Are steroidal injections different from epidurals?

[olivo]

I went to a pain management clinic and on my first day I got some shots directly on my nerves and on my shoulder blade. They helped me a lot like for a week, now am schedule for the epidurals. Are those shots a different thing?
I actually dont exactly know what she injected me. But they were not epidurals.

[missywv]

I've read about all the pros and cons for epidural injections and chose to go ahead with it.  I had two - each one gave me a couple of days relief, but really nothing long term, so the clinic switched to nerve blocks.  Even with the side effects, I'd choose to do it again, because the nerve blocks helped my right hip pain (not my nerve pain at all, but helped my hip and it was driving my crazy).  These injections give the doctors a lot of information about pinpointing where your pain is coming from.  So even if you don't get any pain relief, its still giving them information to work with for further care.  Did you have any side effects from the trigger point injections?  Ido think its the same sort of medication.  Are you sensitive to steroids?  Think about all this before deciding to do it.  

If you have any questions at all - the pain clinic docs will talk to you first before the procedure.  

[Tuckamore]

I agree with Sandee. you should make an informed and educated decision regarding the epidural injections. I think they made my condition worse, I had them in my SI Joint. However they most certainly helped my brother. His injections were in his low lumbar area.

I would also like to suggest that you always ask and know what is being injected in your body, just as you should understand all procedures and medications. You are your own best advocate and the more you know the better for you not only now but in the future.

Take care and best of luck. Tuck

[sandee1818]

You most likely got what is called trigger points. The epidural injections are totally different. When I used to get them I was put under to get them done, now they do not like to do that but will in some cases. The trigger points are helpful in some cases and they do last about a week normally. have you discussed any other options with your Dr and have you done any research on the epidural injections? I would be glad to help if you would like. There has been controversial views on the epidural injections, good and bad so you should know about them to help you decide if it is right for you.