Epidural First Shot Pls Advice..? - Back Problems Message Board

Disc · 10-18-2005, 06:01 AM

Morning ,
I am going for my first Epidural Injection for L5S1 Herniated Disc tommorrow ,so a bit tense.Last time i went for my Nerve Root Block,though it was over in 10 mts i never felt the things that were being told to me by nurse and doctor ie after nerve root block my leg will feel funny ,heavy i will need someone to drive for me etc but nothing of that sorts happened nor did i see any improvment in my leg pain.Spoke about this to my ortho specilaist who asked me to undergo this Epidural shot
What can i expect of this now ,what happens when it happens and after how long it happens ie relief to my leg pain etc..?

Tugs · 10-18-2005, 06:48 AM

Disc, I have had 2 epidural steroid shots. The first one was on 9-14. I felt some mild relief for a couple of days. The second one was on 10-5. This time the relief lasted for almost 5 days. As of now I am having more pain and discomfort then before, but I do not blame this on the shots. I have a large herniated disc at L5-S1 and a slightly herniated disc at L3-L4. My therapist seem to think the L3-L4 might have gotten larger. I go back to my NeuroSurgeon tomorrow.
As to discomfort during and after the shot. The most painful part was when the numbing agent was injected, this was more from the needle than the actual shot. The next day I was only a little stiff. You will want to take it easy for a day after the shot.
I have have talk to several people that have had these shots. Some have felt better and some only had a little temporary relief (like me).
Just follow all of your DR's orders and keep your fingers crossed.
I hope it work s for you.
All the best, Tugs

Katina128 · 10-18-2005, 08:26 AM

I had two before my surgery and neither did much for me, but my herniation was HUGE and nothing was going to help it but surgery. I was told they kick in within a few days, so I'd say you'll feel relief within about 4-5 days max. Best of luck to you!!

halo1 · 10-18-2005, 12:41 PM

disc, don't worry. as an earlier poster said, the most uncomfortable part is the injection with the numbing agent, and really, that's not bad. i had 2 epidural's years ago. after the injection you feel great, a little like being tipsy (from alcohol). unfortunately they relieved my pain only for a few days. however, i've heard success stories with epidurals. good luck to you and no need to be nervous.

xinerevelle · 10-18-2005, 03:31 PM

I've had 4 epidural steroid injections since February... all providing decreased pain for only a few weeks or so. Since I'm a work comp case, by pain mgmt doctor would do "blue plate special" (as he called it) since he didn't know if I was going to be approved to come back or not. He would do a LESI, a T-Fin (transforaminal), and a facet joint injection on each side of my spine (L4/L5 to the right and L5/S1 to the left).

The first one I had I took the mild sedation and had arranged for my husband to drive me home. They did some basic blood pressure checks, temperature, etc., and then the doc came in to talk to me. He explained the procedure, answered any questions I had, and then the nurses wheeled me into the pain management room. It was like a mini-operating room. I s*****ed over to the exam table, propped my lower back up in a pillow, pulled my pants down to half way down my butt, and let the nurses hook me up. They put a blood pressure cuff on me, draped my pants (I had on a gown on top), and put a pulse-ox devise on my finger. I was totally alert and talkative. The doctor came in and they turned onthe fluoroscope and I could see my spine on the TV screen. They cleaned the area (felt like they were drawing a big target on my back!) and then the doc injected some local numbing agent. I felt a ***** and some warmth as it went it, but other wise ok. He then did 4 injections on me in different places of my lower back. Each time I could watch (if I wanted) on the monitor as he placed the needle (a tiny amount of pain) and then injected the Depo-Medrol (a little more painful, but bearable). It was over in about 10 minutes. They wheeled me back to my curtain area, monitored me for about 30 minutes and then called my husband in. All and all I was there about an hour. The recovery nurse kept making this big deal that I was going to be woozy and lightheaded, but I wasn't at all. She even predicted that I was going to fall when I got out of the wheelchair at the car, to which I just laughed. I didn't feel ANY effects of the sedation.

The next time I went, I decided to skip the sedation. I talked to the doctor about it and he said it was my choice (though he just kept shaking his head and saying "I couldn't handle it myself, but more power to you.") I told him that I was totally alert the whole time, and he started asking me questions about the procedure. When he realized that I really was alert the whole time (instead of just a little sleepy) he was surprised.

Anyway, the difference was only a little more pain (and I mean a little) during each injection. He still numbed the area completely (it felt like my hip and but were just hunks of meat hanging on my body). It was similar to getting a flu shot. Except that this time I was able to drive myself home and not inconvenience my husband (who would've had to take a half day off of work). I usually just went home and slept anyway.

The area around the injection site was a little sore for a few days. But really the worst part was taking the bandaids off. Those little buggers have some strong adhesive! I had redmarks for days after!

After the 4th injection my orthopedist called me an "epidural failure" and sent me to a neurosurgeon. I'm now awaiting a myelogram to be authorized and scheduled (hopefully this week) and then maybe a laminotomy. Anything to get rid of this pain! I've got sciatica on the right side today for the first time since my injury in January. Not good.

Good luck with your LESI.