[jjdees]

I have a history of epidurals and facet blocks. Over a 3-4 year period, I had a series of epidurals that helped and lasted about 45 days and then the downward spiral until the next injection. Initially it was about 3 injections per year. The last couple of years, I received 6 injections a year although in the beginning I was told I couldn't receive more than 3. Four years ago, I had cervical fusion followed 2 years later by a laminectomy in 2015. All was fine for a while until earlier this year when my back began talking to me again and I received 2 epidurals. They provided no relief. The Dr followed up with facet blocks, 8 injections which really helped. I received a second round of facet blocks which also worked and the next step will be a burn, an ablation of the nerves causing the problems. Epidurals are injected into the epidural canal, the facet blocks into the joints in the spine. It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion but my message is at least in my case, facet blocks did the trick whereas the epidurals did not. In the meantime, I continue to play golf and I have a convenient excuse for bad rounds.