Lumbar Epidural Injections - I have ?'s
 

I am new here so will in brief explain my injury - All L disks are herniated - S1 S2 as well and then those "spacers" are messed up between the disks, and tons of nerve damage and pinched nerves, arthritis, scoliosis, stenosis, degenerative disk --- I think that cover the spine :rolleyes:

So I went to a pain clinic for the first time today and they strongly suggested Lumbar Epidural Injections - which I would very much like you all to share me your thoughts on PLEASE

The Dr told me it is a type of steroid and will do wonders for my pain level???

I was on oral steroids 2 times and both times felt like a new person - I had almost zero pain for the first time in 6 yrs.

So of course this treatment sounds very tempting to me - but I want to check around and get thoughts/opinions on it -

I am set to get a series of 3 of these - 1 week apart and then they said I am not allowed to get any more for 6 months - but they also said I would not need any more for 6 months as this first set of 3 will last that long

Please tell me anything you know about this treatment - the good the bad and the ugly

Thanks ! :)

You might want to post your question also at the spinal forum here.

Some people find epidurals helpful, and others not.

My husband's friend had a big remission from them. But that is
not true for everyone.

Thanks you :)

mixed bag, but to some very helpfull
 

This is a direction that is a logical step for you and you wont know how it will effect you unless you try it. Everyone has different response, for some it gives little relief and the shots come with a few days of increased pain untill they kick in. For others, it works for six months up to a year and sometimes this is enough time to work on PT and strenghten your core, which helps out greatly.

I have had two, first one helped me for about five weeks and was very usefull, second and last one to date didnt seem to give any releif and it flared up my back for a few days. I will probably be getting more shots in the future but I do worry about the long term side effects of steroids in this area. Hope this is usefull info and helps you get a better idea of whats going on. I know how desperate you can feel when you are dealing with chronic pain, good luck and let us know how this all turns out.

Didn't work for me
 

I have a large prolapsed disc in L5/S1 and suffered for about 6 months before having my first epidural. It hurt whilst the doctor did it and I felt awful for a few days after. I just had another (6 months after the first) and this one went MUCH better! Although I did feel awful after - similar to the after effects of flu. It's now 3 weeks later and I am off work again, still in pain. These injections CAN help people but they didn't help me. But, for a few minutes of feeling uncomfortable and a couple of days after effects, it's definately worth the try. Good luck with whatever you choose!:Good-Luck:

be careful with that
 

i had an epidural two actually the first lessened my acute pain but left me with terrible radiculopathies in both of my legs which i did not have prior to the injection. i had the 2nd injection because i couldnt bear to stand more than 15 minutes at a time that decreased the severity of the radiculopathy
but the steroids did something to my joints so i developed a buffalo hump and cervical anterolithesis i originally just had a herniated L5S1 now my entire spine is misaligned, i do know people who were helped by the injections but they pretty much ruined the rest of my life tho the doctors tell me its just a mild deformity, stick with the oral steroids thats my opinion