epidural for low back pain work?

[luvdolphins58]

I had MRI of neck and low back. I have several issues like surgery time. Has anyone had benefits from epidural?  I'm trying to find out best way deal with this. Epidural?  Back and neck surgery?  Live on pain pills rest of life?  The way i see it none are options I want. Even surgery could make worse still live on pills. Help anyone have experienced this

[luvdolphins58]

Thank you for responding. I have plates and screws in my arm holding together. The low back and neck has been on going yrs. Yes i am firm believer in swimming for pain. However now pain is so bad any movement is excruciating. Dr's has even said how am I functioning and without pain meds. Again I stated swimming is better than physical therapy or anything else. But now at a point cannot swim. So something has to be done. I'm not thrilled with any of my options.

[treedr]

Hi Luv,
I've done them all. 3 cervical fusions, 2 low back surgeries. Still have pain so have done epidurals many times. I finally realized, die to the specific pattern of pain that a lot of my low back and leg pain is from my SI joints. Had shots in them and it lasted 10 months. But the doc's never id'ed the pain pattern before. I did that. Low back surgery, in my experience, is not as successful as cervical. I'd go for the new "prosthetic discs" if I were to do surgery again. My neck is plated and screwed.

All in all, staying active is your very best way of handling chronic pain. I lived with mine for a long time without drugs.

[vshiav]

I am probably not a good one to ask.  I have had them on and off for three years with no luck.  They never help me, other people say they have helped.   I have multiple issues with my spine, so, it just may not work for me

[luvdolphins58]

I forgot to mention I was dependent on Percocet 5 yrs from shoulder and arm surgeries  so yes I found out hard way of ct detox is hell on earth. I never want to experience again.