Facet Joint Injections!

tigerfish replied on 17/02/2016 13:39

tigerfish

Posted on 17/02/2016 13:39

On Monday, Fearing a very unpleasant time I entered our massive new Hospital in Bristol for a series of facet joint Injections in my spine.

I should explain that increasingly for the past 18 months I have been suffering terrible and debilitating lower back pain. To the extent that I had become almost immobile, bad tempered and putting on far too much weight due to a resultant lack of exercise.

It came to a peak in December when my Doctor insisted that I resign all of my senior cabinet posts on the local authority. He insisted that at 71 and in failing health a 35 hour week was doing no good at all! Doom & Gloom followed as far as I was concerned! I could see that my Caravanning days were over.

Then came the appointment for Mondays "Op". and to use a modern phrase I was Br*****g it.

The specialist in the radioligy dept who was going to do the injections said that it was a bit of an experiment that would either give me much relief, - or if they were wrong surgery would be required ! Not good news it seemed!

But it worked a treat! The Steroid injections found the right spot and it is like someone switched the pain right off! The injections themselves were not too bad and my fears unfounded.

I have been warned that the treatment might only last six months, but who cares, - The pain has gone! Its like having a new lease of life. - I can go caravanning again! I went out to the van this morning, it was looking a bit forlorn in its field, the front covered in green streaks. A couple of buckets of Fenwicks and a soft brush soon fixed that!

Not long now until March and we can get going again!

13 replies

JillwithaJay replied on 17/02/2016 15:30

Moderator

JillwithaJay

Caravanner

Posted on 17/02/2016 15:30

Pleased to hear it TF. Hope it lasts. No running marathons though.

300 siggy photo 6b161378-22ab-47bd-97dd-22af5e8f67ba_zpsbtkpqljt.jpg

Whittakerr replied on 17/02/2016 15:37

Member

Whittakerr

Caravanner

Posted on 17/02/2016 15:37

Glad to here it went well. I know one or two people that have had similar steroid injections, but in joints not the spine. They were also told the effects would last about 6 months, one ls still going strong after a couple of years so keep your fingers crossed.

MicknVal replied on 17/02/2016 15:47

Member

MicknVal

Posted on 17/02/2016 15:47

Still working at 71,there are the needy & the gr**dy.Retire,& enjoy life.

DSB replied on 17/02/2016 16:04

Moderator

DSB

Caravanner

Posted on 17/02/2016 16:04

Glad it worked TF. That's really good news.

I had shoulder injections a few years back, but had to have the shoulder joint 'replaced' in the end. When I had the first injection, for the first 24 hours it was brilliant, but then the pain came back. Later on in the week in dawned on me what had happened..... Before they gave me the proper injection they gave me a local anesthetic, which obviously had wore off by the next day. When I went the next week I said, 'Forget the injection, just give me the anesthetic....'

David

Tinwheeler replied on 17/02/2016 17:03

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 17/02/2016 17:03

Still working at 71,there are the needy & the gr**dy.Retire,& enjoy life.

That's a rather uncharitable viewpoint. I don't think you know the full story, Micknval.

katiedee replied on 17/02/2016 17:15

Member

katiedee

Caravanner

Posted on 17/02/2016 17:15

Glad to hear you gained some pain relief from the injections, I too had them in my lower spine and have to say they have lasted quite some time,I niw have them in my neck, both sides, every six months, sadly I need tohave 2 discs removed from my neck, have told the consultant I need to have them done after my main holiday in June, not missing my 3 week caravanning holiday in France, pain or no pain.

SteveL replied on 17/02/2016 21:28

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 17/02/2016 21:28

Glad to hear your objections had a good effect TF. Enjoy your new found mobility and your caravan breaks

ABM replied on 17/02/2016 22:34

Member

ABM

Motorhomer

Posted on 17/02/2016 22:34

Still working at 71,there are the needy & the gr**dy.Retire,& enjoy life.

That's a rather uncharitable viewpoint. I don't think you know the full story, Micknval.

Quite agree, Tinners, quite agree. I'm sure M & V does not realise that Tigerfish was working for the good of the local community, & putting his knowledge gleaned in his working years, to good use in that community.

EmilysDad replied on 17/02/2016 22:41

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 17/02/2016 22:41

Still working at 71, ....

My Dad is 78, had triple by-pass surgery 12 months ago and still works ...... not the bloke you really want to meet while he's working ....... he's an undertaker. I think it's working that keeps him going because his lifestyle shoud have had him dead & buried yrs ago.