The epidurals did nothing for me, either. Sorry.

The only thing that worked for me was surgery. (L4-5). I had to do it twice, not because it didn't work but because I reinjured myself. The second time I was injured, I got to where I couldn't walk without severe pain. My toes burned, My right foot still drags a little because of the compression.

I've been avoiding mentioning the surgery because I didn't want to sound alarmist. However, my dad and my brother both had accidents which necessitated surgery on their c-spine within a year of each other (around 2004). (car wreck and horse wreck, respectively) They both recovered very well, and quickly, although my dad's neck is a little stiffer at 72 years of age.

Sometimes docs want to follow protocols and regimens even if it's not absolutely necessary just so they can say they did it if something ever comes up. (A doc wanted to do an amniocentesis on me with my last child just because I was 32. [?]) I feel both of my epidurals were like that, too. I don't think the doctor actually believed it would help--but we might as well try it in case it does! You may feel that way, too.

Ultimately it's a matter of how much pain you're willing to go through while you wait for the outcome. To my mind, it's very unlikely that I'll go through years and years of that kind of pain, without trying something drastic, like surgery. Some people don't get better with surgery, the docs will be quick to warn you. Some people get better eventually without surgery. When I was faced with that situation I knew I had the best surgeon in Memphis. For me it was just a matter of how long I was willing to wait, in pain, for it to clear up on its own? I didn't have that kind of time.

I'm sorry you're still going through this. If you were my family member, I'd advise you to explore the surgical option.

Karen
Quote Originally Posted by snapdragen View Post
Now my doctor wants to try an epidural, actually a series of three. I'm not sure I want to do this. I talked to my PT about it, he seems to think that if the prednisone didn't help much, the epidural isn't going to do much. I also talked to a fellow patient at the PT clinic who had the series - and said it didn't do a thing for her.

I'm not sure what else to do, the only improvement I have is the ability to turn my head so I can see to back my car up. My arms/wrists still tingle and hurt like hell, my hands actually burn. My neck still feels like it needs a good cracking, as if I had a "crick" in it.

Do I go back to my PCP and see what she says? Do I continue with the Physical/Sports/Occupational Medicine doctor? This is so depressing, I really thought things would be better by now.