I had disc problems at C5-6 and 6-7 and had an epidural last July. For me, it didn't help but I know that it does for many others. It is not a bad procedure to go through. I think that anything you can do to possibly avoid surgery is worth the try. My surgery went great, but then again, there is always the possibility of complications. I wish you luck in whatever you do.
I had my first cervical epidural in April. Procedure was relatively painless. ALL of my pain was relieved by the 3rd day following the injection. However, as is often the case, it was temporary and lasted 2 months. I had a second epidural on June 13th and it failed to work (they told me that was a possibility). It didnt relieve any of the pain. I am now debating whether I should have the 3rd (you are allowed 3 in a 12 month period). They say sometimes the 1st or 2nd epidural doesnt work for whatever reason.
I feel badly that so many other people are in as much if not more pain than I am. I have had spinal fusions at C2-3, C3-4 and C4-5 in the past year. The second surgery which was for only one fusion didn't help the problems it was supposed to help. I have had two epidural steroid injections and am scheduled for a third as well as a cervical facet injection. The first epidural I had, directly into the neck, caused so much pain I almost passed out. I will NEVER do that again. However, because I have had this problem for ov er 12 years without being treated it could have been that they hit the one nerve that was most irritated. Either way, the injection did not help, thus the operations.
Now I am still having the pain that operation #2 was supposed to fix. have bone spurrs and and a bunch of other things. Am trying these last two injections as a last resort (my second epidural injection did nothing either).
My take on this whole steroid injection thing is that it works great for some people and not at all for others. <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif">
One of my coworkers has lumbar spinal stenosis and had the epidurals (series of 3 over a 3 month period). She had absolutely no relieve from the first two. The third relieved all of her pain/discomfort/numbness. That was 9 years ago.
Maybe my neuro is wrong, but he does not believe in epidurals or any injections into the neck (i have C4-C5 herniation). He said that the neck is no place for such things. Hey, I am right with him!!!
No shots for me thanks, especially in the neck <IMG SRC="http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/eek.gif">
Hi. I have had 2 of these injections for my diease L1-L5 and S1-S2 my entire lumbar region. I was so nervous and then it was all over the only thing i felt was the little sting from the numbing medicine and then presure from the steroid. I had the first one on friday and was told to stay in bed that day with ice, and then the next day put ice on it 3-4 times in a 8 hour period and I went to work on Monday with no problems. However, my second the dr hit a nerve and my whole left side went numb and i had to stay there about 2 hours until i regained feelings, but after that i am still having numbing problems so I won't go through with the 3rd. like they say it differs from person to person. best of luck to you. : )
My neurosurgeon told me that epidural steroid injections are more effective on people with neck pain. I don't have neck pain, I have arm pain and numbness. He said the injections probably wouldn't work for me.
