I know usually they want to try the injections

I know usually they want to try the injections [2008-02-20]
first to make sure that they have the right area - but then more permanently they do rhizotomies which actually destroy the nerve for around 18 months if my memory serves, used to do a pain clinic and did hundreds a day. Maybe in your cause they could go directly to that - there are no steroids involved as I recall.

Had the steroid injections- how long until they work? [2007-11-13]
yesterday and today really cannot tell any difference. I would have hoped maybe for instantaneously. Am I hoping for too much? The injections went smoothly, loved the physician who administered- he was so different than most physicians now days- he took his time explaining to me the difference in these injections and what I had there before that crashed my blood pressure and landed me in the hospital for 3 days. I was very impressed with his bedside manner- something I very rarely say. I am wondering if anyone else who has had and how long did it take for the injections to work?

steroid injections [2007-11-13]
Sometimes you hurt worse at first, then it gets better. Give it a couple of days to kick in. Hope they help.

steroid injections [2007-11-05]
I have had steroid injections in my skull with no relief plus my skin started bleeding. Sometimes these help and sometimes they don't. The problem is that the injections might help one area, then another flares. Not trying to keep you from getting them, just giving you my story. They also lowered my immune system even more. Have you tried glucosamine and taking more magnesium? These doctors don't give a darn about us. I have been to 4 specialists myself and been passed around like a pie, given a pharmacy of meds, etc. Please Email me if you want to discuss more. I hope these shots help you as I know you are desparate as I am. Let us know. As for me I am going to try glyconutrients, either Mannatech products or LifeForce. Tired of all the doctors/meds, etc etc.

Still another pain clinic -anyone with steroid injections? [2007-11-03]
I posted about going to a pain clinic and when I mentioned fibromyalgia, the physician looked at me like I had 2 heads. I said, you don’t believe in that diagnosis - at which time he said lots of people come in saying they have pain. Good way of skirting the question. To make long story short, am not returning to him. When I told him rib pain he kept saying chest pain- somehow or nother I associated chest pain with an MI. Anyway, yesterday returned to a previous pain clinic I went to about 2 years ago (should have returned there in the first place) but had moved- long story short again- told them about my diagnosis (hey I do not make up the diagnosis, rheumatologist told me I had) and now they are planning on steroid injections into the cartilage around the ribs. Was trying to say possibly chondrochondritis - hey I believe that is the same diagnosis I mentioned to my primary care physician about oh 4 months ago maybe and he gave it not another thought. The clinic wants to do MRI first (looking for other causes as in something worse) but I told them yesterday pain really all over- ribs worse- but hands, elbows, feet, legs. The pain is every day- sometimes horrific- sometimes just there. Told my aunt last night person should not have to live every day with pain. Got the injections set up for the 12th of this month. I am hoping at least to get some relief in the rib section- person at clinic told me to increase Tramadol to 50 mg 3 times a day (had been taking once a day- told that was not enough). Will post later and keeping those fingers crossed that this helps me.

I hope you have better luck than I did. sm [2008-08-13]
I had 3 ESIs and 3 facet injections. None worked one iota. I worked at the hosp. so the pain doc was nice and did the 3rd facet. The next thing was a foraminotomy, which barely touched my 90YO neck at age 35. The neurosurgeon required a myelogram. Having typed them, it didn't dawn on me how big a mistake I'd made until I got a dural tear from one of my beloved Radiologists. He was just sick about it, as were the others in the group, as they said it happens about once a year. I ended up with chemical meningitis, which required three blood patches! It was awful! A year later I had a fusion and my vocal cord was paralyzed! 2 Medrol Dosepaks did nothing. About 2-3 years later my voice returned to normal. It sounded like I'd been inhaling helium. The good side of this is that this is all in the past tense. I still get the paresthesias in one arm, but compared to what I once had that seems like nothing. Either way, there's no perfect answer. I hope your situation works out well.

Depo provera and fybromyalgia [2008-05-29]
I was not aware of any connection between Depo Provera and Fibromyalgia. I had Depo injections in 1987/1988. I became unwell in 1993. In 1999 I was diagnosed with CFS. I have seen 3 neurologists who all agreed the diagnosis. My partner is a Senior Biomedical Scientist here in UK and he suggested I ask for a c-reactive protein test and Rheumatoid Factor test late last year. Both had a positive reading. My GP said they were False Positives. I had to pay to see private Rheumatologist and early this year I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Further Bone scans showed I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. This results is after 14 years of no real treatment. Could this have any link to my using Depo Provera for 2 years 20 years ago? I have seen other articles from the states about a link and wanted to add my plight to the debate. I would be grateful to find out more. www.helen419@btinternet.com

spoon theory [2008-04-23]
someone sent me a link to the spoon theory right after I was diagnosed, and I have sent it to many others since then. It truly is a good way to represent how we feel to people.Even my stbx doesnt get it. He has taken no role in trying to learn about MS or anything else, which is probably why itmakes it so much easier for him to walk away. Anyway, thanks for the support, as I am sure you know, we all need it. I hope you are well. I have a coup9le of friends using Provigil and they love it too! I actually have an appointment with my neuro today, maybe I will ask for it! Although I am sure my insurance won Oh wel, thats what we pay themthe big bucks for right?

