My Dr told me my back was so messed up he would never recommend fusion on me. But they are very careful how many epidurals they give me a yr. This is one I have never heard of.
I also had to change pain Dr. After 15 yrs. U of m and Healtheast merged here to make MH Fairview. They asked me to leave the pain clinic as I don't see a MH provider. I go to Allina. I went to the Allina pain clinic yrs. Ago and the head Dr kicked me out of the pain clinic. His nurse thought she heard me say something I did not say. My husband was sitting right next to me and he could prove I didn't say what she thought I said. Then I went to Twin city pain clinic. Was not a good fit. Found Health heart and have been really happy. Until they shoved me out. They say they have lost so many providers they can only see there in network pts. So I am at a loss. Now I am starting over after 15 yrs. Different Dr's different treatment.
@suerc I have seen some other posts of yours referring to an accident that shattered the L4 vertebra, and tail bone pain. I see that you have been at pain clinics and now are asking about epidural injections. Have you sought other opinions about possible neuro-surgical options for your lumbar spine?
I am a spine surgery patient for cervical issues. I had a cervical epidural injection and cervical fusion at C5/C6. The injection was done as a diagnostic to tell the surgeon what symptoms surgery may address in that it reduced inflammation, and thus reduced pain. Getting an injection was not a pleasant experience, and it did hurt me a lot. I don't think that my reaction is typical, and I think that I may have reacted to an ingredient in the injection. I had immediate sharp pain that had me convulsing and struggling not to pass out. I started getting sharp stabbing electric burning pains that happened every few minutes in my hand, thumb and index finger, and more so when I moved. The doctor called that a paresthesia, and it took a couple months for that to resolve and over time the severity of the electric shocks and frequency lessened. Nothing stopped it from happening, but putting ice on my neck helped a bit. I also was prescribed a dose pack course of prednisone, but it didn't help. The injection did relieve the pre-existing pain that was generated by the spine condition temporarily, and that was gone completely for 5 days, and then symptoms started slowly returning again.
Many patients have discussed a painful condition called arachnoiditis and think this risk could be linked to too many epidural injections.
There are some real risks to epidural spine injections and severe consequences if they are misplaced and injected into a nerve or the spinal cord. It requires great skill from the doctor who does them. My injection was done by an anesthesiologist who regularly does them for surgical procedures, etc.
There is also this story about a new kind of spinal cord stimulator called a dorsal root ganglion, or DRG, stimulator for managing pain. https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2018/10/26/putting-pain-in-the-past/
Have you discussed a spinal cord stimulator with your specialists? I have no experience with this, and wanted to pass along the information.
About 1 yr after I broke my L4 I sent all my records to mayo neuro spine or something like that. They looked at them and said there was nothing they could do nothing down there that my Dr's could not do here. They rejected me. I have also had cervical Spinal stenosis in my neck with a cage and fusion. I also have a neuro stimulator in my back for CPRS I have had for 20 yrs. Afraid to have more surgery to tell you the truth because of the CPRS. I live on Cervical and lumbar RF'S And maybe 2 to 3 epidurals a yr. Not all same place. I have felt comfortable at my old pain clinic now with the new one she has recommended a different epidural. I am confused.
@suerc
Hi!
I've had many different types of injections in my cervical spine, over many years.
I've also been through many pain doctors, each of whom used different drugs and placed the needle in different places.
Truthfully, most did not work for me very long IF they worked at all.
Yes, they are uncomfortable with pain and weird feelings as the drugs go through your body.
About 5 years ago, I had two disks replaced by two artificial disks.
The surgery was 100% successful and the recovery painless and fast.
However, about 2 years ago, my symptoms started to return.
Turns out, I was growing bone and the disks were fusing.
This was not suppose to happen and it is a very rare occurrence.
My neurosurgeon said he only had it happen to him once.
I started with a variety of injections every 3-4 months.
Up until about 6 months ago, they were working well.
Now, not so much.
I need to have the disks removed but the insurance company is fighting with us.
They think PT will help.
They don't realize that with the bone growth and fusing, PT will do nothing.
So I wait and fight.
Good luck!!!!
@suerc
Hi!
