Steroid shots lower back?

[Arizona_928]

What's the major malfunction with them?
I was told the break down for the odds of side effects from my doc (kinda scary not going to lie), and have two series on ordered. Two weeks apart.
However talking to some friends that had them, they say it is the worst pain they have had when going in for the shots. I called the office and asked the receptionist what I can expect for pain level. Evidently; "Everyone experiences them differently".

Can anyone share there experience if you had them?!

[GeorgeK]

Not enough info. Where exactly will the injections be? facet joint? foramina? peridural? trans-lamar? muscular? which level? why? Diagnosis of condition?

Yup, part of my job. Been doing them for over 15 years. *Never* caused any pain as you describe.

[NY65912]

I've had all of the injections mentioned here many, many times, (facet joint, transforaminal, peridural, trans-lamar, muscular TPI's) and the only pain I have ever had was a soreness in the area for a day or so.

You are given an anesthetic at progressively deeper and deeper levels prior to the actual injection. Any pain subsides. It is usually due to the pressure medicine sharing the space with the nerve root, it dissipates quickly.

The injections have worked wonders for me. I had back surgery 20 years ago and now suffer from spinal stenosis, spasms and myofascial pain and the injections help a great deal. I have brought my son and a few friends to my pain management doc twisted and bent and they all left the treatment upright and walking.

The procedure does not hurt. Ask them to sedate you a little if you are worried, they might do this anyway to keep you still.

Best of Luck! Let us know how it went.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, and my lower most vertebrae was formed in two pieces at birth. I broke down and had the shot after a good three years of pain, it was absolutely incredible. I hate shots, I only felt a few pricks as they numbed the area, so much so that I couldn't believe they were already done. It knocked out a good 90% of my pain, after 3 months I'm starting to notice a little creeping back. Other than being partially numb in my legs after the procedure it was a non-event and I was home in about one hour. Highly recommended.

[steveo12345]

My wife has had shots for various back issues, spinal stenosis and ruptured discs. First one was incredibly painful for her. Next time she went to a different doc who put her under for it. Too soon to tell yet if it will help her. I think she's headed for some back surgery.

[sammyg2]

BTDT, I've had about a dozen cortisone shots in the lower back over the past 2 decades.
Only passed out once.

It's hit or miss. If the doc hits the wrong nerve you're gonna sheet yourself, literally.
But most of the time it doesn't hurt much at all.
And it really feels allot better afterward.

But .... the cortisone reduces inflammation and blood flow also slows the healing process and can be detrimental to cartilage so even though it feels good, it's bad for you (holiday inn express last night).
That's why most docs won't give more than 2 or 3 shots a year.

[Rednine11]

I got cortisone shots in my hands once....................ONCE
I'll never do it again. extremely painful but that might have been the Dr's fault too

[scottbombedout]

I had facet joint injections and it was the worst pain I've experienced. I was literaly shouting 'f ing hell ' out in the operating room.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

the cortisone reduces inflammation and blood flow also slows the healing process and can be detrimental to cartilage so even though it feels good, it's bad for you

This.
Pain pills are only a temporary patch, not a fix to the conditions.
The one I got on my shoulder lasted about 3 months then it was back to business as usual.

For my back, other 'temporary' treatments such as acupuncture, stretching/yoga, better ergonomics, hydrotherapy/swimming, weight loss, and diet improvements to prevent the bowels from twisting up into a knot worked better.

Magnesium is supposed to unclog the bowels, reduce joint pain, and improve sleeping.
I started taking lower doses(off and on) and have noticed some improvement.

[john70t]

I don't understand why the US doesn't allow artificial disk replacement like Europe.
Fusion is rumored to become compounding.

[vash]

The shot in the foot hurts like a mofo. In my spine? Oh chit! I can't imagine it.

I also had it put into a shoulder. The doc marked a spot with a sharpie. Like a wuss I winched in pain with the marker. I was pretty nervous. It didn't tickle, that's for sure. Good luck!


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[jgreen]

These shots have been a life saver. I just don't look at the needle!

[GeorgeK]

These cortisone shots will never heal any problem. They are a crutch, destined to reduce inflamation /pain (when combined with a long acting anaesthetic), and thus allowing for a better treatment of the basic condition.

The reduced blood flow thing is not the issue. Problem with repeated shots is that the risk of granuloma buildup increases, therefore 3-4 shots a year in the same place is the maximum recommended.

Believing that the cortisone/anaesthetic shot will heal anything is akin to believing that paint over rust will make it go away...

[GeorgeK]

And, btw when correctly done, IT SHOULD NOT HURT! Lidocaine is cheap enough to drown the patient in it.
Only exception to that rule is discography.

[Tobra]

My understanding is not so much granuloma formation as local tissue atrophy.

Once I got a guy over complex regional pain syndrome with serial nerve blocks. Once I say.

Our FDA is a bit dysfunctional, that is why we don't have certain things available here.

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by Tobra

My understanding is not so much granuloma formation as local tissue atrophy.

Once I got a guy over complex regional pain syndrome with serial nerve blocks. Once I say.

Our FDA is a bit dysfunctional, that is why we don't have certain things available here.

Yup, both subjects are debated at conventions here. Don't know which is the more valid, Granuloma seems to lead the worries around my parts, at least in spine injections.

Healed a Südeck with nerve block? that is very, very good.

Our rulers are not that much better around here.

[Vipergrün]

Have had many epidurals for sciatica. Worked for a while, got bad headaches after each.

[Arizona_928]

I have a 9mm Herniated disk at l5-S1. The bulge has inflamed a nerve root and is touching the other. It was 14 mm a month ago...
I'm looking for least invasive to fix my problem. I'm not sure if it's worth it to have the the shots? I just don't want to be dependent on them. I was told it should heal on its own...


Big needle??

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

I have a 9mm Herniated disk at l5-S1. The bulge has inflamed a nerve root and is touching the other. It was 14 mm a month ago...
I'm looking for least invasive to fix my problem. I'm not sure if it's worth it to have the the shots? I just don't want to be dependent on them. I was told it should heal on its own...


Big needle??

Smaller than a drinking straw for sure

In my yoot i have the same problem at L5 S1, ended up getting a laminectomy.
Do not make the same mistake if you can avoid it.
a laminectomy should be considered a last resort only. My back has never been the same.

Shots won't fix anythnig but will make the pain go away for a while.
I suggest you take a good look at your sleep posture. When sleeping on your side, an immaginary line bisecting your hips and one bisecting your shoulders should be parrallel to each other and perpindicular to the bed.

If your find that hips are leaned over farther than your shoulders, then the muscles in your lower back will have to contract somewhat to support it. That means they NEVER get to relax and the prsssure on the disc will never go away and it will never completely heal. And it may continue to deteriorate.

Support your hips and keep them parrallel to your shoulders and your muscles will relax and your back will have a chance to get better. A couple dozen pillows will help
Serial, make sure you have a reasonably soft bed. A mattress that is too firm IMO causes more back problems that it solves.
it should't sag but it also shouldn't be hard and unconforming.

After all the crap I went through for years, sleep posture correction was the ultimate answer.

[sammyg2]

And if ya ever get the idea that surgeons are over-paid, this is what a laminectomy looks like. cain't make heads or tails of it. (WARNING GRAPHIC .......not for the weak stomach)


laminectomy surgery - Bing Images