Just curious about injections

[Boaz]

Have you had the injections for back trouble and did they help ? I know there are different injections and success can depend on the doctor . Also how regular did you have to get them if they worked . Thank you !

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I don't know all the particulars, BUT...
a friend of mine got injections in his elbows.
I assumed it was cortisone shots, but it was a series of visits and the Physical therapy.
When I asked him about it, He said they pulled out some of his blood and removed one component of the blood (platelets or plasma or something?), then they injected that in his elbows. This was for severe tendinitis. And that has helped it a lot so far. He is back to work and his lifting restrictions had been removed a month ago...He is still going strong.

[Adam20]

I had them done first time was 12 years ago on back, 3 injections 2 weeks apart, work for 2 years. Dealt with pain for a few more years. 2 nd time same thing. 3 rd time no relief, 4 time no relief. at this point back would go out and would be down for a few days, took high dose of steroids and would be good for a month.
Started surgery process, went to 2 surgeons both had people in lobby in pain on multiple surgeries and no better. Went to another 4 months to get appt. and 4 months after appt had surgery. I had surgerie feb 2016 and walked out 24 hours later. Took about 2 months to completely heal. But that pain was very minor. L4-L5 disks. I should have done it years ago. Completely pain free now.

[mold maker]

Back in the "80s, I had a pain clinic Dr. recommend the steroid shots for lower back and leg pain. I discontinued them after 7 in 8 months.
Several of them gave me no relief.
Twice they really struck a nerve and brought me to my knees.
To be fair the others did what was intended and gave several weeks of relief.
I'm again under Drs. advice to have the shots to releave continuous pain in the lower back and thighs. I have undergone 4 weeks of PT with little relief. I've elected to use another month of PT before the decission on more shots
At 75, I don't expect miracles from either treatment since the problem is just worn and distorted vertebrae and discs. The least invasive is the PT to strengthen what's left of the muscels that hold me together.
Asking for recommendations on medical matters, on a gun forum is risky at best. If you have serious questions about any procedure, get a second opinion from a specialist. There have been many recient advances in this area.

[deerstalkerks]

NO.. had 1 injection in the lower, back 2 in my elbow.Didn't help, Very painful won't do it again..

[deerstalkerks]

PS> forgot to say, Doctor said Oh, I guess I should of deaden it.....@#&&)***.

[lefty o]

for some people they help, others they dont do a thing. ive not had them in my back, but ive had too much cortisone, and even had some rooster comb injections, and all i can say is a lot depends on the doc doing the injections. for the back with your PT work on what you can to strengthen your core.

[FISH4BUGS]

I am currently battling back issues with chiropractic care 3 times weekly, cramp bark inflammation reducer and switching to an inflammation fighting diet. Lots of turmeric.
I am an organic kind of guy that doesn't care for modern medicine and their drugs.
I am better...it just takes a little longer and cures the problem (inflammation) rather than cover the symptoms with steroids and pain killers.
To each their own.

[phonejack]

I had one 12 years ago. I was told beforehand that 1. It might not help at all. 2. It would last temporarily. 3. It would last ------. I woke up, pain gone and has not returned. Normal for me duties . I'm 71 years old and surprisingly active for my age.

[trails4u]

I've had one.... It provided mid-level relief for an L4-L5 disk with nerve involvement. This was about 1.5 years ago. The pain is manageable, but I'm not able to do all the things I want to do. I have another appointment Jan. 2 with a different treatment facility....and this guy thinks I need the meds at L5-S1 to really help what's going on in my back. I'm inclined to trust him.....he did 100 times more testing and physical diagnosis than the last guy. I really want to avoid surgery........

[Bulldogger]

I had good results w injections for lumbar facet spine arthritis. My MD used a fluoroscope to guide his needle, which I'm sure helped. After those wore off we did the electric needle to accomplish a rhizotomy. It's been 6 years and still pain free.
Just be sure you've a good MD and try it.
Bulldogger

[10-x]

Had 6 shots in my back, two helped for about two months, the others including burning the nerves did nothing. Disc between L4 and L5 is gone, tramadol and not doing much( had to quit skeet, sporting clays) is ok. Now C7 has bone spur, shoulder , arm , hand pain and numbness. Carpitunel has also come back in both wrist. Release at wrists is very simple, to fix C7 they go through the front of your neck. Wifes cousin had it done and is fine.

