Hello all

[Patti2005]

I am hoping to get information and support through this group. I was involved in a head on car accident this past June. I have some herniated disks in the low back L3/4/5 and in the neck as well C3/4. I have been experiencing low back pain, shooting pains in the leg - mostly the left leg. I also received many contusions, sprained left foot, and tons of bruising from the airbag. I have tried physical therapy and after that did not work, I tried NUCCA chiropractic. I recently stopped going to the chiropractor as he suggested there was probably more damage to my back and he suggested I get it checked out again. Another MRI(first one on the neck in Sept 11) showed significant disk herniation. I have an extremely high pain tolerance(I get fillings drilled out and replaced without novacaine- yes it hurts a tad) so much of what pain I do have may be severe to others but not to me. When I experience pain I know something is very wrong.

I am scheduled to have injections this coming wednesday. I have heard these only work in about 20% of the people who have tried them. Any input from anyone? What can I expect?

Thanks, Patti

[Pbchoclovr]

Hi Patti!to the site. You've found a place where you can get lots of information. The people here are the site are a wealth of information since we've all either been there done that or are going through it now. I know somewhere in the pre-surgery links there is a wealth of information about steriod injections.

I can't really speak to your upper back concerns, but I certainly understand the lower back issues. I'm glad you made through a head on car collision, albeit with injuries. From your explanation, you're going through all the right steps. To answer your question about the injections and what to expect, the whole experience should not be that bad if you have a high pain tolerance. (Just hearing you can having a filling without novacaine, Unbelievable!) You'll have some form of anesthesia (mine were under a general anesthesia where I was awake, but feeling good!) The whole process only takes about 10 to 15 minutes and you're done. They'll use an xray machine to locate the disc space(s) to be treated, insert the needle and meds, and you're done. They'll watch you for a period afterwards to make sure you're ok and then send you home. For a day or two you may have some soreness at the injection site, but that usually goes away quickly. With each of my injections, I found immediate relief from the pain I was experiencing down my leg. Like your doctor warned you, the results may not be long lasting. I had 4 injections. The longest lasted 3 weeks. The other three from 3 to 5 days before the pain returned. Other people get 6 months or more relief from the injections. If you appear to get some relief from your first injection but not complete relief, they will more than likely want to try a second injection, since you don't always get the full benefit from the first one.

Have you done physical therapy yet? They may send you off to do that while you're trying the injections.

Each case is different, but at some point if you've tried all the conservative treatments (pain meds, injections, PT, etc.), you may be referred to a surgeon for evaluation. Before that happens, though, you have to exhaust all the conservative treatments available for your specific situation. Only your doctors can determine what those are.

If you have any other questions, ask away. We're here to help and support!

Linda

[Patti2005]

Thank you Linda! I appreciate all the help and information anyone will give. It is nice to know there are people out there who can relate - although I wish none of us had to deal with any of this pain. I do have a very high pain tolerance so I am hoping all goes well. Who knows, maybe I will get lucky? But knowing my luck - probably not. lol I have tried physical therapy but it may have been too soon after the accident - I had alot of torn tendons and muscles and was not able to do any of the exercises they wanted me to try. I have been walking on the treadmill - which my PT said was ok, but I still get the pulling/pain sensation in my back and leg. I keep walking as I need the exercise! I am usually pretty sore the following day whenever I do any kind of exercise or try pushing myself. I am a stubborn person and even vacuuming can be a very tough chore. I have been dealing with daily housework chores by not doing them..lol You just never think how hard it is to unload a dishwasher until you have back issues...

Thanks for your advice and warm welcome Linda - very much appreciated!

Patti

[Fried-spine]

Hi Patti, I'm hoping the best for you in resolving both the low back and cervical area of your injury. I had 2 ESI (Epidural spinal injections) in my cervical spine after the 2nd accident yanked my fusion and the nerve roots were damaged from being rearended while at a stop light. As far as what you can expect is initally increased pain where the needle was placed. You'll be icing on and off for a few days, as far as my personal journey, initially I felt better within 48 hours. Then a week later, I no longer felt the pain relief. In my humble opinion, this is only a temporary fix at best. They perform these injections as much as a diagnostic tool as they do for an actual benefit for the patient. Basically it tells them whether or not your facet joints are giving you issue or not. Further, they performed a facet joint block on me that I felt terrific from IMMEDIATELY, but again the effects wore off very quickly. Since I already had a fusion in my cervical spine and it wasn't damaged, only the nerve root were, they performed what's called a rhizotomy where they "fry the nerves" exiting the spine that runs down your arm. (Hence the fried-spine handle I've given myself) BEST WISHES for a great outcome and let us know how you're fairing (I'm new here as well)

[Patti2005]

I had my injection on Wed, novacaine hurt like a beast but after that it was all pretty easy. I have no more pain in my left foot since the injection. Hopefully that will continue - it was very hard to walk decent. The doc could not perform the procedure on the C5 as intended - too much damage and no clearance for him to work around so up the back they went. I am still a little sore today but not too bad. I do have some nerve damage and I am experiencing some shooting pains in the rear - so we'll see how things go. I had a good nights sleep for a change so that was awsome! I hope I am one of the few percentage of people that this will work on...if not, at least I will know and it's on to the next step.

[Fried-spine]

Hi Patti, happy you're feeling better, good sleep is so important. Hoping you are in the "good" percentages too! Best wishes and hoping you continue to improve! Linda

[Pbchoclovr]

Hi Patti,

I'm so glad you were able to get some relief from the injections! Here's to crossing fingers that you get long term relief.

Keep us posted.

Linda