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Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success?
I have just began a series of facet joint injections for chronic lower back pain, due to arthritis and degenerative spine disease. The injections start off small then they add more medication as we continue. I had the first injection 3 days ago. I was told it could take upto 5 days to start feeling the benefits of the injection. The injections (total 6 in L2-L6) hurt like heck, and I have not felt any change in my chronic pain as of yet which is quite depressing. I was so hopeful. I am told the first injection is with just a small amount of anti-inflammatory med, so it may or may not be sufficient. Has anyone else had these? If so what was your experience with the entire process? I'm just wondering if I should proceed.
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DONT. I've had close to 20 injections over the years. For me.....nothing and it will lead to something more serious. I know we get desparate when we're in pain. I'm just telling you my experience, never helped.
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1 ReactionI have had these injections they have lasted me for at least 6-7 months then I,'ll repeat but have had no side effects from them I'm due now but this last one was a year ago
I too get these type of injections to my cervical facet joints and they give me relief for 8-9 months and then I will get another series. I have had no problems or issues with painful injections. I am always under sedation when I get my injections and I would not let a doctor give them to me without. I would say to anyone that they are worth a try. I am sorry that they have not seemed to work for you. If a doctor tells you that you need to have a few for them to work I would go to another doctor as I was told by my doctor (pain specialist) that it could take a couple of days for the medication to kick in and if the injections did not help then we would have to try something else. I have not had the injections take more than a day or two to start giving me relief.
It was explained to me that the way they diagnose your back problem is if the facet injections relieve the pain then that’s where your problem is. If you still have the pain after the injections you need to look further into your back problem.
I am 68 years old and am experiencing the same exact symptoms . The facet joint injections lasted on the average about 2.5 months of pain relief which for me anyway was a great help ! I am now receiving a lumbar epidural injection which covers a more wide range of pain areas in my back as I have multiple pain points so the lumbar injection encompasses a more broad area and not just a specific area such as the facet joints in your spine ! For me these injections have been very helpful ! The reality is that it is a quality of life issue and any pain relief that is helpful, other than oral pain meds which I wont take anyway , is a welcome alternative !!1
I feel your dissatisfaction with the injections. I've had so many injections, ESI, trigger point, facet injections. I ended up with Adrenal Insufficiency from all the injections. ( Addison's disease) Now that they've stopped my normal adrenal gland function I have to take steroids orally Hydrocortisone 15 mg daily in divided doses to stay alive. If I knew then what I know and go through now I would have never allowed them to put that stuff into my body, no matter how severe my pain was. I was so desperate for pain relief I did what I was told and didnt research it or question the outcome down the road. My bad....never again.
I do pray you find the pain relief you need.
My heart goes out to you.
That's a very inspirational story he showed you Mercy.
Hi shellsk24 I just had my first injections this past Thursday. Your right it hurt like hell. I have felt no relief my pain seems worse. Doctor says give it time..
I had 4 injections in my lower back 2 on right side 2 on left .....all this because i fractured my l1 vetebrae. On april 14th 2017 ...from result of that fall i also have torn disc.....when i recieved the 3rd in injection on left side i felt pain from site all the way down my foot .....ive tried to tell him he hit a nerve because pain got worse.he told me i must have had a bad reaction to steriod ....this made matters worse .....this was in march 2018 .....am i still having a bad reaction to the steroids .....T.U. PLEASE I NEED ANY ADVICE OR SOMETHING I CAN DO TO RELIEVE THIS CHRONIC PAIN
Hello @isabelr, welcome to Connect. You may noticed I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled Facet Joint Injections - Anyone had success? I did this so you could read through some of the previous posts by members regarding facet joint injections as well as be introduced to the many members discussing these injections. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY at the bottom of your notification so that you will be brought to the new location of your discussion and so that you can meet the many members who have shared their experiences.