Epidural injection for back pain

Whiplashy

I'm due to have my first epidural steroid injection for back pain next week. I know from reading online that there's a few different kinds and I'm not actually sure what the consultant said I was having. Just wondering in general terms how people who had them done found them and how they felt afterwards. I know I won't be able to drive myself home but that's pretty much all they've told me. Reading online the procedure seems to vary from 10-40 mins depending on which one, but I've been told to be there at 7am and have someone to collect me at lunchtime. Hospital is an hours drive away so wondering if it really is likely to be that long? Would it be worth sending home whoever brings me as there's nowhere open at the moment?

byhookorbycrook

You won’t be “ on the table “ for 7 , in most cases. There are a number of checks they have to do and if you are female and if child bearing years , they may do a pregnancy test ( I think the nurse doing one of my pre-op checks was somewhat embarrassed when I pointed out that there was no way I’d be pregnant bar an “ immaculate conception “ with my back so sore !
And they tend to ask a number of people to come around the same time , so that may also mean it takes longer to get to the operating theatre .

They need to watch you afterwards to ensure you can walk , aren’t having an allergic reaction etc. They also need some of the anaesthetic to wear off as well .
For the procedures I’ve had , I’ve been up to almost an hour “ on the table for a few .
It may well be lunchtime , or you might be done by 11 , so I’d tell your driver to bring a book ( and possibly a good heavy coat as they can get cold in the car waiting .

jtkpenguin

Between 2014 & 2018 my wife had 3 of these injections & each time she had to be in the hospital day ward around 7-7.30am but wasn't actually operated on until much later as there were a lot of things to go through first, but pretty standard procedure.

The injections themselves only took approx 30-40 mins, she was then in a recovery room for 30 mins & back on the day ward for about an hour. She could get dressed & have the tea & toast. after nurses were happy with her she was discharged, usually around mid-day.

The only exception to this was the first time when she had severe pain down her leg afterwards, the consultant came to see her, examined her & said it was a good reaction!

jtkpenguin

Hope all goes well for you, op, and that you get relief...
My wife's back is causing her grief again so we're on the trail of consultants & treatment again, not a great time to be doing it but needs must.

Whiplashy

jtkpenguin wrote: »

Hope all goes well for you, op, and that you get relief...
My wife's back is causing her grief again so we're on the trail of consultants & treatment again, not a great time to be doing it but needs must.

Thank you. I hope your wife has success with whatever treatment options she has.

jtkpenguin

So, OP
how did the injection go for you?

Whiplashy

jtkpenguin wrote: »

So, OP
how did the injection go for you?

It went well. About 40 mins in the theatre and allowed home at 11:30. I had a radio frequency ablation done at the same time, and that definitely seems to have worked. On the fence about the injection. Pain levels are about the same as before having it done but they said it can take a few weeks to fully kick in, so fingers crossed

jtkpenguin

Glad to hear you weren't too long in the hospital, I think you were very brave having the radio frequency thingy done at the same time, one procedure would have been enough for me.

My wife said the first two injections gave her relief within 2-3 weeks, the last injection took a month for her to get any relief from the pain.

Whiplashy

That's definitely reassuring to hear. I've been feeling frustrated that it wasn't an instant fix, even though they told me beforehand that it wouldn't be.

zetor 4911

Whiplashy wrote: »

That's definitely reassuring to hear. I've been feeling frustrated that it wasn't an instant fix, even though they told me beforehand that it wouldn't be.

Hope you are keeping well and the injection is working. Was the injection your last port of call or did you go straight for it? In same position myself and would like to get the injection straight away but doctor will probably want to send me for physio and other options first and I know from experience that physio won't work. Take care.

rhc2s4lj5p0xu9

Whiplashy wrote: »

It went well. About 40 mins in the theatre and allowed home at 11:30. I had a radio frequency ablation done at the same time, and that definitely seems to have worked. On the fence about the injection. Pain levels are about the same as before having it done but they said it can take a few weeks to fully kick in, so fingers crossed

is this the one which is a mix of steroid and anesthetic injection? Are there any side effects of steroids?

irishgrover

I've had a few, no side effects. The last one I got worked very well, reduced pain significantly, and lasted the guts of a year....

