Another ESI???

[okiegal55]

Hey, I haven't been here in a while; can't seem to find a place to fit in anymore. I am a 56 y/o woman on SSI who got scared about what the narcotics were doing to my system. Since 2000 I developed fibro after having neck surgery in '99; one level of my neck didn't fuse but the neurosurgeon that I saw, back then and since, couldn't do anything else to make it any better. So I was put on narcotics and told about how it was the 'quality' of life and not the quantity. WELL I WANT QUALITY & QUANTITY!!! Anyway, abided by all the rules & regulations of pain doctors for 11 years & finally got fed up with taking a monthly UA, taking all my meds to have them counted, scheduling any time away around the all sacred pain doctor appointment, driving 1-2 hrs each way just to get there each month, etc.

In Dec 2011 I had lumbar back surgery which stopped the immediate excruciating pain that kept me from walking any distance and finally got me off the couch but since then my middle back burns like it's got a hot knife stuck in it and when the pain is really bad it goes all the way into my ribs. Oh, I'm so tired of the pain.

Well, in August when I stopped the opiods, I began smoking marijuana for pain management. Of course, in our state we will NEVER have legalized (or otherwise) marijuana laws so of course the quality and grade aren't anything like the 'legal' marijuana so it's not working for me. I'm in such a delirium about what to do now. I see my neurosurgeon again in March and he will decide if he will do another surgery on the T7 (and I have a small cyst at the T5).

What is better; quality or quantity? I've noticed a lot of changes since being off the opiods & my friends say I have an aliveness in my eyes. The pain doc I am seeing now says that since I have shown up with THC in my system he won't prescribe opiods because the feds would be 'watching' him but what he will do is another ESI.

That is what this post boils down to. I have had 2 ESI's within the last 6 months for my lumbar spine and now this doctor is telling me you can get 3 ESI's per each section of your spine (cervical, lumbar & thoracic). I've never heard this before and wondered if anybody else has any suggestions.

[Burr]

Welcome to the forum. I don't believe in esi shots. I had 3 of them, and they did absolutely nothing for me except hurt like hell when I got them. I believe doctors love them because they are good money makers for them. Is there a good pain management center in your area ? I have gotten myself to a level I can live with by using the right meds. Oxycontin has worked very well for me ,plus muscle relaxers, etc. I was told that oxy ,you have to keep upping the amount to get the same pain relief, and I was afraid of that at first. But, I have been at the same level for 4yrs. now, so it is possible. Good luck and keep asking questions if needed. There is a lot of good people on here that can help.

[Kathi49]

I have heard about the Rule of 3 but I really think it depends. There are different types of injections so I believe some can be repeated if necessary. Anyway, I am a firm believer in them as they have always helped. But then again, I have had only two true ESI's. One worked and they other didn't. But I will say this. My mother is 84 and just had her first ESI about 3 weeks ago and couldn't walk very far for months prior to that. Now she is ready dance! In her case I would much rather see her get an injection than to take pain pills. Will she get long term relief? I don't know. But my husband did...a year's worth each time. And as for myself, I just received a Selective Nerve Root injection about a week or so ago AFTER favoring my left leg and foot for months! No med was touching that pain. Just know that at times they have to get to the source. It doesn't mean it will fix anything but it sure helps me to MANAGE the pain much better by taking the inflammation down. Anyway, I have come to the conclusion over the years that it depends on what is actually going on and who is doing the injections. But that's just me...I prefer to keep the meds I do take at low doses.

[Mark N]

okiegal, sorry to hear about your pain problems especially the thoracic pains as I have them and have gone through an open thoractomy surgery to fuse my T-spine. The way mine feels right now I can expect to go through another on some time down the road but until paralysis is creeping in I won't go through that surgery again. You said you had T surgery before but what kind did you go through as the fusions are very difficult surgeries. It is great if you can live without the opiods as I did for years but the pain has gotten so bad I have been on them the past 8 years without any damage to my body and they let me have some good days. I wish you would have waited until the THC got out of your system before seeing your doctor about pain medication as it will be very difficult to find a doctor to put on pain medication again.

ESIs- haven't worked for me but my problem didn't lend itself to being helped by ESIs. If your pain is from an inflamed nerve root then I think the ESI could be a benefit. Be sure if you have one that the doctor uses a fluroscope so he knows right where the needle is going. It is hard to believe that some still don't use the fluroscope today but I wouldn't have one without it. I hope you find some needed relief as I understand fully how bad the pain can be. I went to my dentist this past month and didn't let her use any novocaine on me and she along with the helpers couldn't believe I could get my teeth drilled and filled without novocaine to numb my mouth. I explained to them that it didn't hurt as bad as my back which I deal with every day so a couple minutes of pain for my tooth wasn't a big deal too me. It just goes to show the level of pain we go through and it is no wonder we get tired of the pain.

I vote for quality of life because none of us knows what the quantity will be IE how long we will live. I make choices that give me a better quality of life.

