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oh that is good news that you get to go so soon! I do hope the cortisone shots help give you some relief. I have heard very good things about this treatment & am praying that it works well for you too. ~hugs~
299557Sounds like a good plan. Praying for relief. Best wishes for you Vicki.
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21543I cannot begin to think what you are going through. Last Saturday I put my back out and I have been in agony. Each day it is getting a little better. So pleased that you have managed to jump the queue. Keep us in touch. Love and hugs Sarah
253102This is wonderful, the epidurals will help, I know I'm an RN but I believe in trying everything possible to stay off the surgery table. There are so many DRs. out there that think that's the way to go every time.. When you are able they will probably think some PT will help also. So very glad you have excellent Drs. I've been really worried about you/Lillian
145789I hope and pray things go well very soon Vicki. I feel for you!
23281So glad you are able to get in sooner, don't worry remember that a little pain makes us stronger.. and you my dear must be the strongest woman in the world. With all the payers and healing thoughts being sent your way we've got you covered so try to relax a little.. Marian
45917Don't worry about the discomfort of the epidural. I've had this treatment done, and it is not a big deal at all. For me, it did not work, and gave me a bit of a crazy head for several weeks; but then again, I've had the herniated discs from a crush injury years ago, and doctors won't touch it for fear of paralysis. I hope that you find immediate relief, which will allow you to strengthen your core muscles and prevent further herniations.
It is very nice for friends to pull a few strings and get you in to see a doctor when you actually need it instead of suffering needlessly for weeks on end. Best wishes to you and your treatment!!!
Deanna
by lbrow
17 Sep 2014
Deanna I had the epidurals, with no side effects but after a few mos. they did not work anymore. Some PT helped but my Brace has been a Godsend.. They tried giving me Neurontin for the pinched nerves, started with 1 and suppose to work up to 3 a day. Well couldn't even take 1 took 1 and my head was loopy for 3 days./Lillian
16260all the best and take care regards Lorraine mcneill woodcroft south australia
2617Dear Vicki, by now it's 8.15pm Tuesday evening as I write this here in Australia where it is 12.15pm Wednesday lunchtime. I'll certainly be thinking of you as you go for your doctor's appointment tomorrow (Wednesday for you - which will be Thursday here - frustrating with us being 16 hours in front of you in Utah). So glad that your husband's Barbershop group pulled some strings to get you in earlier. I do pray that the steroid needle works for you. Mum was in absolute agony last year and the beginning of this year with her L4 and L5 too and had an Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) - this is her 4th one in the past 5 or 6 years. So I can imagine what pain you are going through as Mum said it was excruciating. Many prayers being sent to you across the waves! Love Chris
by basketkase
17 Sep 2014
It sure is, it can wake you up out of a drug induced sleep...I have never had one of these epidural thingy's but it can't be as painful as what I am going through now....Nice thing about going to this doc that we know is he is right in the spine specialty clinic and he can get me into the spine surgeon if need be.....won't even think about that yet.....ugh!
234253Prayers will continue for you, hope you get some relief very soon. :-)
by basketkase
17 Sep 2014
Thanks Leaha, I just took 2 pain pills and am starting to nod out, so off to the recliner I go......
35301I so much hope you will find some relief. Prayers will continue
109762Glad you got in so fast. Hope things calm down so you can get it taken care of soon and be back to what you love. Take care of yourself. Sending prayers your way.
by basketkase
17 Sep 2014
Thanks, it is tough not being able to do the things that were once effortless..........
3368So glad to get your update and know that you'll be feeling better!
9536Thanks for the update. Prayers continue...I do hope there is relief for you soon
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers.....everything I do right now is an effort, but I would rather do things in pain, than to sit and feel sorry for myself and still be in pain, know what I mean?
by rescuer
16 Sep 2014
Yes. I do.
Feeling sorry for oneself only invites more sorrow. Just don't do anything that will case more damage. (like I sometimes do)
57608The good news is that back surgery has improved immensely in the last decade or so. Many folks have pain free lives after this type of work. I pray for you.
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
Thanks, Christine, I know the power of prayer, so that alone is getting me through until this resolves......
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62459I wouldn't be surprised if you get an earlier appointment. They don't like to wait too long with the severe impingement you have. I'm glad you went to see the doctor. Please keep us informed.
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
I am so lucky, Karen, Jim sings barbershop with 3 guys who are in the medical field ....one is a neurologist, one is a pain doc and one is a neurology nurse on the surgical floor of the hospital, so Jim has a call in to all of them and we will see what they say......
168887Be very careful what you do, you don't want to have permanent nerve damage.
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
I know, I am amazed that I don't have back pain,but relieved too as I don't think I could handle back pain with this nerve pain......
158552Yep that's me extreme herniation of L4 & L5 with the nerve impingement going down inside of L. leg and outside of R. leg also runs up on R side and affects my R shoulder. Now I cannot have surgery and I cannot take pain meds. They put me in a Brace that's called a Ninja it has a hard shell and I had to get use to it. With it I can drive, stay on my feet long enough to buy a weeks groceries and do a little at home then rest and do more. This has been over a yr. ago. The pain is much, better now. The day I went to Dr. I couldn't take but a few steps and the pain was so bad . I was crying. I also prayed a lot, but you can have a life without surgery. Don't know what you will choose but told you all this to let you know you do have alternatives. / I understand what you are going through/Hugs Lillian
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
Thank you, Lillian, for the testimonial.....I cannot believe how much pain this is causing, trying to sleep is the worst between the pain and getting electric shocks it is nearly impossible......
145789I hope you are pleasantly surprised and get an appointment right away!! Please, please, please take it easy - you continue to be in my prayers!!! Hugs, Laura*
95239Did they give you mega pain meds well you wait??
Hope there fast for your sake will keep praying hugs Carolyn xx
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
They did, but it is so hard to function when drugged, so I save the hard stuff for night time....
by basketkase
17 Sep 2014
Yep, just took 2 so I will have a narcotic hangover in the morning, but at least I may get some sleep!!
360365It sounds like a case of hurry up and wait. Is your pain any better? Hopefully they can get you in quickly and get you taken care of. Take care of yourself in the meantime
Bev
by basketkase
16 Sep 2014
Thanks, Bev.....the pain is better in that I can at least walk now, even though it hurts I can walk, it is like walking with a wooden leg though, it is numb so it feels weird when I walk....
67271Let the countdown begin!
by grammaheh1
17 Sep 2014
My husband had the same problems with two disks and they operated to enlarge the spinal cord because of the spinosis and fused two vertebrae. He had to wear a brace for 6 months, and there was some pain the first month or two, bur after that there was no pain and after the 6 months he was back to normal. Unfortunately, the problems are back now with two other vertebrae and he is going to have to have the same operation. He is not looking forward to the operation itself, but he is looking forward to feeling no pain and back to normal after the operation and 6 months of recovery. The operation is definitely worth it!
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