Epidural shots for neck/back pain

[Chris2597]

My ds20 sustained a neck and back injury from a car accident a little over a yr ago. He has tried pain killers, anti-inflammatories, rest, exercise, physical therapy, chiropractor and is now in the care of a Pain Mgmt dr/specialist. The injury is not in a place where surgery is an option. He is getting his second in a series of 3 epidural/ anti inflammatory injections into the neck/back area. He is sedated for the procedure and in recovery about an hour. The first shot actually caused additional pain for the first few days but I think he got some relief the following week. He is going in tomorrow for his second shot. He said the amount of relief so far is not worth the pain and risk associated with the procedure. The dr said that most patients need the 2nd shot and some need a 3rd if relief isnt sufficient.
Has anyone had success with these injections? This injury has really knocked ds for a loop. I am very concerned that if the pain continues he could become dependant on pain relief meds.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I'm sure some people gain relief from the shots. Others suffer in pain for the rest of their lives. Sometimes the pain pills help, sometimes they don't.

Someone I love was in a car accident about 20 years ago and has been in pain ever since. Many procedures, meds, treatments, surgeries, etc. Traveled around the country, saw the best doctors there are - some of those guys don't even accept insurance, so it was paid in cash. Nothing helped. So, pain for therest of his life it is.

I know the frustration and heartbreak of watching someone you love suffer and knowing it will never end.

I hope your DS has better luck.

 

[laurie31]

DH takes epidural injections for pain due to a herniated disc. He does the series of three. The relief after the second one is significantly greater than the relief after the first one. Sometimes he doesn't even do the third one, sometimes he does. The doc said it's up to him, if he feels he needs it.

He's been taking them for 9 years now. They help, but he is never totally pain-free. Without them, he cannot get out of bed. With them he can drive, work and be productive, but he's still in pain. It's just not debilitating. He takes anti-inflammatories daily but rarely takes narcotics.

Being under the care of a pain-management specialist will get your DS the best possible treatment. I hope they are able to help his pain.

 

[Melisa1]

My mother was recently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and Rhumatoid arthritis. She was given all 3 of the epidural injections with no relief at all. I have read that they work for some and not for others. I hope that it works for your DS.

 

[noodle7729]

I was in a car accident in high school (10 years ago) and recieved the round of epidural shots into my neck. The second and third had the most effects. I also had some immediate pain following the injections but the pain went away to a point where I could function without pain medication. Now I have minimal problems.

HTH Jamie

 

[Chris2597]

Thank you for the replies. DS had his 2nd shot today. The pain mgmt doc also did an extra procedure to help alliviate the neck and head discomfort he felt after the last procedure. He got a killer headache that last 3 days.
The dr told us that it isnt uncommon to have increased pain and discomfort after the first shot but that he should feel some relief after the 2nd. I sure hope so. The dr is very much against continued use of narcotics. I am relieved as there seemed to be a steady flow of refills from the other drs.