ESI'S-are they safe?? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

BlueSteam · 05-05-2006, 07:36 AM

I'm scheduled to have a one of these and it was suggested thru another board to seek advice from you folks about the safety of these injections. I do have pretty severe DDD and athritis also. I have read the Burton Report and now I really don't want it. I believe the pm dr will be doing this at C-7? I have had neck, arm, and shoulder pain with severe headaches. I started on topamax about a month ago which helps with the headaches. Because this is a work comp claim I think I am going to have to have a lot of evidence showing that this will be a bad thing for me before they will give me the OK not to have it done. I can't imagine doing something that could cause me more pain or do more damage. Other than the Burton report is there anything else in peticular I could look into or does anybody have any other advice? Now I'm starting to shake in my shoes.

Kissa-- any advice you have would be great. Thank you.

SpineAZ · 05-05-2006, 07:32 PM

I went through two series of the 3 epidural injections. These were done in 2004 and 2006 at the C6-7 level. In 2004 the ESIs worked exceptionally well

and I was pain free for over a year

. When the pain came back I did a second series of 3 ESI in Feb/Mar of this year and while it took the edge off of the pain it did not relieve it as it had the first time around. If it had, I'd do a series of 3 every year to avoid surgery.

My doctor's theory is that in 2004 I had the protruding disc but the MRI did not show any spurring. The lastest MRI, from 03/2006, shows spurring at C5-6 and C6-7.

So after all this

I am actually headed toward a C5-7 ACDF on 5/18. Like I said, if the injections had continued to work I would have stuck with them....much less troublesome than surgery.

BlueSteam · 05-08-2006, 08:19 AM

Thanks Kross--I do have spurring, so I wonder if it will even work. I also have athritis and ddd in there. I realize there is no miracle anything, but I'm so tired. I personally know people with athritis and then people with buldging discs, but not all of it put together. So far the best thing that's helped is the topamax and I'm not sure how much longer I can handle being on that. I hope your surgery goes well, maybe you will be pain free!!!

dennisgb · 05-08-2006, 09:09 AM

Kissa,

I had the injections at C6-7 prior to my surgery. I had all of the problems you describe, herniated disk, bone spurs, etc.

I got about a month of pain relief from the injections.

The problem is that if spurs are pushing on the nerves, you only get temporary relief.

Dennis

ember919 · 05-08-2006, 08:02 PM

bluestream,
i've had three injections with all mixed results. one gave me relief for over a year -- not a complete loss of pain, but certainly an improvement. the second made my symptoms worse. the third was again helpful, though only for a month or so.

if you're in a lot of pain, you should certainly consider giving it a try. a pm doc is likely to be most experienced. if you have concerns or questions, be sure to ask questions and address them beforehand, might give you a little more peace of mind.