Posted: 12/5/2014 4:25:23 PM EDT
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Seems like it's been a month or two since our last round of back pain discussion, so...
I'm seeking more knowledge and especially personal experiences with sciatica all the related subject matter that comes along with it. Synopsis of my sciatica history: Slipped my L5/S1 disc 4 years ago. Had two epidurals and a nerve root block over the following months (which did little), followed by a microdiscectomy 3.5 years ago. Took a while to heal, was much better than before the surgery, but have had varying degrees of sciatica ever since. Managed to get by until this past June, then had to have another epidural, followed by one in August. Second one seemed to offer some relief... until about a month and a half ago. Got another MRI and x-rays and consulted with a [respected] local neurosurgeon two weeks ago. He says that I'm up for a fusion, but didn't sound overly convincing in terms of whether I should actually GET one. I told him that I wanted to hold-off as long as possible on that, and he agreed. Did also mention a stimulator implant, but was even less convincing regarding whether I should bother to get that. Also asked if I'd ever tried neurontin/gabapentin. I told him that I had, but that it made me feel dopey and didn't seem to help (a couple of years ago when I tried it). I've been active (riding mountain bike religiously since last spring). I try to stretch. I TRY to move around (though my job as a network admin means that I sit A LOT). I've got an inversion table that I can use (though I haven't drug it out lately). I just finished a small prednisone dose pack (I always try to have one on-hand for emergencies) and I think that for the first few days at the higher dose, it did help some. So I'm wondering if I should call in and ask for the heavier doses (20-60mg daily) for a few weeks and see if that will offer some relief? Or should I be looking at maybe a drug like Cymbalta to try? I just don't know. But I do know that I'm beyond sick and tired of my entire right leg being on fire here! 
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Sounds like youve been there, done that with just about everything for that type of spinal injury. I have the exact same injury and did not fare well with my first injection so I have not done more. Also, Nerve tests FUCKING SUCK!!!! I dont recommend them! Cymbalta is some nasty stuff, I got it prescribed to me when they were suggesting fusion of my L5-S1 and I was having really severe pain. The warnings and side effects on it were enough for me to pass without ever taking any of it. Once the doctor explained the fusion surgery to me I found out I'd likely have to medically retire and chose to pass on it.
Best thing I have done is to get back in shape hitting the gym and cardio,strengthening core and losing weight. Toughing it out through the pain the first few months was the absolute worst, but in the past year I have only had one bad flare up that put me out for a week. A good chiropractor is worth his weight in gold, I cant say that enough. Good luck with everything, I totally understand the pain youre in. |
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Quoted:
Sounds like youve been there, done that with just about everything for that type of spinal injury. I have the exact same injury and did not fare well with my first injection so I have not done more. Also, Nerve tests FUCKING SUCK!!!! I dont recommend them! Cymbalta is some nasty stuff, I got it prescribed to me when they were suggesting fusion of my L5-S1 and I was having really severe pain. The warnings and side effects on it were enough for me to pass without ever taking any of it. Once the doctor explained the fusion surgery to me I found out I'd likely have to medically retire and chose to pass on it. Best thing I have done is to get back in shape hitting the gym and cardio,strengthening core and losing weight. Toughing it out through the pain the first few months was the absolute worst, but in the past year I have only had one bad flare up that put me out for a week. A good chiropractor is worth his weight in gold, I cant say that enough. Good luck with everything, I totally understand the pain youre in. Thanks for you input, I do appreciate it! I've been doing the right thing in terms of riding my bike a lot, but I guess I need to bite the bullet and get serious about dropping some weight, doing yoga, and some other healthy lifestyle choices. I can visualize myself on the other side of this (if I'm fortunate enough to make it there), |