Scared of pain during L4 & L5 nerve block: Please advise

@vicinsoflo I just read what your husband is going through and am so sorry for the health difficulties he is facing. At 79, I was recommended to have back surgery. The conditions I have are L4 & 5 need fusing. However, I was not sure what they were going to do about spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and several bulges along the spine. However, because of other medical issues, I've opted not to have the surgery. However, there is an excellent spine surgeon in Greensboro NC who does very complicated surgeries. His name is Dr. Max Cohen. He works with Novant and has a stellar reputation. You might want to think about surgery. Whatever happens, I wish your husband the best!

It absolutely can be debilitating!!
The pain I had before surgery, I knew I could not live with. I'm uncomfortable now but, it doesn't compare.
I don't know where you are or who you're seeing & I'm not a doctor but, you have to get a second opinion. Cause unless there's something I don't know, this is not going to get better for him. Mine was 5 disc and some scholioses. I just could not live like that!!!

@vicinsoflo i went through months on pt and injections and they until they don't. You might want to find a new doctor

I've had several nerve blocks, epidurals and finally RFA @ the same levels and more. All after a failed back surgery. Regardless, perhaps you can ask for a mild sedation for the procedure. Afterwards, I was sore but ice helped with that. It's not as bad as the pain you're in now. Good luck!

@curlylocks7 Thank you. We live in South Florida. My husband waited too long to get help. He hasn't been on a plane in 10 years due to the walking, standing and sitting. He also hasn't been in a car drive over 15 minutes for 2 years now. I do acknowledge that he needs to see another doctor, but he has seen 3 surgeons already.

@vicinsoflo, as a nurse of over 30 + years and patient of the same suffering, I am so sorry to hear that your husband is being treated like this by his surgeon. Waiting to lose bowel or bladder function is a serious serious problem. That is actually an emergent issue and I’m horrified that his surgeon left that as a last resort. If this is a Neurosurgeon, I hope you have sought out a second opinion and if it is not a Neurosurgeon, you definitely need to find one. I wish you the best of luck and I truly understand how difficult it is from a professional and personal opinion.

Marnie, I was also in your shoes. I am a nurse and have worked in Pain Management. I avoided the injections for over 25 years because of my professional experience. I reached a point of such terrible pain that I finally went to see the Pain Management Doctor that is an anesthesiologist referred by my Neurosurgeon. I have a wonderful PCP that understood how terrified I was and he did prescribe Xanax to calm my nerves before the procedure. I was terrified of that epidural steroid injection. The Pain Management doctor was excellent and to be honest, I did not feel any pain during the procedure and it was L4-L5.
I had my first injection 06/2025. It took about three weeks to feel the benefit and it lasted until April 2026. I held off as long as I could due to the expense not because of the procedure. My pain has worsened so much again. I went back about a month ago, practically begging to get on the schedule for another injection. Unfortunately, the first available appointment isn’t until July 31. I wish I would not have waited so long to go back in to request a second. Given my professional and personal experience I am no longer afraid and I will tell you it’s because of the excellent ability of the Pain Management physician performing the procedure. I had seen too many physicians that should not have been practicing in Pain Management and that is what terrified me all these years.
My advice is to do your homework, have someone help you research, find a highly rated Pain Management physician and ask for something to calm your nerves. I know it’s scary and I hope sharing my experience helps you make a decision. Best wishes to you and some pain relief!!!

@vicinsoflo I am so sorry to hear of the pain and limitations your husband is experiencing. Considering your husband is unable to sit in a car for longer than 15 min., could you let me know the city you're in and the diagnosis. I am seeing my neurologist on Tuesday and can ask him whether he knows of a neurosurgeon in your area specializing in your husband's condition.