Joe4321

Have had 3 injections so far for back pain and so far after the third one it seems to have eased the pain, I would say without knowing you full issues that physio is a must for strengting the core muscles, getting a good physio therapist is key. I found getting the injections OK, you get numbed up first and then they give you the injection, you should only feel a bit of pressure on your back when you get it, should be no pain, the first two I was in and out fairly quick but the third they monitored me in a waiting room and took blood pressure but was OK to go after about 30mins.

ExMachina1000

Saw consultant today who I had expected to offer an epidural. Instead he recommends surgery as it is "wear and tear bone growth ". Said an epidural wont create the space the exiting existing nerve root needs. I'm only 35 years old but he said I have a 9 out of 10 chance of success

Whiplashy

zetor 4911 wrote: »

Hope you are keeping well and the injection is working. Was the injection your last port of call or did you go straight for it? In same position myself and would like to get the injection straight away but doctor will probably want to send me for physio and other options first and I know from experience that physio won't work. Take care.

My GP actually referred me for surgery and it was the surgeon who suggested trying the injections. I haven't had physio on my back yet although I have been referred for it. It's more to strengthen my core to support the back than to fix my back issues.

Whiplashy

Benjamin Squeaking Schoolboy wrote: »

is this the one which is a mix of steroid and anesthetic injection? Are there any side effects of steroids?

I had no side effects. Took about 3 weeks I think to actually kick in, but I'm 80% pain free now

Whiplashy

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

Saw consultant today who I had expected to offer an epidural. Instead he recommends surgery as it is "wear and tear bone growth ". Said an epidural wont create the space the exiting existing nerve root needs. I'm only 35 years old but he said I have a 9 out of 10 chance of success

I hope the surgery goes well for you. I'll most likely need fusion surgery at some stage which apparently has an 80% success rate. Going to hold off as long as I can, but if the injections hadn't of been an option for me I'd have definitely gone for it.

HBC08

I have degenerative disc disease (DDD) and had my first injection Dec 2019,it didn't do a lot really.
They referred me for another Dec 2020 but understandable I haven't got called.
The injections seem to work somewhat for about 70% of people and id be willing to give it a go again.It wasn't particularly painful to have it administered,just a bit of pressure.
At this stage id be delighted to go for surgery to get it sorted, I'm doing physio and Pilates to build up the core with very limited success for the last year or so.

HBC08

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

Saw consultant today who I had expected to offer an epidural. Instead he recommends surgery as it is "wear and tear bone growth ". Said an epidural wont create the space the exiting existing nerve root needs. I'm only 35 years old but he said I have a 9 out of 10 chance of success

Not ideal to be having back surgery at 35 but i would deffo take a 9 out of 10 chance to be done with it.
I had severe back pain out of nowhere at 33,had to take a few months off work and everything,lasted for 3 months then disappeared.Its returned with a vengeance this last 18 months,I'm 42 now and running out of options with it.
I hope it works out for you.

Gremlinertia

I'm seeing the pain team tomorrow, been seeing them for many years but things have taken a serious downturn pain wise over the last year or so, I've had some lignocaine infusions/washes the last few years but nothing has stuck so I'm half expecting to hear this procedure as a possibility tomorrow..

rhc2s4lj5p0xu9

@Gremlinertia What are lignocaine infusions/washes. Is this like a drip in the vein of the arm?.What pain is it for if you do not mind my asking

Gremlinertia

Benjamin Squeaking Schoolboy wrote: »

@Gremlinertia What are lignocaine infusions/washes. Is this like a drip in the vein of the arm?.What pain is it for if you do not mind my asking

Yes it's a drip, lignocaine is pushed through on a measured pump machine takes around half an hour in a day hospital setting. My pain management doc said it can 'stick' to nerves to provide pain relief in some cases. Usually neuropathic pain.. If it works it takes a week or so to take effect and can last up to a year..

eeloe

Get a second opinion on any surgery.

I was referred to a specialist and he said I 100% needed surgery. 6-9 month recovery, no work, no driving or anything.

