Hi everyone -
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i will be having g-d willing an esi on monday aug 29 -- [epidural steroid injection]
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i have never had this and would like to know any personal experiences -- good or bad --
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and i guess also what to expect after -- partly because we need to know if we other care for my grandaughter --
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thanks -- hope your day is pain free as possible ---- dvora

I did not title my post correctly - and i really would appreciate answers --
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thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me --
be well ----
--------- dvora ----

Epidural injections, involve the giving of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space; used to cause a loss of sensation (spinal anaesthesia) and/or a loss of pain (analgesia).

Procedure:
*The actual epidural injection part usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes

*The patient changes into a hospital gown (to allow easy access to the spinal area) and lies flat on a table with a small pillow under their stomach (to slightly curve the back). If this position causes pain, the patient is sometimes allowed to sit up or lie on their side in a slightly curled (fetal) position.

*After numbing the area with local anesthetic, a needle is inserted into the skin and directed toward the epidural space. If your doctor wants it done under XRay (fluoroscopy) guidance, this will be done in the XRay Dept.

Side effects:
As with all invasive medical procedures, there are potential risks associated with epidural injections; the most common potential risks and complications are:

*infection of the injection site.

*Post-epidural puncture headache (caused by leakage of spinal fluid from the injection site). Although these usually improve in a few days, occasionally a blood patch may be necessary to alleviate the headache. A blood patch is a simple, quick procedure that involves obtaining a small amount of blood from a patient from an arm vein and immediately injecting it into the epidural space to allow it to clot around the spinal sac and stop the leak.

*Bleeding from the site. Bleeding is a rare complication and is more common for patients with underlying bleeding disorders.

*Nerve damage. While extremely rare, nerve damage can occur from direct trauma from the needle, or from infection or bleeding.

After care:
Tenderness at the needle insertion site can occur for a few hours after the procedure and can be treated by applying an ice pack.

Patients are usually asked to lie flat for the remainder of the day on which they have the epidural injection. Some doctors specify a time frame to lie flat, i.e. 24 hours.

Normal activities may typically be resumed the following day.



I hope this has been helpful.

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oh thank you -- this has been helpful --
i would really like to know other peoples experiences --
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- have you ever had this done ?
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shalom from dvora-

No I haven't but as an RN, I have assisted in the procedure many times.

Although done for entirely different reasons, ie diagnosis, a lumbar puncture is done exactly the same way. The main difference being that fluid is withdrawn during a lumbar puncture, and drugs are injected during an epidural.

If you wish to get personal experiences I suggest you ask about Lumbar Punctures in our Multiple Sclerosis Forum. Tell the readers that you do not have MS but are going for an epidural and want to know about people's experiences with those or similar procedures such as LPs. You might ask "Has anyone here had an epidural or a lumbar puncture? http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum17.html

Other situations to consider are:
Mothers often have epidurals during childbirth, spinal anesthesia is common now during some surgery (like gynae) and lumbar punctures are used to diagnose some conditions such as MS, encephalitis, meningitis. Any one who has gone through any of the above could help you out.

---------------------------------------------- IT IS LIKE A LUMBAR PUNCTURE - LOL !
I DO HAVE MS -- FOR MOST OF MY LIFE -
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ALL OF MY INJURIES HAVE BEEN FROM MS PROBLEMS CAUSING FALLS !
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ALL THIS ANXIETY -- SOMEONE AT THE SPINE CLINIC SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME --
- THX FOR THE LINK TO MS FORUM -- I WILL VISIT SOON --
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HAVE A GOOD NIGHT --BE WELL ... DVORA

Everything I have heard on this site regarding spinals has been a mixed bag. I had several, and then Katamine infusions. For me they worked for awhile, but the underlying condition had to be addressed when they stopped working. I wound up with the surgery. I did not experience must pain involving these proceedures, but the outcome is different for everybody. I will pray your injection in painless and works for you. take care, ginnie

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thanks ginnie --
i just wish it were over -- though i was told that it would not cure my back -- only take away g-d willing - the pain and inflamtion so i could strengthen my core in pt --
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i hope your surgery went well :-)
shalom from dvora

[B]y all means tell your doctor before the proceedure that you are afraid. If he is any kind of doctor, he will try to ease your worries even before he starts the proceedure. I was a chicken too and was given zanax before hand, and was driven by a friend to get the injections. I don't do so good with those things eithor. I did OK with the surgery. Still on pain meds, but alot less now, better than I could have hoped for with it. thanks for asking. ginnie

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i am glad ginnie that your surgery went well -- g-d willing as time goes on your pain will decrease more --
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i hav 20mg of valium to take ahead of time --- believe me - i have been such a pain in the tush -- they know i am a wreck -
i will keep you guys posted -- be well- dvora