Lumbar Cortisone Injections…

[zilo]

Originally Posted by arm79

It would be helpful to know if you were given a normal tablet or a modified release one.

Normal tablets are give an instant hit that last for a few hours, its not a mixture of meds that do it. Breakthrough pain relief i believe it's referred to.

I did hear the term "breakthrough pain relief" , am going back there today will ask for some specifics and get back to you mate.

[Citroënbender]

(Digressions are below the asterisks.)

After a further consultation, this doctor wants an MRI, then specialist, and for now - no further injections, no physiotherapy, no chiropractic.

I’m disappointed in the exclusion of what I’d have thought to be allied services but will go with it for now - they had no objection to self-directed everyday exercises like walking or cycling.

Pain is a low enough level that it can presently be self-managed with rest and OTC pharmaceuticals, but a high enough level to impact on quality of life, including how one engages with (and contributes to) the community. I feel it might be diminishing slightly again but too early for calling.

********

Digression 1: Highlight of injections was definitely the Greek technician. She told me a great story of how their fridge broke down on 23rd December, just after they’d loaded in all their food for extended family at Christmas. Her husband worked out how to repair it from YT, mission saved! I really liked the story because it involved not just Mediterraneans, food and practical thriftiness - but you could tell from how this woman spoke of it all, that her husband really was her soulmate. It’s nice to see genuine happiness in life.

Digression 2: “RS”, an acquaintance, recently died. I wouldn’t strictly call him a mentor but he led an exemplary life (to me) that balanced work, health and family. At 78, an unexpected heart attack after dinner was the end. While this event might sound sad, I don’t believe he wasted much time in all those years and never knew of a single person who disliked him. An inspiration to make the next 25 years count, which is why I’m keen - if not impatient! - to resolve issues like the core of this thread…

[prydey]

Originally Posted by zilo

Best to not quote me then, maybe refer to a Wiki link instead?

You're misunderstanding possibly. You mentioned that concoction worked for you so I was simply pointing out that a similar concoction is readily available. I wasn't trying to imply that's what the hospital gave you.

[Citroënbender]

Returning to the original issue, a good friend’s brother is a pain management specialist in the UK. He looked at the information I’d been given about what’s going on, and said the basic affliction is something called “spinal stenosis”. Coupled with his comments (opinions, I suppose, to be accurate) that surgical intervention often had a fairly limited duration of relief and it was best to focus on core strength plus not overdoing it…

I hadn’t wanted to hassle this fellow too much as he’s juggling a lot across two continents, but honestly felt I got more out of a brief discussion than the last three GP consultations.

[hawkgirl]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I avoided Lyrica, being into the seventh week now (I think) of fluctuating discomfort - it’s probably time to review my attitude to it.

Personally, I think it's a drug best avoided.
It is the only thing I've ever taken that has such serious yet ignored side effects.
For me, I became "scary" according to my ex. As in, he was concerned I might do him a permanent damage. I could have too, and it wouldn't have bothered me. I am not allowed to take them, and gabapentin is much the same. Severe mood imbalance is a known side effect that no doctor who has tried to give it to me has acknowledged, save for the original doc.
It is also the only one that caused me to make a serious error while driving. Both times it was on a private drive at low speed, so lucky no harm done.

FWIW, the standard pain relief Emergency gives is 1 endone, 1 nurofen & 1 panadol.

[hawkgirl]

Hope you're going OK with it all Mr CB

[Citroënbender]

Mostly OK for now, thanks - hope your officially instructed rest phase is drawing to a close with some improvement.

I am trying really hard to not overdo things - which is difficult when you love to work and have been forcibly laid up a number of weeks. And the shop apprentice has just sidelined himself with a sliced artery in his leg, playing the fool with his mates. So there’s more mechanical work on the table than expected. Plus this sting in Summer’s tail; it’s super easy to get cooked working outside at present - hydration is a constant battle.

Reflecting on this saga earlier today, there’s unsettlingly clear memory of the needle grating slightly on bone as it was inserted for the second round. That’s lingered more strongly than memory of actual pain; I’m amazed at how the mind can brush it aside. The MRI is yet to be done, wanting to tick a couple of work goals off beforehand. That’s probably a bit silly (risky) but it’s for my sanity in the shorter term, which can be said now I’ve “outed” myself as a workaholic.

