Epidural lower back spine injection recovery time/and side effects

@davidtrevino I had an adverse reaction to an epidural injection. It caused me a new burning nerve pain that stabbed me randomly for about 6 weeks. That's how long it takes for the steroid to be dissolved by the body. I think I was allergic or sensitive to a component in the injection and my guess is that it may have been polyethylene glycol or PEG.

Symptoms seems to be getting better now, but still alittle weak in legs. Hopefully that’s a sign of recovery I had a shot called Depo-Medrol/Dexamethasone. These are 2 different meds, I think it was just the Depo-Medrol. But all in all I’ll soon be seeing my doctor again, hopefully he can share more light into this issue. Thanks for your input though, god bless you and yours

@davidtrevino That sounds hopeful! Sometimes, it may start out a little rough, but as some of the injection wears off, you can have some benefits of reduced inflammation. That may tell your doctors what they may be able to help when making a surgical decision. Thanks for your kind words.

I had good luck. It took about 2 weeks but my lower back is about 75% better. At least I can walk straight now. Don't know how long it will last. It's been a few months. Good luck!

Are you feeling better now? I had the steroid injection L5 S1 and now have numbness in my right foot and nerve pain in the arch of my foot. It has been two weeks and no improvement. Hoping this gets better.

@czeitoun2025 Thanks for asking. Yes, I am fine. This was a steroid injection done as a diagnostic before I had spine surgery several years ago. It gave me stabbing electric pains that were random. Those lasted about 6 weeks and gradually got less often as time went on. I had some cold sensitivity in my hand for about a year and a half, and that resolved also. It takes about 6 weeks for the body to digest the injection. I think that perhaps my issues may have been caused by a component in the injection such as polyethylene glycol. I have had some other issues with injections that seem to suggest this.

I hope for you things get better for you. Did your doctor have any suggestions for you?

HI, I JUST RECEIVED THE EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION. ITS ONLY BEEN 1 WEEK BUT IM FEELING ALL THE PAIN STILL. ITS SHOOTING DOWN TO MY BUTTOCKS. LEGS CRAMPING LIKE CRAZY AT NIGHT. I HAVE TO MENTION. IM DIABETIC AND MY BLOOD SUGARS SHOT UP SO HIGH IT TOOK ME 2 DAYS TO MOBILIZE THEM. I DONT THINK THIS IS A SAFE ROUTE FOR DIABETICS WITH COMPLICATIONS AS MYSELF. BUT THIS PAIN IS UNBEARABLE SO WHAT DO WE DO?

Hello queen9009, It sounds like this is your first epidural for your pain. Although is has been. 1 week since your injection don't give up yet. Sometimes mine work with a day or 2 and other times longer. I already had some injections that took close to 2 weeks to make a difference. I started with injections in 2009 in my lower back. My pain was as you described. I spent several weeks in bed because the pain was so intense I could not weight bear on my right leg. Long story short ...My diagnosis is Moderate to Severe Spinal Stenosis, Severe Arthritis ...of the cervical and lumbar spine. 4 spinal fusions from 2013-2016. Permanant nerve damage rt lower leg and foot.
I continue to get injections mostly in my lower back. I go to pain management monthly.
So my point is this last visit he decided to test and do a Rhizotomy. Look it up. My friend had newly developed leg pain again describing what you are (not the diabetic issues). He had a Rhizotomy a month or 2 ago and has been pain free. This treatment/procedure is supposed to last 5-6 months.
May be an answer for you! Look it up! Ask your Dr. And hopefully you are going to pain management. If not consider that as well. I wish you the best of luck as you try to get your pain under control. Keeping you in my mind with healing thoughts.

Tlhillis1968 here. I have spinal stenosis in my lower back with 3 injections so far in my right side and 1 in my left side. It took about 2 weeks before I felt a little relief. Unfortunately, I don't feel that this is an overall solution to manage the pain. I am diabetic too and the injection messed up my sugar too. Can't have any surgery until my A1C is below 7 so fighting a dual battle. I decided to hold off on the injections for now. After 3 into my right side, I don't feel much reduction in the pain. Hard to tell if the 1 in my left helped because my right hurts so much. I am trying water aerobics for exercise as there is no pressure on the spine and hopefully 5-10 minutes on a very slow treadmill will help. My doctor recommended seeing a rheumatoid doctor for pain management.

My doctor suggested seeing a rheumatoid doctor. What type of doctor do you see for pain management other than spinal surgeon which is what I have now.