Comments on: A Nice Shot in the Spine http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/ Wed, 20 Oct 2004 19:31:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: KEN http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-2/#comment-107 KEN Thu, 08 Jul 2004 16:10:37 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-107 Im a 44 yr old male who recently was diagnosed with athritic back pain after months of pain killers vicadin and such i was scheduled for my first shot. I have never felt so much pain in my intire life when the doctor started to push the fluid in my back i have a very strong pain tolerance i cannot believe there isnt a simpler way im scheduled for another shot this monday and the monday after i have noticed some pain relief but im not sure i want to go back is it true that if the doctor pushes nice and slow it doesnt hurt he said he numbed it and everything. i just feel like something wasnt done right to many people say its a piece of cake and they had to hold me down because i almost jerked out needle. any comments would be appreciated Im a 44 yr old male who recently was diagnosed with athritic back pain after months of pain killers vicadin and such i was scheduled for my first shot. I have never felt so much pain in my intire life when the doctor started to push the fluid in my back i have a very strong pain tolerance i cannot believe there isnt a simpler way im scheduled for another shot this monday and the monday after i have noticed some pain relief but im not sure i want to go back is it true that if the doctor pushes nice and slow it doesnt hurt he said he numbed it and everything. i just feel like something wasnt done right to many people say its a piece of cake and they had to hold me down because i almost jerked out needle. any comments would be appreciated

]]> By: Sharon http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Sharon Thu, 27 May 2004 00:05:54 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-106 Hi everyone, I am 29 and I've injured my back in late 2000. I had 3 cortisone shots in Jan 2001 and Ihave been fine until August of last year. I left my job which is very physical in Nov. 2003 and tried everything. I have and HNP at L4/L5 region and as of last year my pain has gotten worse. Pain in lower back radiating to my left butt cheek and down the left leg into my foot. I did physical therapy, accupuncture, chiropractor, and prescription drugs. I finally went back and had three shots and am still having trouble. I am now considering surgery and trying to research it to get the one that is best for me. Good luck to all of you with your backs and it's such a shame there are so many of us suffering from this horrible pain. If I have any success with surgery, I'll be sure to let you know. Hi everyone,

I am 29 and I’ve injured my back in late 2000. I had 3 cortisone shots in Jan 2001 and Ihave been fine until August of last year. I left my job which is very physical in Nov. 2003 and tried everything. I have and HNP at L4/L5 region and as of last year my pain has gotten worse. Pain in lower back radiating to my left butt cheek and down the left leg into my foot. I did physical therapy, accupuncture, chiropractor, and prescription drugs. I finally went back and had three shots and am still having trouble. I am now considering surgery and trying to research it to get the one that is best for me. Good luck to all of you with your backs and it’s such a shame there are so many of us suffering from this horrible pain. If I have any success with surgery, I’ll be sure to let you know.

