Epidural lower back spine injection recovery time/and side effects

I see only a pain management doctor. Is there another specialist I should be seeing?

dd560a (Delores)
I have had 12 Epidural Steroid Injections and only 1 worked! The one that gave me relief also numbed my right leg & gave me a limp for the full 6 months it provided relief for! Fast forward 5 years of pain & agony, I was diagnosed in 2019 with Adhesive Arachnoiditis!

Study shows that the Epidural Steroid Injections have caused the development of Adhesive Arachnoiditis in many people!

You may want to say NO to additional injections as there is no cure for Arachnoiditis and it’s a disease similar to ALS in the end & it has paralyzing result!

Just thought you should be aware! I was not!

I had 6 injections and none of them worked, and with a 375.00 copay for each one. I told my doctor to stop it. We are looking for another course of treatment. But, you know, I did experience weakness in my right leg, and I have fallen because the leg just gave out. I never put the two together til now. Thank you for your information.

Hi Archie here:

I feel that the info or recommendations in this reply are not correct and potentially dis-serves the AA community.

I would also ask that the moderator review the text and comment.

Palliative care is not a death sentence nor is intervention. We are all unique and need to have treatment protocols as individuals.

Not to put too fine a point on it, I have had AA since 1978, and have benefited from the treatment you described since then. I would not want AA folks to be denied relief because of your comment.

Cause and effect can be very slippery concepts.

Best, Archie

Hi, Archie here:

Sorry, are you blaming your injections for the weakness in your leg? We are all told that the potential for SHORT TERM numbness and weakness after injection is possible. Over the longer term, any number of physical problems in the spine and spinal cord can cause your symptoms. I hope that you keep a journal and have a frank and direct conversation with your pain management doctor about your problem.

Regarding the cost--it's all about the decisions we make. Because of my need for ongoing care--like you, many sessions of injections and ablation, etc., I elected to choose the Supplemental Medicare policy that covers all my copays--called Choice F from United Health Care--just so that my medical needs/care would NOT be driven by financial pressure . I pay about $300/month for this coverage, but at 80 years old, I have numerous other doctors I go to with no copay May be something you may want to consider.

Best, Archcie

HI, Archie here-

Please keep a detailed journal--maybe the text you just wrote will be enough-- and have a talk with the pain management team. With your level of detail, surely there is a diagnosis out there.

To say, "I had THAT treatment, and now, because of THAT, I'm having THESE problems," is often poor logic. You may be right, there could be a correlation, but to discover those conditions is why these folks have had years of education and training. Good luck in your search for an answer.

Best, Archie

I have had several.Never had any side effects.Painless proceedure.Only one worked.I still have pain but it isn't too bad

I have had the injections and also 2 ablation procedures that last quite a while. I only take tylenol, and Naproxen and do spine and bone health exercises. Also my My Dr. Keeps close track of my calcium, vitamin D and B12 which are related to bone health.

Im a repeat "customer" for bilateral transforminal injections L 4/5
Im great full, I get relief.
My pain management experience has been top notch!

Archie,
I'm a Canadian. Healthcare costs us nuthin'! I went to one back clinic for two and a half years, paid $Zero. Canada Strong!
Thanks for writing.
Will