Headed back to CO to see for more injections

[laid up doc]

my disc never looked that bad either, but annular tears can produce some of the worst disc pain there is... per every spine doc I've talked to.

again - i would talk to Desai about biacuplasty -- you can get it outside the trial if you pay since it's FDA approved. it's a ***** of a recovery though -- 2 months in a brace then a ton of PT... but if it works you will probably do well. he has great results w/ it if he thinks you're a good candidate.

[dentalrebel]

Well I've had a sympathetic block today with Clonidine. I'm pain free right at the moment. Sore at injection sites. Tomorrow I'm having Lyftogt procedure done. Basically, it's the injection of dextrose sub Q to turn off individual switches that cause pain. Works on unmyelinated c fibers which are thought to be a huge source of pain. Lots of promise here. I'll keep you posted.

[laid up doc]

did a bit of googling and it looks like Lyftogt procedure is the same thing as prolotherapy?

doubt it has any risk beyond any other needlestick... curious, how much do they charge for this?

[dentalrebel]

Not sure of the cost. Dr. Hanson did the injections. They are very superficial 1/4 inch under the skin. It did seem to help with trigger points. My husband has ordered some Prolo (spelling?) gel that we will use with an ultra sound.

As for my sympathetic blocks. The one on Monday did great on my left side about 50% on my right side. On Wednesday we did a second block and used Clonidine and got great coverage on both sides. I was completely out of pain for the first time in months.

It has since returned some. Left side is better. Right side some better. However, when it does hit it is like waves of pain that last for a few minutes then gets better. Dr. D has me doing some Mackenzie therapy that seems to be helping.

Enough about me how's your new job? and the back and legs?

[laid up doc]

well my first full shift isn't til 2/15... have some orientation tomorrow. foot is much better, but i tweaked something in my back in the gym and am having to tend to that. all muscular pain though... very similar to the course i followed after the biacuplasty really.

based on that, i'm hoping that the butt/back pain will be much better in a month or 2.

[dentalrebel]

Well, had a discogram on L4-L5 today. L5-S1 also. L5-S1 was pristine and perfect. L4-L5 is without a doubt my problem. Pain, with tear on right side. grade 3-5 there abouts. We are doing biacuplasty in tomorrow. Excited I know the source but scared too. I'll keep ya'll posted as to how it goes.

[laid up doc]

i take it biacuplasty is at Sibley? good luck... it's not a fun procedure since you have to be awake during the "lesioning" of the disc. remember to wear a fitted breathable shirt to wear under the brace!!

[Justin]

Good luck! I wish you the very best, Dental Rebel! We are here for you.

Well, had a discogram on L4-L5 today. L5-S1 also. L5-S1 was pristine and perfect. L4-L5 is without a doubt my problem. Pain, with tear on right side. grade 3-5 there abouts. We are doing biacuplasty in tomorrow. Excited I know the source but scared too. I'll keep ya'll posted as to how it goes.

[dentalrebel]

Laid up doc, I didn't have it done in Washington. I wound up seeing Dr. Kapural in Winston-Salem. Dr. Desai was great and it wasn't a knock on him, the logistics were just much better for me in North Carolina. Dr. Kapural was great also! He took a lot of time with me and explained everything. The discogram was 100% definitive. No doubt it was L4-L5 that was causing my problem. I had the discogram on Monday afternoon and the biacuplasty on Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't too bad, but I've been stuck so many times that I don't even flinch anymore! LOL!!! I'm doing ok so far. No pain relief yet, he said to not expect anything before week 4-6. He estimated a 70% chance of success. I'm trying to be as a good patient and do as I'm told. My core is so strong right now from all the PT, he said that I would have to take it easy because I may feel better than I really am, if that makes sense. Enough about me, how are you doing? how's the new job?

Justin, thanks for the encouragement! This site is a God Send and I really believe you were called to do this. As soon as I'm back on my feet, you can expect a contribution.

To everyone out there, there is hope. Keep fighting. God is good, all the time, God is good.

[ajj1001]

Good to hear that you got through the biacuplasty ok. Hope the time goes quickly so you can find out whether its been successful.