L4-L5 Tear Severe pain

[trinity007]

Hi I had a rupture lumbar disc L4-L5.  I had a Bilateral epidural last May and the pain lessen for about 2-3 months. I had a second set of injection last Nov and I have had no relief at all.  The doctor wanted me to consent to another set of injections 2weeks later but my pain and got worse.  I am allergic to any type of contrast thus I am usually given benadryl IV. The 1st time my vein was hardened,bruised, pain and discolored for 3weeks. The second time, the same arm, the vein is still discolored and the pain went away after 6 weeks.   As I said I am in a severe amount of pain.  My doctor says that the injections are my only options. But the steroids are running havoc on my body and the last one failed miserably.

I need more options!!! My current doctor is a neck & back/ pain management specialist.  Is there another type of specialist that may have other means?

P.S. I have numbness, tingling, stabbing and dull pain from my lower back sometimes to my heels throughout the day.

[gilbertmatt]

What does no water content mean doc?

[trinity007]

Hi. Since my last post.  My MRI revealed that my L4-L5 disc has no water content left in it at all.  I was also experiencing severe palpable pain.  I have had RFA on both sides of L3-L4-L5.  I had significant pain relief with that regard.  Now the disc is still main cause of pain particularly on the left side of L4-L5.  

I have never heard of IDD Therapy.  I will ask my doctor about it.  Thank you very much.

[falkirkbairn195711]

My advice to any one is surgery should not be considered!!! When you are at a low ebb you are looking for any relief,As someone whom has suffered for many years from lower back problems I know what your going through but keep your spirits up their will be light at the end of the tunnel.Three years ago i was layed up with disk problems which ment five months off work My treatment which got me back on my feet was IDD Therapy  I was booked in for surgery (Wallace implant) which I was adivised against by a neurosurgeon. I have now been pain free for almost two and a half years, Walking is a must I walk around forty miles a week and is best exercise you can get for someone with back problems.

[trinity007]

Thank You.  I had a another MRI on 1/31/12. I will not know the results until 02/14/12.  I am currently back in PT. My doctor wants to discuss surgery and is recommending discography.   I am worried about the prospect of surgery!!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, if the injections have not seemed to help and have resulted in symptoms, surgical or interventional measures may be worth considering at this stage. I would suggest consulting an orthopedician or a neurologist/ neurosurgeon for a detailed evaluation and suggestion of an appropriate management plan.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!