I've had many different types of injections in my cervical spine, over many years.
I've also been through many pain doctors, each of whom used different drugs and placed the needle in different places.
Truthfully, most did not work for me very long IF they worked at all.
Yes, they are uncomfortable with pain and weird feelings as the drugs go through your body.
About 5 years ago, I had two disks replaced by two artificial disks.
The surgery was 100% successful and the recovery painless and fast.
However, about 2 years ago, my symptoms started to return.
Turns out, I was growing bone and the disks were fusing.
This was not suppose to happen and it is a very rare occurrence.
My neurosurgeon said he only had it happen to him once.
I started with a variety of injections every 3-4 months.
Up until about 6 months ago, they were working well.
Now, not so much.
I need to have the disks removed but the insurance company is fighting with us.
They think PT will help.
They don't realize that with the bone growth and fusing, PT will do nothing.
So I wait and fight.
Good luck!!!!
Thank you for your info. Seems like all I have been doing lately fighting with Dr's my pain clinic dropped me like a rock as soon as they found out I was not one of there innetwork pts. I have been very comfortable going there for about 15 yrs. Now new Pain Dr's and they want to switch up injections. Why break what working ??.. they want to do a caudal epidural. Not sure what that is. Think is lower than l4-l5 because of my pain ?.... I am confused.
Thank you for your info. Seems like all I have been doing lately fighting with Dr's my pain clinic dropped me like a rock as soon as they found out I was not one of there innetwork pts. I have been very comfortable going there for about 15 yrs. Now new Pain Dr's and they want to switch up injections. Why break what working ??.. they want to do a caudal epidural. Not sure what that is. Think is lower than l4-l5 because of my pain ?.... I am confused.
Thank you for your info. Seems like all I have been doing lately fighting with Dr's my pain clinic dropped me like a rock as soon as they found out I was not one of there innetwork pts. I have been very comfortable going there for about 15 yrs. Now new Pain Dr's and they want to switch up injections. Why break what working ??.. they want to do a caudal epidural. Not sure what that is. Think is lower than l4-l5 because of my pain ?.... I am confused.
I understand how frustrating it is to change Dr’s! I went through it a few months ago myself. After 8 years with my pain Dr I had to find another. I went to 5 different Dr’s until I found one I felt was a good fit. If your unsure about the Dr your seeing, don’t hesitate to look around!
I looked up caudal epidural online, it sounds like it’s an epidural injection like any other, but specific to lumbar spine. It’s a cortisone injection, sometimes with another medication added.
I’ve had a few epidural injections in my lumbar spine. Years ago I had a really bad experience with one and it scared me from having any more. The Dr I’m now seeing wanted to try them so I reluctantly agreed. I have had a pain free experience with him doing the injections. I’m so relieved because I was traumatized by that past injection.
If you feel you’ve had adequate results with the treatment you’ve been getting, tell this new Dr you want to continue with the same trmt! You have every right to ask for what you want! And ask them to clarify why they want to do a caudal injection and exactly what it is.
I’m having pain relief from epidural injections, but I’m concerned about overdoing! I’ve heard from many people they help for so long then stop. Right now, I’m thrilled to be getting some relief!
I hope you’ve found a Dr you will stay with! Different Dr’s want to try different things so there’s a learning curve at first. The best way to find out about their practice is to ask questions! Seeing a doctor is different than other services we pay for, but you are paying them and you have every right to ask for what you want! I sure hope this Dr works out for you!
I understand how frustrating it is to change Dr’s! I went through it a few months ago myself. After 8 years with my pain Dr I had to find another. I went to 5 different Dr’s until I found one I felt was a good fit. If your unsure about the Dr your seeing, don’t hesitate to look around!
I looked up caudal epidural online, it sounds like it’s an epidural injection like any other, but specific to lumbar spine. It’s a cortisone injection, sometimes with another medication added.
I’ve had a few epidural injections in my lumbar spine. Years ago I had a really bad experience with one and it scared me from having any more. The Dr I’m now seeing wanted to try them so I reluctantly agreed. I have had a pain free experience with him doing the injections. I’m so relieved because I was traumatized by that past injection.
