Pain management for lower back

[DGx2]

I looked under the medical forum and couldn't find what I was looking for.
My Chiropractor has recommened that I go to a pain managent place to get an epidural (steroids) to get relief from a buldging disc in my lower back. Does anyone have any imput regarding this. PS I am aware of the recent problem with tainted meds causing meningitis, but have been assured that it can still be done safely. Thanks in advance. DGx2

[eweissenbach]

I looked under the medical forum and couldn't find what I was looking for.
My Chiropractor has recommened that I go to a pain managent place to get an epidural (steroids) to get relief from a buldging disc in my lower back. Does anyone have any imput regarding this. PS I am aware of the recent problem with tainted meds causing meningitis, but have been assured that it can still be done safely. Thanks in advance. DGx2

I had two epidurals this past spring for by back. They gave me some relief, but I ultimately had to have back surgery. My disc was hernieted and the part that bulged out had prolapsed or broken off pinching my sciatic nerve. A neurosurgeon removed the broken piece in July and my sciatic problem has been much better. However, I am still having lower back pain and have an appointment with the neurosurgeon next week. I actually called the pain center to get an epidural but they wanted me to see the surgeon first. Lower back pain is not fun!

[sjuliz]

I've was treated successfully by Dr. Euribe this year for sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc.
Dr. Cesar Euribe , Central Florida Pain Mgmt.
1503 Buenos Aires BlvdBldg 150
Lady Lake, FL
352) 750-5882
He was recommended by my chiropractor. Good Luck!

[NotGolfer]

Been there and it's not fun for sure!! In my case I had a referral to a Dr. P (long name so they call him this) and he had me come to TLC Pain Management in Lady Lake. I think they did an epidural...which worked for a short while. Eventually had to have the surgery with Dr. Spurrier.

[jimmy D]

Start Swimming

[NotGolfer]

Been there and it's not fun for sure!! In my case I had a referral to a Dr. P (long name so they call him this) and he had me come to TLC Pain Management in Lady Lake. I think they did an epidural...which worked for a short while. Eventually had to have the surgery with Dr. Spurrier, a nuerosurgeon with a good reputation. He's in the Sharon Morse Bldg. by the hospital.

[Mudder]

I have chronic low back pain. Have had injections and like others have said they work for awhile. Some people have really great success with the injections. I have now pretty much decided that I will not have any more injections, I manage the pain with Tylenol, ice, heat, pain patches and most of all exercise. It sounds crazy to increase exercise but you need to keep moving or else the pain and inflamation will get the better of you. I have herniated discs among other back issues.

[DGx2]

Thanks to all that offered advice. Still not sure what to do. I called one of the pain management places and they said they could not get me in until January sometime. Looks like I picked a bad time to be in excruciating pain, since most Doc's are off untill Monday. Guess I could always do the urgent care thing and get some meds and lay around all weekend. Thanks again and Happy Thankgiving. I'll try to focus on the blessings I have and not the burdensome pain. DGX2

[Mudder]

Don't just lay around, your inflamation will only get worse and you end up focusing on the pain. As someone else said start swimming or at the very least start walking. Yes, maybe it's very painful but believe me if you do nothing it will only get worse. How about a little stretching and/or Yoga, surely you can do that. You need to keep moving even if it's slowly.

[Mudder]

Another thought, go to store and get an Extra Large IcyHot pain patch. They work very well, feels cold when you put it on, then warms up and you can leave it on for 12 hours. These work as well as injections for me, I could not play two holes of golf without them.

[kit9240]

My doc suggested I go on YouTube and look up hip exercises. I have found 5-6 that I have been doing for about 2 weeks. It really helps. I also have a stability ball and stretching on that helps a lot. Worth a try. As someone said in a previous post, don't just sit around, it will only get worse. Any kind of stretching will help.

Good luck and don't give up!

[NotGolfer]

Have to jump in here! Maybe stretching etc helps with "some" folks but I'd have to say in my instance...I couldn't walk when my disc ruptured, at least w/o help. The pain was way beyond anything I'd ever experienced (I've had other issues where pain was a factor so believe me this was bad). None of the drugs worked...only when the morphine pump began prior to the surgery did there come relief! BUT the real relief was waking up and not having anymore pain! That was over a year and a half ago and it's been wonderful since!!!

