Worsening of pain one week after an epidural injection for sciatica.
 

I had an epidural injection one week ago to treat painful inflammation of spinal nerve roots (sciatica). This was my second injection; the first seemed neither to help or hurt. There was considerable discomfort during the procedure. I was told to expect discomfort for a couple of days, but one week after the procedure, my pain symptoms seem to have worsened. My oral temperature is normal. I called my physiatrist and he suggested I take my oral pain medications and get some rest. Has anyone else out there had this experience?

Yes, I have had the same experience. I had a little discomfort while having the procedure done but also a week later I was in severe pain. I took my oral medication for it, but it didn't seem to help much. After a couple weeks, the pain started to subside. I was very thankful for that. Since that incident, I have not had anymore procedures done like that.

He probably hit the sciatic nerve with the injection -- which would really irritate it more than it already was! I've had an injection like that too, and when he put the needle in, I thought I was going to die!!! I've never had pain like that before. :eek: It did take awhile for it to settle down -- unfortunately I didn't get any "relief" from the injection.

If you didn't get relief either, don't let them do another injection. If the first one doesn't work, any subsequent ones won't work either. Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee

Re injections
 

[Sorry you are in so much pain. I agree with posts. If this hurt you more than helped you, I wouldn't do it again eithor. I have said NO to a number of treatments, and it is OK to do that. Most of the time your doctors understand if you don't want to try again. good luck to you. I hate needles to begin with, so I have to be in considerable misery to do this kind of thing to begin with. I hope you find relief. ginnie

I also had one in June and as soon as the needle went in I was in really bad pain, super bad for the next few days and developed lots of nerve symptoms in my left leg and foot. Had to take Medrol....and all my pain meds....they wanted to do another, but I said no! It took me over a month to have the pain go back to the same level as prior to injection. They took no responsibility.
Hope you all get some relief and healing,
blessings,
Chris

Epidural Pain?
 

That sounds like the person doing the epidural wasn't skilled in what he was doing. The guy who did my 2 used fluoroscopy to make sure the needle was placed correctly, there was no issue with that. When he put in the solution, there was a feeling of pressure, but no pain. But, I had 2 injections (one Transforamenal, the other Caudal), and neither helped. When I went for the third, he said since the first 2 didn't work, the third would be meaningless and that surgery was my best option (for what I had, it was). Surgery WAS the best option.

Remember, Epdural means "on the outside" or "above" the dural sheath, so the nerve should not be hit directly! The goal is to bathe the area in an anti-inflammatory agent to hopefully lessen the swelling and thus lessen the pain.

I did a lot of research on the guy who did my Epidurals, and asked a lot of questions. He was VERY happy to see a patient so interested in their Dr. and was more than pleased to answer all my questions.

ouch
 

I don't think they are supposed to hurt that much. My initial stick ouched, then pressure, and he used that type of equipment to watch every move he made. there were no mistakes and it did help. I had Katamine infussions also and again there really wasn't any pain like you are describing. I am sorry that happened to you. It sure makes you not want to try something else doens't it? I did wind up in surgery, as there was a point, nothing did work. It was the right decision for me, and I am alot better. I hope for the best for you. ginnie

epidural injection
 

I had my first epidural injection yesterday and it was by far the worst and most excruciating pain of my life! I am now in a world of pain and keep having muscle spasms and shooting pain in area of the injection..does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do..I've been taking pain medication and icing it and trying to rest as much as I can. Not sure if I should go through with the next 3 I have scheduled..

Judging only from the other responses in this thread, I would venture... no.

HOWEVER.... If a nerve is hit accidentally, would that be a mitigating circumstance to the injection not working? :Ponder: IOW, mightn't/would the injection have worked if the nerve had not been hit, and hence worth a second (pun intended :rolleyes:) shot?

Doc

I had one done in the cervical area. It can take up to 4 weeks for improvements so my doc told me. A year later still having issues. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not for some.