If you feel you’ve had adequate results with the treatment you’ve been getting, tell this new Dr you want to continue with the same trmt! You have every right to ask for what you want! And ask them to clarify why they want to do a caudal injection and exactly what it is.
I’m having pain relief from epidural injections, but I’m concerned about overdoing! I’ve heard from many people they help for so long then stop. Right now, I’m thrilled to be getting some relief!
I hope you’ve found a Dr you will stay with! Different Dr’s want to try different things so there’s a learning curve at first. The best way to find out about their practice is to ask questions! Seeing a doctor is different than other services we pay for, but you are paying them and you have every right to ask for what you want! I sure hope this Dr works out for you!
Thank you so much. I will ask more questions. I have my cervical Radio-frequency Friday with a Anesthesia Dr I have used for 15 yrs. I can still use him fortunately. He will be honest with me I can maybe talk to him and see what results they are looking for different than before.
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@suerc, I'm bringing @imallears @lolly906 @babette @betterway @nanny23 @grandmar @martyk @leighs2011 @anne4u and @jenniferhunter into this discussion to share their experiences iwth epidural injections for spine pain and why they chose to try them or not.
While we wait for others to share, you might be interested in this related discussion and expert blog post.
- Lumbar Steroid Injection vs Facet Nerve Block https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lumbar-steroid-injection-vs-facet-nerve-block/
- Why are epidural steroid injections for back pain limited to only a few a year?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/adult-pain-medicine/newsfeed-post/rho-why-are-epidural-steroid-injections-for-back-pain-limited-to-only-a-few-a-year/
My Dr told me my back was so messed up he would never recommend fusion on me. But they are very careful how many epidurals they give me a yr. This is one I have never heard of.
I also had to change pain Dr. After 15 yrs. U of m and Healtheast merged here to make MH Fairview. They asked me to leave the pain clinic as I don't see a MH provider. I go to Allina. I went to the Allina pain clinic yrs. Ago and the head Dr kicked me out of the pain clinic. His nurse thought she heard me say something I did not say. My husband was sitting right next to me and he could prove I didn't say what she thought I said. Then I went to Twin city pain clinic. Was not a good fit. Found Health heart and have been really happy. Until they shoved me out. They say they have lost so many providers they can only see there in network pts. So I am at a loss. Now I am starting over after 15 yrs. Different Dr's different treatment.
@suerc I have seen some other posts of yours referring to an accident that shattered the L4 vertebra, and tail bone pain. I see that you have been at pain clinics and now are asking about epidural injections. Have you sought other opinions about possible neuro-surgical options for your lumbar spine?
I am a spine surgery patient for cervical issues. I had a cervical epidural injection and cervical fusion at C5/C6. The injection was done as a diagnostic to tell the surgeon what symptoms surgery may address in that it reduced inflammation, and thus reduced pain. Getting an injection was not a pleasant experience, and it did hurt me a lot. I don't think that my reaction is typical, and I think that I may have reacted to an ingredient in the injection. I had immediate sharp pain that had me convulsing and struggling not to pass out. I started getting sharp stabbing electric burning pains that happened every few minutes in my hand, thumb and index finger, and more so when I moved. The doctor called that a paresthesia, and it took a couple months for that to resolve and over time the severity of the electric shocks and frequency lessened. Nothing stopped it from happening, but putting ice on my neck helped a bit. I also was prescribed a dose pack course of prednisone, but it didn't help. The injection did relieve the pre-existing pain that was generated by the spine condition temporarily, and that was gone completely for 5 days, and then symptoms started slowly returning again.
Many patients have discussed a painful condition called arachnoiditis and think this risk could be linked to too many epidural injections.
Here are some of these discussions:
– I am desperate to find a dr who treats arachnoiditis.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-am-desperate-to-find-a-dr-who-treats-arachnoiditis-i-live/
– Arachnoiditis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/arachnoiditis/
– Any Adhesive Arachnoiditis members here?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-adhesive-arachnoiditis-members-here/
My mother had injections at a pain management clinic that were placed into one of the holes in the sacrum and that did help her a lot. She had been having a lot of sciatic nerve pain. I think she had about 3 of those, and then stopped getting the pain, but was also on pain medication, Gabapentin which does reduce nerve pain.
