Facet Joint Injections!
On Monday, Fearing a very unpleasant time I entered our massive new Hospital in Bristol for a series of facet joint Injections in my spine.
I should explain that increasingly for the past 18 months I have been suffering terrible and debilitating lower back pain. To the extent that I had become almost immobile, bad tempered and putting on far too much weight due to a resultant lack of exercise.
It came to a peak in December when my Doctor insisted that I resign all of my senior cabinet posts on the local authority. He insisted that at 71 and in failing health a 35 hour week was doing no good at all! Doom & Gloom followed as far as I was concerned! I could see that my Caravanning days were over.
Then came the appointment for Mondays "Op". and to use a modern phrase I was Br*****g it.
The specialist in the radioligy dept who was going to do the injections said that it was a bit of an experiment that would either give me much relief, - or if they were wrong surgery would be required ! Not good news it seemed!
But it worked a treat! The Steroid injections found the right spot and it is like someone switched the pain right off! The injections themselves were not too bad and my fears unfounded.
I have been warned that the treatment might only last six months, but who cares, - The pain has gone! Its like having a new lease of life. - I can go caravanning again! I went out to the van this morning, it was looking a bit forlorn in its field, the front covered in green streaks. A couple of buckets of Fenwicks and a soft brush soon fixed that!
Not long now until March and we can get going again!
TF
Comments
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Pleased to hear it TF. Hope it lasts. No running marathons though.
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Glad to here it went well. I know one or two people that have had similar steroid injections, but in joints not the spine. They were also told the effects would last about 6 months, one ls still going strong after a couple of years so keep your fingers crossed.
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Glad it worked TF. That's really good news.
I had shoulder injections a few years back, but had to have the shoulder joint 'replaced' in the end. When I had the first injection, for the first 24 hours it was brilliant, but then the pain came back. Later on in the week in dawned on me what had happened..... Before they gave me the proper injection they gave me a local anesthetic, which obviously had wore off by the next day. When I went the next week I said, 'Forget the injection, just give me the anesthetic....'
David
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Still working at 71,there are the needy & the gr**dy.Retire,& enjoy life.
That's a rather uncharitable viewpoint. I don't think you know the full story, Micknval.
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Glad to hear you gained some pain relief from the injections, I too had them in my lower spine and have to say they have lasted quite some time,I niw have them in my neck, both sides, every six months, sadly I need tohave 2 discs removed from my neck, have
told the consultant I need to have them done after my main holiday in June, not missing my 3 week caravanning holiday in France, pain or no pain.0 -
Still working at 71,there are the needy & the gr**dy.Retire,& enjoy life.
That's a rather uncharitable viewpoint. I don't think you know the full story, Micknval.
Quite agree, Tinners, quite agree. I'm sure M & V does not realise that Tigerfish was working for the good of the local community, & putting his knowledge gleaned in his working years, to good use in that community.
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Still working at 71, ....
My Dad is 78, had triple by-pass surgery 12 months ago and still works ...... not the bloke you really want to meet while he's working ....... he's an undertaker. I think it's working that keeps him going because his lifestyle shoud have had him dead & buried
yrs ago.0 -
Glad it's all worked out for you Brian
And the same from me. Also glad that the injections weren't too painfull. I had a steroid injection into the joint of my large toe and can say that I've never felt so much pain in my life. I'll go on suffering a painful toe rather than than go through that
again!!
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No, These were absolutely painless. The worst bit was when they washed over my back with some sort of disinfectant first. it was so cold it made me jump! They then used a sort of local anaesthetic because i didnt feel the four injections at all, just a feeling of deep pressure.
In short my worries were groundless and I would advise anyone else having it done not to worry.
I simply cannot get over living without pain! I'm walking upright again and the "Old Man's Shuffle" has gone too. Friends have said that Ive lost the gray palour that I previously had.
I am concious that it may not last. Drs have said maybe only 6 months, but whoopee, I'm going to make the most of it. Ive already given the Caravan a wash off!
TF
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Delighted to hear your feeling chirpy TF !! Can I bring my motor round please ==> { I don't mind queuing
}Just back from Doc myself -- uprated my thyroid tabs so now i've got some ( 50 mcgm ) that I can actually see in the early morning !! Two months then back for More Blood Tests groan, groan ! at least I get to arrange
them for the same session as my Diabetes tests -- early morning fasting bloods
-- strikes terror into the very bones of folk with healthy appetites
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