Facet Injections + More Q's (Again ~ sorry!)

[Lyndsay]

I really didn't know how to title this post & I can only hope my post makes sense!!

As I posted in my Surgical Outcome thread, on Thursday I had some facet injections. The PM did have a problem when he got to my left L5/S1 & asked if I'd had bone graft with my ADR, I told him no. Apparently the arthritis is really extreme & he also questionned whether the disc is algined properly. After lots of pushing & moving the needle about, all under fluoroscope, he did manage to finish.

Apart from some light headedness & usual pain, I didn't feel too bad after the procedure because of all the local anaesthetic. The PM did tell me that when it wore off I would probably feel as though I'd been kicked ~ he wasn't kidding!! As yesterday wore on the pain became worse & worse, breakthrough meds weren't touching it & although I tried to stay relaxed it was tough. As I've been told to up my Lyrica, last night I took the extra & had an early night only to be woken at 5am by extreme pain & spasms. I've taken more breakthrough meds (Sevredol Morphine plus Diazepam) & can only hope I can keep the edge off it & that the steroids will start to kick in & I'll be lucky in that they'll work.

So, questions;

If the Facet joint injections are going to work, is it right that I'll feel some relief from today onwards once the steroids kick in?

Although the NSS said my xrays last month looked ok (though he only looked at the disc placement), is it possible that the PM seeing things at a different view has spotted something different as regards my facets? Has anyone else who's had facet joint injections had anything similar said?

I did have another question but my brain has gone blank!! I'll come back if I remember!!

I've attached one of the image's taken on Thursday, anyone have any thoughts on it? (Don't worry, I know you're not Dr's but some of you could at least be theoretical Dr's with all of your knowledge!!)

Kind regards

[Jessica]

Hello Lyndsay,
First, let me say how sorry I am that, at your young age, you have been through so much. I believe that when you tell another spiney your story, they feel your pain. I think I have shed more tears for the adrsupport community, than for myself. Someone who does not have these types of problems, has a hard time understanding, at all, what we go through. My thoughts are with you.

Now that I made you listen to my phylosophical rant for the day, my mother had facet injections at this level. No pain after, none at all. They worked instantly.

I hope it gets better soon.

[Lyndsay]

Thanks Jessica, I understand all that you say & I'm glad the injections worked for your Mum

As for me, I've had a terrible few days with the pain & spasms I saw my GP today & he agreed that the injections have obviously irritated the nerves. There's then also the issue that I'm spasming down my right side from my back through my hip, leg including knee, my ankle & foot ~ jeeze it hurts!! I thought I was going to get sent to the ER today but thankfully not (I hate my local ER as they're useless & last time I went in with my back a few years ago I ended up in a wheelchair for several weeks!).

Anyway, as the PM recommended my Lyrica has been increased but also the MST, Diazepam & Baclofen have been increased plus I still have Sevredol for breakthrough.

I'm now starting to think that maybe these injections haven't worked or should I give them a bit more time? Have others had a similar reaction? My Dr has told me to rest up as much as possible until I can get some control on the pain & the spasms settle.

Cheers,

[Terry]

Lyndsay:

It has taken up to a week for me to get some relief from each of my injections that I had. Last one I had was actually several in the month of December. They hurt worse this time than ever before and I felt like she hit my bone. It was sore for about a week afterwards. It took the magical one week and I got relief from them.

Give it some time and see what happens. Hang in there. By the way; I have not required any injections since December and I was getting them regularly since my surgery every three months.

Terry Newton

[Lyndsay]

Thanks Terry. I had noted that you'd had success with the injections. Besides the week or soreness in December, have you ever had them where they've really fired everything up?

I have read somewhere that it's best to give them 7 days to work which of course I'll do plus I'll probably still continue to keep everything crossed!! I'm not due to see the PM for another 3 1/2 weeks though I can call him if I need to.

Once again I went to bed last night hoping I'd wake up to some relief this morning but once again not This right side spasming is horrible, all on top of the firing up of my normal pain.

I can honestly say that I was (am) really hoping these injections would work, especially in light of the level of arthritis in my L4-S1 facets.

I have been told that if these injections worked then I would be able to have Radio Frequency but what can be done to arthritic facets if they don't work? Would fusing them help?

Anyway, thanks again for your reply, it is appreciated

All the best,

[Lyndsay]

Well 8 day's on & I'm feeling worse than ever

I've been taking it easy, just a bit of walking about the house & garden plus some stretching, my meds have all been increased but zip!!

Today I really needed to nip out to fetch some chicken for the dog's & by lunchtime felt I was ok to go. I got as far as the next village, was just slowing down because of the change in speed restriction when this STUPID woman in front just SLAMMED her brakes on for NO reason!! Although there had been adequate distance between us it still caused me to have to slam my brakes too ...... OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!!!! We drive on the left in the UK so of course it was my right leg & the one that has been most affected recently. Well everything just flew into spasm, I turned round & slowly made my way back home.

I'm now back laid up in bed, pain seems to be everywhere but is predominantly right sided. Even though I've had the pain running all down through my hip, knee & foot, yesterday I started with a horrible pain right in the middle of my foot, sometimes when my back is really bad my arches collapse though they still seem ok at the mo. Now all this pain is even worse along with pain in my groin. I'm so very fed up with it all I'd been invited to a BBQ tonight, yet again I now have to turn down an invitation

Sorry if some of you read this as a moan but I'm so fed up & frustrated & absolutely sick of living in constant pain.

[Lyndsay]

Just an update; 16 day's on & the only thing to change is the continuing increase in my pain & spasms On Thursday I gave in & called my PM & explained everything to him & he thinks that maybe he caught & bruised a nerve, apparently it's one of the few small risks. The bad news is it will take approx 3 months for the nerve to heal, that wasn't what I wanted to hear

I had hoped I would have heard this week about my CT & Myelogram so as much as I'm dreading the procedure I'm going to call the NSS secretary on Monday to chase it up. I might also have word passed to the surgeon about what is going on if I don't email him first.

It seems with my ADR I fell into the 5% failure rate & now the same with the facet injections!! Admittedly my L4/L5 is my main pain generator & I'll be glad when it's hopefully sorted out though I'm not at all looking forward to further surgery.

Sorry if this is a whinging post but at the moment I'm feeling down & fed up with the 24/7 pain

[Justin]

Gosh Lyndsay. I hope you start to feel better -- 24/7 pain is all consuming.

Keep your head up.

Justin

[Lyndsay]

Thanks Justin

You're right it is all consuming. Last night I did actually have a reasonable night. I think a combination on extra meds & I got a new memory foam pillow on sale. I think I'm just feeling down & fed up with the whole thing at the moment, maybe a bit sorry for myself too I try to stay positive most of the time but the constant pain can make it tiring.

Anyway, thanks again

[CindyLou]

Lyndsay, I'm sorry you have had such a hard go of it. I pray you get the relief you need and deserve. Hang in there. I hope you turn a corner soon.