[Joaniesmom]

Dr. P = Sridhar Pinnamaneni, MD

I see him and have a lot of confidence in his ability. Please note that his wife is also a doctor, oncologist, so be careful when you make an appointment that you see the right person.

[DGx2]

Thanks again for your responses. Have scheduled an appointment with The Florida pain management clinic for an epidural. 2-3 weeks to get in. I agree with most of the responses about exercise, swiming, etc., but right now I am in so much pain I can't even walk in the pool, let alone to the pool. Thank goodness for my wife that is helping me get through this painful journey. I'm glad she took our wedding vows seriously, " ....in sickness and in health.....". DGX2

[eweissenbach]

Have to jump in here! Maybe stretching etc helps with "some" folks but I'd have to say in my instance...I couldn't walk when my disc ruptured, at least w/o help. The pain was way beyond anything I'd ever experienced (I've had other issues where pain was a factor so believe me this was bad). None of the drugs worked...only when the morphine pump began prior to the surgery did there come relief! BUT the real relief was waking up and not having anymore pain! That was over a year and a half ago and it's been wonderful since!!!

Thanks again for your responses. Have scheduled an appointment with The Florida pain management clinic for an epidural. 2-3 weeks to get in. I agree with most of the responses about exercise, swiming, etc., but right now I am in so much pain I can't even walk in the pool, let alone to the pool. Thank goodness for my wife that is helping me get through this painful journey. I'm glad she took our wedding vows seriously, " ....in sickness and in health.....". DGX2

The key issue may well be; is your pain in your lower back -- or does it go down your hip and your leg? If it is only in your back, an epidural may well relieve the pain, at least temporarily. IF it goes to your hip and/or leg and foot, you have a sciatic nerve problem. A nerve that is damaged may well be irrepairable and the longer before the problem is resolved, the greater the chance the damage will be irreversable. If this is the case I am afraid medication will only mask the problem and maybe not even that, and surgery is the only answer. I had sciatic nerve problems and DID NOT want surgery, but my neurosurgeon assured me that we needed to repair the problem sooner rather than later or risk permanent damage. I had the surgery a week later and the hip and leg pain have disappeared, though I still don't have 100% strength in my ankle/foot, and probably never will. I guess my basketball days are over.

[chevy]

I have chronic low back pain. Have had injections and like others have said they work for awhile. Some people have really great success with the injections. I have now pretty much decided that I will not have any more injections, I manage the pain with Tylenol, ice, heat, pain patches and most of all exercise. It sounds crazy to increase exercise but you need to keep moving or else the pain and inflamation will get the better of you. I have herniated discs among other back issues.

I have had one injection,but no relief by Dr Pinnameni .Have hard time getting any response from his office.Took 2 weeks to get first appt.,then injec:bowdown:tion 4 days later.I found very little relief.W

[chevy]

Dr. P = Sridhar Pinnamaneni, MD

I see him and have a lot of confidence in his ability. Please note that his wife is also a doctor, oncologist, so be careful when you make an appointment that you see the right person.

I have confidence in his ability also:pepper2:

[NotGolfer]

I've already posted...that being said I don't think this forum is good for medical advice especially when it comes to these kinds of issues. Everyone's experience is different so only a medical professional should be consulted. When I had my back problems I went to the chiropractor frequently, tried physical therapy but it made things worse, I also walked and did water-walking and exercised. After many years of trying everything "holistic" I 'had' to go to the neurosurgeon! He sent me to a pain specialist who did two shots about two months apart. Then things got worse where I found that the disc had ruptured. I couldn't walk by myself, go to the bathroom etc. so had a disc-sectomy which relieved the pain. I must say that for now it's so much better than before. Go to a doctor and get his opinion!!!

[chevy]

Thanks to all that offered advice. Still not sure what to do. I called one of the pain management places and they said they could not get me in until January sometime. Looks like I picked a bad time to be in excruciating pain, since most Doc's are off untill Monday. Guess I could always do the urgent care thing and get some meds and lay around all weekend. Thanks again and Happy Thankgiving. I'll try to focus on the blessings I have and not the burdensome pain. DGX2
Have had inject one time.Did not help.Family Dr put me on Hydrocodone that does relieve the pain.,but constipates if not careful. However, have not been able to get back in to Dr office for more treatment.