Back Pain-Protruding Disc-Epidural therapy?

Question

I was diagnosed with a protruding disc-I believe the pain doctor will prescribe epidural therapy. Anyone ever had this done.
IN LOTS OF PAIN

Answer 1

Yes three times. Twice by a pain specialist who did the procedure in a outpatient surgery center with some kind of pain control so I didn't feel the shots. The first time with an orthopedic surgeon without any pain control while he did the procedure. It was the most intensely painful thing I've ever experienced. Do not let them do this procedure unless you have something that will completely block the pain! Otherwise if done correctly it is a breeze, and no pain afterwards. Unfortunately, it never gave me long term relief, but hopefully for you it will permanently stop your pain! Best of luck!!!

Answer 2

See a chiropractor! Certain chiropractic methods have extremely good results with protruding discs, specifically Cox Flexion-distraction, Reinert Specific adjusting, and Gonstead adjusting are the top 3 I have heard in regards to success rates. Epidural therapy will mask your pain, but it won't cure the disc bulge, it may go away on its own, or it may not. Epidural punctures are inherently risky since you're essentially poking a hole into the sac that covers your spinal cord, which can cause loss of sensation and possibly paralysis (rarely). If your doctor suggests surgery the current success rates are around 50% for spinal fusion (this means only half of the people end up feeling better OR the same as before the surgery, I hear of more and more that end up worse).

Another possibility depending on your state is manipulation under anesthesiae. If it is allowable in your state, this may truly be your best bet since a chiropractor may not be able to do what they want to do in regards to treatment if you are in so much pain. Manipulation under anesthesiae gets around this, you'll have a treatment similar to the epidural therapy, but coupled with this you will also receive an adjustment. This will actually help to fix your problem along with treating the pain. There are a couple of states that have severe restrictions on it, and I'm not sure if it would be covered by your insurance company, but it is definately worth looking into.