[MaryB]

Did it a dozen times in different areas of my back. Little to no relief and I finally told the neuro I am not a pincushion, fix it!

[tomme boy]

Had over 10 of them in different areas of my back. I also have had a procedure called a RFA 2x's and none of it has worked. I will never go to a chiro. They were part of the reason my back was messed up. The only type of Dr that does not need a Dr;s licence. They are complete quacks. The only pain relief they give you is the endorphins that are released when they crack whatever they do. It last about 15 min. That's why you have to keep going back. I can crack my own back for free and not hurt myself like they did to me. Do your selves a little research on the chiro's and you will see they are quacks.

[abunaitoo]

Don't like shots at all. Had one for pain once. Didn't help so I never let them do it again.
When my back was giving me trouble, I got muscle relaxer pills.
Took some time, but it went away.
Problem was stress. Way to much stress.
Got rid of the stress and was good after that.
Getting old now, so gout, week knees and stiff back is coming on.
If I lose some weight, it would probably help a lot.

[Kraschenbirn]

Level and duration of success can vary widely. I was diagnosed, from x-rays, with osteoarthritis of L4 & L5 vertebrae about 9 months ago...sciatic pain had reached the point where I couldn't make it to the half-bath off our master bedroom without a cane. Neurologist recommended a steroid (cortisone?) injection series. First shot brought about 48 hours relief (after the local anesthesia wore off); after that, it was back to square one. Doctor ordered an MRI and, after one look at results, cancelled remainder of shot series and referred me to a neurosurgeon. Six months after a laminectomy ( https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/laminectomy/basics/definition/PRC-20009521 ) I'm still doing daily PT exercises and walking a (prescribed) mile every morning but I'm 95% pain free and have pretty much resumed all my normal activities. Only significant downside, so far, is that any lifting is limited to an absolute maximum of 50 lbs due to amount of bone removed from those two vertebrae.

Bill

[smokeywolf]

Neurosurgeon told me, as long as NSAIDs can keep the pain bearable, injections are probably not a good choice. He said, when ibuprofen and the like won't do enough, surgery will likely be more beneficial than the injections.

[azrednek]

The injections have helped me tremendously. I had njections in the 80's that didn't do jack. The pain actually increased for the first few days, burned like he!! and overall did nothing. From what the Dr told me, there have been improvements in the formula and I'm now a believer.

I literally fried my guts using NSAIDs and can no longer use them. Prednisone helps but like the hard core pain meds my tolerance increased. I tried the injections out of desperation fearing I'd become an addict. Glad I did as the level of pain now is tolerable and I longer use pain meds every day.

[Artful]

After my auto accident when I went to "pain doctors" I had 3 separate injections in my spine over 3 visits - first one helped next two didn't - doctor basically said that's all we can do for you.

[Lloyd Smale]

just had them. I had surgery and was experiencing more pain afterward then I should have. Partialy due to them having to open my back up due to a blood clot. The doc gave me three injections at the same time. One for immediate relief on for short term relief and one for long term. At least that's the way he explained it to me. I walked in there with a pain level of AT LEAST 7. I needed a cane and my wifes help. 10 minutes after the shot the pain (other then if you call being sore real pain) was gone. About 3 days later it started coming back. Called the doc and he said that was typical About a week after that the pain started getting less and less every day. I still have pain in my leg and a lot of numbness but it seems to get better every day. He told me that it would take a full month before the long term benefits really worked and its been 3 weeks now and I am better. That said maybe it is just normal healing. I too have to say that twice in the past I had them with no real benefit other then the first couple days. So do I think they worked. Who knows. I guess at least they sure didn't hurt anything and it is worth at least a try.

[Boaz]

Lloyd I know you have had a rough time with your back but I'm glad to hear your getting some relief . Still praying brother .

[EMC45]

I had one years ago - around 2000. It was Cortisone and it HURT! Felt like someone parked a truck on my lower back. It lasted 3-4 days and back began to hurt again.

I look at it this way.....My back hurts, my knees hurt. I'm still alive and the only pain management I do is take it slow and the rare Motrin. I am glad for that.

[Rick N Bama]

Over the past 4 years I've had 8 injections in my lower back. The first set of 3 gave me relief for a year or so. I went back for 3 more which relieved the pain for about a month after the last of the series. Not wanting to go thru them again I sought the services of a Spinal Specialist. He insisted on more injections before he would do any surgery so I was set up for a series of 3 again. I had 2 and then I told my Dr to just forget it and that I wouldn't ever have any more. On Oct 11 I had a Lumbar Laminectomy from L3 down to S1. The original pain is now gone, but I'm now having pain from the Piriformis muscle, thankfully my daughter is a massage therapist and she's really helped me.

