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Hi,
A few weeks ago I had my 3 year checkup. I still measure the same, it looks as is I'm fused properly, and the vertebrae above and below look good. My only problem is my periodic muscle spasms that I get on my left side, between my shoulder blade and spine. It happened to be bothering me that day, and he poked around with his fingers; boy did that feel GOOD (not!). Dr. N believes that it is probably caused by a screw that iritates a muscle, which then causes the muscle to go into spasms. I told him how motrin, tylenol and (when needed) muscle relaxants help. He suggested that I get a cortisone/lidocane injection in that specific area. By the time I walked out of there, I was spasming like I haven't in a LONG time. I think it's because of the needle poking around in there and moving so he could get the whole area. I had to find a drugstore and pop 2 motrin immediately! By the time we walked about a mile and a half to Little Italy for lunch and had a drink in front of me, it felt much better. It seemed to take about 5 days to totally get over it, and then all of a sudden--WHAM! I feel great! Now I'm not sure if it's because of the injection, or if I just THINK it's because of the injection, LOL. He said if it works it can be for a few months, or even longer. I don't think I'd consider anything more drastic like removing the screw. At least at this point.
the night of the injection I couldn't sleep. I'm very sensitive to some medications and I think the cortisone gave me insomnia. I looked around the internet and some other people said the same thing.
Dr. N did stress to keep exercising and to try to keep my core strong to preserve the vertebrae below the fusion. So I keep doing my zumba.
Overall, I think my back feels much stronger than even a year ago. I can do more physically without having to baby myself. I can carry armfulls of groceries into the house without worrying, can carry laundry up and down without feeling it's too much for me. So I go back in one year. If I want another injection, he said I could go back, or find a pain dr. locally here in NJ. I said to him, 'No one touches my back but you--as long as youre practicing!'
A few weeks ago I had my 3 year checkup. I still measure the same, it looks as is I'm fused properly, and the vertebrae above and below look good. My only problem is my periodic muscle spasms that I get on my left side, between my shoulder blade and spine. It happened to be bothering me that day, and he poked around with his fingers; boy did that feel GOOD (not!). Dr. N believes that it is probably caused by a screw that iritates a muscle, which then causes the muscle to go into spasms. I told him how motrin, tylenol and (when needed) muscle relaxants help. He suggested that I get a cortisone/lidocane injection in that specific area. By the time I walked out of there, I was spasming like I haven't in a LONG time. I think it's because of the needle poking around in there and moving so he could get the whole area. I had to find a drugstore and pop 2 motrin immediately! By the time we walked about a mile and a half to Little Italy for lunch and had a drink in front of me, it felt much better. It seemed to take about 5 days to totally get over it, and then all of a sudden--WHAM! I feel great! Now I'm not sure if it's because of the injection, or if I just THINK it's because of the injection, LOL. He said if it works it can be for a few months, or even longer. I don't think I'd consider anything more drastic like removing the screw. At least at this point.
the night of the injection I couldn't sleep. I'm very sensitive to some medications and I think the cortisone gave me insomnia. I looked around the internet and some other people said the same thing.
Dr. N did stress to keep exercising and to try to keep my core strong to preserve the vertebrae below the fusion. So I keep doing my zumba.
Overall, I think my back feels much stronger than even a year ago. I can do more physically without having to baby myself. I can carry armfulls of groceries into the house without worrying, can carry laundry up and down without feeling it's too much for me. So I go back in one year. If I want another injection, he said I could go back, or find a pain dr. locally here in NJ. I said to him, 'No one touches my back but you--as long as youre practicing!'
!
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