Nervous about back procedure this Thursday

[Jenvenza]

I am having steriods injected into my lower back - around my L5 - this Thursday and I am starting to get really nervous about it. They said it is like a cortisone injection - which I have never had done either - but this whole procedure takes 4 to 5 hours and they said they were going to drug me up for it. For anyone who has had cortisone injections in their back - does that sound like a regular cortisone shot to you? I am not really good with needles, but I can handle them if I have to - but the thought of this really freaks me out. I have had an epidural before when I had my daughter, but there was so much going on then, I don't really remember a whole lot about it.

help ease my fears!!! Has anyone had anything like this done before?? I wonder why it is going to take so long. Ugh. I am dreading this.

 

[loco4dis]

I'm really bad with shots, and with pain of any kind. I'm positively terrified of it, in fact. If they're giving you drugs, it ought to be OK. Make sure they know you do NOT want to feel it — you want the good drugs — and I'm sure they'll set you up fine.

 

[HeatherH]

Yes, I had a cortisone injection in my spine many years ago, to help a herniated disk. It was done in the hospital as an outpatient, I got IV Valium (which was WONDERFUL, I truly didn't care what they did to me with that stuff!) and I didn't feel a thing...UNTIL they hit the spot where my disk was herniated. I admit that did hurt a bit, but it was over quickly.

It honestly was no big deal and it did help my pain temporarily. (I eventually ended up having successful back surgery.)

Don't stress about it, they will give you GOOD drugs and it will not be a big deal, I promise.

P.S. It takes several hours just because it's in a hospital setting, you spend a lot of time waiting. And after it's done, they want to be sure you are fully recovered and the effects of the Valium (or whatever they give you) have worn off. The actual procedure doesn't take that long.

 

[Jenvenza]

Yes, I had a cortisone injection in my spine many years ago, to help a herniated disk. It was done in the hospital as an outpatient, I got IV Valium (which was WONDERFUL, I truly didn't care what they did to me with that stuff!) and I didn't feel a thing...UNTIL they hit the spot where my disk was herniated. I admit that did hurt a bit, but it was over quickly.

It honestly was no big deal and it did help my pain temporarily. (I eventually ended up having successful back surgery.)

Don't stress about it, they will give you GOOD drugs and it will not be a big deal, I promise.

This is also being done for a herniated disk. They want to do this once and then I will be having surgery sometime at the beginning of the year. I am just hoping this will help the pain through the holidays.

 

[C.Ann]

DD has had it - several times.. The only pain she complained about was when they hit the actual "spot".. Just insist that you are well medicated - and they actually wait for the pain medication to kick in.. On one occasion, DD had a horrible experience with an impatient doctor who was in a rush and didn't give the medication time to enter her system..

Good luck - and I hope it holds off the pain for the holidays for you..

 

[HeatherH]

It definitely helped my pain, for several weeks if I remember correctly. It should help get you through the holidays.