Spinal Stenosis & Degenerative Discs: Long-term use of epidurals

Virtuous, I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time managing your chronic pain. You did not mention what medicines you are taking. Finding the right medicines is crucial to getting your pain under control. Keep working with a pain specialist to find the right medicine combination. Because I had a spinal fusion of my lower spine L1-L5, I am limited to what I can do for exercise. I joined the local Y and I do some form of water exercise 5 days a week. The water aerobics really helps my depression and helps me move more comfortably. Plus I have made a really great friends. My doctor did a cortisone injection in my hip to help with a major case of sciatica. So far the pain has not returned. Stress will exacerbate your pain so consider seeing a therapist to cope with all of the things that are going on in your life. There is a lot of good information at The Mayo Clinic web site. Also, I have cleaned up my diet. I finally gave up Diet Coke, I call it Nectar of the Gods. I avoid almost all white foods: flour, sugar, cow's milk, white rice. I focus on eating high quality protein, whole grain carbohydrates, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. If I stray from this eating plan, I will pay the price the next day. My joints will feel like they are on fire, and will be very stiff. My mental outlook will be clouded as well. Don't be afraid to ask for help in what ever areas you need it. Lastly, Virtuous, I try to focus on things that I can do, things I know will make me feel good about myself. I go out of my way when I am out and about to look for someone struggling to get their groceries to the car, reach something from a high shelf, pick up items knocked over from a display and a myriad little things I can do to help someone in a small way. Focus on what you can do, not on what you can't. Make sure you fill your week with fun things to get you out of the bed and involved with people. As for the irritable bowel, try ginger tea. Prince of Peace makes ginger honey crystals that you mix with hot water ,sweeten to taste. You can drink it hot or cold and it really calms the bowel cramping right on down. Plus, it helps fight inflation. I hope some of this helps you.

riverqueen1305

Hello @virtuous, thank you for sharing so much about your concerns, frustrations, and fears. It is not always easy to share such personal details about what you are experiencing. However, you have found a great place to share your concerns. I would like to thank @riverqueen1305 for sharing her thoughts and insights.

I would like you to meet @vickiekay, @oldkarl, and @edieguinn who also have spinal stenosis and have discussed various ways they have dealt with the pain. Also, I am introducing you to @grammyx4 and @sandytoes14 who have received epidurals for pain management and could share their experiences with that.

As far as your concerns about the long-term effects of epidurals, here is an article from Mayo Clinic about the long-term use of epidural steroid injections http://mayocl.in/2eqMsKV. These concerns are something you may wish you consult your physician about.

As riverqueen pointed out in her post, have you tried water exercises? Is that something you would be interested in trying?

@virtuous I have spinal stenosis, DDD, osteophytes, arthritis and Fibro. I have had many rounds of epidurals. I found them to be helpful. A good pain management doctor will limit the number of injections per year. My doc had a limit of 4. After the first 2 rounds, I didn't need any for another year. There have been no long term side effects. Short term, I felt similar to taking oral prednisone ( the 5 day pack) a bit bloated, tired, and flushed.
It's ok to be frustrated and vent! I don't think any of us can be positive all the time, but it does help. So many folks on other sites wallow in what they can't do. Here in the chronic pain forum, you will find helpful, understand, and kind folks. I'm glad you are here!

Hi @virtuous! I'd like to share some words of hope for your back pain and digestive woes. I had colon cancer at the age of 28 and at that time went through radiation and a colon resection. I'm now 62 yrs old and have not had a relapse of the cancer. Throughout the years I also had lots of digestive problems, lots of times planning my days around where the nearest bathroom was. Nine years ago I had a colon blockage and had emergency surgery to remove my entire large bowel and some of the smaller also. I now live with an ileostomy and deal with dehydration. I have a wonderful team of gastro drs that keep me where I need to be. On top of this, I started having low back pain about 5 yrs ago. I had several rounds of steroid injections which helped me for months at a time. However, the pain always came back so I went to a neuro surgeon who did extensive testing on my spine. I ended up having a disk fusion at the L3/4 level. I have been pain free in that area for almost three years! However, this last July I started having extreme pain in my left buttock and groin area. After a CT scan, I was diagnosed with sacral and pubic fractures. This was caused from osteoporosis. I had a steroid injection in the left sacarilyac joint and am happy to say that I'm again almost completely pain free. The injection was done two weeks ago. I have never had any major adverse reactions to the injections. I hope that if you decide to have the injections, that you get the same results as I did! Good luck on your journey to being as pain free as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I'm so happy for you! There can be success stories.

