thanks for all the info lady.
the area is a herniating disc at about L5.

i see him for a f/u after the shots before x-mas so we'll see.
but with my move in 3 mos i don't want to risk the rhizotomy.

Hi Nancy,
The had the Caudal Epidural shot in 2003. But herniated discs in 1995 prior to the accident. So..

I have been there too. (sigh) I had a left Laminectomy of L3,4,5, and S1. I had one bad fragmented herniated disc with splintered bone fragments, sticking into the whole area and a solid cyst compressing the cord around 1995. The pain was pretty bad. I tried conservative measures first.

Gentle PT, and the Regular cocktail Epidurals shots in the direct area of the herniated discs.. I had two and felt pretty good after the second one. One shot lasts about 6 months, then I had another. The Neuro-surgeon did offer surgery, but I waited. When the pain became unbearable because the cyst. The cyst is rare where it was and could had been a tumor, per MRI and a Myelogram and CT.

I decided to get the surgery, pain pills did not touch it again. I had the full back open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery for this surgery came out about 6 months later. (sigh again)

The Neuro-surgeon did an excellent job and I woke to no pain and no problems. I went back to work for many, many more years. I was fine, with a scar down my back, instead of three little holes. (sign again)

The spinal cord is not in that area, but the nerves are (see picture above) that is why I went with a Neuro-surgeon instead of an Orthopedic surgeon, because of the MS.

I hope some of this helps or just disregard my rambling on.. You are not alone.

That sounds like, after reading all this and seeing the graphic, you made a very wise move.

Judy, I bet if you got opinions from both NS and OS, you would sense very different approach. I'd feel safer with NS too, ms aside, in this case.

Good luck Judy.