Epidural Steroid shots for the back..anyone??

[Joe S.]

I thought all women were taught this by their gynecologist.
This site has a good example of it: http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaandbackpain/ss/pelvictilts.htm

[mews]

Well I can't thank you all enough for all the responses. I also sleep with a pillow under my knees or between my legs if I lay on my side. It really takes the pressure off your back. I have to say I don't see the benefit of having these shots over and over again. Don't they in them self's cause problems. I mean he want's to give me these shots just to see which might be causing the neuropathy the cysts or the discs. He says they would be like 2 hour shots.
Meanwhile I don't even think this is totally what is going on with me. Neither do the other docs I have been seeing!
Stay Well Confused and Determined Mary

[gold55]

Mews,  my appt. is to find out if a lot of my neuropathy is coming from my back issues or the SJS!  Personally, I think it is my back and I'm sure this Dr. is going to recommend shots first and I've had this pain for so long I think I may try them.....after I master Joe's pelvic tilts

[Reanne]

mews,

I was also skeptical about shots in my cervical spine.  The doctor I go to uses the fluoroscope x ray so he can see exactly where he is putting the shot.  Although my pain was not back or neck, but entire arm and hand, I can say I have had 90% relief.  I am supposed to have it done in 3 series.  So far I have had 2.  It's been awhile since the last injection, but I am still not having as my symptoms.  The doctor gives me Versed before the procedure, so it's not really painful (or it is and I just don't remember it).  Best wishes to you. 

reanne

[sissyjane]

I had a cervical epidural two months ago, and as far as I am concerned it was a miracle. BUT, it doesn't last forever. In fact mine sort of disappeared totally as of yesterday, and now I'm in major pain with muscle spasms. Right where I left off in January...

[Doxie]

Mews, I'm not sure of all the tissue and disk side affects of the epidurals, but they provide me great pain relief that lasts for months, For me, at least at this time, it beats surgery.  I hear so many mixed reviews about back surgery, that it scares me.  Of course, some people have no alternative.

Gold, when is your appointment with the neurosurgeon? You'll let us know what he says?

Last week Dr. Oz was showing everyone how to do pelvic tilts on his show, and actually demonstrated them!

[gold55]

Hi Doxie,
My appt is on the 26th....I've got to really take some notes!  I will let you know what he says....overall my MRI showed much of the same from 2006 but with a couple new things.  Don't know how bad they are but I was happy that most of all the problems were stable and I think one of the disks wasn't protruding as much....there was more protrusion on another disk and they weren't sure if it was a hematoma??  So, we'll see....for now I do my back exercises and sleep correctly to get by.  Thanks for your thoughts!

[mews]

I have to say none of this sounds good..call me weak what ever, but I can't see getting these shots over and over again! I also can't see getting the surgery either. I will just go on the way I am right now being a cripple..LOL.

I have to take a step back right now and make sure that what is wrong with me over all is not from the autonomic nervous system. I am seeing so many Dr's right now it's crazy, the testing I'm having done on my lungs alone is insane. Hopefully I will know where to turn soon, but I have been saying that for what seems like months!

Thank You for all the great posts! You all are the best!

Stay Well all Mary

[irish]

mews, The doctors don't do these injections over and over again. I think that most surgeons like to see how much relief a patient gets from these injections. My husband ,and most of the people that we talked to, had the injections 3 different times.

I am totally sold on this and would do it myself if need be. The reason I think it is a good idea is that it does usually give people a certain degree of relief---which it totally wonderful!!! The other thing it gives is time. Stop and think of all the new medical discoveries and proceduries that can be developed in the cours of 1-2 years.

When a person gets the injections they are actually buying themself time that might bring a new procedure that will make their surgery safer and better. Nothing in medicine is written in stone. Most everything has a good and bad side and, yes, sometimes there can be bad side effects from a treatment, but it gets to the point that quality of life becomes the primary motivator.

Good luck in whatever you chose to do. Irish

[mews]

Thank you Irish and everyone else with all there input! You all have been wonderful as usual. I can see this is a problem with a lot of people, back issues are a big problem!

Stay well all Mary

[wendyoh]

hi-I was doing a search on here for info from folks who have had cervical spine epidurals for pain. I would be curious if there are any updates from folks who have had them since this thread was last posted. I have stenosis, bulging discs, ddd, djd, some hypermobility, osteopenia and SJS neurogenic pain....my neck doesn't hurt bad all the time but when it does it really does. I have also lost mobility with age and do PT less because it can irritate the stenosis etc if not cautious, I try to walk somewhat regularly, used to do it daily until recently but it is getting harder to go as long with age or something.

I am interested in hearing from anyone who has had cervical epidural for neck pain and how that worked for you. I have not had spine surgery altho the idea of laminectomy and fusion (like 4 levels) has been considered by some.

[warmwaters]

Here's my 2 cents - results may vary!

I and 2 people I'm close to have had them.

I had it once, and followed up with physical therapy.  No improvement. My Neuro felt that it was more likely that I have nerve inflammation than impingement, so we didn't try again.

My dad - has nerve impingement and arthritis in the spine. Has had it once, followed by PT.  He really hurt for several days after, but is experiencing improvement now. He's in his 80s.

Good friend - has a variety of lower spine issues. Has had it twice. First time did little for her.  2nd time, miraculously better, and has lasted about 9 months so far. No PT, just encourage to walk.

[Carolina]

I had one in August.  First there was an attempt to aspirate or burst a cyst that was causing the problem.  Then the epidural was injected.

I had exactly 12 days of pain relief, and then the pain returned to the level it was before the injection.

I had surgery two months later, which corrected the problem by removing a synovial cyst between L3 and L4 and freeing the nerve at L4.  There was no 'hardware' involved in the surgery and I was lucky to have the problem solved.

The epidural wasn't effective enough to do again, clearly.

Hugs,  Elaine

[irish]

If it was me I would be sure to go to one of the big clinic type outfits that do all these injections and have all the fancy equipment and adhere to strict protocol. This includes the fluoroscope.. The one in the twin cities that has a lot of centers is called CDI and they have a huge amount of health issues that they scope and treat. Irish

[wendyoh]

thanks you guys....it is hard to research these relatively high stake health things whereas I can look at consumer reports for material purchases......
Irish it would be at a place with fancy equipment, a university hospital, but I will try to vet it more.....I noticed the doctors didn't like me asking questions when we were almost going to do it earlier in the year.....the hurry everyone is in makes me a bit nervous