I am new to this group (today) and I have spinal stenosis, MS, spondylolisthesis, and I am the caregiver for my husband who has major cardiac issues and is currently being treated for bladder cancer. I can relate to much of what Virtuous is going through. Have you tried the epidural injections? I had a series of 3, two weeks apart, in September and October. The first one didn't do much, the second only lasted two weeks and the third lasted about a month. I could see that they might help some people, but I think the degeneration in my lumbar spine is too far gone for long lasting relief. I have done months of physical therapy this year, but finally stopped because it was getting too difficult to move. How have things gone for you since October? I might be having spinal fusion surgery but I'm afraid of a long recovery time. I will be talking to my doctor, of course, but it is so wonderful to be communicating with other patients.

I, too, had the epidural series. It did not not help. But it did give me some hope, just that someone took it seriously.

Hi Vuritous, not sure I spelled it right......sorry to hear about your pain. I do understand about needing a pity paryt every once in a while.
I too have spinal stenosis, and used to have injections every three months. Then I moved to the Tyler,TX. area and found an amazing pain doctor. I now have a spine stimulator and it has been amazing. I also have the stenosis above my waist and am being advised by my neurosurgeon that surgery may need to happen. I DO NOT WANT SURGERY! I have had at least 7 and my body is tired.
I am 73 and will be 74 in July. I have a pace maker that keeps me going. I had open heart surgery 4 years ago, my cardiologist says everything is a-ok! But I have been living with chronic pain for over 30 years. I think I have finally realized that if I want to enjoy the life I have left, I'd better work on my attitude. And I believe attitude is everything when it comes to living and finding the positives in life.
I try to be around positive people, check my own thinking. STAY BUSY no matter how much it hurts. I have taken on the story of the Little Train That Could...ha ha...."I think I can..I think I can" then it is, " I thought I could" talk with myself all the time. I use a roller walker in inside and a cane outside. I use the electric carts whenever available. I do not feel guilty anymore about using them. I am just grateful that there is something that can help me get around. My positive thoughts are coming your way, hope you feel them. And any time you just need to share or unload, I am more than willing to listen. JJ

Hello everyone! I haven't posted since I had my spinal injection in September of 2016. I have been doing well, the injection did the trick for me! However, right after Christmas, I again started to feel the pain from the fractures in my left sacral and left pubic bone. I had hoped that they had healed completely while I was getting relief from the injection. I returned to my pain dr and he administered another injection just yesterday. I'm already feeling some relief from the constant pain. Hopefully this injection will get me through the completion of the healing of the fractures. JJ, I had my spinal fusion done in Tyler, Tx and also worked with pain drs associated with my neurosurgeons office there! It is such a small world! My fusion was a complete success and I really didn't have too much down time. But, I'm like you, I'm a mover and there's not too much that keeps me down. I too used the scooters at stores right after the surgery but am back to pushing a grocery cart! I agree with your ideas of having a good attitude. It is everything, all tho hard to do at times. My inspiration has been to see those who are worse off than me, and to see their go to attitudes. It gives me the desire to push forward and deal with my situation. I hope everyone finds the relief they are seeking, my prayers are with you all!

Grammy 4 so great to hear from you. Do you possibly go to the Texas Spine and Joint group? Or Precision Care group in Tyler?
Thanks for the comments and for sharing about the infusion. You are one of the first to say it was successful. I go on Feb 8th. I have bone spurs that are going into my spinal cord and they are going to see if they can be cut out. I have had two neck surgeries to have bone spurs removed that also caused injury to my spinal cord. Life is so unpredictable isn't it. Just have to learn to roll with whatever comes along and develop a positive attitude of "it is what it is" in a good way.
I try to see how others are coping with the things that are difficult, but like you said sometimes it's very difficult, especially when you are coping with relentless pain. I also have neuropothy in my feet up to my knees and hands. But that is only in the evenings. I, thank God am not diabetic! 🙂 I hope that we can all help each other just by sharing? PEACE & LOVE JJ