Another injection question.

[runitskat]

I had my first injection at L5/S1 last week. It didn't really help at all and my pain was pretty much the same. This morning I woke up and after moving around a while I noticed a very sharp pain close to the injection site. At first it was just hurting when I stood up. Now it's hurting when I'm sitting down and I can't bend over at all, forward or backward. I have sharp pain from my normal back pain but normally only when sitting or walking for a long time. My pain is mostly radiating burning pain. But this is weird and freaking me out. I'm thinking about going home from work because I don't know how much longer I can sit in front of this computer.

Any ideas why this might be happening? I've been reading about the injections and sometimes I guess it can make it worse. I don't know how it could make a herniated disk worse, especially since I had no problems bending before the shot. I called the surgical center that did it and they said since I have two more injections lined up that I need to wait it out. Default answer for everything. My next injection is a week away and now I'm sort of wondering if I should even go through with it.

[runitskat]

My boyfriend and boss said I should call someone today but I think I should wait it out. I've been dealing with pain for a long time so a few days wont kill me. It just seems like each day that passes after the injection, my pain is getting worse. When I was getting the injection the doctor was sort of talking to himself and he said "whoops went a little too far" and then just kept going. I have no idea what that meant but now that I'm thinking about it, it's freaking me out. He also said (and I saw) on the xray monitor that all the medicine was going to the left. Which is not where my pain is. He said "well that's weird it's all going to the left" I don't know what to think about that either. I seem to have bad luck finding a good doctor. Or maybe my expectations are just too high.  I'm just going to go on with my weekend as planned and if it doesn't get better after that than I'll call someone.

[namnam46]

Hi runitskat,

I'm sorry that you are having this additional  pain! I think Tuck is right on the money as usual. She really knows her stuff.

I hope that it gets better by tomorrow but if it doesn't and you need to go to the ER, DON'T FORGET to tell them that you go to a PM Clinic so that you won't be in trouble with your PM Dr.

Please keep us updated as to how you are doing. We are very concerned about you...Sherry

[Tuckamore]

In my personal opinion I would think that if the new pain was from the injection it would have showed up before now.

It may be possible that you condition is just getting worse or that something else is going on.

I just hate those "canned" responses we sometimes get from the physicians or medical centers. Sometimes I feel like they don't care because they aren't in pain. I am sure that's not the case but it makes you wonder. If they were in pain I think they would be calling or concerned also.

If your pain does not improve I would not wait until the next injection appointment. I consult a physician before that appointment date. It's Friday so your limited as to who will see you at this time. Rest over the weekend, do the things that normally help control your pain....and if you are unchanged on Monday make those calls. Or if the pain becomes too intense visit your local ER. That's one of the reasons we have ERs.

Please let us know how you are doing. Hang in there and please take care and be cautious not to do anything that may aggravate your pain.

Take Care,
~Tuck