Aa
I'd like to hear about your experience on spinal injections for back pain.
So FINALLY I'm set to go in for spinal injections on Dec 1st for this back pain I've been having for the last 3 years. Xrays and all that don't show anything, not even MRI's show anything and they haven't ever shown anything to account for my pain.
The pain mgmt Dr. thinks that I had a muscle injury when I fell that for some reason hasn't ever healed as it should and 3 years later I still deal with chronic lower back pain just to the right of my spine. Some of you know this but I fell down the stairs shortly after my first son was born and hit my back on the stairs. I've been on so many different therapies including the narcotic methods like morphine and now Nucynta (sp?).
He told me that they're going to sedate me some to take the edge off and then do the shots.
For those who had the injections, what kind did you have?
Did they just give the corticosteriod or did they put in some numbing medication with it?
How well did they work?
I know it may not work for more than a few months or they might work fine and I may not require extra treatments
The pain mgmt Dr. thinks that I had a muscle injury when I fell that for some reason hasn't ever healed as it should and 3 years later I still deal with chronic lower back pain just to the right of my spine. Some of you know this but I fell down the stairs shortly after my first son was born and hit my back on the stairs. I've been on so many different therapies including the narcotic methods like morphine and now Nucynta (sp?).
He told me that they're going to sedate me some to take the edge off and then do the shots.
For those who had the injections, what kind did you have?
Did they just give the corticosteriod or did they put in some numbing medication with it?
How well did they work?
I know it may not work for more than a few months or they might work fine and I may not require extra treatments
Before continuing with these injections you need to be aware that they have been implicated as a major cause of adhesive arachnoiditis. The arachnoid is the covering of the spinal cord, named because it resembles a spiderweb. In arachnoiditis, the arachnoid becomes inflamed and it causes HORRIBLE pain. If it is severe enough to progress to the adhesive stage the nerves inside the spinal cord begin to stick together and form clumps of scar tissue instead of remaining as individual nerves.
This doesn't show up immediately following the injections. It can take as little as 6 months to as long as a few years but the pain can be anything from aching as though you just overexerted yourself in the milder cases to excruciating nerve pain needing lifelong pain management in the severe cases involving the adhesion. It is incurable. A doctor who has this condition has written a book about it and describes it as "living with the pain of cancer without the release of death."
I developed this in late 2001 following spinal surgery in March of 2001. The surgery itself was a complete success, however the myelogram that I was given before the surgery was the cause of the adhesive arachnoiditis. I have already completely lost the use of my right leg once and, while I got it back after intense physical therapy, I have been told that there will come a day when one or both legs will go out and not come back. I went from simply having disc problems in my neck repaired to becoming a lifelong chronic pain patient who cannot function without a narcotic pain meds regimen that would be enough to drop a bull elephant.
Please do a Google search on adhesive arachnoiditis and read as much as you can on the condition before deciding to have any more epidural injections. If you would like to know anything else about my personal experiences please feel free to message me.
Ghilly
This doesn't show up immediately following the injections. It can take as little as 6 months to as long as a few years but the pain can be anything from aching as though you just overexerted yourself in the milder cases to excruciating nerve pain needing lifelong pain management in the severe cases involving the adhesion. It is incurable. A doctor who has this condition has written a book about it and describes it as "living with the pain of cancer without the release of death."
I developed this in late 2001 following spinal surgery in March of 2001. The surgery itself was a complete success, however the myelogram that I was given before the surgery was the cause of the adhesive arachnoiditis. I have already completely lost the use of my right leg once and, while I got it back after intense physical therapy, I have been told that there will come a day when one or both legs will go out and not come back. I went from simply having disc problems in my neck repaired to becoming a lifelong chronic pain patient who cannot function without a narcotic pain meds regimen that would be enough to drop a bull elephant.
Please do a Google search on adhesive arachnoiditis and read as much as you can on the condition before deciding to have any more epidural injections. If you would like to know anything else about my personal experiences please feel free to message me.
Ghilly
Lol, I've got the Evo Shift. Hubby got it for me last Mother's Day after selling the Ipod Touch I never used to my brother to help pay foer it....
It's nice!
