Has anyone had a steriod injection into your spine???

[mommyto3angels]

My pain managment Dr wants me to have a steriod injection into my spine, it's basically like a epideral. I've done alot of research and I think I'm gonna do it. He said it will reduce the swelling and inflamation around my nerves and help with the pain in my legs which is constant.


I was just wondering if anyone else has had this done and what their experiance with it was

[MarkLavelle]

I've had disc problems for several years, and a cortisone injection is usually the first thing my physiatrist tries, followed by PT.

The injections haven't always helped, but the procedure is relatively low risk and low pain. I've never taken advantage of it, but they always offer IV Valium (or something like it) if you are apprehensive.

The times it hasn't helped, it was either my fault (not following instructions for the week after injection -- no twisting!) or a bigger problem than we thought (ending in surgery last summer).

You shouldn't be afraid, but you might want to make sure your pain specialist does this kind of thing often...

[Special Kay]

I actually know a number of people who have this done for disc herniation.

It can be very successful and is a good thing to try before surgery.

[Strhuntrss]

Epidural injection in spine for pain

Mommyto3angels,

I have had two of them. Thinking of one more. The first one lasted 4 months. The last one lasted for a little over a year. The injection itself is a prick and a burn. No big deal. They numb you first as you read. The only issue i had with the second one that I didn't have with the first one was a migraine. I had a migraine that I thought my head was going to fall off. It didn't, lol. They told me to drink caffiene and lie flat. It worked. If it didn't then they would have to do a blood patch. It is because the blood is leaking out of the injection site.

On the second shot, I did not do what they told me to do. I got home after my Dad left me off (you need a driver), He asked me it I needed anything from the store. I said no, because I didn't want to take up anymore of his time. BIG MISTAKE! I should have left him help just one more time.

I drove my car after he left. I felt fine until I got into the parking lot of the grocery store. I thought to myself "this was stupid". I could not lift my leg it felt like lead. I had no control of my foot. It was limp. I prayed driving home, thank God it was only 2 miles away. I will never, never, never do that again. So please, If you do get the injection (which I will get one again) please listen to what they tell you not to do. If you do that, you will be perfectly fine.

Good luck and be pain free!

[mommyto3angels]

I decided to do it

I seen my Dr today and my appt is for next thurs to have it done. I'm nervous but excited at the same time. Thanks so much for all your responses and I hope my experiance goes as well as all yours did

I also made arrangements with my mother in law to spend the remander of the day after the proceder with her relaxing and letting her take care of my lil one to make sure I follow all the Dr's orders and don't mess up and cause myself more pain in the long run Thanks you guys

[FarGone Fox]

Before going ahead...

Before going ahead, you might want to consider this:

Causes of Arachnoiditis
There are 3 main causes of arachnoiditis:

Trauma/surgery-induced
Arachnoiditis has long been recognized as a rare complication of spinal surgery (particularly after multiple or complex surgeries) or trauma to the spine. Other similar causes include multiple lumbar punctures (especially if there is a "bloody tap" with bleeding into the spinal fluid), advanced spinal stenosis, or chronic degenerative disc disease.
Chemically-induced
In recent years, myelograms have come under scrutiny as being a possible cause of this condition. A myelogram is a diagnostic test in which a radiographic contrast media (dye) is injected into the area surrounding the spinal cord and nerves. This dye is then visible on x-rays, CT, or MRI scans and used by physicians to diagnose spinal conditions. There is now a concern that exposure (especially repeated exposure) to some of the dyes used in myelograms may cause arachnoiditis. Similarly, there is concern that the preservatives found in epidural steroid injections may cause arachnoiditis, especially if the medication accidentally enters the cerebral spinal fluid.

I am unable to post links as this is my first post. To find out more, I suggest you Google Arachnoiditis.

Good luck.
FarGone Fox