Latest Back News………….
Yesterday I had my follow up to my last epidural injection, and the news was not good, mixed is the best adjective I could give it. My strength is returning, but I am "presenting" differently on my symptoms. My pain is different and my muscle tightness is a cause for concern. When I got the epidural injections the Doctor was treating me specifically for the disk at L5/S1 since those symptoms were worse and my MRI showed more "inflammation" in that area (as much as can be seen on a MRI), so he focused on that. Now I am symptomatic with issues in the L5/L4 region. The steroids were supposed to help both disk areas, but since my primary complaints told them to focus on the L5/S1 disks that is what they did. I was told that the injection site makes a difference on which disk they treat, which makes sense. So now since I am in pain everyday, my back is always in spasm and my symptoms are different they want to take a different course of action with me. I am going to do a Nerve study, they are little concerned that I might have some damage in the L5/L4 region of my nerves since my back and hamstrings will not relax!
My Doctor told me he was encouraged by my strength returning and I should be commended on working hard for that. Which was encouraging to say the least. But he also said he wants to get my records to a neurosurgeon for a consult, not for surgery per se, but to make sure we are treating my back properly. That to me said that I have picked the right Doctor since he isn’t afraid to get help to take proper care of me. Of course since I drink with this guy at the NHL Hockey games he knows me on a personal level and understands I have a deep appreciation for "second opinions" and that I am an informed patient, what else would I expect.
He also gave me a Tens machine. It is meant to help reduce the spasms in my back by shocking the muscles. I can also use it on my hip and hamstrings to help them loosen up as well. Damn thing cost $800, so I am not sure if my insurance is going to cover it, so I haven’t opened it yet, in case I have to return it. But $800 for that thing is better then surgery… I will have to wait and see. I also got a script for Muscle relaxers so that I can help my body chemically… which I don’t like to do, but I am desperate to change what is going on.
So now here is all I am doing to treat this issue. Chiropractic Care to loosen the muscles in the lower back, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Working out, eating right and clean and taking medication, using an Inversion table at least daily, if not 2 times a day.
Over the next couple of weeks I am going to get some other opinions. I am seriously looking into Spinal Decompression, but I just don’t have the cash since insurance doesn’t cover it. Although I found another DC that says some of the decompression treatments (or aspects of it) are covered lowering my over all out of pocket expense. Heck I might just have to start waiting tables again as a second job, just to pay for my back getting healthy. It wouldn’t be so bad to do it, I have worked 2 jobs most of my life, but it would suck to have all of that money being spent before I make it. I am also going to a neurosurgeon on my own to get an opinion. I want a completely fresh perspective on what I should be doing. I trust my Doctor, but this is my health and I am not improving, so it is time to look at everything as a whole to make sure I am taking the best care of myself that I can.