Why are you worrying? [2008-01-21]
Am having an thoracic ESI done Monday after next and have had 2 previous ones but not thoracic- may have been cervical- going to pain clinic and they are NO big deal, in fact the first 1 I had done thought the injections still to be done and the physician was finished. The first gave loads of pain, the second not but another physician said not getting the right spot and ordered thoracic ones instead. After the injections I was given some heat/massage therapy for awhile and things really felt good. I do not think you have a reason to worry at all. Let us know how things turn out, ok?

Had the steroid injections- how long until they work? [2007-11-13]
yesterday and today really cannot tell any difference. I would have hoped maybe for instantaneously. Am I hoping for too much? The injections went smoothly, loved the physician who administered- he was so different than most physicians now days- he took his time explaining to me the difference in these injections and what I had there before that crashed my blood pressure and landed me in the hospital for 3 days. I was very impressed with his bedside manner- something I very rarely say. I am wondering if anyone else who has had and how long did it take for the injections to work?

steroid injections [2007-11-05]
I have had steroid injections in my skull with no relief plus my skin started bleeding. Sometimes these help and sometimes they don't. The problem is that the injections might help one area, then another flares. Not trying to keep you from getting them, just giving you my story. They also lowered my immune system even more. Have you tried glucosamine and taking more magnesium? These doctors don't give a darn about us. I have been to 4 specialists myself and been passed around like a pie, given a pharmacy of meds, etc. Please Email me if you want to discuss more. I hope these shots help you as I know you are desparate as I am. Let us know. As for me I am going to try glyconutrients, either Mannatech products or LifeForce. Tired of all the doctors/meds, etc etc.

Still another pain clinic -anyone with steroid injections? [2007-11-03]
I posted about going to a pain clinic and when I mentioned fibromyalgia, the physician looked at me like I had 2 heads. I said, you don’t believe in that diagnosis - at which time he said lots of people come in saying they have pain. Good way of skirting the question. To make long story short, am not returning to him. When I told him rib pain he kept saying chest pain- somehow or nother I associated chest pain with an MI. Anyway, yesterday returned to a previous pain clinic I went to about 2 years ago (should have returned there in the first place) but had moved- long story short again- told them about my diagnosis (hey I do not make up the diagnosis, rheumatologist told me I had) and now they are planning on steroid injections into the cartilage around the ribs. Was trying to say possibly chondrochondritis - hey I believe that is the same diagnosis I mentioned to my primary care physician about oh 4 months ago maybe and he gave it not another thought. The clinic wants to do MRI first (looking for other causes as in something worse) but I told them yesterday pain really all over- ribs worse- but hands, elbows, feet, legs. The pain is every day- sometimes horrific- sometimes just there. Told my aunt last night person should not have to live every day with pain. Got the injections set up for the 12th of this month. I am hoping at least to get some relief in the rib section- person at clinic told me to increase Tramadol to 50 mg 3 times a day (had been taking once a day- told that was not enough). Will post later and keeping those fingers crossed that this helps me.

SLE [2007-09-22]
Yes, I have SLE, Crohn I just found out I also have, according to a rheumatology specialist I went to at McBride Clinic in Norman, Oklanoha, I have Diffuse Connective Tissue Diseases/Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. WHEW! I also found out that polymyositis and dermatomyositis are autoimmune diseases/rheumatological, but I always knew them to be part of the 40 different neuromuscular diseases that the MDA covers. I take Remicade infusions for the Crohn I also have a Morton With your SLE, which bothers you the most, the heat or the cold,cooler weaterh? ttyl

Fibro [2007-04-01]
They say Lyrica is a new treatment for fibro. I am going to see if I can try this in a low dose. A vitamin my friend who has fibro mentioned is called Revitalx by needs.com. She says the fibro association recommends we drink this. It is a powder that is full of nutrients. May I ask what antidepressant they gave you? They gave me Doxepin and I could hardly take it plus my pain is in my skull muscular and nerve and returns the next morning so the antidepressant does not last. Try to avoid too much sugar too. I have a horrible yeast problem on my tongue. Anyway here are a few things that might help you. Steroids do not help fibro-just had shots myself last week at the Pain Clinic. Trigger point injections with just Lidocaine will help and also accupuncture on those pressure points.