Well I had my first ESI yesterday. The procedure itself wasn't bad at all. It is amazing that they can get me in and out quicker for the ESI than they can for just a standard med refill appointment LOL.
The first night I could tell the pain had decreased. It wasn't completely gone but I didn't have any of my "sit up in the bed" shooting pains that I have nearly every night. I did take my pain medicine as prescribed but I decided to skip the muscle relaxer last night just to see if I could tell a difference. I may take it tonight and see if it will help even more.
I know it is early but for now I am cautiously optimistic. They have scheduled me for another one in three weeks. That is quicker than I expected but if it will work I am all for it.
I'm afraid that my shooting pains are more ankle related. My right ankle was crushed at the same time of my SCI (motorcycle wreck). I have noticed when I walk around the house without my AFO's on my shooting ankle pain is much worse. My ankle tends to want to roll inwards and I am thinking this is not good for the ankle at all. I am thinking of finding an ankle brace to wear when I am at home and take off the Phat Braces.
I am 4 days in after the ESI and I think it has helped. I can say I don't have as much "burning" in my legs, the sciatica pain (shooting down the leg) has all but disappeared, my "cold" feet are not near as intense as before. I go back on 8/13 for the next injection and I will speak to the doctor about my ankle issues. Probably need to see a orthopedic doctor regarding this but hopefully she can give me some insight.
For now I will keep plugging along and hope this is what I need to keep me going strong a a little longer. kilg0retr0ut, kilg0retr0ut,
I don't use any crutches. I do have a walking cane that I use when I am going to be up and about, such as going shopping or something similar. I have zero balance without the Phat Braces and I am going to start practicing on that some but will keep a walker handy to prevent any spills lol.
I have pretty much given up on going anywhere that will require me to be on my feet for long periods of time. My legs just tire out so quickly now and I don't have a wheelchair so I just don't go. It sucks that my wife has to miss out on a lot of things because of me. That bothers me more than anything else. She doesn't complain at all and is a real trooper for sure.
Yes,I had K-Wires put in and my ankle was in pretty bad shape. It was smashed in between the motorcycle and the car that hit me. I don't get those pains as bad anymore unless I am walking around the house without the afo's on. So I am self diagnosing here but that is more than some of my doctors have done for me lol
Yes,I had K-Wires put in and my ankle was in pretty bad shape. It was smashed in between the motorcycle and the car that hit me. I don't get those pains as bad anymore unless I am walking around the house without the afo's on. So I am self diagnosing here but that is more than some of my doctors have done for me lol
Wow that's crazy! Is the pain constant?
Yeah unfortunately it's best for us to research and find what's best for ourself instead of relying on doctors.
It isn't constant but comes on several times a day and when it hits the pain is nearly unbearable. I have had it sit me straight up in the bed from a dead sleep. My wife says I will lay there and moan in my sleep as well. Since the ESI I haven't had one hit me that bad thankfully. I am assuming it takes 2-3 injections to get the full effect so I am hoping that I will see even more improvement after the next one. I am going to stop by Wal Greens today and see if they have some type of ankle brace that may give me some support because I usually take the Phat Braces off as soon as I get home from work.
I know this probably off topic but I was wondering what everyone does to prevent, or try and prevent, severe atrophy. My legs from the knees down are like tooth picks. They have gotten so skinny I am afraid they will snap like a twig if I lose my balance or something. I know this is probably a far fetched scenario but I know it looks like it could happen LOL
It isn't constant but comes on several times a day and when it hits the pain is nearly unbearable. I have had it sit me straight up in the bed from a dead sleep. My wife says I will lay there and moan in my sleep as well. Since the ESI I haven't had one hit me that bad thankfully. I am assuming it takes 2-3 injections to get the full effect so I am hoping that I will see even more improvement after the next one. I am going to stop by Wal Greens today and see if they have some type of ankle brace that may give me some support because I usually take the Phat Braces off as soon as I get home from work.
I know this probably off topic but I was wondering what everyone does to prevent, or try and prevent, severe atrophy. My legs from the knees down are like tooth picks. They have gotten so skinny I am afraid they will snap like a twig if I lose my balance or something. I know this is probably a far fetched scenario but I know it looks like it could happen LOL
I see, when was the last time you got your ankle checked? Did the doctors tell you that the pain is normal for that kind of injury?
Regarding the atrophy, have you ever heard of functional electrical stimulation (FES)? If you can do that regularly it'll really help keep/improve your muscles!
My previous pm doctor said it was probably arthritis and that was about it. The shooting pain has me thinking otherwise. I am sure it is full of arthritis but I can't imagine that is what is causing the shooting pain. I did stop by Walgreens and get an ankle brace and wore it until bed time. It may be a coincidence but I have very little ankle pain last night and was really impressed with the support it gave me when walking without the AFO's. I am going to give it a few nights and see if last night was just a fluke or what I have been needing all along.
I've heard of FES but never checked into it. I will do that today as I am finally, after 19+ years, taking control of my health LOL
I don't use any crutches. I do have a walking cane that I use when I am going to be up and about, such as going shopping or something similar. I have zero balance without the Phat Braces and I am going to start practicing on that some but will keep a walker handy to prevent any spills lol.
I have pretty much given up on going anywhere that will require me to be on my feet for long periods of time. My legs just tire out so quickly now and I don't have a wheelchair so I just don't go. It sucks that my wife has to miss out on a lot of things because of me. That bothers me more than anything else. She doesn't complain at all and is a real trooper for sure.
We seem to be in similar shape at present Jeff. My shooting pains are more electric in nature. Besides that we're pretty close. You sound like you have one of the good ones Jeff (wife), again we are lucky. I'm having a hard time watching my family doing things without me. My legs poop out so fast lately. When the wife and I met I was running in the morning. At the time I couldn't get her to run with me. Now she runs about three times a week. I'm proud of her and she's so healthy now she almost glows. My left ankle rolls out and I'm having surgery to fix it. It may be an option for you as well. The atrophy I believe we're stuck with. Take care