Epidural steroid injections? UPDATE 8/31- I'm home! post #10

[FutureMrsC]

Has anyone here ever had these before? Tomorrow morning, I get the "fun" of having two in the L-5 region.

What do I need to expect?

I HATE that I have to do this... but not being able to take NSAIDS & having stupid degenerative discs has led me to needing it done. Physical therapy wasn't helpful, nor were oral steroids. This stinks

 

[Ariel8676]

I have had 3..i always asked for the twilight seep meds. When you get up you may be very sore and the next day or so develop a nice bruise in the area. Good Luck and i really hope it helps to make you feel better!

 

[Ohiodislover]

They are considering them for my DH, so I have been trying to get opinions. I've spoken w/ at least 12 people who have had them, or personally know someone...

ALL the responses were positive, which was relieving. The only bad comment was from a friend at church. He said the first 2 days after the injection were bad--He had pain, but within a week he was running on the treadmill

Good luck, and please post your experiences after the injections. DH has an appt at the spine center in 2 weeks.

 

[metime]

Also keep in mind it hurts more just after and may take a couple of weeks to take effect.

I have had every procedure you can think of to have done to your back and I must say these injections work well. Use ice packs for the first 2 days.

 

[JessicaR]

I've had this procedure in the same area, L5,S1 done numerous times using fluoroscope. I found it essential for correct placement of steroid medication.

I had the procedure done once w/o fluoroscopy and it was a waste and I received no benefit.

I choose to be put out and was sore in the immediate area afterwards but the pain relief was beneficial. I had a mixture of numbing medicine (anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory (cortisone/steroid) injected. I had a series of three, two weeks apart.

I wish you well tomorrow and I hope you can achieve the greatest relief!

 

[mrsdash]

They helped my dh...They say they work for some but not others. Good luck I hope you get the relief you need.

 

[Darcy03231]

DH had his first one 5 days ago (same spot). He's been doing much better and says about 3/4 of the pain has gone away. He's scheduled for another one in 2 weeks.

 

[LindaR]

Before my first spinal surgery, the shots were tried. They did nothing at all. Then a year later before my second spinal surgery, I tried the shots again. This time they gave me a tiny bit of relief (which was very appreciated since my spinal cord was almost completely compressed.....MAJOR pain).

You cannot predict whether they will work or not......

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've had this procedure in the same area, L5,S1 done numerous times using fluoroscope. I found it essential for correct placement of steroid medication.

I had the procedure done once w/o fluoroscopy and it was a waste and I received no benefit.

I choose to be put out and was sore in the immediate area afterwards but the pain relief was beneficial. I had a mixture of numbing medicine (anesthetic) and anti-inflammatory (cortisone/steroid) injected. I had a series of three, two weeks apart.

This is how my DH had his done, too.

He had two a few weeks apart, and the second one really helped. (Doc said it could take two to three.)

He had a little soreness for a couple of days, but not too bad.

Hope it went well for you, FutureMrsC.

 

[FutureMrsC]

Thank you for all of your well-wishes and comments!

I'm home now- I survived. They put me in a twilight sleep (though I was awake the whole time, just really mellow) & gave me versed before they wheeled me back. They injected lidocane (sp?) first & then did the steroid injections. The lidocane stung a decent amount (similar to when I've had to have novicane for dental work) & I felt the steroid injections, but it didn't really hurt. My toes got tingly for a few minutes & then that went away.

For now, I'm pretty pain free... though I'm guessing the lidocane has a lot to do with that. My orthopedist (who did the injections) did reiterate what some of you said about it getting worse before it gets better... I'm game for that though- hopefully this will be just what I need to get back to normal!

 

[Deb in IA]

I had 4 of them when I had an L5-S1 herniation. I was fully awake, no pre-meds. 3 of them were injected laterally, one caudally. All were done under fluoroscopy by an interventional radiologist.

No problems tolerating the procedure, but they only bought me 2 to 4 weeks of pain relief.