Do Not get the epidural shots as the cortisone wears off way too quickly and you can only get so many before the cortisone causes further deterition of the joint area <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />.
Be very careful with the chiro care IMO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.
Do not have surgery unless you are flat on your back and unable to help yourslef. It'll lay you out for a few weeks and the pain is unreal after the morphine wears off <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I got talked into the surgery route before I should've and it's not reversable, nor permanent help <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> I have good and bad days, and have gotten out but it's something always on my mind to be careful out there. The only redeeming thing is the wicked cool scar <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
I 100% disagree. Yes cortisone can be harmful if repeated on a regular basis. However, in my case and with many others, it provides the necessary relief and anti-inflamation to get you over the hump. I had a series of 3 shots in '93, when they wanted to "cut on me", and 1 more in "01, after another episode. A total of 4 shots in 15 years. I stand behind the EDI's 100%, as a potential non-surgical solution.. Anything that haults the permanent nerve damage and prevents surgery, is worth a shot (NPI) in my book. Your mileage may vary.
OTOH, I do agree to stay off the operating table if possible. I just spent 4 days on a boat with a friend that is a doctor, and his opinion is that 25% have successful results, 50% have little to no change, and in 25% the problem worsens. Those odds are not what I would call favorable.
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