]]> By: lynette http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-105 lynette Tue, 20 Apr 2004 04:30:11 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-105 I had my first shot steroid shot one month ago this wednesday my second one the wednesday before Easter. Now on my first shot he had me lay on my side, because it hurts so bad to lie on my stomach and he put the shot in at the base of my back where I am having trouble. He did not do this flouroscopicly (sp)he went in blind as I guess many of you have had. I had to miss the next days work because of the pain, but as the week went on it felt somewhat better I was not taking as many pain pills a day. This last time I went because the pain had been so bad from the last shot he had me sit up and double over and he put the shot in just a little over mid-way of my spine. I don't know what he hit but when he did it pulled my head straight back and I let out a piercing scream that woke everyone up in that hospital and I passed out. When I came to I was nauseated and each time I tried to sit up I kept seeing black dots like I was fixing to pass out. I could not hardly move my legs after getting to my feet and the side that had never hurt which was my right side has been killing me ever since. I have been in so much pain I have had to miss work. Today I called my physician and told her about all of this and she has made me take a full week off of rest, from work to see if this will help it and where we might need to go from there. She thinks when he went in blind as she said that he got the nerves and injured them on the right side she explained it all to me. She told me from now on not to let anyone touch my back that is not looking in my back to see what they are doing. She said it is possible I could be like this from now on but she was hoping that we could do something about it. Anyone thinking about these shots I believe should think about doing it floroscoply I think that is how you spell it. They will sedate you or not and they go in and know what they are doing and what they are touching and where they are injecting this medicine. I was in bad enough shape and bad enough pain before, now it has quadrupled. Hope yours works for ya'll Lynette I had my first shot steroid shot one month ago this wednesday my second one the wednesday before Easter. Now on my first shot he had me lay on my side, because it hurts so bad to lie on my stomach and he put the shot in at the base of my back where I am having trouble. He did not do this flouroscopicly (sp)he went in blind as I guess many of you have had. I had to miss the next days work because of the pain, but as the week went on it felt somewhat better I was not taking as many pain pills a day. This last time I went because the pain had been so bad from the last shot he had me sit up and double over and he put the shot in just a little over mid-way of my spine. I don’t know what he hit but when he did it pulled my head straight back and I let out a piercing scream that woke everyone up in that hospital and I passed out.
When I came to I was nauseated and each time I tried to sit up I kept seeing black dots like I was fixing to pass out. I could not hardly move my legs after getting to my feet and the side that had never hurt which was my right side has been killing me ever since. I have been in so much pain I have had to miss work. Today I called my physician and told her about all of this and she has made me take a full week off of rest, from work to see if this will help it and where we might need to go from there.
She thinks when he went in blind as she said that he got the nerves and injured them on the right side she explained it all to me.
She told me from now on not to let anyone touch my back that is not looking in my back to see what they are doing. She said it is possible I could be like this from now on but she was hoping that we could do something about it.
Anyone thinking about these shots I believe should think about doing it floroscoply I think that is how you spell it. They will sedate you or not and they go in and know what they are doing and what they are touching and where they are injecting this medicine.
I was in bad enough shape and bad enough pain before, now it has quadrupled.
Hope yours works for ya’ll
Lynette

]]> By: Sandy http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-104 Sandy Tue, 13 Apr 2004 16:03:44 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-104 I have been reading all of the posts and hope I get an answer from someone who has been through this. I woke up one morning thinking I had just "slept wrong" because I had a pain in my neck when I would turn it. As well as some pain under my left shoulder blade. Well after about 2 weeks the pain started getting worse and moved down my left arm a little. My thumb is tingling/numb and at times I have what feels like muscle spasms in my left arm if I lean forward or try to use my left arm. My family Dr. RX Motrin....didn't touch the pain....then she tried another anti-inflamatory meds (cant remember the name now). That didn't work...so she sent me for x-rays. The X-Rays showed arthritis in the left shoulder and neck with a degenerative cervical spine. So she referred me to the Spine Center. Well I went to the Dr. there at the Spine Center last week. He went over the ladder of treatment and what he thinks is wrong. He said even though it doesn't show on the X-Rays he suspects I have a herniated disk C-6. He said first we will try a steroid pack, then the epidural/steroid shots then if that doesn't work surgery. He sent me to get an MRI to be sure that is what is really going on. I went for it last night...first time getting an MRI not a pleasant experience IMO! At any rate I got through it and am now waiting to go back to the Spine Center next week. We will find ot the results of the MRI at that time. And he expects me to be prepared to get the shot if the steroid pack didn't work. I only have 2 more days of the steroid pack and have seen no relief of symptons or pain. He RX Darvocet for the pain but I only take half a pill because I cant stand the feeling I get from taking a whole pill. I have been out of work since the beginning of March and just recently got married April 3rd. I was in pain during my wedding! We will be leaving May 6th to go on a cruise for our honeymoon so I was hoping this pain would be gone by now!!! I am DEATHLY scared to get the injections in my neck....I really do NOT want them but I dont know what else to do!!!! If anyone has any advice or can tell me EXACTLY what they feel like or what they do to prep you for the shots please let me know. Im a 35 yr old Mom of 3 teens here in NC and I feel like I'm trapped in an old body! I just want my life back again!!!! I have been reading all of the posts and hope I get an answer from someone who has been through this.

I woke up one morning thinking I had just “slept wrong” because I had a pain in my neck when I would turn it. As well as some pain under my left shoulder blade. Well after about 2 weeks the pain started getting worse and moved down my left arm a little. My thumb is tingling/numb and at times I have what feels like muscle spasms in my left arm if I lean forward or try to use my left arm.

