Oh my.... back that is

Sharon Marie · Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:53 pm

After several years of back trouble - (I'm 30) My back finally took it's toll and gave me a herniated disk. MRI says defect in 3, 4 and 5 vertibre (lower spine) I LOVE TO GARDEN. Absolutely NOT -- I will not give up my beloved hobby. I'm getting a 3 week series of epidural shots. Does anyone have any experience with these shots? I was born with the defect in my vertibre but I refuse to keep this pain from my love of the earth. I'm not crazy, but I will be if I have to give up what I love to do. Help me!! Any suggestions will help me SO much!!!

Gnome · Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:41 pm

Sharon,

How about extra tall raised beds? It will be a substantial effort to get them installed and filled but it may be worth it to you.

Norm

hendi_alex · Sat Oct 03, 2009 9:51 pm

One alternative to a purely raised bed would be to have benches construct to the correct height and covered with a material such as hardy backer board or other concrete board. Then use 2 X 10's to construct the bed frame on top of the bench. I use 2 X 10's for my raised beds on a concrete pad and the amount of soil works well for planting most everything.

Charlie MV · Mon Oct 05, 2009 9:54 pm

Sharon Marie, my wife has exactly the same condition. She declined the shots because the only insurance we can afford is a high deductible plan. The shots were $900 each. She also has a bad bone density score which both the shots and steroid pills can affect. she too 4 days worth of steroids and could leap tall buildings with a single bounce , for a couple of weeks. It's been a couple of months now and the effects of the steroids no longer help her to bend over in the garden or for any other reason but walking and many other activities are still easier. Pre-steroids, she was waking up in pain at night and pretty much hurting all the time. Now that's gone. For how long we don't know.

We'll know more when we start back next week with our walking/workout routine. We quit each June because the heat involved in gardening in SC is all we can deal with.

But again, the steroids are awful for osteoporosis. Her mom has gone from 5'4" to 4'10' tall so it runs in the family. She had additional reasons besides $$ for holding off on the shot. She wants that option for later in life when all other approaches have failed.

good luck,

Sharon Marie · Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:10 pm

Charlie, I am very sorry your wife has the same problem. I do not wish this sort of pain on my worst enemy. I am on pain meds right now, and the shots. My plan is high deductible but afterwards I pay the 3grand deductible they pay 90% with the most out of pocket capped at the 3grand. I'm sure I met that with the 4 day hospital stay..
I am very mobile now that I have been on the steriod shots. They can only give you so many (due to complications from them) I am praying that the relief they provide will last months. I am 30 years old. It's very depressing to think of sometimes but I will keep positive and know that I will find a source to do all the things I love. Physical therapy starts after the injection series are done - so I'm counting on that to help me as well.
I dearly love the advise I get here in this forum. I am planning on doing a smaller scale raised bed at first, then I'll see how that goes. I've been looking online for some tips / tricks etc.

Diane · Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:07 am

Something very strange happened when I tried to answer this.
So I'll just say good luck Sharon.

Sharon Marie · Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:18 pm

Thanks Diane

Sharon Marie · Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:56 pm

After three weeks of bed rest I am feeling much better. Today I went outside and planted some crocus and anenome (spelling??) bulbs. Light work but I got it finished

I think these epidural injections will work great for me.

Thanks again for all your well wishes! This forum is the best