Spinal steroid injection for lumbar herniated discs

I know everyone is different so I can only tell you my experience. I had the same diagnosis. I had the spinal steroid injection and it was a piece of cake. I rarely have problems with my back anymore. I chose to stay awake. It is completely pain free as they numb the area. You can leave soon after the injection. Now I just make sure I don't over stress my back and always stretch it and exercise regularly. Best of luck to you. God bless.

So glad to hear this!
Yes, regular back exercise so very important and to be mindful of how you treat your back.
I will probably postpone it at this point, as I would like to give it more time with PT.
Thank you for your input. Be well.

I am in my 50s and started having hip and buttock/leg pain at 40-41 after having my only child (he was almost 10 pounds and 22 inches long; at 14 he is over 6 feet tall and still growing!). I had many blood tests and MRIs over the years and told I have congenital spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, bone spurs, disc bulges, etc. in my cervical and lumbar spine at multiple vertebra levels. They have prescribed Cymbalta for nerve and arthritis/chronic pain which helped some and I have had 4 injections in my lumbar spine (L4L5 is the worst section for me) and all injections have helped. I was awake for my injections and they were somewhat uncomfortable/painful but worth it. The injections have steroid and lidocaine in them to relieve inflammation and nerve pain and they use an X-ray machine to guide the doctor for where to do the injection. I couldn’t stand, walk, sit, etc. for too long without extreme pain at points. Scary as a single parent with no family support. The injections may not work for everyone if the exact source of pain is not detected on MRI. Physical therapy didn’t really help me relieve pain but exercise, regular movement, stretching, strengthening and increased blood flow is good for hip/spine pain. It sounds like you may have a disc/vertebra/bone spur putting pressure on central spinal cord/peripheral nerves causing you pain. My cervical spine had pressure on my spinal cord which caused weakness in arms and legs and loss of control of my bladder. I had ACDF surgery on C5C6 and it restored my strength in arms/legs and control of bladder (if I waited any longer it could have done permanent damage to my spinal cord so I feel blessed to have found a surgeon who finally diagnosed me after 5 years of suffering and no diagnoses). Just fyi…I have struggled with panic attacks and anxiety/depression but was able to stay awake for MRIs (tight space/weird noises) and for my spinal injections. I have another injection coming up in December. Some injections have lasted 3-4 months, 5-6 months and even 9+ months! I have used Lidocaine patches at times in-between which have helped some when nerves are aggravated (like Salonpas Japanese brand the best and they have no fragrance; not a big fan of creams but they can work, too). My surgeon doesn’t want to do surgery on my lumbar spine now and would rather delay as long as possible and use injections because he would need to fuse L3L4L5 at a minimum and this would limit my movement/mobility. If anyone is interested, I have an old set of DVDs I have been using to do gentle exercises at home which have really helped me. The name is Classical Stretch/Essentrics by Miranda Edmonds-White. She was a classical ballerina who is now in her 70s, I think. I have been doing her floor exercises to help me build strength to progress to standing exercises. I started a couple months ago gradually and try to do 20-30 min. per day. I am amazed at the improvement and reduction of pain in my hips, back and legs and think her stretches/strengthening exercises released something which has given me significant relief (have worked from home since COVID and sitting too much at a computer at my kitchen table which messed up my neck and lower back). Good luck to you!

I am 71 and have osteoporosis as well as degenerative issues in my lumbar and thoracic spine. At this point, I have hip/groin/butt/leg pain daily, though it varies in severity. I have nerve pain that shoots down to my feet sometimes, and I have osteoarthritis. I used to do Classical Stretch and I loved it, but I checked the Essentrics site and there was a note that it wasn't recommended with osteoporosis. This made no sense to me, as Miranda speaks repeatedly about "reversing osteoporosis." What I've noticed is that stopping Classical Stretch isn't doing me any good! Do you know anything about using it with osteoporosis as well as degenerative changes?

I do not have osteoporosis but I looked up Classical Stretch/Essentrics and found that there is a beginners mobility and bone strengthening DVD at Walmart (think done in 2015). You should ask your doctor if it would be okay to do the exercises and make sure to modify them and start really slowly. Not exercising, stretching and strengthening isn’t good for you and will only make your osteoporosis worse. Good luck! Happy Thanksgiving!

If it's an epidural or block, no sweat. You will be out and hopefully you will feel better when you wake. It's not scary. Y6lay down, they put you out. My pain Dr says do epiderals till they don't work to avoid surgery

If I were you I would get myself into PT if you are not already. They can help you with osteoporosis and give you the most specific, beneficial exercises for your condition.
I know "chair" yoga is good for me. It might sound like a piece of cake but does the job for folks like us.
And I would get medical clearances from your physician for using light hand weights...like 3 to 4 pounds. And, of course, a walking program. Even 20 minutes several times a week is good...don't worry about your speed if using a treadmill. Weight bearing exercises are all good for osteoporosis. I know definitely for prevention but since you have been already diagnosed you need to talk over an exercise program with your medical care providers. You don't want to do more harm than good! I have never heard of Classical Stretch so I can not comment on it.
Don't despair - you will get yourself back on track!

thanks much for your encouragement, briarrose. I already am in pt, and, ironically, injured a shoulder when therapist had me holding a 5 pound weight while doing chair squats. So frustrating not even to be able to handle that! Also, I had to search like crazy for a pt who was well versed in exercise for osteoporotic folks -- incredible in a major metro area (and major medical center) like Austin, Tx. I'm walking some; pain in hip flexors is limiting me as to how long I can go before I wonder whether I am doing myself harm. So far not finding any good help in that area. Hard not to despair as I deteriorate, but I will keep your words in mind! 🙂

This is beyond disheartening to read bayhorse!
At first, I simply could not believe a physical therapist would have you doing squats with a 5 pound weight! And you are in a major city coping with such frustration in finding appropriate care for your condition. But I am sadly more than fully aware of the many pitfalls in medicine today. Even in top notch medical centers human error can & does happen often. I could write a book on it. Would a personal health & wellness coach be something doable for you? One on one, private sessions? I have such a wonderful gal for 3 years before she gave it up. I was greatly disappointed. We had brief talks about whatever I wished, meditated together & did chair yoga. All wonderful for this senior. I always left our sessions in great condition than when I first walked in. And often I would begin the session feeling quite poorly.
She had appropriate training & always increased her knowledge by taking classes to keep abreast of personalized care for each of her clients…no matter their particular health issues. Don’t give up. Reach out to any one your providers for help or simply do your own search. I hope this can be an option for you. Advocate for yourself before starting with any physical therapist to see if you are both on the same page in your treatment plan. Would your PCP give appropriate referrals for you? Good help is out there. Unfortunately in today’s times one must search & often it’s not easy but can be done. Hang in there! All the best!

Hi, I had many spinal injections and you do not have to be put out for them (I'm too anxious to be put out). They numb it and you barely know they did it. Good Luck, hope it works for you.