prolotherapy anybody???

tlz769 · 03-26-2008, 12:02 PM

hi ladies (& gentleman as well)

I'm looking for anybody who has experience with (you guessed it) prolotherapy. I injured my back (herniated disk) last june at work 'boosting' a patient. Since then, I've had three epidural injections, one facet block and non-surgical decompression. The decompression has been a GODSEND for me, retracting the disk back to where it should be (at least, that's our hypothesis, since the leg pain has stopped completely). However, I have stopped seeing my chiropractor (the doctor who was doing the decompression) because he's tried his new machine (which uses a different pull technique) and it hasn't really done anything for me, more than the older machine. It's been 22 days since I've seen him, and it's been BAD. Muscle spasms, just PAIN (and, i'm not a wossy girl!) and really intense pain when I'm running on my feet all nite at work. He said I need to schedule an 'as needed/PRN' appointment, when I can't control the pain at home, with my own muscle stimulation unit and heat. However, my rationale for waiting (don't yell please!) is that,...if THIS is a good as it is gonna get, I need to deal with it. BUT, I finally just called & go in soon for a treatment.

But, I'm looking into alternative measures. I've stumbled across Prolotherapy from a friend of mine. Basically, it sounds like they inject sugar water & steroids. This inflames the area and brings about the bodies OWN healing stage. Since my healing stage is LONG past (from the initial injury last June)...it SOUNDS like such a good option. I do have an initial consultation scheduled for next week (april fools day, hehe) and hopefully an injection, if he feels I'm a good candidate.

But, I'm looking for anybody who has any experience with this therapy...positive or negative. Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

(I posted in RANT...cuz I'm so freakin fed up with everything!! I'm just ready for it to be OVER!!!)

starlite · 03-26-2008, 04:26 PM

I don't have personal experience, but my mom does. She went through I think 3 or 4 rounds of this in 06. She had to take FMLA at work while doing it. They injected her like 20 x's each round. She said that after each injections, she would be in extream pain. I wish I could remember more about her injections. I was at the end of planning my wedding, so it's hard. I do remember she was scared about being in pain for my wedding b/c she just went in for a set of injections.

It didn't totally get rid of her pain. She had injured it at work and had been deteriating for a long time. This was like a last resort for her. Recently she has been going through something else I think. And now she's able to actually sleep in her bed. I'll have to ask her what it is.

I hope you can get some releif. The Prolotherapy did seem to help some for her. But I don't know the extent of you injury.

PCOSinDC · 03-27-2008, 04:01 PM

my mom has been doing prolotherapy for degenerative disc disorder for a couple of years. it has been a God send for her. she's always incredibly sore the few days after the shots, but then a million times better. she went from thinking she'd be in a wheelchair in just a few years to being able to walk around Disney World for entire days at a time. I'm sure that part of the key to whether it works or not is finding a good doctor.