

[eman1200]

Why can't they just FIX THIS?!?!
Sorry, extreme pain = extreme aggravation for me, and apparently plenty of other people.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by eman1200

Why can't they just FIX THIS?!?!
Sorry, extreme pain = extreme aggravation for me, and apparently plenty of other people.

My path to hell started bending over picking up my car keys that fell on the floor...By the end of the day I way almost having to be carried to my car at work.
Sometimes they can....looks to me its a 50/50 chance on surgery working
and may take 2/3 operations....I have had 2 now and zero improvement....its worse due to scar tissue.
Pick your Dr.'s with care....if one promises 100 percent improvement...run.

[mboverst]

This is one topic I can unfortunately help you out with. I'm 28 and have had a 360 lumbar and a thoracic fusion.

I went through the usual shots, nerve blocks, physical therapy, etc as they tried everything in the book to try and fix me before surgery due to my age. I had no relief from any of the non-invasive treatments and was popping Norco like candy just to make it through the day. At my worst, I had to just lay in the fetal position in bed all day and it was an event just to get up and use the restroom.

First came the 360 lumbar, which wasn't so bad. I had instant relief, and the hardest part was probably recovering from them slicing my stomach open. About six months later I was back under the knife for thoracic work (I'll spare you the gory details, but a lumbar is a walk in the park compared to that). After all was said and done, I'm pretty much back to normal and relatively pain free (as pain free as you can get with the hardware in my back). It's quite the relief being off of pain killers and back to doing the things I enjoy.

Nerve blocks do work for people and I wish you the best. They are pretty painless and do cause relief in some patients. There's no real down side to trying it out. My wife had one on her neck two years ago and has had no problems since!

If you have any questions about any of the above procedures just shoot me a PM or give me a call and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions from my experiences.

I wish you the best of luck

[Numismatist]

I've got lower back bulging and some facet problems - along with generaly back muscle weakness and inability to strengthen it.

Have had PT, acupuncture, trigger point injections, cortisone under x-ray, a variety of medications (muscle relaxants, Lyrica, etc.).

Unfortunately, Norco is the only thing that really helps. Thankfully, I'm at 3 5/325s per day and not crazy amounts that I've heard people take. Although, I'm well aware that you become tolerant of it.

I've also 'shrunk' and inch in the last few years, so there is degenerative things happening.

At 47, I'm really worried about where this is headed too.

What's the point of having lots of money to retire, if you can't do anything?

Maybe science will catchup in the next few years...

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

I've got lower back bulging and some facet problems - along with generaly back muscle weakness and inability to strengthen it.

Have had PT, acupuncture, trigger point injections, cortisone under x-ray, a variety of medications (muscle relaxants, Lyrica, etc.).

Unfortunately, Norco is the only thing that really helps. Thankfully, I'm at 3 5/325s per day and not crazy amounts that I've heard people take. Although, I'm well aware that you become tolerant of it.

I've also 'shrunk' and inch in the last few years, so there is degenerative things happening.

At 47, I'm really worried about where this is headed too.

What's the point of having lots of money to retire, if you can't do anything?

Maybe science will catchup in the next few years...

Buy lots of Rolex models and you can clear out your IRA in no time
the way they keep raising the prices!
I thought I was set at 48 too ...boy was i wrong .....when you dont work money has a way of flying away at supersonic speeds.

[azguy]

beleibve it or not I had simlar problems and took injections and a nerve block without much relief. Sure, I would feel better for days or weeks but "better" isn't fixed or cured.

I think it's importnat to not that these procedures are for comfort and nothing more.

I fixed myself by joining a gym and finding a good trainer. We started by stretching, walking and core strength training. I found losing the 25 lbs on my gut helped my back, LMAO.

While I still have pain I find in-activity brings it on more than anything. Now, I get up in the morning and strecth for 15 minutes and walk on the treadmill for 30. After I leav ethe office in the afternoon I head to the gym and go through the same procedure, then lift weights and then stretch again, this time for 30 minutes, almost like yoga.

It's helped tremendously and I know, your thinking I'm in so much pain how can I do anything. I was the same way, up at night for hours on end, couldn't sit for more than 15 minutes, etc.

Think about it-

[TswaneNguni]

Try a Chronic Pain Specialist.Anaesthesiologist who specializes in the management of chronic pain.Cant help you much,not my field of interest.Cardiac Anaesthesia is my field.

[ducatidoc]

Originally Posted by azguy

beleibve it or not I had simlar problems and took injections and a nerve block without much relief. Sure, I would feel better for days or weeks but "better" isn't fixed or cured.

I think it's importnat to not that these procedures are for comfort and nothing more.

I fixed myself by joining a gym and finding a good trainer. We started by stretching, walking and core strength training. I found losing the 25 lbs on my gut helped my back, LMAO.

While I still have pain I find in-activity brings it on more than anything. Now, I get up in the morning and strecth for 15 minutes and walk on the treadmill for 30. After I leav ethe office in the afternoon I head to the gym and go through the same procedure, then lift weights and then stretch again, this time for 30 minutes, almost like yoga.

It's helped tremendously and I know, your thinking I'm in so much pain how can I do anything. I was the same way, up at night for hours on end, couldn't sit for more than 15 minutes, etc.

Think about it-

Your experience is similar to mine. Losing 40# helped a lot, although I looked like a POW at that point. Some wt. has come back, as has some of the pain. I also use an inversion table daily. This is not for everyone (for example, if you have any fusions, I think it would be contraindicated) but it helps me a lot. I'm back on my lb-shedding regimen once more.

[zak98]

my wife just went through a new procedure. had surgery a couple years ago. laminectamy (sp?). did nothing. prior to that and after, nerve blocks, epidurals, chiro, accupuncture, physical therapy, pain mgmt dr's, drugs, etc... all were short term and minor fixes. true decompression and oxygen therapy helped but 3 times a week for 16 weeks at $200 a visit got expensive quick.

we just visited north american spine, in dallas tx. accurascope procedure. minimally invasive. she is experiencing the most relief of anything tried prior. great experience there in dallas. worth a try vs. going through a fusion or some other major surgery that has a low success rate.

feel for you. back pain is terrible to deal with.

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Try a Chronic Pain Specialist.Anaesthesiologist who specializes in the management of chronic pain.Cant help you much,not my field of interest.Cardiac Anaesthesia is my field.

I goto one and she loads up with oxycontin and Norco's

[renfield33]

Ygpm