kitkat57
09-27-2006, 09:52 AM
Hi everyone. I'm happy to have found this board, as I have several questions.
I have had leg pain for approx. 2 years now. A previous MRI showed two herinated disks in my lower back. I tried a Chiro., but as time went on it seemed to be doing more harm than good. I went to see my regular doctor who perscribed Tramadol. It worked fine, but when I tried to back off of it, I had terrible withdrawl symptoms. Being a recovering alcholic, I'd rather not take addicting medication. My doctor ordered an MRI last week and I am scheduled for 'pain management' at our local surgery center. It looks as if he will be performing an epidural steriod injection.
Can anyone tell me how beneficial this is? What is the procedure? Etc.
I have had leg pain for approx. 2 years now. A previous MRI showed two herinated disks in my lower back. I tried a Chiro., but as time went on it seemed to be doing more harm than good. I went to see my regular doctor who perscribed Tramadol. It worked fine, but when I tried to back off of it, I had terrible withdrawl symptoms. Being a recovering alcholic, I'd rather not take addicting medication. My doctor ordered an MRI last week and I am scheduled for 'pain management' at our local surgery center. It looks as if he will be performing an epidural steriod injection.
Can anyone tell me how beneficial this is? What is the procedure? Etc.
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anhbay06
09-27-2006, 10:30 AM
It's only temporary relieving the pain maybe a couple of days. You better off go for the surgery. I will go for surgery aftering holding out with pain for 2 years as you are . Time to give in.
kitkat57
09-27-2006, 11:06 AM
Thank you for your reply.
Actually, surgery has not been suggested.
Actually, surgery has not been suggested.
anhbay06
09-27-2006, 11:12 AM
The question is can you live with the pain? I was living with pain for like a year on and off. After doing physical therapy,injections, and walking.. nothing help until recently, the pain becoming so strong that I can't even walk straight, sleep at night or doing anything I used to do..like jogging, sport etc..by the way I am only 35 yo.
Finally, i give in because I can't live conservative treatment anymore..
Finally, i give in because I can't live conservative treatment anymore..
removedone
09-27-2006, 01:45 PM
Three of my friends have had epidurals, with much success. All three went to the same Anesthesiologist. He does the epidurals with 'guidance', from a flouroscopy, 'live x-ray'. One friend has not had reoccuring pain from a bulging disc for over a year; the other, with sciatica problems from bulging disks, has been pain free for two years. The third friend, who has had many different spine 'issues' over the years, had epidurals, twice a year, for about 3 years. Unfortunately she had to have them closer and closer together, and in time, four times a year, and then 5 times a year. Eventually the epidurals became inaffective and she had surgery. Unfortunately, even after surgery, she still has some pain. [removed]
rowboat
09-27-2006, 02:36 PM
Hi there,
I feel your pain....literally. I herniated one disc in my lower back in April of 2003. I didn't see my dr until it was really bad 7 months later. He wanted to send me for surgery immediately, but I opted for physical therapy instead. The PT helped tremendously and got the pain out of my leg, but centrallized it in my back. I then went to the surgeon who "wouldn't operate for back pain." So I went to a pain management doc who sent me for steroid injections. I had 3 in the spring of 04 and went back to see him. They didn't help. The one thing I did learn is it's a lot easier if you take the med they offer to relax you. Otherwise, it hurts. The pain doc wasn't happy with the way they did them, so in the fall of 04, he did 3 more. I still didn't get any relief.
I went to two more neurosurgeons before I found one who would help me. I had a fusion done in May of 05 and it was amazing! I was coaching my daughter's soccer team in September. I thought I would be in pain forever. I feel so good now. Not that I don't still have occasional pain, but who doesn't?
I wish you the best of luck. I know some people have very good luck with the injections. I've heard they can relieve pain for months at a time. Just not with me.
Take care!
Becky
I feel your pain....literally. I herniated one disc in my lower back in April of 2003. I didn't see my dr until it was really bad 7 months later. He wanted to send me for surgery immediately, but I opted for physical therapy instead. The PT helped tremendously and got the pain out of my leg, but centrallized it in my back. I then went to the surgeon who "wouldn't operate for back pain." So I went to a pain management doc who sent me for steroid injections. I had 3 in the spring of 04 and went back to see him. They didn't help. The one thing I did learn is it's a lot easier if you take the med they offer to relax you. Otherwise, it hurts. The pain doc wasn't happy with the way they did them, so in the fall of 04, he did 3 more. I still didn't get any relief.
I went to two more neurosurgeons before I found one who would help me. I had a fusion done in May of 05 and it was amazing! I was coaching my daughter's soccer team in September. I thought I would be in pain forever. I feel so good now. Not that I don't still have occasional pain, but who doesn't?