[Boaz]

I want to thank all for their posts . I know the injections (whatever kind) are a carp shoot . Opinions of them seems negative by majority here , nothing wrong with that because I only wanted the truth . Thank you !

[woodbutcher]

:shock: A friend had one of those back injections about 15 years ago.Has not been able to walk unaided since.That so called doctor lost his medical license,and every thing he owned.Just be VERY careful of what you do.Would I have them?Not on your tin type sonny.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[JPinMI]

I think it has to depend on what is causing the pain. 21 years ago I had a couple courses of steroid in the lower back. Each time it helped for 4-6 weeks, then the pain returned as bad as ever. Then I finally had an MRI and that told the whole story, I had no disc material left, it was bone on bone. Had a spinal fusion done 20 years ago and as miserable as that recovery was, I had great success with it fixing the pain. 5 months ago I started having low back pain again and had it looked at and had an MRI first this time. This time the area is below what was previously fused and it too has collapsed. The surgeon asked if I wanted to give steroids a try, I said "what's the point, let's fix this". That was 5 weeks ago and recovery has been remarkably easier and I'll be back to work in less than 2 months. Big improvement in what they do now. So,,,, I think the decision to have the injections all depends on what is the root cause. I can see it being a benefit if it's just inflammation that needs time to heal, if it's structural, probably just putting things off. My 2cents.

[nitroviking]

I've had them in me neck twice for extreme shoulder pain from cervical stenosis in C4-C5-C6, It helped me a lot, they lasted over a year each time,

My wifes had them in them in the lower back for a herniated L4 and missing L5 disc, Only helped her a little bit.

My Dad has had them over 6 times with little to no relief, but his back is in really bad shape, hes had 4 surgeries including a Laminectomy from T6 to L5,

I think it varies a lot among people

[JayT]

I’m an ICU RN, and I have to say that, in my experience, localized cortisone injections seem to be hit or miss- they vary greatly based on the disease process itself (stenosis, vertebral displacement, etc) and the extent of the disease progression. Surgical correction seems to have the best outcome, however recovery time can vary, and if you can’t miss a lot of work, that can definitely be an issue. Pain management doctors seem to want to pill everyone up with hydrocodone, and then you have to monitor your intake of acetaminophen (some hydrocodone has as much as 650mg/pill) as anything over about 3500 mg/day is hepatotoxic and can cause a slew of other health problems. Steroids have their own inherent danger, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic. Too much steroid use can put you into diabetic ketoacidosis, so you have to monitor your sugar diligently while on them if you are diabetic or at risk.

Basically, there is no cure-all, but medication therapy, if appropriately dosed and monitored, can give some measure of relief.

Good luck in your recovery, and feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions you need answered, or just want a free second opinion about anything.

[daniel lawecki]

Euflexxa injection left knee about every six months one injection a week for three weeks. Left eye every six weeks for six injections total. The eye injection really hurts after about two hours.

[Moleman-]

I've had 4 back surgeries and a bunch of injections. Do not get an injection from someone who doesn't use a floroscope. Instead if someone tries, ask them what that thing is up on the ceiling and when they look, punch them in the throat and walk out. They have no idea if it's in the right spot or not.

[Boaz]

I understand . I guess the question is if the injections should be tried before invasive surgery is done ? Invasive surgery can result in permeant negative results ?

[azrednek]

A lot of back problems here. Just to share my experience. I fried my guts going over board on Ansaids then dam near killed my kidneys over doing Tylenol. I relied on the heavy duty stuff for about five years then the cancer bug got me. Survived the cancer courtesy of an experimental drug, a stem cell harvest and transplant. By the time I beat the cancer my tolerance of narcotics was off the charts. During my cancer and Chemo I was taking the equivalent of 24-29 Percocet daily. I was stage four and not expected to survive. As soon as I had the strength I began tapering down. Going through the injections made life bearable, not painless but no longer dependent on pain pills. I still rely on pain meds but no longer daily, 2-5 a week at best and no more of the heavy duty stuff. I suggest anyone try the injections before finding yourself reliant on narcotics. If you find yourself using them daily look for alternatives.

