Risks of Steroid Injections for Herniated Disks and Back Pain

So a few years ago I had an accident which resulted in 6 herniated disks in my back and neck. In December I had a steroid injection in my neck and now I'm suffering the consequences. The 2 injections I had in my lower back did help with the pain for which I was very grateful. The injection in my neck not only has not impacted the amount of pain I experience, but now I have severe daily migraine headaches, my eyesight is constantly blurred and now I have discovered that the injection can trigger diabetes (for which I am at risk). Wow. I wish my doctors (any of the various doctors) would have asked about my family history for diabetes and at least told me that was a potential side effect. I have also been told that because the injection skyrockets blood sugars, that could be why my eyesight has been affected.

So, to all of those out there who are considering the injection route. Yes, it can be helpful in some cases (albeit temporary relief), there are also many side effects that most doctors will not explain. It is up to you to research and determine if this is the direction you want to go.

Oh -- I forgot one more thing. I've basically been sick since the injection and I have found that steroid can hamper your immune system as well. Nice.

I'm not complaining - just recognizing again how important it is to not just take any medication prescribed nor participate in any procedure before really knowing the risks. Now back to drinking more orange juice, taking my vitamins and trying to get some sleep to hopefully boost my immune system so I don't keep catching every cold or flu that comes along. :)

Quote: Gratitude

As Tony Robbins says,
"When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears."

Do the twists and turns of life take you by surprise? Throw you off? Keep you from finding a reason to be thankful?

In our world of deadlines and demands, it’s easy to take things for granted, never feeling a genuine sense of gratitude. Yet if we gravitate to a place of awe and wonder, where time stands still, we may realize in that moment that we are right with the world.

Back Pain

A few months ago I was in a car accident - not a very high-speed accident - but I was rear-ended by a girl who wasn't paying attention. I was at a complete stop, and the impact completed put me out of commission -- for quite a few weeks. I had been living with pain for over 3 years, but this was worse than anything I had experienced before.

However, I believe it has turned out to be a blessing. The new levels of pain put me at a completely non-functioning level -- which forced me to find new solutions. I found a pain clinic and ended up getting several epidural injections into my spine. It took almost a month, but I am feeling much better and back at work.

It's amazing how much back pain can influence every aspect of life. I am grateful for those who work in pain management, and can help those of us who have not been able to find other solutions. I'm still in pain but it's so much better and the physical therapy is helping as well.

Are there any other remedies or helps to actually HEAL the back/spine? I don't want to live with pain the rest of my life - I've been told that is what I need to deal with - but I have to believe our bodies are amazing and can heal if we give them the right conditions. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

Healing Back Pain

Does anyone know a good way for healing back pain?

I've tried almost every kind of therapy -- and still have constant pain. However, I do have to say that 2 years after my accident I am doing MUCH better than I was for the first year and a half.

But I'm ready to move forward even more -- and I'm open to suggestions.

Attitude

"Remember, a good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude fair results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude."

(M. Russell Ballard, “Providing for Our Needs,” Ensign, May 1981, 85)

Dangers of Energy Drinks

Energy drinks were spotlighted on the news tonight. The ingredients included in many of them were dangerous including caffeine, sugar, guarana, and other stimulants. All that caffeine can have serious side-effects if used over a long period of time. It can affect your immune system, dehydration, and loss of calcium.

Taking a Vacation

Taking a vacation should be required for everyone at least twice a year. There are many benefits of taking vacations. It gives us opportunities to review our lives, take a break from our daily routine, get re-centered, and re-create. Europeans have the right idea -- they take summer vacations -- 6-8 weeks each year. I wonder what has happened in American society -- we work longer hours, take less time off, are more stressed out, have more health problems, and seem less relaxed than other cultures. Do we think we're going to get behind if we take a break? Probably. I've been there myself.

But the benefits of vacations are so great not only in mental and physical health, but also in emotional health and productivity.

So, take a break -- go on a vacation -- and relax. It will pay off in the long run!