I wish you the best of luck. I know some people have very good luck with the injections. I've heard they can relieve pain for months at a time. Just not with me.
Take care!
Becky
shawley
09-27-2006, 02:46 PM
Personally I don't see how the shots can fix a bulging disc ? I had plenty of epidurals and it did nothing for me. I will never have that junk injected into my body ever again. Not saying it won't help you but I would read up on it first. Find out what the shots are made up of. POISON !
Hoe they fix your pain,,don't let me scare you.
Hoe they fix your pain,,don't let me scare you.
removedone
09-27-2006, 05:28 PM
Epidural works by delivering steroids directly to the painful area to help decrease the inflammation that may be causing the pain. It's thought that there's also a flushing effect from the injection that helps remove or "flush out" inflammatory proteins from around the structures that may cause pain.
Spine Health
Spine Health
Suzy-Q
09-27-2006, 10:13 PM
Hello-
I thought I'd toss in my own mixed experience. I had 4 epidurals for lumbar back pain and none of them were effective and 2 greatly increased my pain for about a week's time. The actual procedure wasn't very awful though. I did have numbeness in my leg 2 times but that cleared in an hour or so. All of mine were done with fluoroscopy.
Just about a month ago, I had an epidural injection in my cervical spine (C6-7) for a herniated disk in the level above. I wasn't very optimistic but I was willing to try anything to avoid surgery since I am just 13 weeks post-op lumbar surgery and enough is enough. Anyway, the dang shot worked. I have almost NO neck pain and I was dropping things, had numb hands, and had lost a lot of strength in both arms to say nothing of the sharp pains and burning aches. It is like a miracle! Only problem is I had a major reaction to the steriod (turned lobster red for 3 days- I'm told this reaction is not dangerous even if it is uncomfortable) and I also developed a serious heart arrhythmia from the anesthetics in the steriod injection (we think). The heart thing is not so minor a problem and I was in the hosptital before we got some meds to calm it down.
I have gone from being down on these shots to being a total fan but a fan who may not be able to take them again despite their wonderful effects. How ironic. I will be seeing a cardiologist soon to help me figure out if this is really what happened and whether it is safe for me to have a next injection when this one wears off.
Best of luck - Suzy-Q
I thought I'd toss in my own mixed experience. I had 4 epidurals for lumbar back pain and none of them were effective and 2 greatly increased my pain for about a week's time. The actual procedure wasn't very awful though. I did have numbeness in my leg 2 times but that cleared in an hour or so. All of mine were done with fluoroscopy.
Just about a month ago, I had an epidural injection in my cervical spine (C6-7) for a herniated disk in the level above. I wasn't very optimistic but I was willing to try anything to avoid surgery since I am just 13 weeks post-op lumbar surgery and enough is enough. Anyway, the dang shot worked. I have almost NO neck pain and I was dropping things, had numb hands, and had lost a lot of strength in both arms to say nothing of the sharp pains and burning aches. It is like a miracle! Only problem is I had a major reaction to the steriod (turned lobster red for 3 days- I'm told this reaction is not dangerous even if it is uncomfortable) and I also developed a serious heart arrhythmia from the anesthetics in the steriod injection (we think). The heart thing is not so minor a problem and I was in the hosptital before we got some meds to calm it down.
I have gone from being down on these shots to being a total fan but a fan who may not be able to take them again despite their wonderful effects. How ironic. I will be seeing a cardiologist soon to help me figure out if this is really what happened and whether it is safe for me to have a next injection when this one wears off.
Best of luck - Suzy-Q
kitkat57
10-04-2006, 05:31 AM
Update.................
I received the shot yesterday. It was more uncomfortable than painful. I did 'almost' pass out after the procedure. This is not unusual for me, as I tend to pass out after procedures.
The doc reviewed my MRI and found that I didn't have any herniated disks, only a small area that 'may' be bulging and causing my pain. He told me that if these shots don't work, I am an excellent canidate for surgery as it would only be a minor procedure.
Now I am waiting the see if this will work. (fingers crossed)
Thanks so much everyone for your helpful replies to my post.
I received the shot yesterday. It was more uncomfortable than painful. I did 'almost' pass out after the procedure. This is not unusual for me, as I tend to pass out after procedures.
The doc reviewed my MRI and found that I didn't have any herniated disks, only a small area that 'may' be bulging and causing my pain. He told me that if these shots don't work, I am an excellent canidate for surgery as it would only be a minor procedure.
Now I am waiting the see if this will work. (fingers crossed)
Thanks so much everyone for your helpful replies to my post.