Hi,I am Dr. Gopal Goel (Orthopaedic Surgeon). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Is There Any Cure Other Than Steroid Shots For Fibromyalgia ?
I have had fibromyalgia almost 10 years and was learning to manage that. Now for 4 years lifestyle altering DJD @ L4 and L5 which subsequently have torn apart the disc in-between. I get steroid shots 3x a year and they help with the pain but do not restore my abillities. The abnormal bone structure and the fact it is not a straightforward herniated disc with normal facets means typical disc surgery is not close to an option. I am wondering 1) are the steroid shots causing bone degeneration as being on chronic Prednisone would 2) I have heard that artificial discs are being used. I am 47 and have never had back surgery and know it is limited. Is this or will this be an option for me? 3) Besides pool, what exercise can I do to prevent osteoporosis that won t cause me to impact the nerves exiting between L4 and L5. I get sciatic pain standing and femoral neuralgia sitting so reclining is the best compromise. I also get numb - more so in the femoral distribution- sitting up. We need to travel to look at colleges for the youngest in a couple weeks. It will mean long driving as we are in Durham NC and he wants to look at Miami. 4) I bought a tens unit and it arrived Saturday it has helped sciatica if near constant use. how would I place it to help the pain at the actual DJD/DDD site which is especially bad going over even small bumps in car? 5) i get lidocaine infusions every 3 to 5 weeks for fibromyalgia which helps that response to the trigger of my back but not the actual arthritis or nerve compression. I take valium TID for muscle spasm and neurontin at night but when the back amps up again I have trouble sleeping more than 6 hours and I need around 10-12 depending on activity and pain levels. thank you, Marilyn
Hello. Thanks for writing to us. Other than steroid shots there are regular pain killers and few innunonodulatory drugs that can help you. Consult your rheunatologist for these. I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. Regards, Dr. Praveen Tayal , drtayal72@gmail.com
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Is There Any Cure Other Than Steroid Shots For Fibromyalgia ?
Hello. Thanks for writing to us. Other than steroid shots there are regular pain killers and few innunonodulatory drugs that can help you. Consult your rheunatologist for these. I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. Regards, Dr. Praveen Tayal , drtayal72@gmail.com