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925522 tn?1243968666

epidural

How often should you have an epidural i had one 5 weeks ago and recieved a appoinment for another after only 6 weeks
Best Answer
547368 tn?1440541785
Hi Ellro,

I assume you are referring to an Epidural Steroid Injection. This is an injection into the epidural space of a long lasting steroid  such as cortisone. If you are referring to another type of epidural my comments may not apply.

I am extremely surprised that Atonicat was given 24 steroid injections in a three week period. In my experience and to my knowledge this is not the norm. Indeed I have never heard of it .. but rest assured there are many things that I haven't heard of. :o)  

The general rule is no more then three injections in a six month period. Some physicians will not do more than three or four in a 12 month period. This is because the medication injected will last for about six months.  The general consensus is, if three injections have not been effective it's very unlikely that more will be beneficial. Additionally the more steroid that is injected into your system the more likely you will experience side effects ... if not immediately then down the road. Some of those side effects can be serious.  

Have you totally confused you? I suggest that you follow your physician's recommendations but educate yourself. Read, research and read some more... so that you know the general guidelines, facts, pros and cons and especially the side effects of high doses of steroids. Three - four injections I would certainly consent to (and have) but beyond that I would be asking a lot of questions about the rationale.

Best of luck to you and please let us know how you are doing.

Peace,
~Tuck

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547368 tn?1440541785
Thanks for the update.

We nurses are often the eyes and ears for the physicians. Our contributions (and intervention when needed) to the team can be so valuable. I am glad that your nurse was on the ball.

Had they just gone ahead with the injection the consequences probably would have not been serious .... but doing it the right way is always the best.

I sincerely hope that the epidurals are effective in reducing your pain levels. I'll be very interested in hearing more from you.

Thanks Again for the update,
~Tuck
Helpful - 0
925522 tn?1243968666
Thankyou for getting back to me the day i posted this i was due to go for my Infusion and i just happened to mention when i have my next epidural could they give me something for the itching and nausea, the nurse on duty asked when i had had my last epidural i told her 5 week ago she then told me this was not the norm and took off with my notes for the dr to see i left it at that the next day pain clinc phoned me to tell me they had made a mistake and cancelled my appointment, what would have happened if she hadn't been on the ball and they just went ahead with the epidural anyway so now i have a telephone appointment to discuss my pain management will let you know .Ellro
Helpful - 0
1508881 tn?1313114901
I had three sets of 8 injections (24 total injections, or epidurals) in a three week period. One set each Friday for three weeks. I was told that they only do that once every six moths if it provides relief. If you get no relief from them, than they wont do them anymore. After my last set, it lasted about a month.

If the first epidural helped you than they will do another one to see if it helps even more. They do this up to three epidurals. If the first one doesn't provide any relief than they will most likely not do another one.
Helpful - 0
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