My family Dr. RX Motrin….didn’t touch the pain….then she tried another anti-inflamatory meds (cant remember the name now). That didn’t work…so she sent me for x-rays. The X-Rays showed arthritis in the left shoulder and neck with a degenerative cervical spine. So she referred me to the Spine Center.

Well I went to the Dr. there at the Spine Center last week. He went over the ladder of treatment and what he thinks is wrong. He said even though it doesn’t show on the X-Rays he suspects I have a herniated disk C-6. He said first we will try a steroid pack, then the epidural/steroid shots then if that doesn’t work surgery.

He sent me to get an MRI to be sure that is what is really going on. I went for it last night…first time getting an MRI not a pleasant experience IMO! At any rate I got through it and am now waiting to go back to the Spine Center next week. We will find ot the results of the MRI at that time. And he expects me to be prepared to get the shot if the steroid pack didn’t work.

I only have 2 more days of the steroid pack and have seen no relief of symptons or pain. He RX Darvocet for the pain but I only take half a pill because I cant stand the feeling I get from taking a whole pill.

I have been out of work since the beginning of March and just recently got married April 3rd. I was in pain during my wedding! We will be leaving May 6th to go on a cruise for our honeymoon so I was hoping this pain would be gone by now!!!

I am DEATHLY scared to get the injections in my neck….I really do NOT want them but I dont know what else to do!!!! If anyone has any advice or can tell me EXACTLY what they feel like or what they do to prep you for the shots please let me know.

Im a 35 yr old Mom of 3 teens here in NC and I feel like I’m trapped in an old body! I just want my life back again!!!!

]]> By: kathy http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-103 kathy Thu, 01 Apr 2004 04:59:54 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-103 I hear alot of what I'm going through. In Jan '00, I ruptured L4-5 and S1 at work. I was made to wait 2 1/2 years for surgery. I also went through the injections with no relief. Since my injury, I break out in shingles on my back. I was told that the injections would block further outbreaks, so I at least expected that relief. Well, I broke out in shingles at the injection site. I called the Dr. and he would not believe it, so I went in to see him and prove to him that I had shingles. He had never seen this before, well at least he maybe will think twice about making those guarantees. Well I had surgery in Sept. '02, they fused L-5 and S-1. Before I went in to surgery I begged the surgeon to PLEASE fuse L-4 L-5 and L-5 S-1, so that I wouldn't have to do this again. When I woke from surgery, I asked and was told that he only fused L-5 S-1. I felt doomed. He also used a synthetic dna material to fuse the bones, it is supposed to promote bone growth. Well I don't know about that, but I do know that the actual back pain, the bone pain, never went away. Surgery was recommended in April '02, but I wasn't impressed with the first one, so I stopped the Vicadin, started moving more, eventually , in Oct. '03 I joined a health club with a padded track and started walking. I started out slow, wearing my back brace, a girdle, and anything else I could think of for support. After four years of hell, I was able to manage and tolerate the pain. I was getting back to