Never thought I'd post anything about the pain meds again after some bad experiences on cancer boards. I can assure anybody that solicits pain pills from me will be immediately reported to your local police. I put one punk claiming to have cancer in jail overnight after forwarding his email to police. The lucky bastard was released after a prosecutor decided he didn't have strong enough evidence.

[Moleman-]

Did the shots for 3-4 years until they stopped working by which time it was hard to walk very far. Had back surgery #1 and did ok for a few years before needing shots again. Got worse enough that the shots stopped working for very long (days as opposed to months) and going out to the mail box was a chore. Had surgery #2 which fused a couple levels and was recovering well when a disk blew out leading to surgeries #3 and #4. Surgeon said they expected to see my back within 3-5 years for another fusion. Been over 5 now and I hope to make it much longer before even thinking about making the appointment. Still have periods usually late summer when my back acts up badly because I've been more active and other times where there is no clear reason scattered though out the year. Walking is one of the best things you can do. I'm lucky as for some reason the county paved the 1 mile section of the gravel road I live on and put wide paved shoulders on it for pedestrians. Odd for a road that's out in the country and continues on as a gravel road for miles in either direction, but it's nice to have a decent place to walk that's close. A couple years ago my back was getting worse again and the dr sent me to a pain management place. Basically they see what you're doing wrong to piss your back off and show you better ways to go about every day chores as well as exercises and ways to stretch. I'd had PT half a dozen times before and while I'd get stronger each time it did nothing for pain so I was reluctant to go. That time it actually worked. Try everything you can before going under the knife, but also know that if your nerves are getting pinched after a while there is damage to them and they won't recover and there's no certainty that you won't end up worse off either.

[MaryB]

They can only do the steroid shots so many times too. They weaken tendons and can lead to tendon rupture if over used.

[JayT]

I understand . I guess the question is if the injections should be tried before invasive surgery is done ? Invasive surgery can result in permeant negative results ?

If you have exhausted all other non-surgical alternatives (PT, OT, etc.), try the shots. If the shots don’t bring the level of relief that allow you to function at close to a normal level, then I would consider a surgical alternative. It brings results, but all surgical intervention has an implied risk. I’ve seen it go about every which way you can imagine, but the success rate is high if you are deemed a good candidate for surgery and follow your post-operative regimen. Shots are just a band-aid, as they don’t treat the problem, they only treat the symptoms.

[David2011]

Nothing for my back but I've had knee injections twice before have a total knee replacement. The first injection was a cortisone shot with Novocaine or Lidocaine mixed in. The doc froze the area and then started the injection. I felt a small sting and burn of the anesthetic and that was all. The second was Synvisc, the rooster comb gel and after he froze it I felt no pain. I didn't feel anything on that one. My BIL has had them and said his hurt, too. He also said that he had great relief the first time, about a year of little to no pain. Subsequent shots had been progressively less effective until he had to have surgery.

The cortisone made me feel like Superman for about 20 days. I ran between targets at a USPSA match for the first time in years. It even quelled the arthritis in the back of my left thumb and then it started wearing off. The pain came back fully about 4 weeks after the injection. The same shots helped my Dad for six months or so at a time.

As has been said a few times, surgery was the only fix for me.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Folks I know have had about the same mix of results on Cortizone and Synvisc on knee issues; For one, Cortizone made things hurt more, but Synvisc improved things greatly. (Their Dr. expected Synvisc would be a wash.) So I gather that it's sorta different for every person, main thing is to get what you want in the way of results, somehow.

Trigger point injections in my back did nothing, same for Cortizone. So I mainly stretch and take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen or Naproxin. (You don't want to just randomly mix and match those, as they're hard on kidneys etc. I just take one "flavor" at a time, change to a different one on occasion to see if that one helps more, and don't take them when pain level's down.

If you don't have a TENS machine you could look at that for back pain, they're supposed to really help (Mine, so far, hasn't, I suspect it needs the settings redone so it's set up RIGHT.) Have to put that back in my dolist and get it done.

Also if you are encouraged to get a fusion, learn the mechanical situation about it; The strain in, for example, your C4/C5 joint will be transferred to the next joints up and down in your spine, if you get C4/C5 fused; I've known friends who ended up with their entire spine fused from this as the next joints up/down aren't always all that robust. So maybe try to avoid that problem, if you can.

