1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Gabapentin

Steriod injections

Posted , 6 users are following.

william65598
william65598

This website has been helpful with regards to back issues. I have had a history of back pain since my 30s, am now in my sixties. Had lumbar surgery 14 years ago with sucess. I have reherniated in the last two years. Am considering steriod injections to reduce inflamation. Was wondering if any others have tried this procedure. Looking at a recent MRI, surgeon recommends this procedure more of a diagnosis to localize the pain area to determine more clearly where the compression is occuring.  Thanx, Will

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • debra1676
    debra1676 william65598

    Posted

    I chipped a couple discs in my back & have some floating chips that have given me extreme pain. I've had 2 epidurals. The first one near my spine with no problem or pain other than the a slight prick of the needle. 

    The second one- OUCH! Extremely painful! The shot was given in the actual nerve where the pain was. I've had  2 children , & that's as much if not more pain than that. I don't think I could do that again, unless they put me under. Too painful! Did they help? Maybe a little, but I'm still taking the pain pills, & I still have discomfort. Doctors want me to take Gabapentin now. Not sure I want to take that drug, too many side effects. 

    • william65598
      william65598 debra1676

      Posted

      debra,....I have been taking Gaberpentin for 5 months now and had releif for most of the months until earlier this month when the disc muct have shiffted and compressed the nerves again. Everyone, including the Doctor wants me to increse dosage from 1200 to 1800-2400 to ease the pain down the leg. I feel better taking this nerve block rather than masking the pain with other drugs.
    • MargaretAnn14
      MargaretAnn14 debra1676

      Posted

      Oh my. Poor you. I understand your comment ref child birth.

      I had two big babies no pain relief, but this back issue is another level sometimes.

      I only take Gabapentin in low dose, but don't want to take long term that's for sure.

      Are there no other options rather than drug relief for you?

      i wish you well.

    • MargaretAnn14
      MargaretAnn14 william65598

      Posted

      I have only been on Gabapentin for a month. I refused to take when first prescribed. Everything shifted again and became much more painful last week and I ended up in A&E on morphine for a day. 

      Bliss.

      I am now on Gabapentin 3x daily but still taking cocodamol & ibuprophen mix in addition throughout the day as advised by hospital. I can't operate on Gabapentin at any higher dose. I get too fuzzy headed.

      but...the Gabapentin does take the edge off the pain that over the counter drugs can not do.

      All the best.

  • MargaretAnn14
    MargaretAnn14 william65598

    Posted

    Hello. 

    I probably will have injection as surgeon reluctant to operate unless no other option. Just waiting (still) for follow up appmt and procedure. He tells me it is simple, painless and very successful. I will blog when all done to let you all know.

    I wish you all the very best.

    Margaret

  • duracell_dave
    duracell_dave william65598

    Posted

    Hi William,I was a plasterer and the wear on my back became a problem but bigger still was the chronic nerve pain I have in both legs,had steel plate l4  to l5 and all this started in the UK 15 years ago ,now live in Germany,the drs couldn't understand why I was on 3600mg gabapentin and 400mg tramadol Sr daily, just had spinal cord stimulation surgery,unreal, pain is hardly there,halved my meds and still going down gradually ,look up Medtronic website for spinal stimulation surgery,80%success rate and of them they reduce pain by 60% upwards and sometimes reduce meds to nothing,seeing is believing. 😉
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.