Lumbar Nerve Root Block woes.
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Lumbar Nerve Root Block woes.
After 15 years of lumber pain I finally found someone that would look at it again. The above procedure had to be done first and while the 30 minute procedure was okay, but the hospital visit was a nightmare. For me, really bad as I had vertigo on the same day. So, I was told I'd got a 7 hour wait!!! 15 hours without so much as a sip of water. I had a drip fitted, but it's all so unnecessary.
Now I'm much worse than I was. I had a fair amount of pain, but sadly, just couldn't risk lifting more than 20 pounds. Now I'm just plain F
ked. Hardly walk and it throbs even when resting. 6 weeks had gone by Not good, in all other respects I very, very lucky with my physical strength and heart/lung wit low BP etc., etc. All wasted on a body that has to creep round.
Anyone know if bad after affect will subside? I can put up with anything as long as I know it will get better, but this has go me worried.
The surgeon has said he'll operated on the basis I had two - three days blisfull relief. That means they've found the spot I suppose. However, after15 years I'm just about all in with this back of mine and don't think I can cope with it getting worse. Already on Tramadol and that takes the edge off, but leaves me feeling a bit odd.
Now I'm much worse than I was. I had a fair amount of pain, but sadly, just couldn't risk lifting more than 20 pounds. Now I'm just plain F
ked. Hardly walk and it throbs even when resting. 6 weeks had gone by Not good, in all other respects I very, very lucky with my physical strength and heart/lung wit low BP etc., etc. All wasted on a body that has to creep round.Anyone know if bad after affect will subside? I can put up with anything as long as I know it will get better, but this has go me worried.
The surgeon has said he'll operated on the basis I had two - three days blisfull relief. That means they've found the spot I suppose. However, after15 years I'm just about all in with this back of mine and don't think I can cope with it getting worse. Already on Tramadol and that takes the edge off, but leaves me feeling a bit odd.
LR
Very sorry to hear of your woes. I am a fellow sufferer of chronic low back pain, with a history of multiple failed back surgery trying to cure disc lesions. From my experience as a patient, I would advise you to get the problem located with diagnostic imaging. Disc tissue does not show up well on conventional x-rays, so you will probably need MRI scans with contrast medium injected. I guess you already have all this in place, if the doctor is treating you with epidurals. If the problem can be fixed by surgery, go to a NEUROSURGEON - not an orthopaedic surgeon.
My last round of surgery seems to have been successful, but I am left with the legacy of long term skeletal trouble, with uneven wear on hips, knees, and signs of osteoarthritis. Ooh the joys of getting older...
You have had the trouble for 15 years, so it's not going away on its own. The surgery is not without risk. You know what your quality of life is at the moment - so you can make an informed decision.
MODS - are we in the correct forum?
Very sorry to hear of your woes. I am a fellow sufferer of chronic low back pain, with a history of multiple failed back surgery trying to cure disc lesions. From my experience as a patient, I would advise you to get the problem located with diagnostic imaging. Disc tissue does not show up well on conventional x-rays, so you will probably need MRI scans with contrast medium injected. I guess you already have all this in place, if the doctor is treating you with epidurals. If the problem can be fixed by surgery, go to a NEUROSURGEON - not an orthopaedic surgeon.
My last round of surgery seems to have been successful, but I am left with the legacy of long term skeletal trouble, with uneven wear on hips, knees, and signs of osteoarthritis. Ooh the joys of getting older...
You have had the trouble for 15 years, so it's not going away on its own. The surgery is not without risk. You know what your quality of life is at the moment - so you can make an informed decision.
MODS - are we in the correct forum?
Last edited by CISTRS; 3rd Apr 2015 at 03:19. Reason: Maybe in wrong forum.
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I sympathise, after huge back, thigh and femur injury in late '70's. Have had a lifetime of issues. Two lumbar vertebrae have been fused, but that has led to disc displacement above and below site of original damage.
Biggest gain I made was finding an excellent surgeon who was willing to work with an excellent sports physiotherapist.
