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Factors in Unsuccessful Epidural Injections
I have seen many people post that they have had no success with epidural steroid injections. I was just wondering of those who have had little to no success:
1. Was your injection done by an anesthesiologist?
2. Was it done by guided fluoroscopy?
3. Was in done under some sort of sedation?
I have been going to pain management clinics for about 6 years now. I have has wonderful relief from these injections. They are a TEMPORARY relief to the PERMANENT problem of chronic pain. They are temporary though. They can last as little as a week or as long as a year. They are used to relieve an acute problem for a time period to get me through until my medication works better or allow my PT to help correct the problems. I was told even with guided fluoroscopy the injection can miss the perfect target but still give some relief. My doctor is well trained and has done several on me and I always get some sort of relief. I have even gone into his office and begged for them because they work so well. But like he told me they are part of my over all plan to attack my pain and work to get me through a crisis of pain until I can get back to exercise. They are not a miracle cure and there is no miracle cure presently for my chronic pain. I keep positive and through his plan and my cooperation, education, medication and willingness to follow his plan to the extent, I do feel better. If only for a temporary time, I take the temporary time.
I'm just wondering if those of us who have found success with them are getting a better injection, better treatment or if it is all by the grace of God a lucky shot.
What do you think? I'm curious to hear.
Thank you for this site to post and ask questions. It has helped me in just this one day of reading and posting.
❤️Bekie
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Can Bekie or anybody tell me what sort of physical therapy their doctor prescribed? My doctor has not prescribed physical therapy. I have L4/L5 lower back pain with right sciatic pain. Injections have greatly helped, but you mentioned your real fix is physical therapy. Mine real fix is to have surgery remove my existing cyst.
Has anyone had a lumbar epidural steroid spine injection?
I am scheduled for this procedure and am worried about having it as I have read some really bad adverse effects.
Did the procedure help your pain?
thank you in advance for your response.
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2 ReactionsHi. I just had One recently. I’ve had one in the past before. I will say that the one in the past I had worked better but this was a very acute situation that had occurred to an injury that was already there. It got very inflamed probably from me doing too much. I will have to say the epidural did not work as well this time I feel but at least it put me back at where I was before the acute injury. I also have been doing aqua therapy. Which I am going to rejoin the Y and continue doing my exercises in the pool there. I really haven’t had a lot of side effects from my epidural‘s. There is a little lump where it was done the last time. But it could be some scar tissue. I also had had some surgery they’re done at some other time for a different situation and the shot going through that area may have aggravated the scar line and created some extra tissue. But the tissue doesn’t hurt.
I do wish you well if you do decide to proceed with the shot, and wish you well in general. We are all unfortunately in the same group of people who have spine health issues. Take care.
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3 ReactionsI developed chronic pain in both my lower and upper back
in mid-June. Did PT for two months for lower back with little relief due to upper back pain. Saw a spine specialist/surgeon who referred me to a pain specialist I have had three epidural shots, with little side effects, but only minimal and short-term improvement. My pain runs from my neck to pelvis so probably hard to focus shots. I do think they have muted the pain, but overall disappointed. I am in PT for upper back on pregabalin and a muscle relaxer. Hard to know whether shots or medications are helping the most.
I had lumbar epidural last year for stenosis. It did not help alleviate the pain. Some people it helps and others it doesn’t.
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4 ReactionsI recently had a cortisone shot in the spine to help with the pain in my pelvis leg and buttocks due to a pinched nerve on my lumbar due to physical therapist giving me intense PT for almost 3 hours in one day at a rehab.
Medical malpractice!
PTs want to bill
by the hour and don’t take into consideration the age of the person or the outcome of so many hours of PT in one session.
The cortisone shot helped more than the epidural.
I asked my orthopedist if acupuncture may help and he said to try it.
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1 ReactionI've had chronic lower back (L5-S1) pain for years. Just got steroid injections 10 days ago... so far no pain! Sure hope this is he solution I've been looking for. Good luck to you.
Retired Prof.
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2 ReactionsThe steroid epidurals work for me from a few weeks to up to a month or more except for two times where I had no choice but to lift or crouch. Shot wore off almost immediately. Have learned must take it easy and not aggrevate your back for a few days and from then on still try to protect your back from any strenuous activity. Blessed relief for me. Then suffering waiting for proper time before I can schedule another epidural when the low lumbar pain comes back. I average 2-3 epidurals a year.
I have had many. Shattered my L4 4 yrs ago. So far they have been working on my low back and Rt leg pain. I also get Radio frequency injections. The epidural is not painful. Some Dr's may give you something beforehand to take the edge off. The RF they give me light sedation. I am awake but can't feel alot of the pain.
suerc:
You write that ----" I am awake but can't feel alot of the pain."
I had one & did feel pain, and am wondering exactly how much pain you did feel?
Aren't you numbed in the area of the injection? I must have another & am worried that
it might be as painful as the previous one. Can you be totally sedated>
Thanks