The Artrosilium gel I use is 'very good' but has to be rubbed in The Arnica gel is so easy to use, smooth it on and you can let it air dry, which is very quick
Well @Chrissy Cross did you go to your appointment with your Doctor to get the MRI results and the Doctor's recommendations?
Yes I did. He wanted to give me an epidural shot in my lower spine, I refused. I talked to my PCP and she referred me to physical therapy and thats the route I want to take...just waiting for insurance approval.
It probably won't take it away completely @Babs Hunt. Too many minor issues..most associated with aging but do have a herniated disc etc, slight scoliosis and a host of other minor things. Plus the MRI was only of left shoulder and lower back...I need a whole body scan, lol. But the PT is a start. My pain dr wasn't thrilled with my choice..he said it might aggravate my problem but I think they just like pushing their foramen epidurals. He told me my insurance approved the shots until the new year and this is their busy time so I better hurry if I want the shot. He sounded like a used car salesman That place gives me the creeps. They actually had a shot all ready for me, saw nurses with hair covered etc...like they were prepping for surgery. Also, while I was sitting in the waiting area I had a view of the back room and I heard Dr. who says Jesus Christ all the time say he was being sued. . Yikes, get me out of there.
I think that in the long run, the physical therapy will do the most good anyway, and you made a wise decision, @Chrissy Cross . The shots really only stop you from feeling the pain, they do not change whatever caused it in the first place. Back a year (or maybe closer to 2 years by now), my doctor sent me to a sports medicine specialist for my bad knee. They took x-rays, which showed extreme deteriorization of the knee from accidents I have had, and a lot of arthritis. Normally, they would just have done knee replacement surgery; but the doctor said they could not do that with me because of the danger of it causing another pulmonary embolism like I had before. What he did was give me one of those shots in my knee, and said that this would help numb the pain for several months to maybe up to a year. He said that if I did knee exercises once I could actually bend the knee without all of that pain, that it would help the knee heal itself, which is what did happen. I will always have more trouble with that knee than the other one; but because of the knee exercises, it is now much, much better than it was before. I think that once you start doing the physical therapy exercises, you shoulder and back should move better, too. Prayers for a fast recovery, as well.
These old bodies of ours are bound to have some aches and pains....but if you can get some relief from the worst of the pain that would be a blessing. Did you ask them about doing a whole body scan? And will the PT just concentrate on the areas the MRI covered or your whole body? I'm sure if the shots were covered this year....they will be covered next year too if the PT doesn't help.
I do read horror stories of PT but mainly after a surgery so I'm hoping they won't be too hard on me at first.
I don't know anything about the PT yet, I'm just at the point where on Tuesday my PCP said she'll refer me to the place across from their office...she says they're really good. Haven heard anything yet feom the PT place or my insurance. No, didn't ask about a whole body scan...I'm still recovering from the two MRIs, lol. I need a break from tests...
My experience with PT.......it doesn’t always work. But, then again, the Cortisone shot I got didn’t works either. So, for now, I have to continue taking a 800 mg ibruprofen daily and sometimes a Tramadol tablet.
I don't mind a cortisone shot but am afraid of a foramen epidural...too risky in my opinion. I don't want to end up paralyzed.
@Patsy Faye Use caution with Arnica. Some places sell it in tablet form to be taken by mouth; such use can pose serious danger, so much so, that the Canadian Government has outlawed sale of oral ingest Arnica compounds. Frank
Not sure it was the name you listed...but my daughter had a spinal injection a few months ago...has worked wonders for her.