Help - new back patient - and lost

[racergaldar]

I've had 11 epidural injections and with conscience sedation it was a piece of cake. You're awake, but you don't remember. When I had an EMG, it was excrutiating, so if I can easily tolerate the injections.......

Before you go, make sure they provide sedation. I've heard others didn't have it; so if the dr. doesn't provide it, go to someone else.

[johnb]

That's funny that you mention the sedation. The lady who did the majority of mine didn't use sedation and I didn't know it was an option. 6 weeks into my dynesys surgery was when the bilateral nerve pain/burning and weakness started and I elected to see if an injection might calm things down. Due to the hardware, my PM said it would have to be done caudally so I'm glad sedation was an option. I'm glad I wasn't awake for that.

When I was young (4 to 5), I had a blood disorder, lymphoblastic leukemia, which required a lot of needle sticking so I guess I just became used to needles on a weekly basis. Various professionals over the years always remarked on how calm I've been with various procedures. In fact, the fellow that gave me the discogram remarked that I had the highest pain tolerance that he'd ever seen. I'm not sure about that but my mom did refuse pain medication at the hospital when she fractured her ankle (the nurses thought she was crazy) so it could be a family thing. The discogram occured after my IDET so perhaps it did seal some things up. I need to get my full medical record to look at it for myself. Point being is that my L5/S1 was not concordant for pain and it looks sick on the MRI for sure. L4/L5 was somewhat concordant but not awful so who knows really, I can only speculate. Can a disc be sick looking and not be painful? It most certainly can.

The blood disorder went into remission on its on and my pediatrician just said it was a one of those things that some would call a miracle.

John

[Jakea222]

I have another question - While I wait another 12 days for my injections I have been pretty hard core in doing Physical Therapy. I go to a place and then I do it at home on my own -- I have 2 PTs and the younger chick (sorry just a term ladies) she is real good about -especially after a hard day on the line to ease me out of the severe pain I am in - the other is in my opinion too gentle -

So here is my question - is PT a good thng - what I mean by that if you are trying to strengthen the muscles but they tell you not to do things that hurt - well I hurt all of the time....see my problem. As a former "guy that worked out and had a washboard stomach and some cut BEFORE I GOT MARRIED AND BECAME A CHEF" ha that was a little humor. I used to work out to burn and have thet muscle soreness....so how do you build it without burning it OR not creating pain while doing it ----- boy I just read it and it spins around but has a question....tell me your opinions....Chef G

[johnb]

I'm a believer in PT. However, it took me awhile to find a good one. Additionally, I think some just have a special talent for it like a certain intuition or something. My PT used a technique called strain counterstrain. He always wanted to view an MRI abstract if available. PT's cannot diagnose but he knew more about what was cuasing my pain than any MD I saw at that time. I was 24, diagnosed with disc disease at L4 to S1 with some bulging, some annular tears but still with good disc height at both levels. I had no nerve related symtoms at the time. My pelvis would get out of alignment which caused pain. He'd press on different muscles and I'd give feedback on which ones were painful when palpitated. Then he'd put my body in a position where there was no tension on that muscle and put pressure on that muscle for 1.5 minutes. This did something to release that muscle that was pulling my pelvis. The muscles that were in this state were described by him to be in a state of dysfuntion and needed to be reset. Once these muscles were reset, he'd instruct me on stabalization exercises that go from level 1, 2, and so on. Before meeting him, I was very scared due to persistant pain at such a young age with surgeons telling me not to have surgery. He helped me out tremendously. Out of the 6 PT's or so that I've worked with, he was the only one that helped me. God bless Tim McMahon.

So it really depends on your particular issues I suppose. It makes sense to have a strong core to support your spine. If your muslces aren't doing their jobs, your spine is going to be under more strain.


John

[mmglobal]

I've always had bad luck with PT. It always seemed to set me off.

I think it's important for some. Most people are going to return to a fitness level and activity level based on who they are and what their recovery is like. Getting early return to gentle range of motion is important and some people really need to be retrained in how they stand, lift, etc...

Many of us suffer from alignment problems and muscle spasms that can be improved quickly by a good PT (or aggravated by an overly agressive one.)

Let is know how it goes...

Mark

[Maria]

I've had only one really good PT work with me post my failed discectomy in '92and he utilized many of the techniques of Osteopathic doctors with myofascial release and of course strain/counterstrain however it was his ability to really feel where the problem was and deal with it at a very precise level. I've not ever had anyone that skilled work with me in that way.

I was fortunate to see this PT for a year and over that year plus utilizing ESIs and pain meds I really made progress in terms of pain relief and mobility. Now that was going from complete bedrest and only up to BR and kitchen to able to walk on beach again, have some fun, and be more social.


Oh well, just wanted to chime in on PT. With regard to my knee surgery I had very good success with the PT's that worked with me.

[Jakea222]

well - pt has been good and bad and has made me feel good some days and terrible others. I go for injections Monday - keep your fingers crossed for me - Chef g