I have had them all. You name it. I am at a point where my doctor has said that I am just one of those rare hard to treat people that has very sensitive nerves even though my MRI's don't look as bad as I feel so I am left to find more intense treatments. All that to say: When they worked for me it was incredible. Sometimes it took three before I even felt anything, but when it kicked in it was awesome. I went about 6 years one time without needing them.

They are not bad to get and if they work it is fantastic. Don't give up after the first if it does not work. It may take 3 and sometimes 4. good luck

I have had two in my L4-L5 region. The first one helped for about 3-4 months and went off w/o a hitch. The second one hurt when they did it and didn't help at all.

I went for quite a few yrs w/managing my disc pain by myself. As soon as I'd get leg pain/back pain, I'd lay low and let it simmer down.

Well, now I'm suffering from intense back/leg pain again and found out that I have L4-L5 disc that are bone on bone and a large bone spur has developed. Getting an MRI next wk, but they are talking epidurals again..

After the 2nd epidural, I swore I'd never have another one, but right now, I'd do just about anything..... take care all.

My only experience with an epidural was about 41 yrs. ago when I was giving birth to my son Then it was a popular procedure just prior to birth to give a spinal epidural.

I had to sit on the side of the 'bed/gurney/what ever they call it in delivery) and bend forward (thats fun when you are giving birth by the way).

It hurt briefly and it was mostly a sting like you get when an needle goes in.

The epidural itself pretty much dulls the pain of the injection!

It's a localized thing in my case back then and wears off fast.

Anyway, I've had way worse things and at the time I welcomed the epi!

Tootsie

I have had several injection and also the electro where they electro your nerves. Very painful..After the injections I thought that I would do better. The pain in my back my legs, feet it was too much to take. They injections only lasted a few days not worth the money or pain. The nerve block did not work at all and now have side effects of the nerver block. I have never had pain in my legs, hips, thighs, feet so bad until I had all of the series of shots and the nerve block. Now I go see a neurosurgeon on Friday for surgery.

sl

Hi, I am aphysical therapist also with significant LBP and I have had 2 epidurals for disc and nerve pain and they were fantastic and not painful at all. THe trick is to get an MD who is specifically a spine pain anesthesiologist, because this is what they do for a living. I hope you do well!

Yes, just yesterday 8/5/09 at L5 for lumbar pain radiating to legs, i.e., spinal stenosis.

Procedure: On stomach, betadine'd, lidocaine'd, injection of 40mg Kenalog corticosteroid. Took 10 minutes.

It's just one day post-injection and I feel *so much better*.

Follow up w/anesthesiologist pain mgmt doc on 9/1 to discuss whether or not further injections may be helpful as well as additional PT.

Feeling damn good today.

HTH

I've had great relief from the spinal injections.I have many nerve problems. I think it caused bone loss tho. Not sure. But it made a huge difference.

I had lumbar facet injections done 4 days ago; L4/L5/S1 and bi-lateral. I have had them done before, twice, and then a subsequent RF. Let me tell ya...the RF, both times, lasted well over a year. I think the trick IS to find a spinal PM (anesthesiologist) and why I am always saying it depends on WHO is doing the injections. At least my feet feel normal for once and there was very little pain; just an increase for a day or two. In any case, and while I realize steroids are involved, it sure as heck beats feeling loopy on meds and allows me to exercise or go into PT when needed. My PM DID ask if I wanted another set, but I told him no...if the pain comes back go straight to an RF because I know they work. I think at some point I will need surgery but as long as he can help me to avoid it, I will go this route.