I will be going for epidural injections soon! Thank God I found a place that does conscious sedation. Anyway, why don't they work on some people? Does it have to do with the person's tolerance or just how bad the spine is? I guess I'm trying to see if there are a large portion of people that didn't get any relief. I need fusion at L5-S1 and I have to try to wait until the summer so I have more help with my kids and myself. So I'm using these to buy me some time. Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I have two friends who go in quite often for the injections and they've helped a lot. It depends on the type of injury, the dr giving the injection, and your tolerance to the steriod among a few other things I'm sure. I had one in June for a cervical (neck) injury. I was given something in my IV to help relax me--but it didn't work because the nurse (actually two nurses) had put my IV in wrong--it all went under my skin. As it turned out I didn't feel a thing anyway--the injection went smoothly. Unfortunately the injection didn't give me any relief.

I'm sure everything will go just fine and you'll feel better. Don't stress about it and you'll do just fine!!

Hello
I had two epidural injections to try to give me some relief before my surgery.
(Having L5-S1 fusion & laminectomy on Nov. 8) The epidural injections as I was told work 60% of the time to give some relief. Unfortunately I didn't get any relief, but I felt it was worth the try. Didn't go for the third because I had more pain after the second. I think from reading its an individual choice, but do some research also on the negatives. Good Luck. If you decide to go for them I hope they help. Kathy

I don't think there's really any way to know who it will help or for how long. There's probably many factors involved plus the fact that everyone reacts differently to any medications or procedures. Same goes for aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen, and all the prescription drugs...there's no way to know ahead of time if it will work or if you'll have a reaction, etc..

Thanks for everyone's reply. I figured, it's worth a try. I want to be able to get by until the summer when I plan on going in for fusion. You're right, there probably isn't anyway to tell if they will work. So I guess I'll have to find out.

Hi Elmo,
Three of my close friends have had epidurals, in the past 2 years, with great results, and no pain during the procedure. All three have different 'back issues'. (Don't we all?) All three have been pain free for almost 2 years. One of the friends that I'm referring to, is a radiologist. He told me that if I was considering an epidural, I must go to a back specialist, such as a neurosurgeon, or an orthopedic surgeon, or an anesthesiologist. (One friend went to a neurosurgeon, the other two went to the same anesthesiologist.) My radiologist friend said that the epidural must be given under the guidance of a fluoroscope, type x-ray, in a hospital-like setting. He said that the epidural ought not to be uncomfortable, as you ought to have the option of light sedation, even though a local anesthetic is used.

Good luck...

I never had fluoroscope for my injection's. Just bend over and take the pain , no sedation either..No wonder it didn't help me

I've had 6 epidurals in the last 2 years - the last 3 all within a 5 days period . I've never had any anaesthetic and the injections were very quickly done by my rheumatologist and I hardly felt them. No after effects either for me - although a friend did have headaches afterwards. I was advised to lie quietly for an hour or so - easy the last time as I was an in-patient.

The last lot gave me reasonable pain relief for about 4 months. Don't forget this isn't a cure, it's pain control and anti-inflammatory, but for some people it works for a long time as once any inflammation has died down the problem does get better.

Good luck, I hope you feel better

Thanks alot for all your kind replys. I am going for my consult today. So , hopefully I can start very soon! I will let you know.

Ive had 5 ESI's in the past 3 years.

the first 3 without flouroscopy.
I can say that the first 3 did not help and hurt quite a bit.The last 2 i had with flouroscopy did not hurt and helped greatly.

Just my personall experience.

When the use flouroscopy they usually inject dye first so the can see the nerves and place the needle correctly.I watched the screen the whole time and it did not hurt.within a few days i was feeling less pain and after my 2nd shot the pain lessened even more,especially the leg pain but i just had a discogram and my leg has been bothering me since.

Without the guidance of a fluoroscope, the MD can't know exactly where to insert the needle. It is (pardon the expression) a stab in the dark!

Good luck. i hope you get long lasting relief.

I went for the consult and they put me on Lidoderm patch(only numbed my skin):confused: . Also put me on Arthrotek. I have to go for another MRI and then go back to him to talk about inj's.

Hi there I also tried the patches, and they did nothing. [removed] I guess thats another thing off the list! Glad to hear you are going for another MRI. Is it a sitting or standing one? My neurosurgeon claims that they are better in diagnosing exactly what your spine, discs, and nerves are doing because when you stand or sit, the lumbar spine carries all the pressure. Lying down, your spine is straight and relaxed. Hope the epidurals work for you. My L5-S1 PLIF is in 10 days. Starting to freak out. Wish you the best. Kathy (kdk)

I go to stand up MRI place. However, they have me sit. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!