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