Epidural shots for lower back pain - Page 2

tropics21 · ‎05-02-2010

My brother has the same problem as you do, he is a mail carer, 65 years old. For the last year he goes to a pain management dr and gets the epidural shot. Within a couple of hours he is free of pain. The shot last 3-4 months.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@tropics21. The trouble is, as time goes on, the shots become less and less effective, then they quit working at all. It doesn't take long for their effectiveness to be exhausted.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

texassunflower · ‎06-15-2015

@Kachina624 Tramadol works I just hestitate to take it daily. Pain management is used to giving heavy duty drugs and doesn't seem too concerned with me taking Tramadol. I take Gabapentin for nerve pain but it's a small dose. I lifted my fat cat (15 pounds) from the floor and felt a pulling sensation. It's been a week and I will give it one more and call for an appointment. I found relief using a tens unit. My problem is the opposite from yours. I can stand and walk without pain. Sitting kills me. Too much pressure on the lower disc and tailbone. I have a posture cushion I take when I substitute teach. I can sit for about 30 minutes and then I have to get up. I agree we have alot in common and I think would enjoy each other's company.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@texassunflower. I have a professional Tens Unit which my insurance bought for me. Useless. I've also taken Gabapentin which didn't help. I've tried it all.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

Toppers3 · ‎10-25-2016

@texassunflower wrote:
I see pain management for a bulging disc at L4-5 and a herniated disc at L5 -S1. The herniated disc has healed but the disc is compromised. I have Tramadol for pain and usually only take it once or twice a week. Last weekend, I tweaked my back and have had to take it daily. Sometimes I take more than once a day. I will need to get an appointment with pain management but I am pretty sure he will recommend an epidural for the burning pain at base of spine. I have avoided having one so far but I don't like taking all this pain medication. I know there are several people here with bad backs. I would like to know do the shots work and for how long? I am apprehensive about an epidural but really don't want to depend on pain medication to get through the day.

Hi @texassunflower ,

I'm so very sorry to hear about your discomfort and pain.

I hope that you can find some relief soon.

I have had epidurals in my neck and mid-back, but not in my low back.

I can tell you that they did work for me in my mid-back where they provided long-term pain relief.

I would have them done in a series of 3 where they were done a few weeks apart. Then I wouldn't have to have them done again for about 9 months or so.

For my neck, I ended up having radio-frequency ablations done, but then it got to the point where I decided that I would keep going with the route of medication and TENS and Chiropractic, since I was already doing it anyway.

The cost of the deductible and co-pays to have the ablations done repeatedly was getting to be a bit much for me.

My whole neck had been seriously injured from a rear-end accident.

The ablations would last anywhere from maybe 6 months or so on either side of my neck before they needed to be repeated again.

vsm · ‎05-08-2010

Sorry you are suffering so, @texassunflower . I have herniated and bulging discs too. My ortho surgeon put me on meloxicam to reduce inflammation and referred me to a neurosurgeon for a lumbar epidural when PT was not helping me. After giving me the first epi, which was tolerable, the neurosurgeon told me I'd likely need at least one more. He was right -- the first one did almost nothing. The second one was painful (I'm being honest here, and I don't know if that was his fault or not). BUT: The pain lessened over the next 4-6 weeks, and I've had no more pain in the last year and a half. I still do PT at home, though not religiously as I should. If I ever have that excruciating pain again, I wouldn't hesitate to have another epidural. The long term relief has been well worth it.

There's no reason to be afraid if you make sure you get a specialist who has done MANY epidurals. You can do this! Wishing you the best.

Alexia · ‎07-23-2010

So sorry to hear that you’re in pain, but i’ve endured lots of bad days with back pain and had the shot. It lasted about six weeks. I had a back fusion and it was the best thing I ever did. I wasn’t willing to spend the rest of my life taking pain meds, shots,etc. You are only going around once-live your best life and have it repaired. Best wishes to you

PamfromCT · ‎05-22-2014

@tropics21 wrote:
where do you get this cbd oil and do you need a prescription?

Hi @tropics21, I would like to suggest that you first google CBD oil to learn more about it. There are some misconceptions. You can take it in several forms, and it is easily taken as a liquid in a dropper straight into your mouth.

One source I used was “PureKana.com, but there are other good sources out there. It comes in different strengths. You can often pick a flavor, and it is not unpleasant. It does not require a prescription.

You might feel better talking to your health care provider about it. It was never suggested to me at a large hospital Pain Clinic. It was something I researched on my own and decided I had nothing to lose by trying it.

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

@texassunflower wrote:
I see pain management for a bulging disc at L4-5 and a herniated disc at L5 -S1. The herniated disc has healed but the disc is compromised. I have Tramadol for pain and usually only take it once or twice a week. Last weekend, I tweaked my back and have had to take it daily. Sometimes I take more than once a day. I will need to get an appointment with pain management but I am pretty sure he will recommend an epidural for the burning pain at base of spine. I have avoided having one so far but I don't like taking all this pain medication. I know there are several people here with bad backs. I would like to know do the shots work and for how long? I am apprehensive about an epidural but really don't want to depend on pain medication to get through the day.

OMG!! We are pretty much in the same situation. On July 20, I had a horrible fall on a floor that was covered with water. The pain in my lower back and legs is unbearable. I've had an MRI of my lower back which showed nothing. I've gone to therapy, which did more harm than good. When he looked at the MRI he said he couldn't see anything that would cause so much pain and said he was going to set me up to get the epidurals. I just felt like I was being dismissed. I've heard pros and cons of the epidurals. A friend had them and they did not help her one bit. You have to go for 3 injections and have to go back for another 3 after a few months. Like you, I'm also on Tramadol, which I take only when I have to go to work. I've never in my life had back issues so this is a direct result of the fall. I would also like to hear opinions and experiences about the epidurals and any information would be greatly appreciated. We have a brand new Pain and Spine center in our area and I'm hoping to get an appointment. My doctor already sent in a referral so I'm hoping to hear from them soon. Like you, I do not want to be dependent on pain medication. I just want someone to identify the root of the problem and cure it.

I wish you the very best and hope you will be able to get some relief. Living with constant pain is very debiliating. docsgirl

docsgirl · ‎03-09-2010

Hi TexasSunflower,

Docsgirl here again., too, am a substitue teacher. I'm booked up with job through October with more to come. Walking and standing on my feet are very painful but I'm fine when I sit. Since I only work in a middle and senior high school, the kids pretty much take care of themselves. I've known these kids since they were little ones and they take very good care of me. They tell me to just sit while they will take care of the class. They carry my things for me and are so wonderful. I am a retired teacher and glad to be so. I enjoy subbing but am looking for relief from the constant pain. Good luck to you.