There are some real risks to epidural spine injections and severe consequences if they are misplaced and injected into a nerve or the spinal cord. It requires great skill from the doctor who does them. My injection was done by an anesthesiologist who regularly does them for surgical procedures, etc.
There is also this story about a new kind of spinal cord stimulator called a dorsal root ganglion, or DRG, stimulator for managing pain.
https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2018/10/26/putting-pain-in-the-past/
Have you discussed a spinal cord stimulator with your specialists? I have no experience with this, and wanted to pass along the information.
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2 ReactionsAbout 1 yr after I broke my L4 I sent all my records to mayo neuro spine or something like that. They looked at them and said there was nothing they could do nothing down there that my Dr's could not do here. They rejected me. I have also had cervical Spinal stenosis in my neck with a cage and fusion. I also have a neuro stimulator in my back for CPRS I have had for 20 yrs. Afraid to have more surgery to tell you the truth because of the CPRS. I live on Cervical and lumbar RF'S And maybe 2 to 3 epidurals a yr. Not all same place. I have felt comfortable at my old pain clinic now with the new one she has recommended a different epidural. I am confused.
@suerc
Hi!
I've had many different types of injections in my cervical spine, over many years.
I've also been through many pain doctors, each of whom used different drugs and placed the needle in different places.
Truthfully, most did not work for me very long IF they worked at all.
Yes, they are uncomfortable with pain and weird feelings as the drugs go through your body.
About 5 years ago, I had two disks replaced by two artificial disks.
The surgery was 100% successful and the recovery painless and fast.
However, about 2 years ago, my symptoms started to return.
Turns out, I was growing bone and the disks were fusing.
This was not suppose to happen and it is a very rare occurrence.
My neurosurgeon said he only had it happen to him once.
I started with a variety of injections every 3-4 months.
Up until about 6 months ago, they were working well.
Now, not so much.
I need to have the disks removed but the insurance company is fighting with us.
They think PT will help.
They don't realize that with the bone growth and fusing, PT will do nothing.
So I wait and fight.
Good luck!!!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThank you for your info. Seems like all I have been doing lately fighting with Dr's my pain clinic dropped me like a rock as soon as they found out I was not one of there innetwork pts. I have been very comfortable going there for about 15 yrs. Now new Pain Dr's and they want to switch up injections. Why break what working ??.. they want to do a caudal epidural. Not sure what that is. Think is lower than l4-l5 because of my pain ?.... I am confused.
Sorry, never heard of that.
I understand how frustrating it is to change Dr’s! I went through it a few months ago myself. After 8 years with my pain Dr I had to find another. I went to 5 different Dr’s until I found one I felt was a good fit. If your unsure about the Dr your seeing, don’t hesitate to look around!
I looked up caudal epidural online, it sounds like it’s an epidural injection like any other, but specific to lumbar spine. It’s a cortisone injection, sometimes with another medication added.
I’ve had a few epidural injections in my lumbar spine. Years ago I had a really bad experience with one and it scared me from having any more. The Dr I’m now seeing wanted to try them so I reluctantly agreed. I have had a pain free experience with him doing the injections. I’m so relieved because I was traumatized by that past injection.
If you feel you’ve had adequate results with the treatment you’ve been getting, tell this new Dr you want to continue with the same trmt! You have every right to ask for what you want! And ask them to clarify why they want to do a caudal injection and exactly what it is.
I’m having pain relief from epidural injections, but I’m concerned about overdoing! I’ve heard from many people they help for so long then stop. Right now, I’m thrilled to be getting some relief!
I hope you’ve found a Dr you will stay with! Different Dr’s want to try different things so there’s a learning curve at first. The best way to find out about their practice is to ask questions! Seeing a doctor is different than other services we pay for, but you are paying them and you have every right to ask for what you want! I sure hope this Dr works out for you!
Thank you so much. I will ask more questions. I have my cervical Radio-frequency Friday with a Anesthesia Dr I have used for 15 yrs. I can still use him fortunately. He will be honest with me I can maybe talk to him and see what results they are looking for different than before.