being me, not the depressed creature that put on 45 lbs. Then in Nov. '03, I was hit broadside (driver) doing 50 mph. The 82 year old lady ran a stop sign, I saw her but couldn't stop. The MRI doesn't show any damage to my low back, but I now have the nerve pain back. That was the one positive thing that came out of the surgery, and I hadn't broken out in shingles for a good 9 mos. prior to this accident. Now I have this curse back in my life and I'm going to see another surgeon in May and will probably be having more surgery. I want my life back. I forgot to mention that on my first surgery, the surgeon went in through the left side of my abdomen near the hip bone. I have a 6 inch scar and I make terrible keloid scars. After the car accident, my scar felt as if it had ripped. I still have pain there and it radiates to my pelvic floor. So as far as surgery and injections go, I'm not impressed, but I feel like I have no other options. At this point, I'll try anything. Thanks for the ear, Kathy I hear alot of what I’m going through. In Jan ’00, I ruptured L4-5 and S1 at work. I was
made to wait 2 1/2 years for surgery. I also
went through the injections with no relief.
Since my injury, I break out in shingles on my
back. I was told that the injections would
block further outbreaks, so I at least expected
that relief. Well, I broke out in shingles at
the injection site. I called the Dr. and he
would not believe it, so I went in to see him and
prove to him that I had shingles. He had never
seen this before, well at least he maybe will
think twice about making those guarantees.
Well I had surgery in Sept. ’02, they fused
L-5 and S-1. Before I went in to surgery I
begged the surgeon to PLEASE fuse L-4 L-5 and
L-5 S-1, so that I wouldn’t have to do this again.
When I woke from surgery, I asked and was told that he only fused L-5 S-1. I felt doomed. He also used a synthetic dna material to fuse the
bones, it is supposed to promote bone growth.
Well I don’t know about that, but I do know that
the actual back pain, the bone pain, never went away. Surgery was recommended in April ’02,
but I wasn’t impressed with the first one, so
I stopped the Vicadin, started moving more,
eventually , in Oct. ’03 I joined a health club
with a padded track and started walking. I started out slow, wearing my back brace, a girdle,
and anything else I could think of for support.
After four years of hell, I was able to manage and
tolerate the pain. I was getting back to being
me, not the depressed creature that put on 45 lbs.
Then in Nov. ’03, I was hit broadside (driver)
doing 50 mph. The 82 year old lady ran a stop
sign, I saw her but couldn’t stop.
The MRI doesn’t show any damage to my low back,
but I now have the nerve pain back. That was
the one positive thing that came out of the surgery, and I hadn’t broken out in shingles for
a good 9 mos. prior to this accident. Now I have
this curse back in my life and I’m going to see another surgeon in May and will probably be
having more surgery. I want my life back.
I forgot to mention that on my first surgery,
the surgeon went in through the left side of
my abdomen near the hip bone. I have a 6 inch
scar and I make terrible keloid scars. After the
car accident, my scar felt as if it had ripped.
I still have pain there and it radiates to my
pelvic floor. So as far as surgery and injections
go, I’m not impressed, but I feel like I have no
other options. At this point, I’ll try anything.

