Have you got a doctor with whom you can discuss your pain medication? It sounds like the fentanyl patches may be an option for you. It's not necessary to live with pain in this day and age, and you've certainly got the evidence of the injury that caused the situation you're in. You HAVE to talk to your doctor, and you HAVE to obtain some suitable medication.
According to the specialist I saw on Friday, the CT guided facet joint injections are useless. In a couple of weeks, I'll be getting these nerves blocked using an X ray fluroscopy procedure. If that works, then I'll get radio frequency nerve ablation done on them.
Got my CT results yesterday. Absolutely no abnormalities in the area of L1/L2. In fact, all scans show me has having a very healthy spine.
Hello,I'm a 34yr old female that had a compressed Fracture to my L1....in a snow ski... accident. Jan.02.2009..were my family and I were we coulndt get emergency personal..on mobile Phone...to make story short..got to hospital CRYING IN EXTREEEMMM...PAIN...they gave me a morfine....shot...got mri ct-scan..got admitted to hospital...they relesed me two days after with a brace....and was Sent home in PAIN....vikidin.....Was the only thing that took the pain away....but I don't drink anything..and I'm in Pain when I walk when sit and I've never woke up feeling that I've had a good sound night of sleep...my doctor send me to a pain managment clinic....but I got upset at him. ...for telling me that ther was nothing else he could do....and I haven't gone back to see NO...doctors I've been a very hard person to live with I'm always in a mad mood....because I'm in PAIN....
It's getting worse. I'm now aware of L1/L2 even when I'm not touching it. This is the first time that this has happened in 23 years.
Note that until the 1st of Sept 2010, I didn't even know that L1/L2 was the source of the pain. I got a periradicular injection on that day that gave me a couple of days relief.
I gave extra info 5 DAYS ago. why am I waiting again?
Extra info. I'm 5'10" (175cm) and weigh 176lbs (80kg). So I'm not overweight. Have a reasonably physical job, two young children, and regularly swim up to 1km, so at 45, I'm about as fit as my lifestyle will permit. Don't smoke or drink.
First, I think we need to disregard all areas except L1/L2. The disc at this level, is sore and tender WHEN PRESSED. There is no discomfort here when it's not touched. To my untrained mind, the lack of extended relief from the periradicular injections, can be traced to the fact that these injections do not treat the SOURCE area. They're only temporarily trying to stop the referred pain. Standing and walking aggravate the condition. But I can swim a kilometer with little discomfort. When I wake in the morning, I wake pain free. It is movement that triggers the pain.
So what I'm looking for a health professional to think about.
Soreness and tenderness in the area of L1/L2 when it's manipulated.
Whatever the condition is - it does not show on an MRI or CT.
Note. MRI was done 10 months ago. Had a CT last week. Have not seen a doctor yet to discuss the results.
Referred pain along the periradicular nerve aggravated by walking and standing. Laying down reduces the discomfort.
So what condition can cause this soreness while not being detected by imaging technology. Is it possible to have swelling and aggravation BETWEEN the disc and the vertebrae, and is there any minimally invasive techniques for treating these areas?
I have an appointment with a leading rehabilitation doctor in the coming weeks (Feb 4).
Being an Australian, I have the distinct advantage of the national health system, which means most general practitioner consultations are free. I can get x-rays, CT scans, and bone density tests done for free. Bone scans and MRI's are easily available, and well within the reach of virtually everyone. All of which I've had, and none show any abnormality over and above the normal deterioration that would be expected for my 45 years.
I have the MRI on the computer on which I'm typing this. I can transfer images onto pdf or jpg files. Is there any way that I can post any of them here?
Dear Wilso,
Am sorry as i was unavailable for 5 days, Hence was not able to answer you.
What surprises me is the fact that you have taken steroid injections into so many regions, and still no relief. To be frank, this is a poor sign. Also an area of concern is the normal MRI report.
Doctors face huge difficulty in treating conditions, when there are no co-relation of the symptoms and the scan findings. The same is the challenge with your case.
Good part is that you have done physiotherapy, but again the sad part is the pain it has caused you.
Have you taken some 2 weeks rest? Coz it's most important to know if your body needs rest or not.
I would again prefer you to have a re-consultation with your Pain Clinic Specialist (Doctor), else a second opinion, as orthopaedicians or other specialist are helpless.
I would like you to discuss with them about few medicines like - Cyanocobalamine , Lopoic acid, Gabapentine ,etc.
I am not able to suggest you any oral medications presently as i have not examined you hence am giving you the options, you need to discuss with your consulting doctor.
I hope i have briefed you about the basic issues.
Please discuss further, as i need to cover more points, of your concern.
Regards
Further info. Pain extends from the right lumbar area, laterally and around to the abdomen.