How painful are the shots in your spine.

[packlestax]

I have a damaged disk in my lower back.  The doctor suggested I get shots directly in the disk as treatment for pain.  My question is, how painful are these shots?

[packlestax]

I want to thank each and every one of you for your valuable information regarding the procedure I am facing.  It makes me feel better to know what lies ahead.  God bless.  

[JGF25]

I thought it felt kind of like a bee sting.  Nothing you can't handle.  

[femmy29]

Hi,

I have a bulging disk at S1 impinging on the S1 nerve root and I also have a ruptured disk and its nucleus is spilling out and indenting the thecal sac that houses the spinal cord.  I have extensive lower back pain and sciatica from this and it is commonly referred to degenerative disc disease.

I have had five lumbar epidural injections, which is what I believe your physician is wanting you to try.  They will not inject the steroid medication into the disc but rather into epidural space.

These procedures do not work for everyone as it depends on the injury which is very unique to each person.  The procedure itself takes about 5-7 minutes.  The anesthesiologist will inject a numbing agent (most commonly, lidocaine) before inserting the epidural needle and injecting the steroid medication.

Does it hurt?  Yes, but the amount of pain depends on your pain theshold (for me I have experienced less pain with repeat injections).  Does it hurt a lot?  No, I don't think so.  The most painful to me is the injection of the numbing agent.  You should only feel pressure when the epidural needle is inserted.  The injection of the steroid will most likely cause a shooting pain down one or both of your legs.  This is because the medication bathes the nerve roots.

If successful, pain relief lasts for 4 weeks.  I have noticed with repeated injections, the pain relief lasts for 6 weeks and then it begins to wear off.  They are repeated typically every 3 months.  

I wouldn't expected to feel pain free.  I don't think they work that well as I still have to take my suite of pain medications.  However, I am able to cut back on my medications for 4 to 6 weeks after the injection.

I really hope they help for your pain!

femmy

[georgiegirl1001]

I've had these done only in the cervical part of my spine.  My doc first injected a numbing solution.  The first one wasn't so bad, but the second one he had to do in the side of my neck directly into a nerve and of course I shot through the ceiling.  BUT DO NOT BE AFRAID, as these are different areas than the lumbar, and he is going into the disk.  As Dianegi1 suggested, be slow to rise. I don't know if I had risen too soon, or what, but as soon as they walked me across the floor I threw up..... I'm sure it is different for the part of the spine, as well as the person, but if you have concerns, talk to your doc!  Tell him of any of the concerns you see here: i.e. HEADACHE, PAIN, VOMITING.  These days they can do most anything.  Always before a surgery I have them prepare me NOT to vomit and it works.  I didn't even think about asking during this procedure as I'd never had it done before.  Always talk with your doc about concerns.  Don't forget, they are the professional, however, we are paying customers so have a right to ask without feeling guilt!  Blessings to you and for complete healing!  :)

[Dianegi1]

I've never had what you're speaking of, but I have had spinal taps to get fluid from my spine. There was no pain at all. The doctor did it under fluoroscopy so he could see exactly where the needle was going. The only thing is to make sure you lie flat for awhile after the procedure. After mine, they sat me up in a wheelchair. I had the worst headache ever. Hope this helps.