topic Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection? in Community Chat

Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

Lotus — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:00:07 GMT

If so....

Did it help?

If not did you go for a second one?

Did the second one help?

Did you have any side effects?

What were they? And how long did they last?

TIA

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

sophiamarie — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:18:00 GMT

One of my sons goes to a Pain Management clinic and had a steroid shot a few months ago in his lower back. Didn't help at all. Last week he had one between his shoulder blades for chronic pain in his shoulder and neck. So far, that didn't help either.

The doctor is an Anesthesiologist and a DO (most of the pain doctors are) sent him for MRI's and CT scans and is doing all the right things to see what is causing the pain. In my son's case, he has spinal stenosis, DDD and lots of other problems with his back and legs, so this was his last resort.

The doctor says "we'll see if this works" - so who knows. This shot might not start working for a week, a month, who knows???? I don't know when the next shot will be, or if there will be a next shot. Meanwhile, he is on pills which help a lot more than if he wasn't on pills at all. If the shots help, then I guess they give more when they wear off. If they don't help, then I don't know who would know how long to wait before the next one, IF there is a next one. All very confusing.

IMHO, pain clinics are a last resort for patients whose doctors can't help them anymore and don't like prescribing narcotics for the long term.

You won't the shot - they put you "out" and don't let you go home for about an hour afterwards (with someone to drive you)..... He said he gets Propofol and wakes up alert, not groggy at all....

Good luck and I hope you feel better.....

ETA - he didn't have any side effects after getting the shot, but you should know that with steroids, there are side effects - cataracts for one. If you are concerned (as you should be) please do some research on the long-term side effects.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

Shorty2U — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:24:04 GMT

Yes I had been getting epidurals for 13 years. (And I got them cold turkey- no sedative) but they use a guided xray machine to look while they do it (make sure they do that).

Its one pinch to numb, then they inject the stuff slowly. If you are awake (like me) you feel it going down your leg and it feels like pressure)

Yes they helped A LOT until last year. Now they do NOT help anymore. But they did used to and so I HIGHLY recommend them.

I would get them 3X a year for years, and then later on (I want to say 4 yrs ago?) you could get them 4X a year. The minute Id get them they would help.

Side effects- felt flushed that night and felt the stuff running in my legs (nothing major that bothered me). The next day that was gone. I also gained 5 lbs each time from the steroids (but then lost it later and would go back up and down when I got shots or didn't).

Epidural shots mostly help with the pain that shoots down the leg but for me it also helped my back pain.

I also have had facet joint shots (where you get 6 shots at once). Those shots are specifically for the back pain (not the leg pain).

I have also had rhizotomys (sp?) where they go in with an instrument and burn the nerves. (theyre not burning burning them, its like nuking them)

To add I just found out last week I have cataracts from all the steroids BUT I have been getting shots for 13 years sooo that wont happen to you now.

If I were you Id give it a try. And I hope they help you like they used to help me! Best of luck!

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

betteb — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:25:57 GMT

Yes I have. I had to have 3 over the course of a year, but they finally did the trick and I did pretty well for probably 15yrs. I've been starting to feel like I might be ready for another one, but so far, I am managing without.

For me, the pressure of having liquid injected into a tight space made me pretty uncomfortable for a couple of days, but then got a lot better. So really, I had an increase in pain for a couple of days and then a large decrease.

Try to have it done by an anesthesiologist, they are the best. They will ask you specific questions about your pain and determine just the right spot to inject.

Make sure the anesthetic part of the shot that they use Marcaine. It's the longest lasting of the local anesthetics.

It is worth it.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

hckynut — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 03:50:00 GMT

On 4/20/2014 Lotus~ said:
If so....

Did it help?

If not did you go for a second one?

Did the second one help?

Did you have any side effects?

What were they? And how long did they last?

TIA

Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

Yes I have and several of them.

For awhile the first few times but each time it lasted less and less time.

I had several but only because I was trying to avoid having another back surgery. I knew my L-3 disc was completely ruptured but was hoping this and Physical Therapy would work.

The shots I had were called a Caudal Block which was in the tailbone. I believe the Epidural is just a different name for the same thing I had years ago called Caudal Block.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

birddrops — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 04:07:33 GMT

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

pepes mom — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 05:05:13 GMT

I've had multiple caudal epidurals and lumbar epidural steroid injections. They have always worked for me. Sometimes the first one doesn't do the trick, so I encourage you to go for the 2nd and 3rd one.

I have never been sedated for any of them. That is doctor preference. The doc that I see currently doesn't feel sedation is needed. I have no issue with that.

I will be going in for a diagnostic nerve block in my neck/cervical spine on Thursday. I've never had them done in that area before.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

sophiamarie — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 05:35:49 GMT

So, nobody takes pain pills - just shots w/o being sedated. Legs flying off the table when he hits a nerve????? Really????? And you still go back to him????