[leeggen]

Boaz, I have cronick back pain, have had injections done and most help. The doc hits the right spot perfectly sometimes and sometimes he misses by alittle. I now have ablations done instead of injections. They go in with a probe and litteraly burn the nerve into. Over time the nerve will grow back,sometimes, but if it does they just burn it again. Now a nerve only grows at 1mm per month normally. One that is burned will grow lots slower but you also get releaf quicker and longer. Not all nerves can have an ablation do to it, relitive to what it controls. On the vertabray you have small nerves that get irritated and they can me burned, but a nerve that makes your arm move can't.
I have had 10 ablations done some are 4yrs old. Once the nerve regrew it was not longer inflamed so it no longer bothers me.
CD

[Boaz]

Doctor has recommended Gabapentin and injections with possible 'burning' of nerves after finding out relief points through the injections . Five slipped discs in lower back with arthritic complications . I will probably do the injections , will also have a total knee done in Feb or March . I'm trying to get some relief from the back to be able to do rehab when I get the knee done .
In my mind surgery on the back is not an option with the total knee coming up ...the knee has to happen .

[farmerjim]

I have had many in my back and knees. All the ones in my knees worked till I had knee replacement.
The ones in the back, some worked for years, some didn't work. Had radio frequency ablation for the second time 2 weeks ago. First one lasted 3 years of 100% pain relief. I hope these work as well. Go to a well known pain specialist to have either done. They can be dangerous.

[Lloyd Smale]

I would be very skeptical of ANY doctor that gave injections before have an mri done to see what is causing the problem. I had them buy one of those quack pain doctors when my back first started giving me problems about 12 years ago. If he would have first had an mri taken he would have seen the two bulged and one blown disc I had at the time. They did nothing but put food on the table of that doctor. The ones I just had were post surgery and the intent was to settle down some of the inflammation and swelling the surgery caused not to cure the problems in my back or to even cover them up. It seems to have helped that but I guess time will tell
21 years ago I had a couple courses of steroid in the lower back. Each time it helped for 4-6 weeks, then the pain returned as bad as ever. Then I finally had an MRI and that told the whole story, I had no disc material left, it was bone on bone. Had a spinal fusion done 20 years ago and as miserable as that recovery was, I had great success with it fixing the pain. 5 months ago I started having low back pain again and had it looked at and had an MRI first this time. This time the area is below what was previously fused and it too has collapsed. The surgeon asked if I wanted to give steroids a try, I said "what's the point, let's fix this". That was 5 weeks ago and recovery has been remarkably easier and I'll be back to work in less than 2 months. Big improvement in what they do now. So,,,, I think the decision to have the injections all depends on what is the root cause. I can see it being a benefit if it's just inflammation that needs time to heal, if it's structural, probably just putting things off. My 2cents.

[Lloyd Smale]

they had me on gabapentin too and it did nothing. The doctor even told me its a small percentage of people it does help and left it up to me whether I wanted to try it.
Doctor has recommended Gabapentin and injections with possible 'burning' of nerves after finding out relief points through the injections . Five slipped discs in lower back with arthritic complications . I will probably do the injections , will also have a total knee done in Feb or March . I'm trying to get some relief from the back to be able to do rehab when I get the knee done .
In my mind surgery on the back is not an option with the total knee coming up ...the knee has to happen .

[6bg6ga]

Had surgery on my back in 86 and spent the next 5 years being able to predict the weather. The first 5 were rough and after that I was good.

[Moleman-]

Gabapentin made me very tired and shaky, and at times dizzy. It did calm the odd nerve damage sensations very slightly but wasn't worth it for me.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Some people I know, Gabapentin causes them (2 at least that have had it for pain) to become zombified - Brain slows down to a muzzy non-working state, can't do simple addition in their head, that sort of thing. It definitely does help others. If you try it, just be aware and if you gradually come to knowing that something's wrong, but cannot put words as to what exactly IS wrong - You cannot THINK, and are wondering where your brain went off to vacation at; Try coming off gabapentin. If it works, GOOD! Each of our biochemistry's a bit different... Lyrica BTW is generation 2 Gabapentin so it can have some of the same effects I am told.

[Echo]

I had the cortisone shots in my L4-5 area about 1.5 years ago. Worked OK for a couple months, got them again, OK for a couple months, got them again, NoGo. They offered to inject deadening to see if killing some nerves would help, I rejected that idea, and am living with some lower back pain...