Thanks for the ear,

Kathy

]]> By: sean roberts http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-102 sean roberts Tue, 30 Mar 2004 22:57:10 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-102 Just wanted to let all of you know, that i'm going through the same amount of pain. I hurt my back about 1 year ago today doing a deadlift with my buddies in the gym, the amount of weight i was trying to deadlift was apperently too much for my back(a busting 455lbs). When i lifted up with the 455lbs, i felt my back give out. I feel back dropping the bar and my buddies lifted my up very carefuly. As i was not in very much pain during the day until night time came. I woke up around 12AM in very bad pain in my lower butt & left hamstring along with lower back pain(bad pain). I went ahead and went about my night in bad pain taking my Motrin. As i woke up the next morning, still feeling very horrable. I proceeded to go to the Emergency Room. I saw a very nice doctor on call that was very helpful, he prescribed me a Lortab 7.5(narcotic) & prescription strength Motrin which was 600mg. Told me to rest for about a 2wks and if i didnt improve go to see a spine specialist..well 2wks later after i've rested and taking all of my pain medication, which i was written out for 40 Lortab 7.5's. My back was still hurting, bad. I went to see my local family doctor in Thorntown, IN. Dr. Shank. Great doc by the way. He helped me out a lot, prescribing me a predinosolone steroid for 15 days. I proceeded to take that thinking everything would heal up after a month. After a month of taking the steroid(oral) i still was very much in pain no relief what-so-ever. I went ahead and called him back and told him that i'm still in pain. He went ahead and refered me to a spine specialist in Kokomo, IN Dr. Reilly M.D.. As i saw him the following week for an emergency visit, he sent me right up to the hospital for an M.R.I.(very long test). After that was done i went back home, then drove all the way back to Dr. Reillys office to see what kind of damage i had. I was told that i've got an Herniated L5/S1 Disc. Apperantly very painful and annoying pain. The doc went ahead and scheduled me an Cortisone steroid shot and on top of that he wrote me out a script for Ultram + Fexril. So, far after the medication i was OK, but the steroid shot is something that i think has been helping me out these past couple of weeks. It did great things for me, made me a little bloated. (water retention) went away 2 days after the shot. The steroid shot is very helpful in people with bad pain, please dont be afraid to take it, they give you an I.V. with a valium to help you not wig out with the shots. then give you a local Novacaine to help numb the area, after that they proceeded to give me the steroid shot, yes i felt a lot of pressure a little pain. I feel that this shot is a saver. Help this helps!!! NOTE: please people, dont go to doctors who insist on narcotics. They only cause addiction and family problems. A little pain medication from time to time to help fight pain is yeah, acceptable, but all the time every day is so bad. Please, Use non-addictive forms such as Ultram, Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve. - Sean Just wanted to let all of you know, that i’m going through the same amount of pain. I hurt my back about 1 year ago today doing a deadlift with my buddies in the gym, the amount of weight i was trying to deadlift was apperently too much for my back(a busting 455lbs). When i lifted up with the 455lbs, i felt my back give out. I feel back dropping the bar and my buddies lifted my up very carefuly. As i was not in very much pain during the day until night time came. I woke up around 12AM in very bad pain in my lower butt & left hamstring along with lower back pain(bad pain). I went ahead and went about my night in bad pain taking my Motrin. As i woke up the next morning, still feeling very horrable. I proceeded to go to the Emergency Room. I saw a very nice doctor on call that was very helpful, he prescribed me a Lortab 7.5(narcotic) & prescription strength Motrin which was 600mg. Told me to rest for about a 2wks and if i didnt improve go to see a spine specialist..well 2wks later after i’ve rested and taking all of my pain medication, which i was written out for 40 Lortab 7.5′s. My back was still hurting, bad. I went to see my local family doctor in Thorntown, IN. Dr. Shank. Great doc by the way. He helped me out a lot, prescribing me a predinosolone steroid for 15 days. I proceeded to take that thinking everything would heal up after a month. After a month of taking the steroid(oral) i still was very much in pain no relief what-so-ever. I went ahead and called him back and told him that i’m still in pain. He went ahead and refered me to a spine specialist in Kokomo, IN Dr. Reilly M.D.. As i saw him the following week for an emergency visit, he sent me right up to the hospital for an M.R.I.(very long test). After that was done i went back home, then drove all the way back to Dr. Reillys office to see what kind of damage i had. I was told that i’ve got an Herniated L5/S1 Disc. Apperantly very painful and annoying pain. The doc went ahead and scheduled me an Cortisone steroid shot and on top of that he wrote me out a script for Ultram + Fexril. So, far after the medication i was OK, but the steroid shot is something that i think has been helping me out these past couple of weeks. It did great things for me, made me a little bloated. (water retention) went away 2 days after the shot. The steroid shot is very helpful in people with bad pain, please dont be afraid to take it, they give you an I.V. with a valium to help you not wig out with the shots. then give you a local Novacaine to help numb the area, after that they proceeded to give me the steroid shot, yes i felt a lot of pressure a little pain. I feel that this shot is a saver. Help this helps!!! NOTE: please people, dont go to doctors who insist on narcotics. They only cause addiction and family problems. A little pain medication from time to time to help fight pain is yeah, acceptable, but all the time every day is so bad. Please, Use non-addictive forms such as Ultram, Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve.

- Sean

]]> By: Sherrie http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Sherrie Sun, 28 Mar 2004 12:44:46 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-101 My husband had surgery on his lower disc Dec.2004. His sciatic pain went away, but now he can't bend forward and when he sits he is in extreme pain. He can barely get up. It has ruined his life. He started a new Physical therapist and they are trying to figure out why he can't bend forward. We don't know what to do. My husband had surgery on his lower disc Dec.2004. His sciatic pain went away, but now he can’t bend forward and when he sits he is in extreme pain. He can barely get up. It has ruined his life. He started a new Physical therapist and they are trying to figure out why he can’t bend forward. We don’t know what to do.

