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Please help! Has anyone had a steroid injection?

Posted , 8 users are following.

CazDesmond
CazDesmond

Almost 3 years ago I had a total knee replacement. I had a spinal block which went wrong, leaving me with nerve pain and numbness in my other leg!

The pain has got so bad that my GP suggested I have a steroid injection left L5 nerve root sheath.

Not surprisingly, I am a bit worried about injections into my spine and wondered if anyone here can give me help, advice or warnings.

Caz  Pom in Perth Western Australia

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Laura3333
    Laura3333 CazDesmond

    Posted

    Hi, I've had a lot of spinal injections, including steroids near nerve roots.

    I know people can get an enormous lot of relief but they need doing every few months.

    They haven't helped me, but my back problems are different.

    It's not as painful as having an epidural, though you can have some numbness for a few hours after.

    • CazDesmond
      CazDesmond Laura3333

      Posted

      Thank you SuziQ21, your answer has helped me make up my mind to do it.

      Good luck with your back problems

      regards Caz

  • popeye59
    popeye59 CazDesmond

    Posted

    Hi Caz

    You need to understand that I don't know that much about the Australian medical system but, as a commonwealth country I would imagine your access to medication would be similar.  I've been poked and prodded by various sharp things in & around my spine & (tempting fate now) never had an issue except for the sensation of the procedure itself.  If you are going down this route there is a procedure here in the UK which freezes the nerve roots at the same time as giving the steroid.  I have severe and chronic pain in both legs due to nerve damage and this procedure gave me huge benifits which lasted about 8 weeks.  However, I have been told that it can give relief for up to 6 months.... Worth asking?

    My heart goes out to you, I have suffered since 1982 and had a Spinal Cord Stimulator since 1989, but I have found the best medicine is talking with those in similar situations.  This way you aren't "moaning" to your friends and family constantly & that helps keep their support for when you really need it.  Therefor, if you need to talk then i'll be all ears & will answer as soon as I can.

    I wish you good luck a positive outlook & take care biggrin

    Steve

    aka Popeye

  • fred92666
    fred92666 CazDesmond

    Posted

    I had those injections about 8 years ago!! Although they gave me absolutely no relief! I have had other people tell me it gave them a few days of relief!! Now that two spine stims have also failed to give me relief!! I am about to have the new hf10 nevro system put in I have no expectations of it helping!! If I were you I would try the injection as they make it so you don't feel the needle!! At least here in u.s.a. They do!! I have had people tell me they didn't do that!! I wish you good luck but please don't go in thinking those injections are your answer even if you get some relief it is temporary and you will need more and more injections!!
    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 fred92666

      Posted

      Fred,

      When are you getting your Nevro put in? Just make sure they put deep enough and not on your waist where your pant sit, it's frustrating when they say to you when it's trial and error, my dr put it right on my pants sit so I had to wear comfy clothes like sweat pants and leggings when it started to push through skin he had the nerve to say trial and error? Are you kidding me?!?? I was so shocked when my dr said that , I just don't think Drs understand how much your life is changed by their mistakes and they get to live a normal life while we suffer. I wanted this system out because it was not doing anything for me, but he listened to the rep before me, if this is not working why move the battery causing more pain and discomfort, I don't know what to do or expect with this being moved and still not working, they were going to change it out with the st. Jude's one, but of course Nevro had to jump in and say will there is 6 more programs we can try, I think it should of been my decision if I wanted this moved or taken out. I wish you luck with yours and maybe it will work for you all I know it's doing nothing for me.

      Good luck!!

      Cynthia (Cindy)

    • alicia32392
      alicia32392 cynthia70714

      Posted

      Hey there,

      My story is a little similar to yours. Do you mean your surgery was done in Atlanta, is there any chance we can talk sometime about the SCS Issues. I just got mine put in around December and I'm not getting much better. I'm not sure why I had such amazing results from the trial. It's the manufacturer of the SCS duty to make the best of your outcome. The surgeon is only placing the device and the leads with the electrodes where the SCS representative told him to . So I am talking to the District Manager of the company after 3 representatives tried to program my neurotransmitter and couldn't find the right settings and I have been only received vibration in my ribs and stomach. I finally got a new Pain Management Dr who always work with the best representative of the company as of two weeks ago and he is actually the only person who at least got the settings on the right location. I will say that getting as many people to help program the device is the best way to go before having another surgery, if anyone is reading this. The worst part about it is that I was told by everyone that they had exhausted all options and then the fourth representative came in and was able to help me so do not trust what they're telling you because that's not true he came in and did a program that has never even been done by the other reps which is very discouraging that they're not all on the same page. Anyways well let me know if you'd like to speak about this because it's the first time I've reached out to anyone online and it's been very depressing and I hope to find comfort in the same people who are going through this as well. My empathy is with everyone.

