Has anyone had epidural injections in Thoracic Spine? If so did the first one work or did you have to have multiple injections? Scheduled to have my first one on Feb 11. I have had them in cervical and they worked temporary, but had to have surgery. The ones in lower back did not work at all, and the ones in my SI Joint did not work. Also scheduled to have another in SI Joint on Feb 11 with the one in Thoracic Spine. Guess I am wondering what the success rate is, my doctor says 80%. Just never had that kind of luck before. Always ended up with surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
The following user gives a hug of support to lilbitmatthews: Karlee1010 (02-21-2013)
Has anyone had epidural injections in Thoracic Spine? If so did the first one work or did you have to have multiple injections? Scheduled to have my first one on Feb 11. I have had them in cervical and they worked temporary, but had to have surgery. The ones in lower back did not work at all, and the ones in my SI Joint did not work. Also scheduled to have another in SI Joint on Feb 11 with the one in Thoracic Spine. Guess I am wondering what the success rate is, my doctor says 80%. Just never had that kind of luck before. Always ended up with surgery. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
This hint by my PM years ago made a huge difference in relief from ESI's, he said that he puts the steroid into the epidural "space" & he justs floats it around the nerve root so the longer i rest, minimum 72hrs,the more the nerve stays saturated & steroid acts to reduce inflammation, pain. The more activity the more the heart beats increasing circulation & the faster the absorbtion of the steroid away from the nerve & the dr told me to apply ice packs to injection are 20mins every hour or two for 24hrs careful not to freeze skin, unless ice increased pain. So, I was a couch potato for 3days after this instruction from my dr & the ESI's worked much better than before.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to gmak For This Useful Post: Karlee1010 (02-21-2013), lilbitmatthews (02-02-2013)
Location: From Manchester but living in the West of Ireland
Posts: 31
Re: Epidural injections in Thoracic spine
Hi, I have to have my first spinal injection on Monday 11th February. I'm worried as I've never had it done before. I have to drive each day and have lots of questions to ask about when I can drive after it etc. hope yours go well.
The following user gives a hug of support to Helen6090: lilbitmatthews (02-04-2013)
Mine is scheduled for Feb 11 also. I really do not know what to expect. I have had them in my neck, lower back and si joint and they never worked. I hate to be negative, but that has been my experience. I am also having another one in the si joint as there isn't anything else that has been recommended for that. I hope all goes well with your injections and I will keep you in my prayers as I hope mine works as well. Take care.
Helen ~ You will probably be told that you can resume your normal activities the following day. However, if at all possible, you will have a better chance of the medication working if you can stay off your feet for the first 72 hours.
The Following User Says Thank You to teteri66 For This Useful Post: Helen6090 (02-08-2013)
I've had injections three times. The first two times, I ejections worked great and provided better than expected pain relief. Unfortunately, the third one didn't work, at all. Good luck!!
The Following User Says Thank You to Btrfli1 For This Useful Post: lilbitmatthews (02-09-2013)
So what are your options now or has it been a year?
I was told I could have one every two weeks but no more than three a year and then we would have to go see a surgeon
Location: From Manchester but living in the West of Ireland
Posts: 31
Re: Epidural injections in Thoracic spine
My Consultant said 1 now and no more for at least 6 months. I'll find out more tomorrow when I go to the Hospital. Will I be able to get up and walk out normally after it? My husband is coming with me so he can drive
are any of you having these injections for centrally protruding or extruding discs? or do most of you get these in T-spine for nerve root issues (pain wrapping around rib cage)
Oh no Helen,,,why couldn't they do injections? What happened?
Just FYI,,,my dr will allow injections every four weeks, no more than three during a twelve month period.
Location: From Manchester but living in the West of Ireland
Posts: 31
Re: Epidural injections in Thoracic spine
Quote:
Originally Posted by Btrfli1
Oh no Helen,,,why couldn't they do injections? What happened?
Just FYI,,,my dr will allow injections every four weeks, no more than three during a twelve month period.
Hi, miscommunication between Consultant and Doctor. I have to work with the Public system so I can't really scream and shout. I did say that I was looking for the injection ASAP and Physio. Now he said the injection will be 2-3 months but I have an appt for Physio in 3 weeks which is good. I'm not very well this week but taking it easy
I am so sorry to hear about that Helen. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I did have mine on Monday and I have been laying since I got home. Someone posted they were told 72 hours of rest is best. I got a little frustrated, because I woke up in pain early this morning. Was hoping it would be better by now. Maybe a little more time. Thinking positive. I wish you all the best.
Location: From Manchester but living in the West of Ireland
Posts: 31
Re: Epidural injections in Thoracic spine
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilbitmatthews
I am so sorry to hear about that Helen. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I did have mine on Monday and I have been laying since I got home. Someone posted they were told 72 hours of rest is best. I got a little frustrated, because I woke up in pain early this morning. Was hoping it would be better by now. Maybe a little more time. Thinking positive. I wish you all the best.
Hi I've been lying at home since Monday. The Doctor was moving me about lifting my leg up and down and twisting it now I feel really sore and the spasms in my bottom, leg and foot are killing me. I hope you get some relief from the pain I can sympathise with you. I heard about the 72 hr rest as well and when I finally get mine I will be doing as I'm told. Best of luck xx
I can remember those days where I wouldn't be feeling too much pain, would go for my doctor's appointment where it wouldn't hurt while he was manipulating me...then on the drive home, the pain would set in and all the nerves would flare. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence. Try to rest and hopefully everything will calm down soon .
Last edited by teteri66; 02-13-2013 at 10:34 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to teteri66 For This Useful Post: Helen6090 (02-13-2013)
I had epidural injections in thoracic and si joint on Monday Feb 11,13. Have been laying around all week. No pain relief. Should I try another injection? I can have another one in two weeks. I just found something about the Ifuse implants for SI Joint. I would love to be able to sit, stand or walk without pain. Thanks for letting me vent!!!
The following user gives a hug of support to lilbitmatthews: Helen6090 (02-15-2013)
You never know if an ESI will work until you try it. General rule of them is to have the second one, even if there is no therapeutic value to the first attempt. If the reaction is the same to the 2nd ESI, they usually don't bother with the third, figuring chances are against it working if the other two haven't.
SI Infuse is working better than the older procedure for fusing SI joints, but that isn't saying a great deal as the old way had an extremely low rate of success.
There are a couple people on the board who have just had I Fuse recently:
rossamwb is a couple weeks out from surgery so too early to tell...and I'll have to hunt for the others -- can't remember off the top of my head.
Just type in SI joint fusion into the search box at the top of this page and you will see a number of older threads pertaining to this topic.
Last edited by teteri66; 02-15-2013 at 02:41 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to teteri66 For This Useful Post: lilbitmatthews (02-15-2013)
Went to pm dr today having one more injection in thoracic spine and si joint. Then off to neurosurgeon for surgery on thoracic spine and back to pm for rfa on si joint. Now we have a plan that I hope works. Anyone have experience with rfa on si joint?
Epidural injections in Thoracic spine 
Re: Epidural injections in Thoracic spine 