Unlimited everything including internet for $200 for 3 phones through Spr*** (incase I can't include company names)
Our move now will hopefully be next monday or tuesday (which would b AWESOME)
I slept GREAT last night 11:30-5 when hubbies alarm went off. lol.... MIL got up with my 2nd son so I got to sleep til 9:30 after being up at 6 to put TJ on the bus (hes 3y 4m...)
You said it took 5 yrs of back and forth for all this bull witht he referrals. It took me 3 yrs including the pregnancy... I'm happy at this point with the results of my injections but think I may needs something mild like vicoden occasionally for my back pain but the DR told me that he wants to see me in 2 weeks to evaluate the results. Maybe by then it'll be better.... I hope so!
I'm SUPER excited about the move and about finding out if I'm preggo or not. If you want we can keep up private messaging and stay in contact....
It's nice!
Unlimited everything including internet for $200 for 3 phones through Spr*** (incase I can't include company names)
Our move now will hopefully be next monday or tuesday (which would b AWESOME)
I slept GREAT last night 11:30-5 when hubbies alarm went off. lol.... MIL got up with my 2nd son so I got to sleep til 9:30 after being up at 6 to put TJ on the bus (hes 3y 4m...)
You said it took 5 yrs of back and forth for all this bull witht he referrals. It took me 3 yrs including the pregnancy... I'm happy at this point with the results of my injections but think I may needs something mild like vicoden occasionally for my back pain but the DR told me that he wants to see me in 2 weeks to evaluate the results. Maybe by then it'll be better.... I hope so!
I'm SUPER excited about the move and about finding out if I'm preggo or not. If you want we can keep up private messaging and stay in contact....
Hi Cindie,
I had no idea that they had 3D TVs out there for sale. I think I only attended one 3D movie in the past and the glasses didn't do anything spectacular and for an extra $500 I wouldn't buy one either. I bet that they will eventually have the option of switching to 3D within an HDTV. Now that would be nice as I could turn it off when I like or all the time actually unless my son was watching as I know he would want 3D on all the time. I am a little behind the times on a lot of things. My cell phone is just a regular old phone that rings LOL. It has texting and browsing but that is it, it isn't a smart phone. I have now just been thinking about getting one as they have reasonably priced unlimited data plans versus when they first came out my friends were screaming at the bill from being on facebook on their phones all day! Now there is a lot more functionality than just facebook so I think this Christmas may be the time to finally cave in and get one. :)
As for the results from your procedure!!! Astounding! It is so fabulous to hear that you are having such great results from your injection. It does sound like your injections were quite a bit more precise than the ones that I have been getting. I just get one injection. But this month is the last month with my current insurance and I am switching at the beginning of the next year. I am hoping that the increased cost will equal better care. I had to have 2 referrals from my PCP to neurosurgery and from neurosurgery to anesthesia. I asked about other options and they told me I needed another referral!!! It took five years of back and forth to get the one I have and I just said screw it! LOL
So with fluoroscopy, they must actually insert a camera like device into the epidural space??? That's amazing. I just had a simple x-ray which they used to verify it was in the proper place and then they would tweak it if is wasn't before injecting the medicine.
It sounds like the pain you experienced during the injection was well worth it! I am so very happy for you!
Like you, my pain levels went up when I was pregnant significantly. I went out on disability 6 months before term cause I had great trouble walking from the sciatica. I hope as well that this injection will reduce the pain you experience during your next pregnancy or current pregnancy. :)
So it sounds like you are going to be able to be an active part in the move to your new home tomorrow.
I think that maybe just maybe there may be some additional benefits to come from this injection as it is still at work reducing the inflammation, such that you may be able to sleep a little better in the next few days.
Thanks so much for taking the time out to post all of this great news!
