I will be posting a mediacl update after my follow up visit this Monday

[JanusAscending]

with the Back specialists. So far I'm afraid it's not been vary succesful, and perhaps has done some harm. Keep postitive thoughts for me, but I'm losing bladder control and legs are getting weaker. Someone send me a powerful ZAP please! As you can see my hands and brain are out of sync too. I'm not even going to bother to ccoreect typos anymore!

[LiberalEsto]

1. Consider yourself zapped!

What's going on with your back?

[JanusAscending]

3. I had the epidural shots to the compressed nerves in my back

They did both the L/4 and L/5 nreve budles. Shot them up with a steroid, cortizone on Sept. 14th. Was feeling pretty good (hopefully positive) for a few days , but as the treatment is reall finnally taking affect, both legs are becoming numb(they only did the left leg) thigh muscles are non exisistant, and both arms and hands are numb and tingley at times. The location of the affective nerves is very near to ones that control the bladder and bowels. They may opt to either try another shot (sometimes it takes more than one) or they may decide to goahead with the "minimally invasive" back surgery. My whole back is mush though, soooooooo we'll see.

[LiberalEsto]

8. Yikes

I hope everything gets better for you.

I have problems in the same area -- herniated disc, sciatica, etc. I was getting cortisone shots about twice a year, and using Lidoderm patches whenever problems flared up between shots. When my back starts acting up, I also get bladder control problems.

A few years ago I went to an acupuncturist and it helped immensely. I haven't had a cortisone shot since then.My orthopedist says, "Whatever works". He believes back surgery should be avoided when possible.

I use Arniflora arnica gel on my lower back when it acts up after I've lifted something. It's a clear unscented gel that is sold at Vitamin Shoppes, Whole Foods, and I believe also at GNC stores. Arnica montana is an herb that is useful for bruises and other non-bleeding injuries as well as muscle pains.

Good luck!
:hug:

[JanusAscending]

14. I have a patch that my Dr. prescribed,

that works quite well, and aspercream helps for the normal back pain....but this is nerve pain, and it seems nothing helps it because the nerves being compressed are very inflamed and the cortisone and whatever else he injected is taking it's sweet time working. The first few days after the shot I felt pretty good, but that was because of the epidural sedation. Once that wore off completely, the pain came right back!

[elleng]

2. ZAP ZAP, dear JA.

:hug:

[BlueIris]

4. ((((( JA )))))

My mom has a multitude of back problems and there's nothing harder. Don't worry about typos, we can probably still decipher yu. :-)

[Kind of Blue]

5. Sending, JA.

I'm sensing/hoping there is no harm done but a side effects that will clear up shortly, part of the nasty taste of medicine that is working to do good. Sending that You Will reach equilibrium soon! :loveya:

[MorningGlow]

6. Oh my

Zapping, zapping, zapping. Hope this stuff settles down and things start working!! :hug:

[Proud_Lefty]

7. Sending you lots of light and zaps

I'm so sorry you have all this to go through. Hoping the best for you, JA. :hug:

[Matariki]

9. Thinking good thoughts for you JanusAscending.

Is it a spine or nervous system condition?

[elleng]

10. JA, just read LiberalEsto's post.

Thinking about acupuncture? Maybe you should.
ZAPPING MORE!

:hug:

(These are gentle hugs, ya know!)

:)

[JanusAscending]

11. The neurologist that originally tested my back

did a little of the acupuncture during the test. He put some needles up into the area between my shoulder blades that caused me problems. He said that there were two nerves up in that area that were Reading "dead" from the sounds the machine were making!....and yet he only ordered the MRI for the lower lumbar area. My Neurosurgeon is going to contact him re this. My back is shot from years of abuse and accidents. I've got osteoporosis on top of it all. Scoliosis, ruptured disks, herniated disks, fractured disks (spinal stenosis) and yet the pain from the compressed nerves is more painful than any other. I'm getting concerned about the numbness in the other leg and both my arms now. This must be what coming down with polio must have felt like to FDR. It seems to be happening gradually. At the end of the day wwhen my back is tired and ready for bed, even the pain ppills don't work. If I try to walk without my walker...I walk like Michael J. Fox did on the "View" the other day. Kind of Quasimodo like!!" Sanctuary...sanctuary!!" lol I hate to make light of it, but sometimes if I didn't laugh, I'd cry!

[Digit]

13. If we lived close to each other, we could high five as we passed

My daughter told me I walked like a penguin since my botched knee replacement.
You, Quasimodo, me, penguin....
You just have to have a sense of humor which you obviously have.

Wishing you all the best in resolving your ongoing issues.
I will send all the healing thoughts I can muster in my addled brain.

[Cleita]

12. Zapping for positive results.

Hoping all is well with you in the future. :hug:

[BanzaiBonnie]

15. I'm seeing you pain free and comfortable

You have good feeling in your leg and your arms and hands are working admirably well.

If you find the place in your memory where all the body parts are working and re-member what that feels like, you can have a hand in your own re-construction.


Use all the tools you have at your disposal in regaining your health. There are many of us standing with you.

[JanusAscending]

16. Doing that very thing right now.....literally!

I'm taking a break from "pushing" around two chairs in my living room. I'm using those plastic sliders under the legs. I'm switching out two recliners, from opposite corners of the room. Sunday my son came up and cut back my hedges, so that I can manuver my walker down the side walk so I can get to my mail box!! Felt good!My walker has wheels and a seat, so that I can rest when I need to. Went to back Dr. yesterday, and he's scheduled another round of shots to my back on Oct. 25th. This time to the center of the lower lumbar ( to the nerves than go directly to the hips.) Fingers crossed this time. I'll write more before I go to bed (if I don't let those chairs kill me!!) I've been trying to use my walker less in the house today...my mind and body are getting too dependant on it. My arms are dead tired by the time I go to bed, from holding up all of my weight all day. Good thing they only have to hold up 170lbs. now instead of 225 lbs. that I weighed this time last year. My legs feel like "lead" (heavy) at the end of each day. Later!