cortisone shot in spine

[Poohbear5]

Has anyone had a cortizone shot in the spine for isthmic spondlyosis or degenerative spine disease?
I'm at the point where my feet and legs are getting numb but still very nervous about getting the shots..

 

[peemagg]

I've not had a cortisone injection in my spine, but I have had nerve blocks in there. It isn't too bad. They numb the area first with a bit of Lidocaine and then give you some more a little deeper before they go to the spine. By then all you feel is pressure. It is over in a matter of minutes and isn't that painful at all. I have had many, and have never been put out for any of them. It is faster and easier for all if you aren't put out.

Don't worry! It won't be that bad.

 

[Poohbear5]

Thanks. I keep going back and forth about it but I guess if it helps calm the inflammation in the nerve at all, it will be worth it.

 

[nanadeb]

I've had several lumbar epidural injections for degenerative disc disease and sciatica. First the doctor cleans the areas with an antiseptic and then applies a local numbing agent. You will feel the "pinch" of the needle used for the local anesthetic. It helps at this point to relax your back muscles as much as possible to make it easier for the doctor to slip the spinal needle between your vertebrae. Because of the local anesthetic, the epidural injection itself won't be painful, but you will feel a good deal of pressure as the corticosteroid (which is mixed with a small amount of local anesthetic) is injected.
They will keep you for a bit and make sure your blood pressure is stable. You will leave with a doctor's note excusing you from work for the day and instructions to rest. You will also not be allowed to drive yourself home, so you need to have someone else drive you.
You may or may not have some discomfort for up to 3 days because of the extra volume from the injection. This is also the amount of time it takes for the corticosteroid to successfully reduce the inflamation.
Whatever you do, make sure you don't have the injection if you have an infection or you are sick. I found this out the hard way when I had a slight sinus infection when I got an injection. Because the corticosteroid suppresses your immune system somewhat, an infection can worsen.
Believe me, the benefits of the injections far outweigh the temporary discomfort.
HTH

 

[LindaR]

BTW, there is NO guarantee that the shots will do any good. I tried the shots prior to my first back surgery (laminectomy) and they did not offer any relief.

My doctor later explained that they may work one time and not the next.

Prior to my second spinal surgery (spinal fusion) I tried the shots again. This time they did offer a bit of relief (took it from a 10 to about an 8).

Good luck.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I have Ankylosing Spondylitis, and had a series of 3 injections earlier this year. The process wasn't bad at all - the most annoying part was arranging for rides since it was done an hour from home.

Unfortunately for me it wasn't successful, but I hear that it is for quite a few people. I hope you get some relief soon!

 

[Poohbear5]

LindaR, was your spinal fusion a success? How painful of a recovery was it?
The surgeon said it's just a matter of time but I was hoping to hold off surgery with the shots for awhile longer.

With the new health care legislation, our company dropped our policy in favor of one with a high deductible. I cannot afford to finance the deductible at this point.

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

i get them done every six months but they are not cortisone.

 

[Poohbear5]

My follow-up with the surgeon is this morning and I'm still on the fence about the shots.. I have about 2 hours left to decide wether or not to set up the appt. Thanks for everyone's advice.

 

[Poohbear5]

Went ahead and booked the appt. It is the day before Christmas. (guess nobody else wanted that day so they got me in!).
I hoping I feel better right away so I can attend Mass that night.

 

[Poohbear5]

So far, so good! My back has not improved but the pain in my legs is significantly reduced already. I am cautiously optimistic!

 

[LindaR]

Good for you!!!

Any relief you can get is a good thing!

 

[nanadeb]

So far, so good! My back has not improved but the pain in my legs is significantly reduced already. I am cautiously optimistic!

Glad it has helped. Sometimes it takes more than one injection to tone down the back pain since the swelling of the nerves is long standing. My Pain Management doc will often do 2 within a 6 week period if I have gone too long between injections and the leg problems are bad.
I just got another injection today and it has already helped.
I hope that the injections will provide more relief for you.

 

[powellrj]

I've had several lumbar epidural injections for degenerative disc disease and sciatica. First the doctor cleans the areas with an antiseptic and then applies a local numbing agent. You will feel the "pinch" of the needle used for the local anesthetic. It helps at this point to relax your back muscles as much as possible to make it easier for the doctor to slip the spinal needle between your vertebrae. Because of the local anesthetic, the epidural injection itself won't be painful, but you will feel a good deal of pressure as the corticosteroid (which is mixed with a small amount of local anesthetic) is injected.
They will keep you for a bit and make sure your blood pressure is stable. You will leave with a doctor's note excusing you from work for the day and instructions to rest. You will also not be allowed to drive yourself home, so you need to have someone else drive you.
You may or may not have some discomfort for up to 3 days because of the extra volume from the injection. This is also the amount of time it takes for the corticosteroid to successfully reduce the inflamation.
Whatever you do, make sure you don't have the injection if you have an infection or you are sick. I found this out the hard way when I had a slight sinus infection when I got an injection. Because the corticosteroid suppresses your immune system somewhat, an infection can worsen.
Believe me, the benefits of the injections far outweigh the temporary discomfort.
HTH

I had one in my spine the first week of Aug and went right back to work. In fact I drove to my next job which was 90 minutes away. He never said anything to me about not driving and he knew I was going back to work. I went back last week to have another one and we decided I really didn't need it because the first one had worked so well. If I have it done again I will have to ask about the not driving part.

I have had lots of cortisone shots over the years with varying degrees of success. The ones that didn't really work were the ones I had in my knees before my replacements. The first few I had worked well, but after awhile, they didn't work at all and I ended up having them both replaced. The ones I have had in my feet, shoulders, spine have all been successful.

They sound worse than they really are. I think the worse injections I have had were the synvisc in my knees. Those were pretty bad and they did nothing.