For backstory see Lathrop spared the blade... So yesterday I went to Dr. Dave to get an epidural CT Fluoro steroid injection (good thing I don't play in MLB, and apologies to any real medical people reading this if I hatcheted the name of the procedure). This is a procedure to apply a targeted amount of steroidal anti-inflammatory around the nerves that are aggravated by the protruding disc. I had 2 injections last December, but they were not guided by CT/Fluoroscopy - just a "shotgun blast" if you will into my lower back, hoping for the best. Those didn't work then... Using CT/Fluoro the doctor can "guide" the needle into the proper nerve and direct the "magical potion" into the right area. Here are some video/pics:
Video of the trip to the doctor
Click on the pictures to go to Flickr and get the description.
During the procedure there is local anaesthetic placed directly around the nerve, so ideally there should be no pain within minutes for a short amount of time (until it wears off). So on the way out the doctor says, "How do you feel," and I say, "Just like before - pain down my leg." So then he says bluntly, "Then that's probably not the nerve that is giving you trouble." Translation: Everything the doctor/PT/and I have been doing the last 6 months to treat the L5/S1 area was probably for naught. This is consistent with the fact that none of the treatments thus far have been effective. If I was in an Indiana Jones movie I'd be hearing over and over "They're digging in the wrong spot!" I can't say this wasn't heart-wrenching to hear that - It's like starting all over again to find the true problem. Fortunately I've got a wonderful, supportive wife who cooked a great dinner and let me have a Margarita and play video games to take the edge off. My friend Dave also just happened to call. He has had titanium rods in his back and been through 2 knee surgeries and still loves to laugh - so it was good to talk to him. There is a small chance that the actual injected anti-inflammatories could make a difference over the next couple days, but I'd say that's a long shot given my history and from what the doctor said. Next step: see the neurosurgeon again ASAP.
I admit it. I am lazy, and I hate fighting with my computer, namely Windows Vista. So today on my day off I uploaded a ton of photos going back to my reunion in October. Enjoy. Also, Kristy and I had a wonderful 6th Anniversary. We spent the night in Boulder, surrounded by Hippies. Saturday night (Valentine's Day) we avoided the crowds and ate at Falafel King (falafel and gyros) - it was yummy. Sunday we went snowshoeing near Nederland with the dogs, and today (Monday) we lazed around the house and enjoyed a day off! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.
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