[Maria]

Different things work for different people such as the decompression machine. There have been people here that report being greatly helped by this treatment modality.

Also not only do the injections depend on who is giving them but also where they are given or the approach. With ESIs the transforaminal (sp) approach worked better for me than other approaches.

In terms of ESIs it matters also what level is done as to whether it might be effective or not.. I had an annular tear at L3 BUT L5S1 was long my most painful disc level and then when the facets autofused L4 became my most painful level so injecting L3 didn't make any difference as it wasn't bothering me really.

Have you ever had too much fluid injected and abutted a nerve root?? That created a horrendous acute pain that fortunately for me subsided the two times it happened (different PMs) . It didn't make me give up on ESIs entirely as they helped me greatly for the period of time WC authorized them for me rather in one case it made me switch providers re administration of ESIs and in the other case it made me decide to definitely be sedated with ESIs.

When we share on this site or any for that matter the different modalities of treatment just keep in mind that what works for me might not work for you and what works for you might not work for me.

Keep an open mind and try the conservative treatment modalities first before jumping into a surgical frame of mind unless one has an emergent need for surgery. As mentioned by almost there if one person's treatment of the condition isn't working then make sure to give feedback to the provider and see if there are options with this provider.. if not being listened to consider trying another provider before giving up on the treatment modality completely.

btw I take an opioid pain medication one time a day and have for a number of years. It was either that or lay around crying my eyes out every day all day never going anywhere or doing anything or being able to even make it to doctor's appointments or anywhere so again ... different things help different people. I would not want anyone to feel that he or she is any less of a person because they may need to take medication for pain. I had significant spine problems from the age of 28 until I was nearly 50 before I started taking pain medication and had 2 spine surgeries and the 2nd one failing horrendously so while I could have had a 3rd spine surgery and probably a 4th or 5th.. etc... I just chose to stop at 2 and take a low dose opioid pain med now one time/day and see how things went. I have not had to bump that dose up and have actually been able to stop taking Neurontin 1800 mg/day about 4 years ago after taking that for 12 years.

One does what he or she has to do to take care of his or her pain. We all go thru finding out what works for each of us individually.

Good luck and overall I wish anyone and everyone "patience" with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of spine related injuries. It is surely no "walk in the park." It's good that we have a place like here for a sharing and exchange of ideas and information.