Epidural steroid injection (ESI) for pain

Posted by labgirl @labgirl, Jan 28, 2024

My pain management physician recommended that I have an epidural in an attempt to relieve chronic pain due to arachnoiditis.
Although I was frightened to go ahead with a procedure involving my back again, I agreed.
The epidural was administered by an anesthesiologist two weeks ago.
I have to be honest and say that the pain associated with the injection was excruciating. The actual injection process probably lasted only two to three minutes, but the pressure and pain left me in tears and visibly shaking all over.
Following a brief recovery, I drove myself home. I looked forward to seeing some measure of relief from my back pain in the next day or so.
Unfortunately, I've had no relief whatsoever.

My point in posting this is not to frighten anyone or discourage them from pursuing an epidural. Apparently the epidural does work for some and is well worth the added pain of the procedure itself.
I just want to share my experience and perhaps help to better prepare those who are planning to have an epidural in the future.
( an added note: my husband has always told me that I have a low threshhold for pain, so maybe I'm just more sensitive than most)
My advice would be to just ask your doctor for the straight scoop about the pain of the injection in advance of the procedure. Knowing what to expect can help you to better prepare mentally.

~Positive thoughts, empathy, and good wishes to all of you dealing with chronic and severe back pain~
Janet

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

blowerk1216 | @blowerk1216 | Mar 23 12:54pm

In reply to @lisalucier "@blowerk1216 - glad to see you got some input from @bajjerfan. I wanted to let you..." + (show)

@lisalucier thank you

tillymack | @tillymack | Mar 23 3:01pm

In reply to @blowerk1216 "Has any had a steroid epidural injection, if so did it reduce pain?" + (show)

@blowerk1216
Yes, 2 out of a possible 3. Wonderful pain relief. My injections were for a herniated disc in lower spine. I was 20 years younger then. Maybe that makes a difference?

bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Mar 23 4:35pm

In reply to @tillymack "@blowerk1216 Yes, 2 out of a possible 3. Wonderful pain relief. My injections were for a..." + (show)

@tillymack

A friend who I mentioned in another post about the SCS device and loves it had injections from some pain docs that didn't work. He was referred to another pain doc who IIRC corretly diagnosed his problem and did an injection that gave him way more relief so that's why I say the person doing the injection has to know exactly where to to put the juice. I am hoping to get an appt from the same guy. The Bos Sci rep who works with him says that he's the best of the best.

marcd2k | @marcd2k | Mar 24 9:43am

In reply to @blowerk1216 "Has any had a steroid epidural injection, if so did it reduce pain?" + (show)

@blowerk1216 Good morning, I have had 3 injections in my spine over the past 2 1/2 years. The first two were at the T12-L1 area, and there was no difference in my pain, not better, but not worse. I just had the 3rd injection on February 10th, so about 6 weeks ago now. There are two differences; it hurt a lot during the injection, which the other two did not; 48 hours after the injection, I was in more pain than before the injection. And now, 6 weeks later, I am still in more pain.

I also know someone that had two epidurals for his spine, the second one because the first gave him relief. After the second one, he was almost back to his normal self. It's very difficult to compare when dealing with these things, everyone will have their own experience. But I wanted to write to let you know the injections can work if you want to take the chance.

ks2303 | @ks2303 | Mar 24 11:14am

I recently had injections (January, 2026) and I'm much better. I suggest you accept the sedation, as I have pinched nerves on both sides of my spine, so I had to have 2 injections. The injection sites were really soar for a couple of days.

blowerk1216 | @blowerk1216 | Mar 24 11:24am

In reply to @marcd2k "@blowerk1216 Good morning, I have had 3 injections in my spine over the past 2 1/2..." + (show)

@marcd2k today I’m going for an MRI on my cervical area. My neurologist and pain management specialist will then determine if there’s any issue, and if there is, depending on what it is I may get an injection or potentially I could get surgery. Thanks for your input everyone.

blowerk1216 | @blowerk1216 | Mar 24 12:34pm

In reply to @blowerk1216 "@marcd2k today I’m going for an MRI on my cervical area. My neurologist and pain management..." + (show)

@blowerk1216 thank you

vijay26 | @vijay26 | Mar 25 7:33am

I had a spinal injection last week, it has not helped alleviate my pain in my leg.It is severe pain now than before 🙁
What is next?

Some body, please guide me here.
Thanks.
VJ

jpeach | @jpeach | Mar 25 7:35am

I had the Steroid Epidural two weeks ago to address my " Moderate to Severe Spinal Stenosis" and it hasn't really worked.
I had been having dry needling for 5 months, so the procedure was tolerable for me.
My pain on my right side buttox and down leg is still there, though it was maybe 20% better for the first few days only. It did nothing for the tingling every time I go from sitting to standing.
I have an appt with a Neurologist at the Pain Mgmt Center to see if I can get the MILD procedure, since my severe areas are L4/L/5. If anyone has had this please post your results.
Thank you