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

Kachina624 — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 06:01:21 GMT

Several summers ago, I went to a pain management specialist numerous times while he tried to find the right spot for injections that would relieve my lower back pain. He used something to numb the area, then gave the injection using an x-Ray machine to guide him. The shots were not painful. They did absolutely no good. He finally told me he had tried every possible location to no avail. I gave up at that point. So far I've never found a treatment or pain medication that would give me any relief.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

NAES1 — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 07:01:33 GMT

YES, IN 2008. It was an epidural spinal nerve block. It is nothing remotely like a epidural -while in labor, when in labor prior to giving birth. Let me clarify that firstly. I had for some unknown reason (from a Xray/mri) showing two discs pressing against each other causing questionable inflammation. Would I have this done again? NO! The after effects out weighed the lesser of pain for such a short period of time:approximately 3 months. I could not stand upright after the procedure for over 3 hours. Only done in a procedure room usually a hospital or its equal, under careful supervision. Doctor. Nurse. Anethesiologist, M.D.- I do not advise anyone to rely on steroids. I may have turned and injured myself without knowing, but the symptoms did not arise until almost one year. As a generalized study, the second is less effective. Any age can be affected with back injuries. I do know that more people see a doctor for back pain than most of anything else. Big business.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

sylviahomeatlast — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 07:05:16 GMT

yes, yes, yes, no

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

JustJules — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 07:34:18 GMT

I have not personally, but last year my dad received treatment for his back pain. He had successfully battled prostate cancer, but during that process of MRI's and CT scans they discovered a herniated disc at T-11 in his spine. He received 3 treatments of lumbar spinal injections, and then 1 treatment of cortisone spinal injections for arthritis, and they all helped him. I think back issues are so unique to everyone, and you have to find the treatment that helps you. Some people even seek out acupuncture as a remedy... when you are in pain, I think everything should be considered an option. Thankfully for my dad, his treatment helped that pain, but I know it doesn't work for everyone.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

Lotus — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:59:10 GMT

For crying out loud!!!

I had a huge response typed out and it has somehow disappeared. Let me have another cup of coffee and do it again. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

lovescats — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:35:54 GMT

I would ask your doctor if taking steroids can trigger diabetes.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

Lotus — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 15:54:38 GMT

I'm going to post a shorter version or my original one I did that DIDN'T post.

Had my shot on THursday under sedation (I was chicken) and was able to go on a nice walk without pain on Saturday....about a mile!! Yay for me.

I had my MRI and Xrays....showed disc damage up and down my spine and stenosis.

I'm hoping that I continue to improve and I know that it may not help and subsequent shots may be necessary.

I asked about the side effects because I'm experiencing the facial flushing, night sweats, stomach pain (I feel hungry often, which is NOT the norm for me) and a feeling of restlessness/anxiousness....and retaining some fluids.

The Pain Mgmt Dr wanted me to check in today so I will and mention all these things to him. And I will ask him about the diabetes.

Thanks for all of your replies.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

moonstone dunes — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:42:44 GMT

Hi Lotus, I have the same Dx, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. It got worse 5 years ago. I went to a neurosurgeon. First he had me do PT but it didn't help[ so I went for a series of cortisone shots - they like to do a series of 3. I had an MD, an Anesthesiogist he was excellent. He used some type of imaging thing and it was painless. I had three shots spaced over 6 weeks. I had no side effects but did have to lie face down after each shot for at least 4 hours, so I had them in the afternoon.

I overdid some exercising because my back was happy after it but all the activity rendered the shots useless. Pace your activities because you will feel better...just take it easy because the shots are treatment not a cure.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

sfnative — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 18:37:17 GMT

I had one and did not have a positive outcome. However, 4 months later I had an MRI and THEN we found out why. My L5-S1 was so bad, nothing but surgery was going to make it better.

Please know that I have 3 friends who had successful epidurals. Had great pain relief that lasted from 3-4 months. So happy for them, as they were all in need of something to work for them. I only know of one other person in my little world who did not have a positive result and his low back case turned out to be as complex as mine, so in the end, no surprise there.

I had no side effects whatsoever and neither did my friends.

Wishing you well in your quest to decrease your levels of pain.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

hckynut — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:52:35 GMT

On 4/20/2014 sophiamarie said:
So, nobody takes pain pills - just shots w/o being sedated. Legs flying off the table when he hits a nerve????? Really????? And you still go back to him????

Some of us had reasons we could not and cannot take pain pills and I am one of them. Partially because of some health issues, but mostly because I do not like how they effect the thing that sits on top of my shoulders. I would rather put up with some pain than that option.

As I said, I have had numerous injections in many parts of my body including my lower spine/upper spine/shoulder and elbow, and they were all done by doctors that "did not hit a nerve" because they knew what they were doing. Sure some of them were not as comfortable as taking a nice warm shower, but none of them were "legs flying off the table" either.

Can't clump everyone into the same box or maybe basket. Some have reasons for not taking certain pills and I have several of them.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

hckynut — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:55:56 GMT

On 4/21/2014 Lotus~ said:
For crying out loud!!!

I had a huge response typed out and it has somehow disappeared. Let me have another cup of coffee and do it again. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Hi Lotus,

I've had that happen to me twice with my a'hem, short replies. After the second time if my post is one I think might be important I copy it onto a Blank Word Processor sheet as a "just in case". Several times since they have mysteriously disappeared even though I hit "submit", but now I have a copy and can try it as many times as it takes.

Might consider doing the same thing if you feel like your post is an important one to you and probably others that read it.

Re: Anyone Ever Have a Lower Back Epidural Steroid Injection?

birddrops — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 21:58:08 GMT

On 4/21/2014 Lotus~ said:
I'm going to post a shorter version or my original one I did that DIDN'T post.

Had my shot on THursday under sedation (I was chicken) and was able to go on a nice walk without pain on Saturday....about a mile!! Yay for me.

I had my MRI and Xrays....showed disc damage up and down my spine and stenosis.

I'm hoping that I continue to improve and I know that it may not help and subsequent shots may be necessary.

I asked about the side effects because I'm experiencing the facial flushing, night sweats, stomach pain (I feel hungry often, which is NOT the norm for me) and a feeling of restlessness/anxiousness....and retaining some fluids.

The Pain Mgmt Dr wanted me to check in today so I will and mention all these things to him. And I will ask him about the diabetes.

Thanks for all of your replies.