When is too long for pain management?

[Brokemom]

I have been doing pain management for two years now for my back.  I have a herniated disk in in L4-L5 and  spinalstenosis (spelling?) in my lower back.  A car accident I was in three years ago started all this problem, until then I had never had any back pain. I have had 2 neurosurgens tell me that surgery probably won't help me because of the nerve damage.
I have injections in my back every 3 to 4 months plus I take 1000 mg of Nurotin 3x a day, 10 mg of Flexerell 3x a day, 200 mg of Sulindac 2x a day, and Lortab 10 every 4-6 hrs as needed.

What I want to know is how long can I keep getting the injections?  I asked my pm doc and was told that as long as the same nerve isn't injected all the time then I should continue with this as long as I need to.

[sandee1818]

I have posted info on this before , the injections can cause bone loss, also nerve damage can occur from direct trauma from the needle, or from infection or bleeding.

Lumbar epidural steroid injection side effectsLocalized increase in pain

Non-positional headaches resolving within 24 hours

Facial flushing

Anxiety
Long-term side effects of these injections depend on the dose and frequency of the injections. With higher doses and frequent administration, potential side effects include thinning of the skin, easy bruising, weight gain, puffiness of the face, elevation of blood pressure, cataract formation, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), and a rare but serious damage to the bones of the large joints (avascular necrosis).

Sleeplessness

Fever the night of injection

High blood sugar

A transient decrease in immunity because of the suppressive effect of the steroid

Stomach ulcers

Severe arthritis  (avascular necrosis)

Cataracts

[Toomanyadvil]

Hi Brokemom,

     I think treatments are different for each person.
What kind of injections are you getting?

I would advice you to research the type of injection your getting and know as much as you can about it. I know you asked your PM but make sure you let them know all of your concerns so they can easy your worry about each one or you can decide on another treatment route.
If you feel uncomfortable despite your what your DR says than maybe you'll want to take a break or try something that is going to make you feel less nervous.  

The National Pain Foundation has a great site filled with lots of info. They have a space about back pain and injections if you click on 'My Treatment' once you get there. They might have info about how long its generally safe for someone to have the type of injections your getting.

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/default.asp

TMA