Wishing you many more days of pain relief! :) Take care.
femmy
I had no idea that they had 3D TVs out there for sale. I think I only attended one 3D movie in the past and the glasses didn't do anything spectacular and for an extra $500 I wouldn't buy one either. I bet that they will eventually have the option of switching to 3D within an HDTV. Now that would be nice as I could turn it off when I like or all the time actually unless my son was watching as I know he would want 3D on all the time. I am a little behind the times on a lot of things. My cell phone is just a regular old phone that rings LOL. It has texting and browsing but that is it, it isn't a smart phone. I have now just been thinking about getting one as they have reasonably priced unlimited data plans versus when they first came out my friends were screaming at the bill from being on facebook on their phones all day! Now there is a lot more functionality than just facebook so I think this Christmas may be the time to finally cave in and get one. :)
As for the results from your procedure!!! Astounding! It is so fabulous to hear that you are having such great results from your injection. It does sound like your injections were quite a bit more precise than the ones that I have been getting. I just get one injection. But this month is the last month with my current insurance and I am switching at the beginning of the next year. I am hoping that the increased cost will equal better care. I had to have 2 referrals from my PCP to neurosurgery and from neurosurgery to anesthesia. I asked about other options and they told me I needed another referral!!! It took five years of back and forth to get the one I have and I just said screw it! LOL
So with fluoroscopy, they must actually insert a camera like device into the epidural space??? That's amazing. I just had a simple x-ray which they used to verify it was in the proper place and then they would tweak it if is wasn't before injecting the medicine.
It sounds like the pain you experienced during the injection was well worth it! I am so very happy for you!
Like you, my pain levels went up when I was pregnant significantly. I went out on disability 6 months before term cause I had great trouble walking from the sciatica. I hope as well that this injection will reduce the pain you experience during your next pregnancy or current pregnancy. :)
So it sounds like you are going to be able to be an active part in the move to your new home tomorrow.
I think that maybe just maybe there may be some additional benefits to come from this injection as it is still at work reducing the inflammation, such that you may be able to sleep a little better in the next few days.
Thanks so much for taking the time out to post all of this great news!
Wishing you many more days of pain relief! :) Take care.
femmy
Right now, on day 4 post procedure my back is feeling better, ALOT better. I'd say my regular pain when not taking pain meds would normally be about and 7-8 on a scale of 1-10 but now it's about a 3 and I've even had moments of NO pain usually when just sitting or laying down.
When he did the injections I didn't just have one, I had 3 I think. L3-5 and I think the pain was from when he "tickled" the nerves while trying to place the needle properly. It reminded me of when I had my spinal for my 2nd son's Csection birth.
I'm actually able to lay down and sleep some which was nearly impossible before. It is crazy how much of a difference the injections made. Going into the procedure I tried to be as positive as possible because I had good results with my knee.
My sister and I stayed up REALLY late last night so I went to bed late (6am late!) and ended up sleeping badly, tossing and turning. My back was bothering me when I got up but it wasn't horribly bad like it normally would be.
The nerve pain I had before wasn't specifically Sciatica pain, it didn't travel down my legs or butt. I was suprised to get that diagnoses of DDD and Spinal Stenosis as well but before seeing this specialist, the doctors had just gone off of kindof old Xrays and hadn't actually been spine specialists and I know that he got a better view DURING the procedure since they used fleuroscopy so I think that's why I finally got a diagnoses. The narrowing of the spinal canal must be kindof mild or something and maybe that's why it wasn't noticed on the Xrays before.
As for pregnancy, when I was pregnant with my 2nd son Mason (after the injury) my pain was intensified to the point that all I could do was cry sometimes. Hopefully we will conceive right away (or maybe already have, lol) and my pain will be lessened at least the first few months. Unlike your friend, I deal with mild scoliosis but I can't remember which way my spine curves.
The HD TV is something hubby REALLY wanted and for a while he was saying he wanted a 3D TV But I don't really notice a big difference when trying the glasses and stuff on in the store so to me it's not worth paying an extra $500...
When he did the injections I didn't just have one, I had 3 I think. L3-5 and I think the pain was from when he "tickled" the nerves while trying to place the needle properly. It reminded me of when I had my spinal for my 2nd son's Csection birth.
I'm actually able to lay down and sleep some which was nearly impossible before. It is crazy how much of a difference the injections made. Going into the procedure I tried to be as positive as possible because I had good results with my knee.
My sister and I stayed up REALLY late last night so I went to bed late (6am late!) and ended up sleeping badly, tossing and turning. My back was bothering me when I got up but it wasn't horribly bad like it normally would be.
The nerve pain I had before wasn't specifically Sciatica pain, it didn't travel down my legs or butt. I was suprised to get that diagnoses of DDD and Spinal Stenosis as well but before seeing this specialist, the doctors had just gone off of kindof old Xrays and hadn't actually been spine specialists and I know that he got a better view DURING the procedure since they used fleuroscopy so I think that's why I finally got a diagnoses. The narrowing of the spinal canal must be kindof mild or something and maybe that's why it wasn't noticed on the Xrays before.