]]> By: Darla http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-100 Darla Sat, 27 Mar 2004 19:46:26 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-100 Hello, I have been trying to figure out if I should get the cortizone injections that my doctor has recommended. I'm very scared of the potentually adverse side effects of this treatment. I do not know what to do. I've read through everyones comments but still am unsure of what to do or expect. I would appreciate any additional information or experiences that may help me in making my decision. Thank you in advance for your help. I suffer with, neck, back and leg pain. I have been diagnosed with a degenerative diease affecting my spine and also have fibromyalgia. I am worried that the injections will trigger fibromyalgia pain, which symptoms are muscle pain and spasms. I have discussed this all with my mother, who I knew had a cortizone shot. She relayed that she had an injection which was the cause of her being paralized for six months when I was a child. I knew about her being paralized for a brief period but did not know the cause until now. I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience or of any other adverse side effects. Please I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks and I wish everyone help with your own individual health problems and relief from pain. Take care. Hello, I have been trying to figure out if I should get the cortizone injections that my doctor has recommended. I’m very scared of the potentually adverse side effects of this treatment. I do not know what to do. I’ve read through everyones comments but still am unsure of what to do or expect. I would appreciate any additional information or experiences that may help me in making my decision. Thank you in advance for your help. I suffer with, neck, back and leg pain. I have been diagnosed with a degenerative diease affecting my spine and also have fibromyalgia. I am worried that the injections will trigger fibromyalgia pain, which symptoms are muscle pain and spasms. I have discussed this all with my mother, who I knew had a cortizone shot. She relayed that she had an injection which was the cause of her being paralized for six months when I was a child. I knew about her being paralized for a brief period but did not know the cause until now. I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience or of any other adverse side effects. Please I would really appreciate any advice. Thanks and I wish everyone help with your own individual health problems and relief from pain. Take care.

]]> By: mike http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-99 mike Tue, 16 Mar 2004 19:58:51 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-99 I am 30 years old and i have a bulging disc L5 S1.I was a very active person and I stress WAS. I was working three jobs and going to the gym daily. I woke up one morning with excruciating pain down my left leg. After getting an MRI a year ago, I am now going for an epidural shot. I've tried everything from chiro, pt, acupunture, stretches, etc. etc. The pain has been more intense recently which has led me to make the decision on getting the shots. A friend of mine with 3 herniated discs had 3 shots and it helped him greatly. I'm aiming for a normal life and will do whatever it takes to get it. I go in next Tues for the first shot. Will keep you posted on my progress. I am 30 years old and i have a bulging disc L5 S1.I was a very active person and I stress WAS. I was working three jobs and going to the gym daily. I woke up one morning with excruciating pain down my left leg. After getting an MRI a year ago, I am now going for an epidural shot. I’ve tried everything from chiro, pt, acupunture, stretches, etc. etc. The pain has been more intense recently which has led me to make the decision on getting the shots. A friend of mine with 3 herniated discs had 3 shots and it helped him greatly. I’m aiming for a normal life and will do whatever it takes to get it. I go in next Tues for the first shot. Will keep you posted on my progress.

]]> By: Susan http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/2002/12/a-nice-shot-in-the-spine/comment-page-1/#comment-98 Susan Tue, 16 Mar 2004 03:54:33 +0000 http://www.aaronjen.org/dad/?p=44#comment-98 In Jan of this year I hurt my lower back at work, I tried PT, vioxx and muscle relaxers with some relief except for PT made my back hurt more. After month of all this the dr decided to do a MRI{lol, lets get a diagnosis after we try to treat it, like a mechanic would try to fix a car without finding whats wrong with it}, and found that I have a bulging disc. Dr said I was not a canadite for surgery yet and recommended epidural shots. Well after reading this site and others I have decided not to have them. By the sounds of it they are only temporary fixes to a greater problem. To me the risk of more pain without relief out weigh the slim chance of relief without a cure. Also found in the MRI was arthritis and degenerative disc disease and what I have read about cortisone shots is that it can cause more degeneraition of the disc. From what I have read most people who get the shots have little or no relief with the shots. So for now I will continue with the medications and exercises and hope for the best. Susan In Jan of this year I hurt my lower back at work, I tried PT, vioxx and muscle relaxers with some relief except for PT made my back hurt more. After month of all this the dr decided to do a MRI{lol, lets get a diagnosis after we try to treat it, like a mechanic would try to fix a car without finding whats wrong with it}, and found that I have a bulging disc. Dr said I was not a canadite for surgery yet and recommended epidural shots. Well after reading this site and others I have decided not to have them. By the sounds of it they are only temporary fixes to a greater problem. To me the risk of more pain without relief out weigh the slim chance of relief without a cure. Also found in the MRI was arthritis and degenerative disc disease and what I have read about cortisone shots is that it can cause more degeneraition of the disc. From what I have read most people who get the shots have little or no relief with the shots. So for now I will continue with the medications and exercises and hope for the best.
Susan

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