spinal epidural
 

My doctor suggested to me this morning that I get an epidural in my lower back to help relieve some of the pain. I've heard success stories and (some) horror stories about this procedure which only seems to work (if at all) for a couple months. I'd like to hear from anyone that's had this done and how it affected you. Also, what is involved with getting an epidural?

Steroids injected into the epidural space of your spine. I've seen it work wonders on a lot of people, but is usually not a permanent solution. Most times they become less and less effective. I would definately go this route before spinal fusion

Had this done several times. First time, it really worked well. Felt so good to have some relief from the pain. Each time after that, the amount of time to be pain-free was less and less.

I don't know, but I wish you the best. Back pain is no fun.

I had it about 10 months ago. No problems so far but the doctor said the shots won't last forever but I have no regrets.

Never had it. But had 3 diskectiomies. And doing good. No fusions. My doc says treat the problem. As a nurse I see people with lumbar fusions, most times problem just moves higher up the spine. I also fish and do my own repairs on several rental houses. Of course some days I over do it. Good luck with any choice you make. Get as much info as you can.

took the wife this am for her third one in 8 months. first one gave her 2 months relief. 2nd one almost no relief .Doc changed the meds this time .Takes a few days to see how much it will help

Had shot last January and it did help me for about a week then had to have surgery called microdisctomy and that took 3 months to heal up after theropy but fine now. Hope yours go better than mine. Good luck.

Over Memorial day I went to Destin with my family and a buddy and his family. Well my buddyliterally layed in bed some days because of his back. He got an epidural shot and we played golf this past weekend.

Now, I can;t give you the medical diagnosis of what he has compared to etc.. All I know is the shot helped him dramatically.

Good luck

Epidural will not relieve symptoms of "ButtHurt".

Hope it helps your back though!

My pops gave epidurals mostly for births but did your kind too for 20+ yrs before he retired and never had a problem with a patient, but its all in the person/persons performing the procedure!!! Good luck!

Definitely worth getting epidural steroid injection vs back surgery. Some people may have to get injections 3-4 times before really good result. Depends how irritated your nerve root is. Please try everything you can such as steroid injections, physical therapy, exercises, lose weight if you're obese, etc. Back surgery, as you probably know is no miracle cure. Many times the conservative route is well advised.

Thanks for the responses. That's pretty much the same as I found on the internet from people that had it done. I've had 2 spinal fusions and there is nothing else they can do for me as far as surgery. How about the procedure itself? Do they put ya out? My buddy told me the needle is the size of a Winston Light. :eek: :shaking: :smokin:

I never saw the needle. They give you an IV and some good drugs while your laying on a table that elevates your back and butt..... And it's over shortly after that. Only thing I felt was a numbing shot.

Never knocked me out.

Needles are long and bendable, needle slides out the casing and in goes the injection.........

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I have had three injections which did absolutely nothing - And they knocked me out to do it. Radiofrequency treatment did help with my sciatic pain but my back still hurts like heck.

Lol

Needle size is 17 gauge. They numb the site up first with local using a smaller gauge (21-22) needle. Once numbed up you should just feel pressure of needle insertion. Depends where you go to have it done, some places give IV sedation during procedure some don't. Women in labor have this type epidural done all the time without sedation. The women of course are not getting steroids but are getting local anesthetic in the epidural space instead of steroids.

epidural
 

If u have a disc problem I would suggest finding a chiropractor that does disc decompression traction. You can do both! I am a chiropractor with a disc problem and it has worked for me and my patients. I work with a pain management md all the time!

Been having back problems my entire life. After many doctor visits, physical therapist visits, and chiropractor visits, this has been my savior of both my back and my wallet. I do it every night and morning for 5 minutes. Makes a world I difference. It's an Inversion Table. You can get it at Academy or order it online. Trust me!
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The procedure is not bad. As stated, some put you out others just make you goffy. Very little pain with the actual procedure.

Some people have excellent results with the injections, some have little. Unfortunately, I have had little.

Definitely worth having it done to see if you do get relief.

Your Pops is a coochy DR?

I did the decompression table back in '09. I had sciatica BAD down my left leg all the way to the heel of my foot. Felt like an electrical shock. Went to a chiropractor as a last resort. He looked at my MRI and said I was borderline, but, he would try it. Really had nothing to lose. I did 2 treatments per week for about 4-5 weeks and it was gone!!! He told me in the beginning that, if it's gonna work, I would notice the difference overnight. After the last treatment, I woke up the next morning and actually didn't have to roll outta bed. That particular pain has not returned.

BTW, doctors don't like chiropractors. My doctors have told me that they do more harm to back pain patients than good. Well, I beg to differ!! :rolleyes:

Can inversion and/or traction be done after a fusion surgery or is it a pre op only deal?



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I had this procedure done three times before I eventually had fusion performed. 1 st time it worked for 6 weeks second time three third time like 2 weeks. A word to the wise is to not over do things because you feel great. I ended up with a severe headache because I felt great and I didn't follow the instructions the dr. gave me to take it easy for 48 hrs after the shots. Procedure is a breeze and I got to watch mine being done on monitor while doc was doing it. Word to the wise if you are afraid of needles don't watch as it is huge. I felt no discomfort from procedure at all! If you think you are in pain now go have a fusion and then you will learn what pain really is. My doctor walked in and asked me how I felt after L3, L4 fusion and I told him it hurts like hell! He tried to get me to take morphine and pain pills but I told him I ain't no pill head and never took anything. I found out later he told my family I was the most pain tolerant person he ever met!

Good question Ted as I was fixing to ask the same thing?

x2 on not getting the fusion. I also had several rounds of the injections and had a partial laminectomy. It didn't work so they did a fusion at L5-S1. It didn't work either. Now I just take the pain. Don't want to take the chance that I end up worse off. Have heard of others that had success with the procedure, so it's a matter of weighing your options. Good luck!!

I did decompression in Lafayette when it first came out.
It helped my leg pain, but not back pain.
I had the shots in my back for about 12 years.
It helped a lot at first, but the more you get, over time they don't work as good.
The help time gets less and less. I had them 2 or 3 times a year, then as years wore on, every couple months. It was a steriod or something. They had to put me to sleep before injecting.
But they are the best thing I ever did, besides the surgery when they didn't work anymore.