[alex44]

okiegal - As mark said, it is a shame, most doc's are like that. Ignorant. Anyway, I wish you luck. Mark, That is unbelievable that you can get dental work done w/o novacaine. I have a terrible phobia of dentists - back in the day, when I could work, I just had them knock me out. Anyway, Good luck.
Blessings
Alex44

[Jillian91]

Another ESI???

It is funny you guys mentioned Novocaine. I switched dentists after that accident. I was breastfeeding back then and had to pay a visit to my dentist. She wanted to give me a shot of Novocaine, but there was a blackout at that time, so we put it off till the next week. While at home, I started researching on the subject and whether or not Novocaine is safe for those who are breastfeeding. I read a few posts on different forums and was said I should consult with another doctor. A friend recommended me Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register..., who a dentist nearby where I live, on Menlo Park. She told me it was not safe to get Novocaine shots. So, I am glad I did not. Who knows what could have happened.

[alex44]

I have never had an ESI. My back hurts horribly, as does the rest. that said, I will not have an ESI. My partner of twenty years had a total of 12! with the last one freezing her bladder so she had to use an in-dwelling Foley catheter for about 6 mo's before she got her function back, she had to self cath. for awhile. she did this to please her PM Doc. who has givenher a letter that says further ESI shots would not be appropriate ,Bla, Bla, Bla. I am a male, self cathed once to get an idea of what she was dealing with. It is not for the feint of heart and I will NEVER do so again. she got little to no relief. On the other side of the coin, some people seem to benifit from them for awhile 6 mo's being the average. Definitely insist on the flourascope, my S/O 's were not, that could have contributed to the problem. I would find out as much as I could over the net, this forum is full of great people who may have answers I don't. I wish you the best of luck - MMJ will get there, we have 17 and counting (states) It is a shame you got caught out, however, there are a few that will tell you, come in clean and i will work with you - granted, they are rare but they can be found. However, When you find a good doc. who will treat you, do NOT abuse that trust, as in, just don't do it (MJ) - I did something i should not have and my back was in agony, both yesterday, and today - I am not willing to risk it and mmj is legal here - but ,I am on medicaid, my doc is cool, but she still has to cover herself so i just don't. Again, good luck to you, hope this finds you as pain free as possible.
Blessings
Alex44 AKA Skypilot

[houghchrst]

I am one of the lucky ones who has a wonderful PM doc and does fantastic ESIs. THe last two I had hurt so badly afterwards that I thought I would have to go to the ER. He has to go through ligament to get where he wants to be so I have learned that as soon as I get done I have to take my pain meds but they work for me and last for about 6-12 months depending on how active I am. They don't fix all the pain in my back but it does remove the knife from the right sacral region of my back and hip.

Now I have had injections from other docs that don't work very long or at all, one particular doc couldn't have cared less if the nummy was working while he did his injections. Excruciating and I never went back to him. Another did it in her specialized room in back and while she was the most pain free injections I have ever had she just didn't go deep enough and pretty much told me she could do nothing else for me.

My current doc does them at a Surgical Outpatient clinic that was just recently built for them to use on the hospital grounds. If my breath even hitches he stops what he is doing and is immediately on the 'nummy' lol. He tells me every step he is taking and frequently lets me bring pictures home for my shortcake lol. Last time I got a one of a kind shot. The scope showed that the dye going into the nerve space was positioned right in the little circle of the grommet on the front of my sweats that I didn't know was even there lol.

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[Leeaelle]

It's true that there is a limit on how many ESI's you can have in a given amount of time. And like Mark said, make SURE they use a fluroscope while doing it. You certainly don't want them putting it in the wrong spot. I've never had any luck with the injections and I've had a bunch of them. Also, there are pretty controversial, from what I've read. I've done a lot of reading about them, and it is said that anything injected into the spinal column can cause a problem called Adhesive Arachnoiditis, which is an incurable inflammatory disease. It's fairly rare, but people who have had surgeries & injections are the ones who get it. It's also HARD to diagnose -- so finding someone who knows what they're talking about is rare too. LOL

Hasn't your doc ever put you on meds such as Topamax or Neurontin for the awful burning type pain? These were originally used for epilepsy but they found they were great for nerve=burning pain. I used Topamax, and it gets RID of the nerve pain completely! It also stops the tingling & zaps & feeling of water running down my leg! LOL But that burning used to be just awful -- this helps great! I'd be lost without it. Ask your doc about it -- unless you're just totally against the meds.

I wish you the very best. I know how tired you are of all this. I've been going thru this madness for over 26 years, and it's getting mighty OLD. LOL God bless & please take care. Hugs, Lee

[alex44]

A word of warning, I have neuropathy in many places. I know some people react well and and get relief from Gapapentin- however, most people are in the same boat as i am, the side effects are horrible for me, my S/O almost left it changed me so much. If you do try it, have your doctor titrate you up to catch any side effects. I read an artical that said high doses of morphine but good luck with finding a Doc. to give you enough these days - I have a cool doc who is up on things and gives me an appropriate dose. Good luck and hopefgully get some relief.
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