Anyone Here Had An Epidural Injection?

DM · 02-20-2008, 09:09 AM

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.

Tootsie · 02-23-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lailavia

I am set up for one at a Spine Center/Pain Managent Place the 22 June. I have severe pain in my right thigh, and was referred by rheumatologist. Sounds like you can only have one series a year, may or may not help, but may provide permanent relief? Doctor said (he is an anethesiologist) if it doesn't work they will try other things.

I'm kind of worried about side effects and wondering if anyone got relief and if not what is next? I have herniated disks he is thinking causing nerve root problems. He said my mri didn't even look that bad but this pain is awful.

I have fibro and have ultram and zanaflex, he didn't want to give me anything elst for now so as not to mask the pain before the shot.

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

slinks · 02-25-2008, 04:11 PM

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by lailavia

I am set up for one at a Spine Center/Pain Managent Place the 22 June. I have severe pain in my right thigh, and was referred by rheumatologist. Sounds like you can only have one series a year, may or may not help, but may provide permanent relief? Doctor said (he is an anethesiologist) if it doesn't work they will try other things.

I'm kind of worried about side effects and wondering if anyone got relief and if not what is next? I have herniated disks he is thinking causing nerve root problems. He said my mri didn't even look that bad but this pain is awful.

I have fibro and have ultram and zanaflex, he didn't want to give me anything elst for now so as not to mask the pain before the shot.

mb205 · 07-13-2009, 07:12 PM

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!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lailavia

I am set up for one at a Spine Center/Pain Managent Place the 22 June. I have severe pain in my right thigh, and was referred by rheumatologist. Sounds like you can only have one series a year, may or may not help, but may provide permanent relief? Doctor said (he is an anethesiologist) if it doesn't work they will try other things.

I'm kind of worried about side effects and wondering if anyone got relief and if not what is next? I have herniated disks he is thinking causing nerve root problems. He said my mri didn't even look that bad but this pain is awful.

I have fibro and have ultram and zanaflex, he didn't want to give me anything elst for now so as not to mask the pain before the shot.

patientL2009 · 07-31-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moose53

I've had epidurals -- both neck and lumbar. Some worked. Some didn't.

For me, they are NOT painless. I always get a vagal response and come real close to passing out. Especially the ones in my neck. They've now learned to give me a drug beforehand that lessens that.

I had one two years ago in the lumbar. Fluoroscope-guided. Lasted over a year. Absolute joy

I had one in my neck about two months ago. Weird. One week after, I had pain in my neck, shoulder, forearm -- but, not in my upper arm or my hand or fingers. Just like the pain was breaking up. After three weeks, it was pretty much no pain.

I just had one in my lumbar spine about a week ago. Supposed to be fluoroscope-guided. Wasn't

But, the director of the pain management center did this one personally. I think they were short-staffed. I got really horrendous facial flushing from this one -- never happened before.

I almost always turn into STEROID-WITCH for about 6 weeks after (PURE RAGE). Hasn't happened yet on this one. Didn't happen as much last month either, come to think of it.

I go to one of the best teaching hospitals in Boston. They'll do three shots per year -- sometimes four. They're like gold -- I only get them when I absolutely cannot stand the pain anymore. Having the neck and the lumbar fratzed at the same was kicking me to the curb.

You have to be real careful of steroids. You can lose your hips if you get too many injections.

I prefer the fluoroscope-guided ones because I have such weird architecture in my lumbar. They will NOT do the ones in the neck that way here. I think they're usually willing to do them that way in the lumbar because they get more money -- I truly believe that the reason I didn't get it this time was because of short-staffing.

I would NEVER in a million years say that they're painless -- very painful -- for me anyway

Then you throw in the vagal response, always gotta be someone there making sure they don't have to scrape me off the floor

When they work, they're a G-d-send. When they don't work, it's like finding out that Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy don't exist -- heartbreaking.

Barb

Hi-
I've had two guided epidural injections is the L4 L5 S1 area. The first in 02/09.I was really frightened to get this done but found that is wasn't a burden at all. In fact it gave me instant releif for the first few days but then the pain in my back and leg returned. After two weeks I got some releive for a couple of more weeks, the pain went from a 7 8 to a 4 5. But then after that the pain returned. I got another injection in a few more months that worked for a few days, then not at all. Now only surgery is in the picture for me as additional problems have been found that are pinching the L5 nerve root and causing sciatica. However, I have a friend who had exact pains as me but was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and she had two injections very close together, perhaps 3 weeks apart and she has no pain at all. She is able to work and do everything as if she was normal. The only side effect she has is a numb leg. I did have spotting for a day with my second injection which they said was a normal side effect (although I am post menapausal by 1.5 years) So the epidural is worth trying in my opinion, prior to seeking surgery. Just make sure you have a guided epidural and it is done by a specialist in spine medication and a good anestheiaologist.

Just Jo · 08-06-2009, 09:00 AM

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

Nancysue · 08-22-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lailavia

I am set up for one at a Spine Center/Pain Managent Place the 22 June. I have severe pain in my right thigh, and was referred by rheumatologist. Sounds like you can only have one series a year, may or may not help, but may provide permanent relief? Doctor said (he is an anethesiologist) if it doesn't work they will try other things.

I'm kind of worried about side effects and wondering if anyone got relief and if not what is next? I have herniated disks he is thinking causing nerve root problems. He said my mri didn't even look that bad but this pain is awful.

I have fibro and have ultram and zanaflex, he didn't want to give me anything elst for now so as not to mask the pain before the shot.

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.

Kathi49 · 08-23-2009, 07:03 AM

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.

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