    • cynthia70714
      cynthia70714 alicia32392

      Posted

      Thanks alicia32392,

      I m in ct and it just feels frustrating you have to wait a few days before you can call them cause they want you to make sure you don't change it to soon, my problem is this is my 2nd rep and a revision because of the pushing out of my back, I can't even walk that far before I'm in so much pain I want to cry.

      Thanks for being here for us

      Cynthia ( Cindy)

    • alicia32392
      alicia32392 cynthia70714

      Posted

      How many programs do you have ? They have programmed about 16 hours of different ways and not one has even been close to my pain site. Until I found the right Dr with the right rep for you , it MAKES A GREAT difference in how you feel. If you don't trust or feel like they are looking out for your best interest, like mine wasnt. I called Medtronics myself and complained about his rude and inconsistencies that were not beneficial to my physical, mental and emotional state so that's why the manager of my district called and has been aware of everything I'm going through. I have to say, finding the right person to work with one soneine who will be a lifetime partner if we all find the right program and settings will be in the best interest of your entire experience with this. I really bonded and I have felt complete compassion and support for what I've experienced so far and he gives me a lot of hopeople knowing that he wants to try everything he is capable of doing to help me. Just a thought. I also made sure my trial doctor and surgeon was aware of the insignificant amount of time and effort that I have dealt with working with the wrong representative and they were aware of his bedside manner and decided to dismiss him as a service provider and chose to use the new rep. What is the exact situation you're experiencing and how are you coping with this. I know I have to keep a very positive mindset but are times when I get so upset about the long torture and depression is felt from the post op. I have been struggling with other things as well as dealing with chronic pain for 15 years and I am 37 years old. I just wanted a normal life.
  • ellen82139
    ellen82139 CazDesmond

    Posted

    Hi I had spinal injections last September,I am the wimpeyist person going,I had it done under sedation,and I knew Nothing of it happening

    mine only lasted a week,I have now had spinal fusion

  • alicia32392
    alicia32392 CazDesmond

    Posted

    What kind of injection and in what vertabrea space, I've had over 30 different types of injections of the spine. Steriod ESI, facet joint injections and myofascial pain trigger point inj, SI joint and tailbone. The doctor should be able to give you a Valium or something to relax you during the procedure. However, they will use a local anesthia to help number the sight. It's a very quick procedure and it's not that bad to be honest. Just be sure they are using a flouroscopic xray machine and I think you will be fine. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to go in and literally just concentrate on your breathing and I will have to say you may not feel anything except a quick stick and expected to maybe feel a slight chance of pressure from the medication being injected. The best advice for you is to follow the instructions for the home instructions for the best results. Some people get results and some dont. I hope all goes well but the actual prOdessa is no longer then 5 minutes. Let me know if you have any questions.

    Amanda

    • kathy07828
      kathy07828 alicia32392

      Posted

      Good grief Amanda! You've had injections I've never even heard of! I've had at least 15 injections, either following a laser surgery or from a pain Dr. None have helped, including the fusion to correct the laser surgeries, except that there was now so !much scar tissue around the L4/5 from all of the laser surgeries, the surgeon hit a nerve. Now I have some neuropathy in my right foot and ankle. After researching, I've decided that I don't want the Nevro. I have Highly Sensitive person syndrome and neuro myofascial dysfunction, so I'm not too confident that things will go well for a positive SCS experience. I'm now seeking advice from another pain Dr, to see if there's anything available for me. I think he's going to suggest a steroid injection someone may not have tried, but who knows what's going on now since the messed up fusion. I can't stand without getting terrible pain, and avoid doing any walking as well. Very interesting reading all of the ridiculous hoops you've had to go through to get an expert on finding the proper settings for your unit. I sincerely hope that you,'ve finally found pain relief. ~kathy
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