Medical Question

lilsam · #1 06-11-2002, 08:47 AM

Dr wants to put cortezone in my spine for pain do you think I should or should I just put up with pain large needles scare me any suggestions??
Ps when in pain I ussally just drink a few presidentes they seem to help or after 3 or 4 I dont seem to mind the pain to much..

kjdrga · #2 06-11-2002, 08:58 AM

I have a co worker that had spinal surgery and from the scare tissue was in a lot of pain, after a series of 3 cortizone shots she is pain free and able to walk, sit, do everything better.

I am not a nurse but just passing along a sucess story.

R&JRivas · #3 06-11-2002, 09:34 AM

Hello Sam, I have had cortizone shots in past for my spine injury and they did not help. They give them in series of three within I think 6 to 9 month month period. I would give it a try if I was you, it sure beats back surgery which I have had four of also.

R&JRivas

linamia · #4 06-11-2002, 10:09 AM

I've had 3 back surgery and still live in pain, the cortisone shots did not help me at all, however, I have friends that swear by it. what helped me has been pain management and yoga. You have to find what works for you, so i have to say go ahead and try it, it just may help you. If it doesn't keep your mind open to alternatives. unless you want to try the alternatives first. good luck I hope soon you will be pain free.

la_rubia · #5 06-11-2002, 10:38 AM

Sammy,
I am afraid of needles and I have had the injections. It's alright.. If they will be injecting you in your spine, you won't even have to look at the needle. I have had about 6 injections in the past 2 years. I think I only looked at the needle once. No problem.

I have 3 ruptured discs and my sciatic (sp?) nerve is pinched. The injections have helped me. It isn't like magic that you are automatically better... all I think it does in take down swelling and help with pain management.

Good luck!

AtlantaBob · #6 06-11-2002, 10:48 AM

After many years of pain and going to all kinds of doctors I've found the only one that can help the pain is oneself. Mainly through exercise, stretching and some yoga as linamia said. Also, the Presidentes are a necessity. It's unbelievable the positions your body can get into when you are mashed (just kidding, don't try it).

MommC · #7 06-11-2002, 11:35 AM

the injections will be done in.
Mine is in the cervical spine and while there is a doctor doing the steroid injections (not cortisone) it is a high risk procedure for me requiring hopitalization,x-ray,and general anesthetic.Also the spectre of liver damage with long term use of the steroids.
I was told it was a much simpler and more common procedure in the lumbar spine area with little risk and sometimes great benefit.
The drs. don't know if it will alleviate the pain until they have actually tried the procedure. As AB said each individual must make their own choice.
I too use yoga,meditation, biofeedback and various other pain management techniques to help "manage" the pain which can not be controlled with any medications.
I've been following -with great interest- the developement of "artificial" disk repacements and hope one day this will be available to me.
With weather like we've been having lately I can not even get out of bed without assistance so hopefully some day this new technology will be a common operation like having your appendix out.
You could always try the procedure and see if it works for you.
Good luck

lilsam · #8 06-11-2002, 12:07 PM

For the advise I guess Ill give it a try thnaks again Lil Sam

Theresa · #9 06-11-2002, 12:55 PM

Doctors love to use cortizone for tons of stuff but the big controversy is that after prolonged use, it eat's away at the cartiledge and bone.

They wanted to use it on me for my plantar facsiitis. I chose to do the exercises I was given for it insted and I am pain free now.

I suggest you email our resitent quackropractic "AZB" I am sure he'll have good advice for you. My guess is that he'll be against it.

AnnaC · #10 06-11-2002, 01:17 PM

Your right Theresa. My docter said the same thing. In time it does wear down the cartiledge even more. Works for some people but not all. Sammy I take glucosamine sulfate it works very well for pain. But ask your docter to make sure it doesn't interfer with other medications. Exercise and stretching is the best. Hurts at first but worth it .Less you move the more it hurts