SI joint injections!

[Tbuddyandroby]

I had an injection done before Christmas and it only helped me for a little over 3 weeks before the pain came back. I have a follow-up appointment with the "pain specialists" next week and an appointment with a neurosurgeon at the end of this month. I've had constant lower back pain for about a year. It's gotten worse over the years and I want something done. I've been to chiropractors etc. and nothing works. I don't want surgery and I Definitely don't want to be on a bunch of narcotics the "pain specialist" said they offer, but something has to give... Like mentioned above, the more active you are the more aggravated the nerve(s). I refuse to just lay down and give up fishing and hunting. I want it fixed so I can move on, but like everyone, hear horror stories with surgery making the pain worse post op...

[PYBUCK]

I had the injections and the ablations in my L5. Shots lasted 3 days ablations were supposed to last 2 years, lased 10 days. Waste of about $2,000 co-pay for me. Hope yours works better than mine did.

[dustoffer]

I have a brother!

Well, checked my hog shoot feeder today and it is about out plus the trap feeder is hungry too--guess you know what that means--500 lbs of corn up the ladder and into the feeders next week. I plan on being careful, but you never know-

[ThisLadyHunts]

I had an injection done before Christmas and it only helped me for a little over 3 weeks before the pain came back. I have a follow-up appointment with the "pain specialists" next week and an appointment with a neurosurgeon at the end of this month. I've had constant lower back pain for about a year. It's gotten worse over the years and I want something done. I've been to chiropractors etc. and nothing works. I don't want surgery and I Definitely don't want to be on a bunch of narcotics the "pain specialist" said they offer, but something has to give... Like mentioned above, the more active you are the more aggravated the nerve(s). I refuse to just lay down and give up fishing and hunting. I want it fixed so I can move on, but like everyone, hear horror stories with surgery making the pain worse post op...

It’s good you’re seeing a neurosurgeon. In my observations, they have a much higher success rate than other specialties (I.e., orthopedics, chiropractic, etc.). Most people I know have had great results.

I wouldn’t dismiss surgery, if I were you, if surgery were needed. For example, if boney overgrowth is causing your pain—say, bones spurs or spinal stenosis—nothing other than removing the excess bone will help. Furthermore, if you’ve gotten to the point where you have nerve pain, delaying surgery (if it is, in fact, surgery that’s needed) only makes the problem worse as the more damaged the nerve the more difficult its recovery.

Please, go see a neurosurgeon sooner rather than later.

[Tbuddyandroby]

It’s good you’re seeing a neurosurgeon. In my observations, they have a much higher success rate than other specialties (I.e., orthopedics, chiropractic, etc.). Most people I know have had great results.

I wouldn’t dismiss surgery, if I were you, if surgery were needed. For example, if boney overgrowth is causing your pain—say, bones spurs or spinal stenosis—nothing other than removing the excess bone will help. Furthermore, if you’ve gotten to the point where you have nerve pain, delaying surgery (if it is, in fact, surgery that’s needed) only makes the problem worse as the more damaged the nerve the more difficult its recovery.

Please, go see a neurosurgeon sooner rather than later.

Thanks for the advice! My back is just worn from year of manual labor (6 years industrial painting after high school, 10 years working in a paper mill, and 16 year in the chemical industry). I have 2 bad disk; one worse than the other. I don't have any spurs, I'm not bone on bone with the vertebrae yet, but the disks are pressing the nerves. I just feel like the "pain specialists" are out to make money and prolong the repair to actually Fix the issue(s). I'm not against surgery, just real cautious and have a lot of questions. IE: One Dr. said I may need a fusion And a disk replacement... If I replace a disk, won't that fix it and why have a fusion, too? I've researched fusions can put more stress on the upper/lower vertebrae and cause damage to those disks in the future. I'm 50 and have a lot of life left (... or at least I try to convince myself I do)... I don't wanna go back in 15 years for more surgery!

Sorry Op, not trying to hijack your thread.
I do have a co-worker that gets injections about 3-4 months and they work great for him. I think it comes down to the individual and how active they are and the damage already done to your back.

[Sasqy]

Been there done that !
Helped for a couple mos. Now worse than ever.
Been dealing with this over 2 years now.
Last hope here, is fusion and suspension.

[muddydog]

I have suffered with a 40 year back injury. Dr told me surgery or wheel chair by 40. I'm 60 now and am having a pretty bad spell with the sciatic nerve. Spent a whole week in bed!The right chiropractor can work miracles. I only use otc meds and use gentle stretches. The body has a way of healing itself, it takes time. I'm considering the injections but after reading everyone's results.....I think I'll pass and just try to give it some time. At 60 and diabetic too the risk outways the possible reward.

[Mudslinger]

So far my SI injections seem to be working. Pain is gone, hauled 6 treated 8' 2x6's from my truck to our deck and built 3 level 6' wide stairs so we could get from the upper deck to the lower deck. Way easier stepping down or going up more than 7"-8" steps. I can now bend over on pick up things from the floor without help getting back up or the back hurting. I really feel more flexibility in my entire body due to the lack of pain and stiffness in my back. I am happy, just hope it keeps up for a long period!