Went to see a good physio and I’m perfect since. A surgeons job is to cut people open, not send people home pain free

Whiplashy

It's been about 7? weeks since I had my procedure. The rhizotomy to stop the nerve pain down my leg has been a success. Not so lucky with the injection. About 3 or 4 weeks in I did see improvement in my back pain, although I am wondering if it was just because I was being extra careful with it. Pain is as bad as ever now, so I'm assuming at this stage it's a failure. I presumed I'd have a follow up with the consultant, but no contact from them so far. I'm not really bothered about giving him 100 euro to tell me it's not worked anyway *shrug* Feeling really disheartened. My GP was supposed to refer me for physio but I've heard nothing about that either. Don't know if I should just contact the original surgeon and say I want to go ahead with the fusion. I've been reading up on it, which I probably shouldn't have, and don't know if I want to put myself through it. Also wary about going in for surgery in the middle of a pandemic of course. Or if it can actually be done at the moment, as the surgeon I want works out of a public hospital. I'm booked in for bloods with my GP on Tuesday so I'll see what he thinks I should do.

ExMachina1000

Whiplashy wrote: »

It's been about 7? weeks since I had my procedure. The rhizotomy to stop the nerve pain down my leg has been a success. Not so lucky with the injection. About 3 or 4 weeks in I did see improvement in my back pain, although I am wondering if it was just because I was being extra careful with it. Pain is as bad as ever now, so I'm assuming at this stage it's a failure. I presumed I'd have a follow up with the consultant, but no contact from them so far. I'm not really bothered about giving him 100 euro to tell me it's not worked anyway *shrug* Feeling really disheartened. My GP was supposed to refer me for physio but I've heard nothing about that either. Don't know if I should just contact the original surgeon and say I want to go ahead with the fusion. I've been reading up on it, which I probably shouldn't have, and don't know if I want to put myself through it. Also wary about going in for surgery in the middle of a pandemic of course. Or if it can actually be done at the moment, as the surgeon I want works out of a public hospital. I'm booked in for bloods with my GP on Tuesday so I'll see what he thinks I should do.

You could book an appointment with a physiotherapist yourself to see if they can at get you doing some exercises and movements that might be worth a shot.

Whiplashy

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

You could book an appointment with a physiotherapist yourself to see if they can at get you doing some exercises and movements that might be worth a shot.

Good idea. Physio I'd usually go to isn't working at the moment which is probably why I've not heard anything. I'll ask my GP on Tuesday if there's anyone else local he'd recommend. I had a bad experience with a physio I saw before for my arthritis, so would be very reluctant to go to one that I'd not had a recommendation for. I've also had a physio tell me I don't have any disc issue, so while I know they can be great I'm really nervous about them too.

ExMachina1000

Whiplashy wrote: »

Good idea. Physio I'd usually go to isn't working at the moment which is probably why I've not heard anything. I'll ask my GP on Tuesday if there's anyone else local he'd recommend. I had a bad experience with a physio I saw before for my arthritis, so would be very reluctant to go to one that I'd not had a recommendation for. I've also had a physio tell me I don't have any disc issue, so while I know they can be great I'm really nervous about them too.

Thsts totally understandable. A "sports" physio might not be ideal. One who advertises back issues as a special interest might be more suitable. You might have to travel but most physiotherapists are still open for business as its classed as medical essential. If stopped at a checkpoint it is a valid reason to travel

Whiplashy

ExMachina1000 wrote: »

Thsts totally understandable. A "sports" physio might not be ideal. One who advertises back issues as a special interest might be more suitable. You might have to travel but most physiotherapists are still open for business as its classed as medical essential. If stopped at a checkpoint it is a valid reason to travel

Just checked out my health insurance coverage and they offer online consultations with physios so I've booked one as a starting point on the 8th to get some advise at least

Joe4321

@whiplashy, all physio theripest are allowed to work, so if yours chooses not to work and enjoy the pup payment I would be looking for another physio and they are clearly in the wrong business,

echo beach

Joe4321 wrote: »

@whiplashy, all physio theripest are allowed to work, so if yours chooses not to work and enjoy the pup payment I would be looking for another physio and they are clearly in the wrong business,

There may be a reason a particular therapist cannot work due to their own health or family circumstances. You can’t jump to the conclusion that they are choosing not to work.