Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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slbale 03/30/2014

Hi all Hubby (AKA David) figured I better tell you his name at some stage, had an MRI of the lumbo-sacral spine the other day and they have found 2 bulging discs and a probable pinched nerve at L4. the neuro says we could try spinal cortisone injections to see if this relieves the pressure and if that doesn't work we will have to start talking about fusion of 4 vertebrae. has anyone had these injections or this surgery? the surgery sounds like an extreme thing as it will limit his ability to curl up, could you lend me your experience here. as always very thankful for everyone. sharon

HCARD 03/30/2014

Wow both seem a little extreme to me. What about PT and some oral steroids. I really don't know but I would get a few opinions. We only have one back!

marilyn4342 03/30/2014

I would try anything first before surgery

deleted_user 03/31/2014

my husband had the spinal injection and he said it helped alot, but it wore off in about 2 months and was in severe pain for a few days. it is a quick procedure and can be done in the dr's office under a sterile enviroment. as with any invasive procedures there is risks so ask questions before you decide. good luck.

ChrissyH 03/31/2014

I've had a bulging disk that was helped with steroid shots. My husband went this past October to our PCP and was given PT for 4 months. It didn't help at all & was finally referred to a Pain Management & back specialist where he got 3 rounds of shots. Even though the shots didn't work they isolated the repeal problem. His buldging disks r surrounded by inflamed nerves. In a week he is having the nerves burned out. The outpatient surgery isn't supposed to b painting.ful,, but the following 5-7 days r going to b VERY PAINFUL!
I hope ur husband has a better experience than mine did.

slbale 04/01/2014

thanks for your advice, have appointment with neuro on Thursday and a list of questions now. The pain is so bad he has just about topped out on Lyrica and started using endone occasionally (he's not keen on it due to the constipation and you guys know what that's like) for now managing but just

Kayce1970 04/02/2014

what they did for me
was pt
when that did not work I did the steroid shots they helped for yrs
now the damage is too bad
for me I have DDD I am now missing completely L4 L5 & one in the neck
plus having the MS the surgeon said I was not a candidate for surgery
he said even if they did their best job
& he also said they don't always do
he said it is common for people to be in life long pain after surgery
He said he only does surgery if the spine is unstable

for pain control T.E.N.S. works very well

slbale 04/04/2014

Hi All
and thanks for the replies david has decided to try PT for a while (he's a little needle phobic and he LP scared the crap out of him, he needed to be sedated for it) so we will see. silly thing is MS doc advises for injections while general neuro advises against it I am sooo confused by the differing opinions I wonder how anyone gets anything sorted out

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