promised update from back doctor

[thornton8000]

here's the newest update that I promised everyone:
DR informed me that I have an extra lumbar vertabrae in the s1 s2 which he says can cause discomfort as i have 6 vertabrae and most people only have 5. In discusisons with DR he suggests that we try facet injections in the s1 s2. DR said if i decide to do the injections and they help relieve my pain for even 2-3 hours then they know that that would be the cause of the pain but still unsure of what could be causing the numbness in my hands, legs and feet. If the injections do work he said there are two procedures they could do as a more permanent form of relief which would either be a nerve block where they compelty kill the nerves in that part of my back or they could end up doing a fusion on that section of my spine. He is runnning the injections through the insurance just to determine that it is covered and then they call and set up an appt at that time to do it. They said authorization can take anywhere from 5-30 days. After I receive the injections which will be one on each side of my spine then i set up a follow up appt with DR for two weeks later to discuss the results of the injections. Doc will not be the one doing the injections, Dr M.D will be the administer.
But if the Injections fail and don't bring any relief DR said he'd be at a loss at what would be the cause of my pain. He stated that (unlike Dr. radiolgist) he see's minor bulging disc's.

And he wants to keep going with the injections even though he cant explain my numbness in legs hands and feet, my seizures are unexplained, and undiagnosised, but will have had (hopefully) both my new neuro and epi appointments before then!

But as the DR also put it if the injections fail he's at a loss as to what the cause of my back prob would be and doesn't want to wait for other diagnosis's to be made before doing the injections.
Should I wait to get them done?
Or should I do them?
I'm not scared of of needles in the least or of pain been through so much of it in my life that and every day my pain level is a constant 8 due to my back and told him about my TIA back in june of last year and he blew it off like it was no big deal.
So any thoughts from other people with back issues or chroinic back pain would be great or people that have had injections that helped or failed I look forward to your help! since I'm still waiting for my other diagnosis from my new docs in the up coming days

 

[julie wishes]

Theres a lot of info here. And I only have humble opinions for you. My spine surgeon said he doesn't need to look at the radiologist report because he knows what hes looking at on the MRI, and he is better than they are since its what he does all day long. Is that similar to what you heard today?

Also, sometimes those shots work and sometimes they don't. You won't know unless you try. Ask what the medicine is. They do different types of things, and I don't think they kill the nerve for ever... I think its only for a period of time. I could be wrong here. My sister got the shots. Not sure if she liked them or not.

You seemed to want to have all the doctors information consolidated before moving forward. I think the back doctor wanted you to say yes to the shots so he could submit for approval since it takes so long. He is also thinking about the almighty dollar. Maybe you will have the other docs stuff to him before he gets the approval then it will all work out?

Don't feel pressured to move ahead until you are ready. Probably best to get all info you can on the shots before making a decision. I'm sure he didn't mean TIA was nothing, but as far as he is concerned, it doesn't change what he is able to do for you.

I say get all info you need to feel you are able to make an informed decision about your healthcare. And, more importantly, ask about long term affects of these shots. Not sure they are long term pain relief, I think more likely short term with high hopes. Usually if not sucessful, they start talking surgery, but like to try shots because for many they work well enough to keep people pain free for a long period, like a few years.

 

[thornton8000]

thanks julie!
he said do it or not my choice, but I may get it done but am going to consult with my new neuro and new epi, and get both their opinions, and am going to try and get a referall for a MS doctor and get a spinal tap and an EVP done as well since I've been having alot of other issues that he couldnt answer and my PCP, doesn't have answers to as well.

Mike

 

[valeriedl]

As julie said, you don't know what will work until you try. I know I had shots in my back, but I think they were some sort of pain killer, and they did nothing for me. But it sounds like what they are suggesting for you is something different.

I know I had a pinched nerve in my back and that's what would make my feet and legs numb at times. I probably have the problem in a different spot in my back as you do because I never had any problems with my hands and arms. The bulging disc could be what is causing that for you?

I would be scared of killing the nerve, but that's just me talking.

This is sort of different from you but my grandma had really bad problems with her back and neck. It turned out that she had a really rare disease, sorry I can't remember what it is. The dr suggested getting her neck fused. She can't turn her neck but she doesn't have pain any more.

Maybe go see another dr about it and get his opinion on what he thinks could be going on? Different dr's see things in different ways and give you more suggestions on what to do about it..

 

[thornton8000]

Thanks! He is the 3rd doc I've seen lol and they have all seen minor differences but all say almost the same things try injections see if they help just a little and if they do we have a starting point but if they don't we have no clue what to do or where to go from there so i'm kinda lost but after I see my new neuro and epi doc i'm asking to go see a Ms doc and get checked for other issues that the back doctors wouldn't touch due to not their area of expertise rofl but thank you again everyone and feel free do keep giving feedback I trust everyones feedback and replies
Thank you again so very much everyone!
Mike

 

[Silat]

Out of curiousity, why are you seeing an MS doctor? Couldn't your neurologist do the same thing for you? Just wondering because MS is pretty hard to miss, as the lesions show up very clearly on MRI images of your brain/spinal cord. Since it's an easy test to have done, and MS is a neurological disorder, I'd think your neurologist would be able to take care of any questions or tests MS related as well as your E related questions.

As far as the vertebrae, is that something that's rare to have? And are you extra tall because of it? Just curious because I've never really heard of that and I'm wondering what physical effects it has.

My opinion on the injections... well I guess I'd check and see the cost. You never know if it will work until you try, so if the cost isn't bad or insurance covers most of it, you could always give it a shot. I wouldn't dish out huge amounts of money on a chance of something working, but if it's affordable I don't see why not.

 

[julie wishes]

Well I don't want to speak out if turn ... but the why not is the medicine they use sometimes isn't too good for you and can leave scar tissue. That's my vague understanding. Some use lidocaine,which I think is benign. Some use steroids, which I think leaves scar tissue. And some use a narcotic cocktail of sorts... just good to know what type of injections they prefer at their clinic and side effects. Im trying to remember off the top of my head. I was offered these way back just after my car accident and my memory and understanding was very impaired at that time. But I do know they have successes and failures with them. Its very individualized results.

 

[julie wishes]

My chiropractor actually recommended I get them. Im a big chicken so I declined

 

[thornton8000]

most people have 5 not alot have 6 I'm only 5 10 and 3/4" so not too tall lol and in terms of insurance it wouldnt be to expensive we have good coverage and my neuro seems to be amiss, hence why I'm getting a 2nd opinion and a 2nd epi opinion, and going to ask for a spinal tab and an evp since my hands and feet keep going numb for no reason and I've been on topamax same dose now for 3-4 months and am used to it and the side effects have completly gone away, and after talking to some of my close friend that have MS they suggested I get tested just in case and that "God Forbid" case but I hear where you are coming from.
and julie there are no out of turns here everyone is welcome to speak freely especially on my postings lol, I asks questions to learn and seek advice from all walks of life and then also give back any knowlegde I know as well so never feel bad about chiming in on one of my posts please!
The inhections he called them facet injections.
I'm not scared I just dont want to put something in if they may want to take something out lol that may screw up lab results rofl.


mike