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[C.Ann]

Thanks!

 

[anewvance]

I would like to hear how it goes.... I refused them when I was offered them, I have had 2 bad experiances with spinals

 

[C.Ann]

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[escape]

My DH has had one and he's going in for the 2nd one next Thursday. He said after the first one that it was one of the best things he's ever done. He felt really good for quite a while.

Right after the shot, we went to Sam's and did some shopping and went other places as well. He had no problems at all.

I hope your daughter has the same experience as DH. Sending her way.

 

[ChristmasElf]

My DH had these shots a couple years ago. He had a series of 3 of them altogether. He has 2 shattered discs in his back and is trying to avoid surgery.
The epideral is given the same way as for childbirth except the medication doesn't numb the legs of course.
Each shot helped alleviate the back pain for a few months and then he would go in and have another.
He will most likely end up having the back surgery one of these years, as the pain is starting to bother him once again.

 

[Taylor]

I have had at least 8 of them.

They scare you with all of the legal stuff about not being able to drive and to have assistance to walk, etc. I have never had any ill effects from this procedure. Plus the relief I received made up for the discomfort of the epidural.

This is nothing to be scared of.

 

[SleepyMom]

I've had the shots twice now, the first time was in the ER after being there all day and them trying to figure out what was wrong with me. That one went great because I was on other pain meds throughout the day and never felt a thing but the relief of finally getting it.

The second time was a couple months later I had another flair up with back pain, but they scheduled me to go into the pain clinic for the shot this time so I had to wait a week or so before getting it. By that time I was in pretty bad shape and barely able to get around. The shot was a little more noticeable that time, probably because I didn't have the pain meds on board already. It was not painful though, I just noticed it more.

I went home that time and had to take it a lot more easier than I had the first time. In a day or so I was up and around and feeling much better. After the second shot I went to PT and haven't had any problems since.

I personally never had a problem with any headaches, hope it all goes well for your DD. Keep us posted.

 

[arminnie]

I have had at least 8 of them.

They scare you with all of the legal stuff about not being able to drive and to have assistance to walk, etc. I have never had any ill effects from this procedure. Plus the relief I received made up for the discomfort of the epidural.

This is nothing to be scared of.

I've never had one, but I have been the designated driver for two of my friends that get them. They seem perfectly fine when we leave - no problems, just relief.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Someone I love has chronic pain, but it is nerves, not discs. He had this done and was fine afterwards. But it only took his pain away for less than a day.

 

[Luv2Roam]

A co-worker is also having an epidural Monday for back problems. (Not a herniated disc.) I am hoping it helps her.
MIL use to have them on a regular basis for other back problems. She swore by them. But they seemed to not be effective the more she got. But it was always better than not having it at all.
From what little I have seen and heard about them it seems to be something that just puts off eventual surgery.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

From what little I have seen and heard about them it seems to be something that just puts off eventual surgery.

Sometimes, in order to get a surgery approved, you have to jump through a bunch of hoops. Patients have to go to pain management and have procedures done. So, sometimes doctors send patients to get these knowing full well it won't be a long-term help, or any help at all, really. They're just filling out the forms.

 

[C.Ann]

.......

 

[AZKathy]

She gets great compensation; she ought to be so happy about that! My workman's comp for my disc herniations only covered $1500/month and I am an RN that makes a whole lot more than that. That is one less thing for her to have to worry about. Makes a big difference!

I have had 12 injections. I have had relief with most up to the last three injections. I usually go in every two months and that time helped me live with the pain in more control. Now, that they have stopped working, I saw a neurosurgeon a few days ago and we are talking fusion right now. UGH.

Best to your DD. I hope she does well; a lot of those types of injuries do get better with time and therapy and does not have to resort to surgery!

 

[tar heel]

My DH felt fine afterward and wondered why he had to have someone with him. He thinks it helped somewhat.

What didn't feel fine was our insurance refusing to pay the doctor. The pain center was in our insurance plan, but the doctor on-site there was out of network. He hasn't had another one -- if he decides to have one he'll be heading to a different center. He was scheduled for another procedure at our local hospital and I called and asked whether the center, the doctor and anyone else they pulled in was in our PPO. They said they couldn't guarantee that, so we rescheduled at another location. We're finished with dealing with the local hospital.

 

[hiwaygal]

Wow...I must have been one of the unlucky ones.

My doc tried this a couple of years ago. The injection itself wasn't too bad, and I actually drove myself home. I also remember some little old lady with a walker passing me in the hallway...and I thought I was moving right along!

I don't remember getting significant relief from the injection.

I do remember that the first two weeks after the injection, the pain got worse. I called my doc and told them, and THAT'S when they told me the injection can take as long as two weeks to have any effect.

Most of my "episodes" only lasted two weeks or so, then I'd have about six months of "okay"...so for me, the injection really wasn't much help.

We didn't try it again before we went the surgery route.

I really hope your DD gets some relief. Just tell her to keep some meds handy, just in case.

 

[Taylor]

I don't remember getting significant relief from the injection.

We didn't try it again before we went the surgery route.

My doctor told me that it would take at least three injections before I would get any significant relief. I found that to be true.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

I had it done last month, and the procedure itself was easy. They did give me an iv before hand to calm any nerves, then put the shot/shots in. (not sure if they gave me one or two). However, I did not feel anything when they did the shots. That's why I don't know if they did one or two.
As to effectiveness, it took a bit longer to really take from what I could tell. I had heard it would be about 3-7 days, but it did take a bit longer for it to really be effective. At least though I have some pain occasionally, and feel the tingling sometimes, at least I'm not doing the pain meds right now.
Currently I'm looking into the arthroscopic surgery on my back for early next year. It sounds a lot easier on the body, and definitely doesn't take the leave time required for traditional surgery.
I hope they really help your daughter. (I know about that house cleaning stuff you've been complaining about, my place is a wreck and we are hoping to close on a house later this month as well)!
Kim

 

[hiwaygal]

My doctor told me that it would take at least three injections before I would get any significant relief. I found that to be true.

Isn't it funny how one doctor will say one thing and another will say something else? Wouldn't you think there'd be some kind of "standard"?

I only say this because my doc told me that within a one year period, he would not give more than three injections.

 

[C.Ann]

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[C.Ann]

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