LymeNet Flash: Lumbar block for pain

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Lumbar block for pain

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Author

Topic: Lumbar block for pain

lhm312
Unregistered

posted

My pain management clinic is recommending a lumbar block for the peripheral neuropathy in my lower extremities. It's my feet that have the worst pain.

They want me to do the block so I can get off the heavy duty pain meds that I am on. I researched the lumbar block and it seems to be used mostly for rsd, which I don't have.

With the pain meds, I now have some quality of life. I think the hysteria with Rush Limbaugh and the doctor shopping has the pain docs running scared, and they are looking for ways to get us off those meds.

I feel strongly that no one is going to put a needle into my spine, but I'm afraid that if I refuse, they won't continue to see me.

Has anyone has the lumbar block for lower extremity neuropathy?

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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020

posted

Posts: 5705 | From Ohio | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged |

Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584

posted

Be VERY CAREFUL. I'd run this by your LLMD ASAP. Pain ducks LOVE steroids and know little who they can adversely effect Lymies.

What are they using for the injection? I had a steroid injection and it was a DISASTER. It set my body on fire with tear jerking nerve pain. My LLMD OK'd it, but obviously steroids & Lyme don't mix.

[This message has been edited by Foggy (edited 19 August 2005).]

Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged |

janeymae
Member
Member # 7018

posted

I have had two in the last year, before they found Lyme. My back never got better after surgery and since no one could figure out what was wrong, I tried the injections.

They didn't last much more than a week. I still have extreme back pain when I stand for much more than 15 minutes, then legs go numb.

I can't say they made me feel any worse, mostly a waste of time and money. Once I found out about the Lyme, I canceled the third one.

Posts: 35 | From SE, MA | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

lhm312
Unregistered

posted

They had said something about steroids with the pain meds in the injection. I told them they couldn't use any steroid on me.

I didn't ask any questions because I knew I wasn't planning on following up, and after these responses it's not likely the block does any good.

If anyone has had a positive experience, I'm willing to hear about it.

Janeymae, have you tried Neurontin for the nerve pain? It's the drug of choice for that kind of pain.

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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584

posted

Those injections are merely a band aid, transient in pain relief, and are hit or miss.

I tried Neurontin & Gabtril for neuropathy to no avail. Abx treatment was the only thing that helped, but it took time.

Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged |

henson2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 463

posted

Hi,

I got injections into my sternum and ribs, not in the spine. But these nerve block injections made my pain SO MUCH worse!!! Please be very, very careful.

I don't have faith in injections.

Please be careful about injections!!

Wishing you wellness soon.

[ 19. May 2007, 02:06 AM: Message edited by: henson2 ]

Posts: 1067 | From East Coast | Registered: Dec 2000 | IP: Logged |

24bit
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6531

posted

I had back surgery, and it just made things worse for about 4 months.

Try the Pain Free Diet and see if that works some. Some people swear by it. Also might try that Xango stuff because that's helped a lot of people too to varying degrees. I find that if I sort of follow the Pain Free Diet (which I can't entirely 100% follow very often) like cutting out potatoes, peppers, caffeine, and too much sugar that my pain gets much better. I added HBOT to that and it almost went away completely which was a miracle. So when I do that well, I don't need very much pain med help.

The whole narcotic pain killer thing is really strange. Some docs are scared, and others have no problems. I get mine from my primary doc, and he's more easy going than my previous two pain management docs. Always make sure you're taking plenty of milk thistle when on pain pills to block the tylenol toxicity in the liver.

Posts: 600 | From Las Vegas, NV | Registered: Nov 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lymelighter
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5310

posted

Hey Henson, you 16th Century lurker you. How's the chest pain? What abx are you on?

I went to Herrell's yesterday and they said your house charge had been closed so I couldn't revel in a Lyme mint chip on you. LOL!

Posts: 1010 | From Mars | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged |

Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584

posted

Speaking of back pain and treatments; this is interesting.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050822/endo_pharmaceuticals_oxymorphone.html?.v=2

Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged |

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