Well, if you have been following me, you know that my back has been giving me issues for a couple months now.  In October I started having some leg pain, and numbness in my left foot.  I ended

going to the Emergency Room a couple times and finally got a MRI done on my back.  Then I went to a Spine Specialist at Duke University who scheduled me for the Epidural Steroid Injection for the 17th of  January.  However, that was the day that Snow Storm Inga traveled through our area.  Duke University Hospital Clinics were closed that day, as well as the day afterwards.  On Friday, I finally got a hold of the clinic and rescheduled my procedure for the 31st.

I have a Herniated Discs, and spinal stenosis.  The doctor wants to use steroid injections at the spot of the stenosis to alleviate swelling and hopefully bring some relief before looking into surgery.

the worse part about all this waiting, is that the pain has not subsided.  I have shooting pain in my left knee, up through the thigh and a steady pain from the center of my lower back over to the left side.  The pain is always a good 5 on the pain scale, and if I do something wrong….like bend over, turn, or even stand or sit awkwardly, the pain will go to a sold 8.

I said earlier that I would write about it, and offer some thoughts and guidance to anyone that might have been considering this procedure.  As we get closer to the procedure, and perhaps get the procedure done, I will continue to write!

So today we went up to Durham to see a spinal specialist at Duke Medical.  I’ve been fighting back pain, sciatica pain, and numbness in tbe legs for about 3 months now.  The Dr was very good at explaining my options, and did not push one way or another.  The 2 that we narrowed treatment down to are: (1) Epidural Steroidal Injection, or (2) Surgery.  We decidwd on the injection to start with, and if needed, then to survey.

After the appointment, we dicided to try a local food establishment.  One if the technicians at Duke Medical suggested a place called Luna.