In essence, combined efforts have resulted in a well defined exercise regime that has balanced and massively strengthened core muscles.
Hurts like hell when you start, but result is worth it. Off of medication for first time in eleven years.
Biggest gain I made was finding an excellent surgeon who was willing to work with an excellent sports physiotherapist.
In essence, combined efforts have resulted in a well defined exercise regime that has balanced and massively strengthened core muscles.
Hurts like hell when you start, but result is worth it. Off of medication for first time in eleven years.
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Lumbar Nerve Root Block woes.
Sorry to hear of all this pain! I had lower back pain and sciatica for close to 20 years, and it ended up with a double discectomy at the L4/L5/S1 levels. All was good for a while, including a bout of really good Physio. However, pain slowly crept back into my life and a year ago I resigned myself to further surgery.
Was doing my usual research when I came across a book by Dr Sarno, 'Heal Your Back Pain'. Read it and slowly but surely the pain subsided, and a month later I was 95% pain-free. It's been a year since I took a tablet for back pain.
This may not work for everyone, but as has been mentioned above surgery can lead to further complications. there is quite a bit about Dr Sarno and his work on back pain online. Worth a look - it's free! BTW, I was purely a fellow sufferer - I gain nothing from spreading the word!
Best of luck
Was doing my usual research when I came across a book by Dr Sarno, 'Heal Your Back Pain'. Read it and slowly but surely the pain subsided, and a month later I was 95% pain-free. It's been a year since I took a tablet for back pain.
This may not work for everyone, but as has been mentioned above surgery can lead to further complications. there is quite a bit about Dr Sarno and his work on back pain online. Worth a look - it's free! BTW, I was purely a fellow sufferer - I gain nothing from spreading the word!
Best of luck
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For the last 15 years I found that if I was standing up or walking for over 40 minutes I would begin feeling lower back pain. If my uprightness continued for hours then the pain became chronic.
Then I did something several years ago which in hindsight turned out to be very unwise - I mixed and poured 5 ton of concrete with a shovel alone over 4 days, using incorrect posture and working through the initial back pain until I was numb to it - this just made things worse.
It got to the point that I was no longer able to enjoy my long walks, it even became an annoying hinderance trying to sleep.
I spoke to someone who taught Judo and he said my problem was caused by some of the muscles around my lower back being very weak - all due because my job involves lots of sitting in a chair. He gave me some exercises to do but I didn't find them to be of any benefit.
Then I stumbled across an article on the internet that suggested an easy way to alleviate this pain was to tuck in your stomach like you are tucking in at your belt buckle, just a little bit, only enough to feel a little bit of inward pressure - and it worked for me. Whenever I find myself upright for long periods of time and start feeling that numbing pain on my lower back I apply this technique and find I can alleviate it.
I'm back to walking long distances again and the hinderance to sleep has mostly gone.
Unfortunately I still want to pour another 2 ton of concrete at the rear of the holiday house - been putting that off for years.
Then I did something several years ago which in hindsight turned out to be very unwise - I mixed and poured 5 ton of concrete with a shovel alone over 4 days, using incorrect posture and working through the initial back pain until I was numb to it - this just made things worse.
It got to the point that I was no longer able to enjoy my long walks, it even became an annoying hinderance trying to sleep.
I spoke to someone who taught Judo and he said my problem was caused by some of the muscles around my lower back being very weak - all due because my job involves lots of sitting in a chair. He gave me some exercises to do but I didn't find them to be of any benefit.
Then I stumbled across an article on the internet that suggested an easy way to alleviate this pain was to tuck in your stomach like you are tucking in at your belt buckle, just a little bit, only enough to feel a little bit of inward pressure - and it worked for me. Whenever I find myself upright for long periods of time and start feeling that numbing pain on my lower back I apply this technique and find I can alleviate it.
I'm back to walking long distances again and the hinderance to sleep has mostly gone.
Unfortunately I still want to pour another 2 ton of concrete at the rear of the holiday house - been putting that off for years.
