NeuroTalk Support Groups - Facet Joint Disease? Should I get an epidural?

NeuroTalk Support Groups (https://www.neurotalk.org/)

- Spinal Disorders & Back Pain (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/)

- - Facet Joint Disease? Should I get an epidural? (https://www.neurotalk.org/spinal-disorders-and-back-pain/52469-facet-joint-disease-epidural.html)

Facet Joint Disease? Should I get an epidural?

Hello, I am a newbie to this forum. I am a 56 y lady with long standing back problems. Right sided herniation at L3-4, bulging at L2-3, and also L5-S1. Degeneration throughout and some spinal stenosis at L3-4 - MRI taken in 06. Since Friday I've been having sevree pain thats going down the left side now, but to the knee, hip, groin, thigh. Can't walk, stand, even laying down hurts. Only sitting is less painful or standing stooped over like Quasimoto. My doc thinks I have facet joint disease. Seeing a chiropractor who's offering traction, TENS, no help yet. May have to have an epidural. The problem is no pain specialist/anesthesialogist is within 30 miles of me thats in my ins. plan. In the event I do get an epidural, how long do they last? How many do I need? I'm also a mild diabetic, would that be a hinderance?

:hug:Welcome to Neuro Talk Stella...we could be twins except for the diabetic thing. I am having my 5th surgery this fall, haven't set the date yet. I had two epidurals and they did help. The doc did them where he is going in to fix stuff...wanted to know if I would possible get some pain relief with the surgery. Well, it was great!!

Everyone is different as far as how long they last. Some get no relief and some get up to three or four months. You can only have three in a twelve month time frame as far as I know. I do know that you will have to have someone drive you home after. If you need to bend an ear you know how to find me...:hug:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamiloo (Post 350696)

Thanks for the warm welcome! I never had an epidural so I don't know what to expect, how long I have to lay there, etc. (I also get very dizzy after laying down face down for a long time and getting up) A friend of mine is telling me to stay away from epidurals because cortisone damages the bone. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

http://dl7.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...mzfgbailft.gif

I am glad you found the Neurotalk forums!
:Wave-Hello:

Hello Stella and Welcome to NeuroTalk. From another member who suffers from back/spine & hip pain, I can sympathize with you. Hope you make yourself at home here and I'm glad you found us.

http://dl4.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...kijai7e7lr.gif

Hi, Stella! :Wave-Hello: Welcome to NeuroTalk!

I hope you find our community both helpful and supportive. :)