As for pregnancy, when I was pregnant with my 2nd son Mason (after the injury) my pain was intensified to the point that all I could do was cry sometimes. Hopefully we will conceive right away (or maybe already have, lol) and my pain will be lessened at least the first few months. Unlike your friend, I deal with mild scoliosis but I can't remember which way my spine curves.
The HD TV is something hubby REALLY wanted and for a while he was saying he wanted a 3D TV But I don't really notice a big difference when trying the glasses and stuff on in the store so to me it's not worth paying an extra $500...
Hi Cindie,
I am glad that you are at home resting and that your epidural injection went okay without any complications!
I am sorry to hear that the injection was very painful for you. I know my first injection was somewhat shocking to the system as I was apprehensive about experiencing something I have never felt before. Perhaps I have become accustomed to the pain during the injection and hopefully you will too if they help and you want to do repeated injections. I am glad to hear that your low back pain reduced significantly after the injection. How is your back feeling now?
Wow! I know in your earlier posts you were saying that the doctors said that there was nothing structurally wrong with your spine so hearing that they discovered spinal stenosis and DDD were shocking to read! I also have degenerative disc disease (DDD). On my MRI scan all the discs from my neck to upper low back show very light grey colored discs. The last two discs in my low back are blackened. The PA in neurosurgery said that the discs darken when they lose fluid and that it is part of the degenerative disc disease cycle. Once they lose fluid, they don't absorb shock as well when they are compressed when the spine moves. This can cause pain but most do not experience pain from this. We are in the minority. Both of those blackened discs have different degrees of herniation. I do not have spinal stenosis but I have a friend that does.
Spinal stenosis is a fancy term for narrowing of the spinal canal. Folks with spinal stenosis and DDD tend to experience more pain than those with just DDD because the disc herniations don't have far to travel before they push on nerve endings because the canal is narrowed. My friend ended having to have a microdiscetomy (sp?). The incision was extremely small ( a few centimeters) and they simply go in and remove the part of the disc that is bulging. She told me that the injections didn't work for her. But recently, she has been having another sciatica flare up and is taking oral steroids versus having them injected. Her surgery was about 3 years ago.
I am glad they were able to determine a diagnosis and the reason why you are experiencing the sciatica. I also have a disc that is pushing on a nerve and the other has ruptured and the inner contents are spilling out and indenting my spinal cord. I know surgery may be in the cards for me someday but like you, I am trying to manage with medications and other modalities.
That is so great to hear that you are still continuing your baby plans! The friend I just talked about is trying to conceive too. In fact, she was telling me that the extra baby weight when she was carrying her first actually reduced her pain because the weight caused her spine to curve more naturally as she has a very straight spine. I hope that you may find similar relief through pregnancy as well.
I never do the Black Friday thing but I think it is fabulous you were able to get a great deal on a HD TV. We really need to make that leap. Every time I see one, the picture clarity is unbelivable. I imagine being able to watch my favorite movies on one of them. Enjoy!
I am anxious to hear how things are going now, almost 4 days after the injection. The inflammation should have started to go down by now.
femmy
I am glad that you are at home resting and that your epidural injection went okay without any complications!
I am sorry to hear that the injection was very painful for you. I know my first injection was somewhat shocking to the system as I was apprehensive about experiencing something I have never felt before. Perhaps I have become accustomed to the pain during the injection and hopefully you will too if they help and you want to do repeated injections. I am glad to hear that your low back pain reduced significantly after the injection. How is your back feeling now?
Wow! I know in your earlier posts you were saying that the doctors said that there was nothing structurally wrong with your spine so hearing that they discovered spinal stenosis and DDD were shocking to read! I also have degenerative disc disease (DDD). On my MRI scan all the discs from my neck to upper low back show very light grey colored discs. The last two discs in my low back are blackened. The PA in neurosurgery said that the discs darken when they lose fluid and that it is part of the degenerative disc disease cycle. Once they lose fluid, they don't absorb shock as well when they are compressed when the spine moves. This can cause pain but most do not experience pain from this. We are in the minority. Both of those blackened discs have different degrees of herniation. I do not have spinal stenosis but I have a friend that does.
