Thursday, February 16, 2012

Saturday, May 03, 2008 jayfish asks

Q: What can I honestly expect from sacroiliitis as a result of injury on a long term basis?

I was delivering a large appliance (about 400lbs) and felt sharp pain across my lower back. I have a constant dull pain acompanied by acute sharp pains regardless of meds. The doctor and physical therapist have both deemed it sacroiliitis and after reading up on it I think they are correct. My doctor has also refered me to a pain management doctor though I am still waiting for initial apt. Currently it only takes about a 10 minute ride in a car for my left leg to start tingling and going half asleep all the way to my toes if it's not that way to begin with. I am a driver by trade. I have been off work for almost a month and while I am learning to live w/pain, my question is what am I looking at long term? Is this some thing that will heal completely or is it time for me to start looking at a different line of work? Should I expect to be dealing with this for the rest of my life? I have not been able to locate anything so far that even hints at answers to these questions.

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5/ 4/08 6:57pm

I wish I could give you a simple answer regarding the long-term implications of sacroilitis.  Every patient is different and responds differently to treatment.  Since your doctor and physical therapist know your case, they would be the best ones to give you some idea of how this will impact your work.  They may be waiting to see how you respond to the pain management treatments before giving you a long-term prognosis. 

 

I hope your treatments are successful and you're able to return to driving.

Karen

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5/ 5/08 7:42am

Thanks Karen I hope so too

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11/20/09 10:11am

All I can share with you is my personal experience.  I have had sacroiliitis for 6 yrs now and have had numerous injections with my pain management doctor.  I am at the point now where nothing is working as well as it did at first.  SI joint injections seemed to be what worked before, but now the insurance company no longer covers them.  I have altered my duties as a registered nurse and feel I am facing long term disability.  You may respond well to the injections as everyone is different.  You will have to learn how to manage your flare ups to get through them.  Good luck to you and continue to research your options.

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