261163✽
Doc called today with the results of yesterday's MRI's, I have multiple disc herniations with L4 &L5 being the most prominent causing impingement on the nerve, stenosis (narrowing) of spinal cord with L3 &L4 being worse....she is referring me to a Neurosurgeon as she wants to get the impingement addressed right away.......so will let you know how this goes....it will probably take me a month or more to get in, as that is usually the wait to see a specialist...UGH! Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised......thank you to all of you for your well wishes and prayers!! Love to all........
Am editing this post to let you all know that one of Jim's buddies from Barbershop Chorus pulled some weight and I am going to the spine clinic at 3:00 tomorrow.....we are going conservative to begin with and that will be a steroid epidural 1 week apart to see if that will calm down the nerve, we will go from there...
The doc told me not to expect immediate relief, but over a day or two it should start helping.....woo hoo!
Comments (25)
66927✽
by
graceandham
16 Sep 2014
+12✽
Let the countdown begin!
3 comments
LOL!!! thanks for the chuckle...am hoping it is a short countdown......
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!
prayers for your hubby as well
67271✽
It 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
Bev
1 comment
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....
360671✽
Did they give you mega pain meds well you wait??
Hope there fast for your sake will keep praying hugs Carolyn xx
Hope there fast for your sake will keep praying hugs Carolyn xx
3 comments
They did, but it is so hard to function when drugged, so I save the hard stuff for night time....
ok i understand that but please take it if you need it ok:);)
Yep, just took 2 so I will have a narcotic hangover in the morning, but at least I may get some sleep!!
96286✽
by
dailylaundry
16 Sep 2014
+10✽
I 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*
1 comment
I hope so too, Laura and thank you for your prayers......
145791✽
Yep 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
2 comments
Hugs and prayers for you too.
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......
158718✽
Be very careful what you do, you don't want to have permanent nerve damage.
1 comment
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......
169064✽
I 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.
2 comments
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......
Good to have friends in high places. :)
62461✽
Hope all goes well!
1 comment
Thank you....
439✽
by
sheilara45
16 Sep 2014
+8✽
Hope you get in quick and things go very well.
1 comment
Thanks, me too!
173695✽
The 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.
1 comment
Thanks, Christine, I know the power of prayer, so that alone is getting me through until this resolves......
57675✽
Thanks for the update. Prayers continue...I do hope there is relief for you soon
2 comments
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?
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)
Feeling sorry for oneself only invites more sorrow. Just don't do anything that will case more damage. (like I sometimes do)
9536✽
So glad to get your update and know that you'll be feeling better!
1 comment
Thanks, Joan, am looking forward to some relief!
3368✽
Glad 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.
1 comment
Thanks, it is tough not being able to do the things that were once effortless..........
109774✽
by
crafter2243
17 Sep 2014
+4✽
I so much hope you will find some relief. Prayers will continue
1 comment
Thank you so much..........
35301✽
Prayers will continue for you, hope you get some relief very soon. :-)
1 comment
Thanks Leaha, I just took 2 pain pills and am starting to nod out, so off to the recliner I go......
234507✽
Dear 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
1 comment
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!
2617✽
all the best and take care regards Lorraine mcneill woodcroft south australia
16302✽
by
justonlyme
17 Sep 2014
+6✽
Don'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
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
1 comment
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
45918✽
So 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
23282✽
I hope and pray things go well very soon Vicki. I feel for you!
145791✽
This 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
255054✽
I 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
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11506✽
Sounds like a good plan. Praying for relief. Best wishes for you Vicki.
299559✽
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~