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by hawkgirl

Personally, I think it's a drug best avoided.
It is the only thing I've ever taken that has such serious yet ignored side effects.
For me, I became "scary" according to my ex. As in, he was concerned I might do him a permanent damage. I could have too, and it wouldn't have bothered me. I am not allowed to take them, and gabapentin is much the same. Severe mood imbalance is a known side effect that no doctor who has tried to give it to me has acknowledged, save for the original doc.
It is also the only one that caused me to make a serious error while driving. Both times it was on a private drive at low speed, so lucky no harm done.

FWIW, the standard pain relief Emergency gives is 1 endone, 1 nurofen & 1 panadol.

Affected me also, with a strange veering to the left feeling (no pun intended lol) on occasion..... also often being one cupboard door off, when trying to access stuff in my kitchen.... quit in less than a week & didnt drive in that time due to those side affects.... dont reckon the Dr believed me!
Obviously wouldnt recommend it!

[hawkgirl]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Mostly OK for now, thanks - hope your officially instructed rest phase is drawing to a close with some improvement.
.

Thanks

The enforced rest is over but has been replaced with a new one.
Currently undergoing a Spinal Cord Stimulator trial for 2 weeks.
Ex is calling me Robocop lol

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by hawkgirl

Thanks

The enforced rest is over but has been replaced with a new one.
Currently undergoing a Spinal Cord Stimulator trial for 2 weeks.
Ex is calling me Robocop lol

Good luck! keen to hear feed-back on that.

[hawkgirl]

Originally Posted by HIPO

Good luck! keen to hear feed-back on that.

So, a 1 week trial became a 2 week trial as they wanted to trial a different device after the 1st week.
The 2 work differently, and am leaning towards device 2. The #1 I could occasionally feel pulsing at night, #2 pulses up to10,000 times a second so I haven't noticed it.
Will never be pain free however recovery time for me is better with #2.

There are a few studies claiming its placebo effect but I definitely noticed normal pain levels returning during the 36 hr window of device changeover.

Will have to think hard about a permanent implant but would be nice to do stuff without struggling

[Citroënbender]

Sounds like it’s got real potential, especially the second one. A life with less pain, that means less fatigue, so many more opportunities.

[mad2]

so how are you doing Mr. Bender?

[Citroënbender]

Not too bad at present. Good mobility, negligible pain mostly. Remembering to lift carefully! The drawback is getting so hyped about resuming stalled jobs, that sometimes I miss out on sleep. :-/ Others might have comment, I think the shock of sudden loss in mobility at the onset is probably like a lot of traumatic events; it rocks the boat mentally.

[HIPO]

Originally Posted by hawkgirl

So, a 1 week trial became a 2 week trial as they wanted to trial a different device after the 1st week.
The 2 work differently, and am leaning towards device 2. The #1 I could occasionally feel pulsing at night, #2 pulses up to10,000 times a second so I haven't noticed it.
Will never be pain free however recovery time for me is better with #2.

There are a few studies claiming its placebo effect but I definitely noticed normal pain levels returning during the 36 hr window of device changeover.

Will have to think hard about a permanent implant but would be nice to do stuff without struggling

Thanks for the reply! that does sound promising.

Understand your dilemma over an implant.... would be good to do away with
or reduce medication though.

Not a good feeling losing some independence to pain either.... hate having to ask for any help..........

Good luck!

[mad2]

Originally Posted by hawkgirl

So, a 1 week trial became a 2 week trial as they wanted to trial a different device after the 1st week.
The 2 work differently, and am leaning towards device 2. The #1 I could occasionally feel pulsing at night, #2 pulses up to10,000 times a second so I haven't noticed it.
Will never be pain free however recovery time for me is better with #2.

There are a few studies claiming its placebo effect but I definitely noticed normal pain levels returning during the 36 hr window of device changeover.

Will have to think hard about a permanent implant but would be nice to do stuff without struggling

and for you - hope you are doing well

[aussiblue]

The drawback is getting so hyped about resuming stalled jobs, that sometimes I miss out on sleep. :-/ Others might have comment, I think the shock of sudden loss in mobility at the onset is probably like a lot of traumatic events; it rocks the boat mentally.

I agree and can empathise somewhat including the drug dilemma. But from you post it seems you are getting into a few project now.