[Kraschenbirn]

Doctor has recommended Gabapentin and injections with possible 'burning' of nerves after finding out relief points through the injections . Five slipped discs in lower back with arthritic complications . I will probably do the injections , will also have a total knee done in Feb or March . I'm trying to get some relief from the back to be able to do rehab when I get the knee done .
In my mind surgery on the back is not an option with the total knee coming up ...the knee has to happen .

Good call!! You're going to be doing extensive physical therapy for both corrections and trying to mix/match rehab programs can be a real bear (don't ask how I know). Best to establish your priorities and take them in order.

Bill

[yeahbub]

Has anyone researched "repair cell" therapies? They use adult stem cells from the patient to repair damage of various kinds. Some of the documented successes are pretty fascinating, but get your information from sites which aren't trying to sell something.

[sparky45]

I had good results w injections for lumbar facet spine arthritis. My MD used a fluoroscope to guide his needle, which I'm sure helped. After those wore off we did the electric needle to accomplish a rhizotomy. It's been 6 years and still pain free.
Just be sure you've a good MD and try it.
Bulldogger

CORRECT!! I retired from a Anesthesia practice and had the injections in my back one time and haven't had to repeat the procedure. With local and Fluro guidance the medication is injected at the precise point to do the most good. Good Dr. is the most important part of the procedure.

[jonp]

One of my co-workers gets them. He has 5 vertebrae in his lower back that are bad with degeneration of the discs. The shot goes into the nerve if I understand it and he gets 4 or 5 a year or something like that and has to take a few days off each time. He says they work along with pain medication but there is only so much that can be done before surgery and he is putting that off as much as possible.

I just went to the back doctor for pain in the lower back and down one leg. Pinched nerve which was a relief. From my understanding that can be treated with exercise, stretching and Advil.

[Boaz]

CORRECT!! I retired from a Anesthesia practice and had the injections in my back one time and haven't had to repeat the procedure. With local and Fluro guidance the medication is injected at the precise point to do the most good. Good Dr. is the most important part of the procedure.

Good advice from you bulldogger ( always wondered if bulldogger actually did some 'dogging' ) . I loved my last anesthesiologist , had my right ankle fused . When they gave me the twilight shot he came in and introduced himself . ....I'm gonna be in charge of you anesthesia , don't make me look bad , they are going to wheel you to the operating room and I'll be with you . YOU DO GOOD .. do you hear me ! LOL , he had a good down home Texas accent and I laughed . Got to the operating room and he said in a loud voice shaking me gently ...I'm gonna stick you in the leg with a needle , when you feel a reflex you tell me ! When he hit it I said ...bingo ! You got it . He said ...see you later ...get some rest because your gonna need it , now count to 10 , I think I made it to 5 and was out. I loved that guy .

[MaryB]

Instead of Gabapentin ask for Lyrica, fewer memory issues with it... but if you can avoid either I would! They are addictive and coming off them sucks to say the least!


Doctor has recommended Gabapentin and injections with possible 'burning' of nerves after finding out relief points through the injections . Five slipped discs in lower back with arthritic complications . I will probably do the injections , will also have a total knee done in Feb or March . I'm trying to get some relief from the back to be able to do rehab when I get the knee done .
In my mind surgery on the back is not an option with the total knee coming up ...the knee has to happen .

[Lloyd Smale]

I was on lyrica about 10 years ago for back pain. When the doctor prescribed gabapentin I asked him about getting lyrica again and he said that its harder on your system and more addictive. I have to say though that lyrica seemed to give me more relief then gabapentin does. Both make me feel like a drank 3 pots of coffee though.
Instead of Gabapentin ask for Lyrica, fewer memory issues with it... but if you can avoid either I would! They are addictive and coming off them sucks to say the least!

[MaryB]

I use Lyrica for the foot nerve pain and tingling that can keep me awake all night... going to try and make it another year before lumbar fusion... said that 3 years ago LOL doc wants to do it... long as I can keep the pain to a dull roar I am putting it off.

[jonp]

I use Lyrica for the foot nerve pain and tingling that can keep me awake all night... going to try and make it another year before lumbar fusion... said that 3 years ago LOL doc wants to do it... long as I can keep the pain to a dull roar I am putting it off.

My co-worker with the lower back pain is in the same boat. Doctor is giving him shots and pain stuff but told him he would have to have surgery sooner or later and when he did he would have to retire so he is putting it off as long as he can.

[woodbutcher]

[smilie=s: Hi JayT.Hydrocodone no longer has 625mg of acetaminophen.That product was reduced to 325mg about 6 or 8 years ago.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo