injections for lumbar pain

[strongworx]

I have a herniated (L-5,s-1) disc.Ten yrs now and I am broke over it.No insurance.I am thinking about these injections and understand they will probably need a mri along with the fluoroscope and the cost of the injections themselves.I have not seen anything too promising yet as for their effectiveness and dont know that I should waste the money(maybe as much as 5 grand with the MRI) on these things.I dont want drugs and will surely have to have some surgery when I can find a way to cover the costs.Has anyone here had them?How lond did they last?What was the overall cost?I am 43 and at my wits end.Thanks.  Mark Nacci

[jagator]

Hey.. I am sorry to say but it does seem she is addicted to pain meds. I have several family members that take these oxys and roxys.. it just leads them to wanting more. There are soooooo many doctors out there that are in the business of just writing prescriptions. That is sad but true. My husband goes for surgery tomorrow and I have been assured by the doctor that he will not need to be on pain meds for over 3 weeks. If she is still in pain she needs to find another alternative NOT take those meds. Good luck to you.. I will pray for her.

[Judy905]

I am so scared...I have my first epidoral scheduled for this Sat. I have degenerative disc disease protrusions at c5-6 and c6-7.  After reading all the above I am just so confused!!  I am not sure how long I can live in this pain.  Dr recommended surgery, but I am not ready for that yet.  41 years old.  Then he told me about the shots...Please someone tell me that they work!!  My left arm is usless right now.  Tried the chiropractor and PT...only caused much more pain.  Help.

[ladyarwen646]

For all of you who have gone through surgery, are you taking pain medications still. I am curious because my mother in law has had surgery for her back and she still has chronic pain and as a result she is now on oxicotin, 360 mg a day and roxycodone, 90 mg a day and I now believe that she is seriously addicted to them. I am just curious if she is addicted to them because the surgery did not work or if she has just convinced everyone that the surgery did not work because she wanted stronger meds, she was taking hydrocodine before the surgery. Anyways if you are taking pain medications or have tried them do they work for the pain? I would like to know how are you still able to work because she has a doctor saying that she is 100% disabled but she can walk and move about even when she runs out of medications. I do not doubt at all that she is in pain but I want to know if she is in as much pain as she says she is and if she could possibly go in for another surgery to aleviate the pain. I want her to get the courage to get off of the pain meds because it has really seemed to ruin her life she is 49 years old, and now has COPD and has to be on oxygen for the rest of her life, and she has only been on the meds for 4 years, it terrifies me to think of what will become of her. At this point all she seems to care about are the meds and does not go to any other doctor other than he pain management doctor. Please help with any advice.

Thank you
Ladyarwen646

[toolmaker]

I have DDD.Last March I had cervical fusion on C3,C4&C5.Fusion worked but my left thumb is still numb.Ortho said permanant nerve damage.September another
MRI now I have C1&C2 going bad and T1 and L5&S1.Ortho ordered 3 epidurals in a 6 mo. period.After 2 and no releif I quit.Insurance was billed 1350.00 ea. for the blind epidurals.I started going to a Chriopractor who has really helped.Yes I am still in pain but now I can walk.I am self employed therefore I must work.Chiro is still working on me in cojunction with a pain clinic.I have had 2 Flouroscopic Epidurals/Caudel SNRB in the past 2 weeks.It seems to help some and I have another scheduled in 4 weeks before another evaluation.These procedures cost 2130.00 ea.I have been told this will not cure the problem only help control the pain.I can't afford the down time for surgery because it would close my business.All that I know to do is continue this routine and wait for Gods miracle of healing.

[idesofmarch]

FYI    I said that there is usually surgery for herniated disks, Not a doctor.  I just have to say that an orthopedic Surgeon is taking care of my son.  He has a huge herniated disk in the lower back that stick out of his skin and can easilly be felt through touch.  His Surgeon did suggest doing the shot with dye and xray first to just see if it would help. The surgeon did it himself and waved his fee because my son does not have any means of payment.  He told my son that he didn't really think it would work but wanted to see if it would help at all.  It did not and now that sugeon will be during surgery on my son.  Many doctors try many things before an invasive surgery has to be done and in the long run it wastes time and money and the end result is still surgery. Been through it myself, done it, seen it with others and had years of these experiences and don't want to do it again!

[BeenThere/StillThere/Seen/DoneItAll]

I do not agree that Injections are a waste of money/time.

They may not work for everyone but they DO! work for a large percentage.

Whoever told you or anyone the only way to fix a Herniated/Buldging disc was with surgery was most likely either a Surgeon or someone who was told by a Surgeon.

WHAT DO SURGEONS DO? I know one thing they dont do:Selective nerve root blocks or Injections.

They are not in business to lose business.

A S.N.R.B can identify if surgery may fix the problem.

they can let you know if what is on the MRI is your problem.

They can shrink Discs!!!!! If your surgeons tell you otherwise make them put it writing. See a Lawyer then Plan retirement!!! Injections are not cheap, but not outrageous either.$150-450 done under X-Ray.

29 years of Hell w/neck,thorasic and lumbar disc problems A gross mistrust of people and 181 I.Q. have made me rather versed on the subject of backs.

When I went to see DR. for upper back pain I asked " Is it possible that I have a disc buldge/herniation/protrusion in my T-4-T-5 area"? His answer within' 2 seconds was " there is no chance" after Mri's in every area but Thorasic level with no abnormalities. I was as polite as I could be when he said "there is nothing wrong with you go back to work" I replied "give me an MRI of my Thorasic vert. if nothing is there I will walk away and let the world know what a amazing Doc. you are" he said " your on" fast forward 3 weeks. Back to his office for MRI follow-up(went to imaging clinic before Appt. for report)Severe disc protrusion T-4-T-5 levels. he came in sat down looked at report and said "I wondered if there might be a problem in your Thorasic Vert." That was ten years ago I just yesterday managed to pick my chin off the floor.I recounted his "no chance" quote for him. then asked him "if he knew what the chances are that I would go to the newspapers and file suit were" he said "very good" I replied "no chance" he said "great" I then said "you are a very well educated man you are a DR. after all,I am only a high school grad,If you could be wrong. I would bet the farm I am" "never say never, I will see your ass in court. Settled! I took the long way to a point. Nobody knows You like You. never settle, 3rd opinions, research and They dont know it all!!!!
GOOD LUCK

[misnger]

I have to talked to many people about this and I will not have the shots!  All it does is create scar tissue around the injection spot.  Later your in worse shape than when you started.
Good Luck in what you choose & I hope you dad gets better.

[broke123]

if u go to an ortho doctor, u can get a cortizone injection. the one i work for charges 190$ for visit and maybe another 20-50$ for an injection. sometimes he doesnt even charge for it. cortizone provides some realief.
which injections r u askin about?
i know for a fact epidoral injections help. i dont know how much they go for without insurance.
my boss himself had L4/L5 herniation and had 1 epidoral injection 10 years ago. has no problems since.
and when it comes to u gettin a job. common. ur a grown man. there are plenty of jobs u can do sitting down. i know someone who works as a night dispatcher for a towing company and makes 250$ a night. u can deffenetly live on that.
when there is a will there is a way.

[idesofmarch]

Until you can help yourself atleast you are with your Father while he is sick.  That is a blessing in disguise, don't ya think. I just lost my Dad and was able to be a help to him for awhile and then my 28 yr. old son took over his care for his last month on this earth. Do you both believe in God? He was & still is my strength & my hope. Try prayer if you haven't already.  Jesus died for all of us and He wants to have a relationship with each one of us too.  Talk to Him like you would talk to a best friend; there isn't anything you can tell Him that He doesn't already know-But He still wants to hear it from you-The Good & Bad I send this post with a prayer of The Hope of Jesus in both your lives. May God's peace be with you.

[strongworx]

My problem started 10 yrs ago.I have tried everything but accupuncture and may give it a try.I just wanted some relief knowing that these shots are only temporary.I have lost everything and am living with my 75yr old father.He has cancer.When he goes,Im  living in my car.Thats it.I can sit all day and the pain is managable but I cant make a living sitting down with a high school education,at least not right off the bat.I am looking into "medical tourism" and having fusion surgery out of the country.I`m not sure how I will come up with money for it but at least it gives me hope.Thanks for all of your responces.  Mark

[idesofmarch]

The shots for a bulging disk with nerve involved did not work at all, in fact a few shots made it worse.  Shots for other back problems sometimes show improvement. The more shots you get actually starts to wear down your bones, I heard after the fact. My husbands L5S1 disk ruptured into the nerve root.  He had sciatica and some leg function problems.  We were lucky enough to have a great surgeon here in MO. that is famous for doing laser surgery for many back problems.  My husband surgery lasted 25 min. and he was able to walk up our 20 plus stairs up to our home less than 6 hrs later.  He was given meds for pain and spasms which I forced him to take (he is such a baby).  He hasn't had any problems with that disk since. He does continue to go to a chiro. when needed because anytime you have a weak disk it will effect the neighboring disks. He used to miss alot of work before surgery and he has only missed a few days with other back problems since surgey.  He was allowed back to work and could lift 25lbs just 3 weeks after surgery.  This surgeon has a very high success rate and he won't touch anyone if he can't give them atleast a 75% success rate.

[strongworx]

Thanks for the info.I used to go to Chiro,had enough and only go when I have a"blow out".I cant work more than 4hrs now and hoped to try shots just to buy back some ability to work more(to say nothing of sleep).I will have to do something about surgery cuz if I dont,I will be living in a shoe soon.Broke.You didnt say weather the shots helped though.So far I havnt seen many good reports.I really am desperate and am going to try them anyway.Along with it,I will also have a fresh MRI(last one 3yrs ago) to present to other doctors.So at least maybe Ill get more bang for the buck that way.Please write about how well the shots did for you.Thanks again  Mark

[strongworx]

Also,what kind of surgery did you undergo?Your husbands?Curious.Thanks   Mark

[specialhorse]

have you ever tried going to physical therapy it really woked for me but every now and then a little pain I have  problems in L4-5

[idesofmarch]

Don't waste your money.  I had to have surgery for my L5S1, there really isn't any other way to fix it.  My husband also had the surgery last year. I have had appox 21 shots since 1986. They do it in rounds of 3 every 3 weeks you get a shot (if you don't need the last one you save it for if you do) You are allowed only 3 shots a year.  They cost approx 2,000.00 in the Mid-west. each shot. Mine are done in the office of a pain management facillity and the Dr. is a anistecioligist(spelled wrong) I had my surgery in 85 after a long year of misdiagnoises. Due to the nerve being pinched that much I have had periodic sciatic nerve pain since.  Thank God for insurance!  You would be in much better shape if you saved your money to put towards surgery as soon as possible. Call around to the hospitals, some have so called charity funds for people in need of treatment. My son will be having back surgery soon and his is a charity case. His legs are so numb that he loses function. He has no $, owns nothing like a car or home. He just started a new job that doesn't offer insurance. Don't give up with just the hospitals. Call some doctors, ask the staff detailed questions, go to a teaching hospital, find out anything you can.  one name can lead to another. I feel for you I know your pain all to well. In the mean time maybe a chiropractor can ease some of your symptoms, but don't go back more than 6 times if you're not getting good relief.