I also have a lot of project sitting on hold that are creating stress and loss of sleep. I have psoriatic arthritis and its now at the point where my fingers are painful just touching something and if knock them the slightest as you do when working on cars it's agony.

They have prescribes methotrexate (see https://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html) and while I filled script I have not yet been game to start the treatment regime. There is a lot of recent research indicating it greatly increases the risk of skin cancer e.g. https://ecancer.org/en/news/22686-us...of-skin-cancer As a 69 year old close to 70 light skinned ranga that already has had a large carcinoma caused by the psoriasis sores, I am very concerned about this.But my GP an rheumatologist are convinced it will change my life. I also some other chronic health issues and past drug intolerances so I am concerned about how this drug will impact on them. Anyone else here been on methotrexate? If so, was it life changing as promised?

[aussiblue]

As you can see it also causes some typing issues as hitting the keys hurt. Moisture in the air, be it humidity or rain, makes the psoriasis pain worse and it's raining today.

That should have read:

I agree and can empathise somewhat including the drug dilemma. But from your posts it seems you are getting into a few projects now.

I also have a lot of projectS sitting on hold that are creating stress and loss of sleep. I have psoriatic arthritis and its now at the point where my fingers are painful just touching something and if knock them the slightest,as you do when working on cars, it's agony.

They have prescribes methotrexate (see https://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html) and while I filled script, I have not yet been game to start the treatment regime. There is a lot of recent research indicating it greatly increases the risk of skin cancer e.g. https://ecancer.org/en/news/22686-us...of-skin-cancer As a 69 year old close to 70 light skinned ranga, that already has had a large carcinoma caused by the psoriasis sores, I am very concerned about this. But my GP and rheumatologist are convinced it will change my life. I also some other chronic health issues and past drug intolerances so I am concerned about how this drug will impact on them. Anyone else here been on methotrexate? If so, was it life changing as promised?

I have been able to defer the decision to start the methotrexate as I have had pneumonia (only mild by past episodes) and the GP agreed I should wait until I have both finished the antibiotics and recovered from the pneumonia.

Back on topic Cortisone injection never ever worked for me or any of my arthritis (the are still debating if what was previously diagnosed as osteoarthritis then Rheumatoid arthritis was actually psoriatic arthritis all along) ; no notable improvement or change at all.

[five 7]

Originally Posted by aussiblue

I agree and can empathise somewhat including the drug dilemma. But from you post it seems you are getting into a few project now.

I also have a lot of project sitting on hold that are creating stress and loss of sleep. I have psoriatic arthritis and its now at the point where my fingers are painful just touching something and if knock them the slightest as you do when working on cars it's agony.

They have prescribes methotrexate (see https://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html) and while I filled script I have not yet been game to start the treatment regime. There is a lot of recent research indicating it greatly increases the risk of skin cancer e.g. https://ecancer.org/en/news/22686-us...of-skin-cancer As a 69 year old close to 70 light skinned ranga that already has had a large carcinoma caused by the psoriasis sores, I am very concerned about this.But my GP an rheumatologist are convinced it will change my life. I also some other chronic health issues and past drug intolerances so I am concerned about how this drug will impact on them. Anyone else here been on methotrexate? If so, was it life changing as promised?

Hey Blue my wife is in the same boat as you, they prescribed methotrexate and Sulphurzine, from memory both chemo drugs. She hated taking them with resulting side effects (nausea), and no effect on her arthritis. After a year she took her self off them, didn't think the payoff was worth it with feeling sick all the time and long term harm from the drugs. She's had some silicon knuckles put in which are great, no pain and work like the originals. She's now on a world trial of a new drug which seems to be a big help, it's slowed down joint degredation and pain, no more daily diclofinac (bad for stomach long term). I’ll find out name of the drug and send it to you tomorrow, we just left Brisbane on a cruise so don't have full name at hand, then you can ask specialist about it, he might be able to source it for you.
Regards Mark.
Just found this in my memos
Upadacitinib 15 MG
Rinvoc

[aussiblue]

I’ll find out name of the drug and send it to you tomorrow,

Thanks Mark.

Just found this in my memos


Thanks again; I will ask my rheumatologist about it.
Upadacitinib 15 MG

[five 7]

All good Blue, I've watched what she's been through over the years, not good being in pain all the time. Ask away any time mate, hope I've been some help. Cheers.