Epidural

[Netty]

sorry guys, i really need some advice. As some of you may know,i am suffering from sciatica, ive now had it in my left side for 12 months. The pain is not as bad as it first was, but i still take co-codomol and as i have trouble sleeping as the pain is quite bad when i'm in bed, i've been given amytripilene?? to help me sleep.
the back pain specialist has asked me again to consider having an epidural. she said that it will ease the pain. i am really not sure about going down this route.I feel that having a needle in the spine or there abouts is risky.and also wont that just mask the problem??

 

[Clare D]

Sorry Netty I can't be much help here but I had a spinal block (epidural but one dose) when I had my c section and I was very worried about the risk of it being in my spinal column. I had no choice otherwise I was going to have to have a general. It was very uncomfortable when they were inserting the tube even with injections to numb the site but once it was done I couldn't feel a thing.
I would ask your Dr if you could speak with other patients who have had one to see what their feelings are as it is a worry. Just make sure you don't start swinging from the lampshades!

 

[Deedee]

I know a few people who have had it done for back problems my DF for one. Funny enough i have just spoken to a friend who has had it done this morning, she was only in theatre for 10 minutes her back is numb at the moment and she has to rest for a couple of days but she is fine. its not long term relief but any relief is better than the suffering. I am a long time back pain sufferer my self but mine comes and goes its not pleasant is it Good luck

 

[Verity Chambers]

Can't help Jeanette, just wanted to say sorry that you are having a hard time. i had a mild case of it when i was pregnant and it was just horrible, so i sympathise! Take care!

 

[AnitaCB]

I know it's not the same but I had one when I had a c-section. I am petrified of needles (have been known to keel over more than once!) but I had an excellent anaethetist who knew how scared I was and talked me through each stage. I remember feeling the local anaesthetic going in but after that I really didn't feel much. It was nowhere near as bad as a spinal block.

As long as you keep very still when they do it you should be ok. I hope it helps you if you do have it done. I don't sleep so well because of rheaumatoid arthritis so I sympathise with you. Hope you are better soon.

 

[mrs-mac]

Jeanette sorry your having such problems, l know backache is so disablering, my Mum has suffered for many years. I had an Epidural with both my c-sections and like the others have said, its a little worrying but the hospital staff should put your mind at rest.

You just need to remember that if you do have it done, when the pain is numbed, not to over do it

 

[minnie29uk]

I had a pre-eclamptic fit for my first childs birth and had back problems ever since as they struggled to get needle in.I then had pubis symphysis disorder for last two months of second pregnancy.
I had physio at hospital and took painkillers for over a year,could hardly sleep etc...the doctor said I could have another epidural,but since it was that which started the problem-it wasn't ideal!!

The solutions have been self - acupuncture (every other night in hands and feet), a tens machine ,purchased from Boots (really is good)and a new mattress....I have never felt so good since the birth.I am virtually pain-free and highly recommend the combination

My children are now 2 and 3 years old and is alot easier to look after them.

Hope this helps,
Lynn

 

[Netty]

Thanks so much for your replies. I have been for my physio appointment today. The physio lady is also a trained acupuncturist and has also suggested i could have this, but it would mean lying on my side for half an hour, which at the moment i dont think i could manage. The tens machine sounds like a good idea.
Deedee do you know how long the pain relief lasts for? is it weeks or months?

 

[minnie29uk]

Thanks so much for your replies. I have been for my physio appointment today. The physio lady is also a trained acupuncturist and has also suggested i could have this, but it would mean lying on my side for half an hour, which at the moment i dont think i could manage. The tens machine sounds like a good idea.
Deedee do you know how long the pain relief lasts for? is it weeks or months?

Hi Netty,
For self-acupuncture,
You put two needles in your hand and two needles in your foot...it works,believe me!!!

Lynn

 

[alisonbestford]

We used to take day cases - patients having epidurals for pain relief - on the ward where I used to work

It's a long time ago now but I seem to think that they had six monthly appointments for 'top ups'

This was at least 6 years ago now, and things change so quickly, so I could be wrong

DH is having acupuncture for pain relief at the moment.
He's had two lots so far but it's a little too soon to say whether it's working - the physio has told him to give it at least another 2 sessions which will take it to a month long course

Good luck with whatever you decide Netty

 

[SammieG]

Netty, poor you.. constant pain is so awful..

I also recommend accupuncture and its worth finding out what sort of acupuncture that they do. I am no expert, but from my understanding there are several types. One is the type you are talking about where they insert needles and leave them in and "tweak" them over a period of about half an hour..
There is also a type where they insert them and take them straight out again (i have only ever had this type). I have to say that I found it amazing for pain relief (migraines) and I know that my mother had it for tennis elbow and it was cured within a few treatments.

Also, I would thoroughly recommend you see a chiropractor. I have been seeing one for a chronic neck problem that I had and she has cured it totally. I know that she treats sciatica too, and although I was sceptical about it to begin with, I have to say its been amazing.

I personally would go down these routes first before the epidural (which incidentally I have had also, when I had my c section).

The trouble with modern medicine is that they (this is a terrible generalisation, but fairly typical) only ever treat the symptoms and dont try and treat the cause.
If I went to the doctor about my migraines and neck problem (they were related it turns out) they would have given me pain killers.

When i was examined by the chiropractor, she explained why I was getting neck pain and migraines and then realigned my head back to where it should have been.. in turn that treated the pain. I was taking so many pain relievers which were in turn causing me problems.. and now I very rarely take any!!

Hope youre feeling better soon. I understand that chronic pain thing.. {{{hugs}}}}}}}

 

[Funniebunny]

Hi, I really sympathise with you. my friend is going through the same thing at the moment.
About September last year she got a prolapsed disc and it was in the lumbar region of her spine, this put pressure on her sciatic nerve. She has been going to an back specialist and has had a MRI Scan. The doctor gave her the choice of having the disc removed or injections. She has decided to have the injections and I think it is similar to what you are talking about. They will give her an epidural and then inject the disc. I think she has to go a couple of times. She was in a lot of pain to begin with but now her main problem is that she doesn't have an ankle reflex and she doesn't have any feeling in her calf and foot. What she did was ask the doctor what the sucess rate was before making her decision.
As an alternative you could also try reflexology, I know people that swear by it.
I really hope it gets better soon

 

[Netty]

The trouble with modern medicine is that they (this is a terrible generalisation, but fairly typical) only ever treat the symptoms and dont try and treat the cause.
If I went to the doctor about my migraines and neck problem (they were related it turns out) they would have given me pain killers.

Hope youre feeling better soon. I understand that chronic pain thing.. {{{hugs}}}}}}}

Totally agree with you sammie, the syptoms are treated but not the cause. I have been taking co-codomol for 12 months and also anti inflammtorys and now tabs to help me sleep. In the beginning i was on 11 tablets a day. god knows if this will have an effect on me in years to come.

funniebunny
your friend has the same as me. it is such a horrible pain, and very hard to explain. I was told not to lift anything, not to push the shopping trolley, no ironing, no lifting bags, basically do nothing! as doing any upper body movements puts pressure on the disc and nerve.
The injections sound like what i have been offered.I hope she gets well soon,
I can now do more physio exercises, even thought they are minor it still gives me hope that one day the pain will be gone. I have got little feeling in my small toe, and the pain now is mainly in the left buttock, but also is on the thigh and leg.it is a lot better than it was and hopefully your friend will be in less pain soon.