Need some good thoughts

[WindChime]

Well I feel kinda funny talking about myself but,
I am the type of person who will ignore my pain and try to suck it up because I don't want people to think I'm weak.
I've been have sever back pain since January of 2009. I have been getting numbness in both legs and that of so fun pins and needles feeling to go along with the pain. I finally broke down and went to the Dr. last month. She sent me for a x-ray and to a specialist. The specialist put me on a 7 day steroid pack and sent me for a MRI on 4/2/09. The steroid didn't help. I went to the Dr. yesterday for my results and they were not so good.
T12-L1 is some very minimal disc bulge
L1-L2 is some very minimal disc bulge
L2-L3 is some very minimal disc bulge
L3-L4 is some very minimal disc bulge
L4-L5 is a central disc extrusion superimposed on diffuse disc bulge
(the extrusion measures approximately 1cm in transverse dimension & 3mm in AP dimension. results in a moderate spinal stenosis with the central canal measuring approximately 7mm in AP dimension. mild facet hypertrophic changes are present at this level. this results in moderateright & mild left neural foraminal narrowing)
L5-S1 is a central disc protrusion superimposed on diffuse disc bulge
(this does not result in a significant spinal stenosis. facet & ligamentous hypertrophic changes are present which result in mild to moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing.)
Degenerative changes involving the lumbar spine. these are primarily noted at L4-5 & L5-S1. small central disc extrusion is identified at L4-5. this combined with some mild facet & ligamentuos hypertrophic changes results in moderate central canal narrowing.
With these results my back is even to inflamed to do physical therapy. I am now on 2 new meds to try to kill some of the pain.
On 4/27/09 I go in for a Epidural Injection Procedure. This will be the first in a series of three. Hopefully the first 2 work because they do not like to do the third one.
If this doesn't help The Dr. will have to figure out what to do next for she & I have agreed that surgery is the very last option. I don't like the idea of a needle poking me near my spine let alone someone cutting me there.
I'm just tired of hurting all the time between my ankle & my back. None of the meds have really even dulled the pain so far.
So all I'm asking for is some happy thoughts during this time.

[Old Tinker]

dear WindChime,
me Belle and me will keep thee in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep a positive attitude towards the results of thy procedures, fore we are also.
may thee have good fortune with thy health,
Old Tinker and his Belle...

[jinx]

Oh, dear Windchime!  I'm so sorry to hear all of this.  No one should have to be in pain, much less constant pain.  You can count on healing thoughts and prayers from me.  I hope, for your sake and comfort, all the procedures are completed as efficiently as possible, and the resolution to your pain comes as rapidly as it can.  I'm rootin' for ya. 

[CapnFayeCutler]

Oh Cher! I'm so sorry to hear that! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and if you need anything please let me know.

[WindChime]

Thank you for all your support and well wishes.
I'll update you guys as soon as I hear more.

[Carl]

Donna has back problems herself we know how hard it can be ,you are in our thoughts.

[WindChime]

I got my shots this morning. they did 2 one on each side of the spine by the S1 disc. I slept the rest of the day away. I left the office in more pain then I went in with. the dr said it could feel better tomorrow or up to a week from now.
I go in May 11 for the next set , then I go back to my dr and decide what to do next if the shots don't help.

[CatAshtrophy]

I have had steroid injections in before for my back as well. They did hurt much more when I left and I too slept the whole day. I felt better over the next day or two after the shot. I hope it brings you the relief that you need.

[Master Benjamin]

I know what your going thru as i have degenerative disc disease in my neck and spine, neck being the worst. Any excessive bouncing or side to side motion as in a vehicle causes pain. Also have pinched nerves in neck affecting both arms which feel numb all the time with a constant headache. No feeling in left arm with weakness in left hand. Doc says only cure is surgery but have to wait till cleared by cardio doc as have had 2 heart attacks in 3 yrs. Pain is no fun as the only thing I can take is Tylenol so as not to counteract the cardio meds. Just hang in there cause sooner or later it will get better, hopefully sooner.

[WindChime]

Got my 2 shots for round 2 yesterday.  I got a sever pain in my right leg all the way down to my toes during my injection and am still having a lot of pain in the back of my leg. my back is still hurting but they tell me it will still take about a week for this shot to show if it works.  When I go to the Dr. on the 26th hopefully I will have either some relief or she can tell me the next step. No Surgery.  I have a very strict rule on those. Unless it is life threating I do not have them after Feb. most of my surgeries require 6 months off minimum to heal so that cuts it to close to faire season plus I don't like the idea of a cast during the hot seasons.

[WindChime]

well I still haven't returned to work due to the pain in my right leg. Finally called the Dr. like mom said to to yesterday.  Her nurse took the info down and called me back in about a hour.  They said the pain is a reaction to the steriod shot and that it inflamed the nerve. So now I have a new med to try to calm down the nerve. hopefully this helps.

[WindChime]

Went to dr today and she is sending me to physical therapy for 4 weeks.  Then I go back to see her in june to decide what to do next. 

[jinx]

I've been keeping you in my thoughts, hon.  <3

You're on my list for receiving a BIIIIG hug on Saturday.

[WindChime]

I finished with P.T. and seen the Dr. She has done all she can do and is sending me to a surgeon. Even my mom's chiropractor said most people show some improvement with P.T. and back treatments from him. He sugested the shots but we told him we already had 2 sets of them and wasn't going for a third after the trouble of the second one did. I haven't been to work in 2 weeks going on three due to the fact that even with all the meds I am still in constint pain and can not even stand up right like every one else does.

[WindChime]

Well the Dr's office called today and gave me the dates on the 2 new test he wants done.
On 7/10/09 I get the the EMG test. Basically they put little needles on the right side of my body to find out the severity of nerve damage.
 On 07/21/09 I get the CT & myelogram test. They stick a needle with a dye contrast in my spinal canel to check for damage inside the spine , the tese last for 4 to 6 hours.
 I'll give you guys more news as I get it.