Spinal stenosis is a fancy term for narrowing of the spinal canal. Folks with spinal stenosis and DDD tend to experience more pain than those with just DDD because the disc herniations don't have far to travel before they push on nerve endings because the canal is narrowed. My friend ended having to have a microdiscetomy (sp?). The incision was extremely small ( a few centimeters) and they simply go in and remove the part of the disc that is bulging. She told me that the injections didn't work for her. But recently, she has been having another sciatica flare up and is taking oral steroids versus having them injected. Her surgery was about 3 years ago.
I am glad they were able to determine a diagnosis and the reason why you are experiencing the sciatica. I also have a disc that is pushing on a nerve and the other has ruptured and the inner contents are spilling out and indenting my spinal cord. I know surgery may be in the cards for me someday but like you, I am trying to manage with medications and other modalities.
That is so great to hear that you are still continuing your baby plans! The friend I just talked about is trying to conceive too. In fact, she was telling me that the extra baby weight when she was carrying her first actually reduced her pain because the weight caused her spine to curve more naturally as she has a very straight spine. I hope that you may find similar relief through pregnancy as well.
I never do the Black Friday thing but I think it is fabulous you were able to get a great deal on a HD TV. We really need to make that leap. Every time I see one, the picture clarity is unbelivable. I imagine being able to watch my favorite movies on one of them. Enjoy!
I am anxious to hear how things are going now, almost 4 days after the injection. The inflammation should have started to go down by now.
femmy
I had the spinal epidurals and the doctor said I have spinal stenosis that's impenging on a nerve and said something about me haveing Degenerative Disk Disease.
The Versed didn't do anyhting for me and the shots hurt like hell but as I am sitting here typing this, my back does NOT hurt! I'm happy for now but know the numbing med will wear off by sometime tomorrow so hopefully this works for a while. I can't say how awesome it is to have NO pain...
Lets see how things go.
OHBOYDUKE~ I'm sorry your dealing with such pain! Hopefully you can find a treatment that works.
Cindie
The Versed didn't do anyhting for me and the shots hurt like hell but as I am sitting here typing this, my back does NOT hurt! I'm happy for now but know the numbing med will wear off by sometime tomorrow so hopefully this works for a while. I can't say how awesome it is to have NO pain...
Lets see how things go.
OHBOYDUKE~ I'm sorry your dealing with such pain! Hopefully you can find a treatment that works.
Cindie
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
I am so sorry to hear about your injury to your back. It looks like you are getting good care from your physician.
It sounds like they are planning to do trigger point injections. I have never had those, I have only had lumbar epidural steroid injections (5 of them so far). I have lumbar degenerative disc disease with lumbar radiculopathy. 1 bulging disc impinging on the S1 nerve root and 1 ruptured disc moderately indenting the thecal sac. I also deal with myofacial pain syndrome (fancy term for muscular pain). For me, the injections help a lot but for only a short time (4 to 6 weeks) and they are repeated every 3 months.
But not everyone gets relief from either trigger point or epidural injections. The way the body responds to the injections is different for everyone such that some get substantial pain relief and others get no pain relief at all.
I really hope the injections help for your pain. If your MRI came up with nothing, it is likely that your spine is okay. You may be left with chronic pain as a disease from your injury such that the pain signals keeps firing up to the brain even after the injury has healed. A lot of times when this happens, it is due to nerve damage. I don't know if you have tried neurontin or lyrica but these anti-convulsant medications used off-label for nerve pain have been very helpful for many of us here. I myself take neurontin. Something additional to consider in the management of your pain.
You could also try self-accupressure through use of a theracane. I have found this therapy to be very effective at reducing my pain levels. And in fact I need to jump on that therapy right now but this pain is getting riddiculous! But the theracane is used to apply deep pressure to the trigger points located in your back, buttocks, legs, shoulders, neck, feet and arms. These trigger points send radiating pain from the source and deep pressure applied to these trigger points with a deep rotating massage through use of the theracane has been very helpful with getting the trigger points to "turn off" temporarily.
I hope your injection(s) go well and feel free to keep us updated on how you are doing.
femmy