Well, I had my epidural injection on Monday. The injection wasn't too painful. It would have been pretty cool to watch. In fact, since it was done with fluoroscopy so the Dr. could see where the needle placement was, I could have watched it on the screen. However, I hate being at the receiving end of the needle so I just closed my eyes and prayed that it would be over quickly. So if you want to know what it looked like you'll have to ask Dr. Vicki who accompanied me!
It left my legs a little shaky afterwards and I was super happy to have Vicki there to drive me home. The injection left me feeling better that day but also tired. The injection included a couple different drugs. One was a short-acting anesthetic and the other was a long-acting steroid. It was a treat to have very little pain the first day as the anesthetic did its job.
The next morning I could tell that the steroid hadn't started working as the pain was back. It can take 5 or more days until it kicks in and up until now it hasn't.
I did find someone who works with non-surgical treatment of herniated discs using something called decompression therapy. This was something that I had wanted to try and is a similar approach as the inversion table. I had my first session at Parkside Spine Care on Friday. It is a different approach then my previous physical therapy and was warned that this might make me sore at first. Although it was fairly gentle traction, it did make me sorer later last night and today. I figure it is worth the try this week since nothing else has been effective. I will still meet with Dr. Houston, the neurosurgeon on Thursday to officially re-evaluate my condition. I'm sure that we will be discussing surgery unless there are drastic improvements. My pain level today is such that I generally get up on my feet for about 5 minutes at a time before I lay back down to avoid the pain. I pretty much avoid sitting altogether. My big adventure of the day is getting down to the mailbox.
This week's devotional for CVM was "Waiting on God." I was reminded that I am not the only one who has ever had to wait on God, and that God is still working while I wait. One of the verses that I like to think on is Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" I am challenged to use my time of waiting to seek Him, to stay encouraged and to pray for others. This next week CVM is holding a Training of Trainers (that I was supposed to help teach) so I am praying that it goes well as the participants come into town and for Drs. Karen, Monty & Shelley who will be teaching.
Thanks for your prayers as I wait!
It left my legs a little shaky afterwards and I was super happy to have Vicki there to drive me home. The injection left me feeling better that day but also tired. The injection included a couple different drugs. One was a short-acting anesthetic and the other was a long-acting steroid. It was a treat to have very little pain the first day as the anesthetic did its job.
The next morning I could tell that the steroid hadn't started working as the pain was back. It can take 5 or more days until it kicks in and up until now it hasn't.
I did find someone who works with non-surgical treatment of herniated discs using something called decompression therapy. This was something that I had wanted to try and is a similar approach as the inversion table. I had my first session at Parkside Spine Care on Friday. It is a different approach then my previous physical therapy and was warned that this might make me sore at first. Although it was fairly gentle traction, it did make me sorer later last night and today. I figure it is worth the try this week since nothing else has been effective. I will still meet with Dr. Houston, the neurosurgeon on Thursday to officially re-evaluate my condition. I'm sure that we will be discussing surgery unless there are drastic improvements. My pain level today is such that I generally get up on my feet for about 5 minutes at a time before I lay back down to avoid the pain. I pretty much avoid sitting altogether. My big adventure of the day is getting down to the mailbox.
This week's devotional for CVM was "Waiting on God." I was reminded that I am not the only one who has ever had to wait on God, and that God is still working while I wait. One of the verses that I like to think on is Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" I am challenged to use my time of waiting to seek Him, to stay encouraged and to pray for others. This next week CVM is holding a Training of Trainers (that I was supposed to help teach) so I am praying that it goes well as the participants come into town and for Drs. Karen, Monty & Shelley who will be teaching.
Thanks for your prayers as I wait!
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Awww Denise, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this :(
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