So, after having an SI joint injection and a 3rd, yes a 3rd discogram, I have made a decision with regard to surgery.
The SI joint injection was a diagnostic injection of numbing medication & was only about 20% effective in relieving my pain. It's a good thing the pain mgmt. dr. had good reflexes. Poor guy was close to getting punched out when he pressed on the SI joint after the injection.
My 3rd & most painful discogram, it was positive at L5/S1. I told the OS that my last 2 were positive at the same level but he wanted "his guy" to do it.
I have steadily spiraled downward with my back since the summer. The last discogram has left me in constant discomfort with more pain than I am use to.
I am scheduled for surgery on January 20th in NYC. The type of surgery will depend on the facet block that I will have on Monday. I want a disc replacement but as I understand it, if the facet joints are causing the pain, I would have to have fusion.
Now the interesting part. I am waiting for his office staff to get me pre-certified through No-Fault and my private insurance. I was assured by his staff that the hospital will not allow the surgery to go forward if I don't have the pre-certification.
Talk about being on edge.....
This should be an interesting few weeks. I know it's a little too soon, but the reality of it is starting to hit me.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed & hoping that things will work out for me this time. I don't know if I can go another round with the NYS Dept. of Insurance.