Epidural Steroid Injections?

Best wishes

Hi Crystal

I had one course (of what would have been more had my consultant not been called up - he was a reservist when Afghanistan/Iraq was flaring up); the replacement consultant referred me back to physiotherapy, which hadn't worked four years previously, which was why I was referred to the hospital in the first place!- he later had the gall to take me off his list "as I had missed an appointment" - well no actually, I had phoned the hospital the day prior to that supposed missed appointment to tell them that I was in absolute agony and would not be able to drive to the hospital (about 20something miles away) and could they do something about hospital transport - no they couldn't, that would have to be arranged by my GP, so I phoned my surgery, who also said no, as they would need more than 24 hours notice to arrange it - about three or four years later I was again referred to hospital, a much more understanding consultant who eventually performed a discectomy and decompression on L4/L5 to relieve the sciatic pain - anyway, I digress, if offered to me I would take the spinal epidural like a shot - mine lasted the six months that it was due to last, and I got so much relief from having it done - all I would say is that when performing the equivalent to a Lumbar Puncture, if the anaesthetist hits your spine with the needle instead of the 'sweet spot' that he/she should find, it bloody well hurts an awful lot - my trainee guy had six goes at it before he gave up and passed it to a lady trainee, who got it right first time - if you're under general anaesthetic you won't feel where/when they make that error, but I believe it's best to be fully awake so that you can let them know they're doing it wrong

Hope that helps

Hey CJ

My med list. This is what works for me. It took 4 weeks of taking the pills before my body started feeling the benefits, cause I thought the pills were garbage until they actually spread out through my system.

Lyrica - 150mg twice a day

Celebrex - 200mg in the morning

Cyclobenzaprine - 10mg three times a day

Oxycodone - 10mg twice a day

Oxycocet - 5&325mg one when pain is bad

Two weeks ago (in a hurry) my wife and I had to hop a plane to deal with a family matter. Only when I got there did I realize I forgot my meds. I figured "oh well, what's two days, they're prolly just placebos anyways." Guess what...not placebos...back pain still very real under the meds.

As I discussed with you in pm, follow the steps. I have heard of a lot of cases that got better. Stick with the painful physio, or see if you can get into an Aquasize program, and find a set of meds that work.

Go for the injections! Mine helped just a little, but even just a little is better than not at all.

Good Luck! TB

And as for the steroid injection(s)...any credible place will give you a numbing shot, followed by a shot of dye, and should be monitoring your insides with a live X-ray (that's why the dye) as they give you the actual steroids in the 3rd shot. If they don't do this...find somewhere that does. Last thing you need is...

Let's just say you don't need it done wrong, how's that.

One day post ESI. Can't walk AT ALL. excruciating pain with every movement. Have to be carried everywhere. When will this agony end?? I'm now wishing for the sweet release of death. Not sure what will happen when I have to urinate. Probably end up just peeing all over myself since I can't get to the toilet.

MRI is happening today, hopefully they'll figure out what is happening in my back.

I've been admitted to the hospital, and I have a microdiscectomy tomorrow at 11 AM.