Shots In Spine

[WAKO/VN-65-66]

:) Next month I am going for cortisone shots in my back to releive the pain. Had one in my thumb the other day for a trigger finger. Got a local shot before cortisone shot and very painful, after that I was a littel concerned about the ones I will be getting in my spine. Getting it at the VA hospital, and have to go to surgery, they said, they use a xray to guide the needle, so as to not hit any nerves to cause any permenent paralisis. What do you guys think on this, any info would help. :)

WAKO

[purple]

How about trying a chiropractor before letting the VA stick needles in your back?

They are wonderful!!!

I used one for a neck injury....my sister, BIL, and nephew all use one for back issues (even after surgery didn't help)...and they get great relief.

Just a thought. Can't hurt.

If you do go that route, always get one that takes X-rays first!

[sixthscents]

Nerve blocks, and steroid shots only ever helped temporarily. Going to a chiropractor would have made it even worse. I took a ocnservative route, but after a year I couldn't handle it anymore and the surgeries started. Where they will end, well who knows?

In the end your case is your case and dependent upon how you feel. Once I had injured my spinal chord there was no going back, and maybe if I had taken the surgery option to start the spinal chord injury wouldnt have been so bad... who knows. Talk to your spouse, your family and do what seems right for you.

Its a terrible problem, that slowly takes away your life it seems. But look at it this way, the VA has really nice electric wheelchairs... and before ANYONE bashes me, I HAVE one. I am being sarcastic... but its a truely terrible situation. Good luck and God Bless, thats really the best I, or anyone can say.

[retiredat44]

In 2 weeks I am getting shots in my spine too to relive pain. My first surgery was 20 years ago. I had L4 disc removed, and have degenerative disc disease. I also suffer from myotonic Dystrophy and spent 6 months int he VA hospital for pancreas sugery to remove a cyst.

I am wondering if the spinal shots will be of help? I suppose they help some people more than others.. I am just looking for feedback.. I also have some forum posts here about my new claim... but those are other issues...

Thanx..

;)

Next month I am going for cortisone shots in my back to releive the pain. Had one in my thumb the other day for a trigger finger. Got a local shot before cortisone shot and very painful, after that I was a littel concerned about the ones I will be getting in my spine. Getting it at the VA hospital, and have to go to surgery, they said, they use a xray to guide the needle, so as to not hit any nerves to cause any permenent paralisis. What do you guys think on this, any info would help.

WAKO

[purple]

sixthscents-

have you been to a chrio for this condition? how do you know it would make it worse??

[SFCMoore]

In 2 weeks I am getting shots in my spine too to relive pain. My first surgery was 20 years ago. I had L4 disc removed, and have degenerative disc disease. I also suffer from myotonic Dystrophy and spent 6 months int he VA hospital for pancreas sugery to remove a cyst.

I am wondering if the spinal shots will be of help? I suppose they help some people more than others.. I am just looking for feedback.. I also have some forum posts here about my new claim... but those are other issues...

Thanx..

I have L4/L5 compression and went to the pain clinic (not related to the VA). They first gave me some temporary blockers applied to the nerves. This was to make sure that they got the proper ones. The following week the applied the real thing to temporally block the nerves. It worked for 3 months and then I had to go back and do it all over again. They were supposed to work for at least 6 months. They will do this until you cry UNCLE or do something else. In my case I said UNCLE and moved on to a pain path. I wish I never went to the patch as I am addicted and it is going to be a bear getting off it as they do not want you on them long term just because you will get " the monkey on your back" no pun intended. Fentanyl is an opium and is hard to come off.

[john999]

I had the steroid shots where they use the florescope. I received very little help. I have arthritus in my spine and the steroids do nothing for me to tell you the truth. They do help my pain doctor pay for his boat. For some people they work great. I would try it because you will probably be sore for a few days and then the steroids start to work. Watch out for mood changes and increase appetite. If you have chronic pain you have to just experiment, but if they get that knife out watch yourself. Conditions can be made worse like my damn shoulder which is much worse after the rotator cuff repair. The surgery was a success but now it hurts worse.