Well, I just got my 1st epidural and I don't think I ever want to do that again! It caused a terrible burning when the needle was going in, and even worse when they put the steroid in. However, everything is numb now (even my right leg, which was the one with the nerve problems), so at least until the local wears off, it does not hurt for the first time in months! The doctor still wants me to come back in 2 weeks for another injection, but hopefully this one will work and I won't need to go back.
Hope everyone is feeling better!
Jessie :) :bouncing:
daubie
02-18-2004, 07:30 PM
Well, I just got my 1st epidural and I don't think I ever want to do that again! It caused a terrible burning when the needle was going in, and even worse when they put the steroid in. However, everything is numb now (even my right leg, which was the one with the nerve problems), so at least until the local wears off, it does not hurt for the first time in months! The doctor still wants me to come back in 2 weeks for another injection, but hopefully this one will work and I won't need to go back.
Hope everyone is feeling better!
Jessie :) :bouncing:
PLEASE don't let the pain stop you from having another one! My 1st one really hurt a lot too. Doc said it's because there was sooo much inflammation. He assured me the next one wouldn't hurt nearly so much because the inflammation will have gone down, and he was right. I am not kidding, it was a breeze compared to the first. Believe me, I was scared to death to go back (I took 2 valium and made my hubby drive me, they helped alot with the anxiety). Anyway, I got very little relief from the 1st shot, but got significant relief from #2 and #3. So please, you sound so much like me, and I improved 70% from the 3 shots, set at 2 weeks apart. Don't give up!!! I'm sure your next one wont hurt as much. After #2, I felt about 50% better (no shooting pain down the buttock and thigh anymore), after 3rd, I got 20% more relief (no shooting pain behind the knee down to the top of the ankle). And it lasted for over a year. Not that it came back, but I still had to have micro-discectomy because I never could kick the pain in the outside and top of my foot. Even surgery didn't help, so it's probably permanent. If you can get rid of yours more quickly, maybe it will be your cure!!! PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP. Was my message (plea) strong enough??? (smile). Take care. ~Daubie
Jessie1
02-19-2004, 10:09 AM
PLEASE don't let the pain stop you from having another one! My 1st one really hurt a lot too. Doc said it's because there was sooo much inflammation. He assured me the next one wouldn't hurt nearly so much because the inflammation will have gone down, and he was right. I am not kidding, it was a breeze compared to the first. Believe me, I was scared to death to go back (I took 2 valium and made my hubby drive me, they helped alot with the anxiety). Anyway, I got very little relief from the 1st shot, but got significant relief from #2 and #3. So please, you sound so much like me, and I improved 70% from the 3 shots, set at 2 weeks apart. Don't give up!!! I'm sure your next one wont hurt as much. After #2, I felt about 50% better (no shooting pain down the buttock and thigh anymore), after 3rd, I got 20% more relief (no shooting pain behind the knee down to the top of the ankle). And it lasted for over a year. Not that it came back, but I still had to have micro-discectomy because I never could kick the pain in the outside and top of my foot. Even surgery didn't help, so it's probably permanent. If you can get rid of yours more quickly, maybe it will be your cure!!! PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP. Was my message (plea) strong enough??? (smile). Take care. ~Daubie
Daubie,
Thanks for your encouraging words! The pain got so bad last night I called my doctor, and he assured me it was because of the inflammation around the nerve, and that it should improve within 2 or 3 days. It is still shooting down my leg, but now I'm a little more hopeful it will help some. At the very least I think I'm going to try the 2nd shot, since I will do almost anything to avoid surgery! Thanks so much! :D
Take care!
Jessie :wave:
SpondyMom
02-19-2004, 11:47 AM
Daubie,
Thanks for your encouraging words! The pain got so bad last night I called my doctor, and he assured me it was because of the inflammation around the nerve, and that it should improve within 2 or 3 days. It is still shooting down my leg, but now I'm a little more hopeful it will help some. At the very least I think I'm going to try the 2nd shot, since I will do almost anything to avoid surgery! Thanks so much! :D
Take care!
Jessie :wave:
Hi Jessie. I had two ESI's they didn't work. I had a nerve root block and had the worst pain of my life and a PM doc who wouldn't take phone calls, I seriously considered suicide the pain was that bad. Had a hemilaminectomy in Sept, no more shooting pain down leg, the surgery was a relative breeze. Still get stiff and have some back pain now and then, but nothing, nothing like prior to the surgery.
Jessie1
02-23-2004, 12:55 PM
Hi Jessie. I had two ESI's they didn't work. I had a nerve root block and had the worst pain of my life and a PM doc who wouldn't take phone calls, I seriously considered suicide the pain was that bad. Had a hemilaminectomy in Sept, no more shooting pain down leg, the surgery was a relative breeze. Still get stiff and have some back pain now and then, but nothing, nothing like prior to the surgery.
Hi SpondyMom,
Well, the initial pain from the ESI is pretty much gone, and I think it helped me a little bit. The pain going down my leg isn't quite as intense as it was. I think I will try the 2nd shot (scheduled for March 1) and see if that helps some more, although I will talk to my surgeon first (see him tomorrow).
Everyone- thanks so much for all of your support, it really means a lot!
Wishing everyone pain-free days,
Jessie :wave:
