Bulging disc injection

cavan4sam

Hi all.. This has probably been done to death already but has anybody had an epidural / nerve block injection done privately on l4/l5 bulging discs in the private sector paying without health insurance

Tried a good few places but it seems impossible to get an answer without actually seeing the consultant which I'm OK with

But anyone that has ballpark figure for the same I'd appreciate it

I know the success rate isn't guaranteed but just before I see the consultant I'd like to have an idea

I have the mri copy and report and it suggests an injection may be of benefit

Thanks in advance

cavan4sam

Well. I know now it's €2300 for me for a couple of injections.......

Gremlinertia

Ive had them public, glad I didn't pay that amount since it seems they are not what I needed

cavan4sam

I haven't got it yet as I'm waiting on a second opinion from a neurosurgeon to see if surgery is the better option..

Either way something has to be done

Gremlinertia

Id be a long way from surgery I reckon but that's how it is public, I'll be interested to hear how you get on..

HBC08

I had it done 4 times.Twice just a jab in the general area and twice laser guided.

The first 3 didnt work and the last one made it worse (which can happen)

They were covered under insurance, I definitely wouldn't be paying 2k for it.

I won't be having any more of them.

Gremlinertia

Yeah I've had approx six different blocks outside of maintenance trigger point injections and just recently sent back a thing to saolta through their waiting list portal for further investigation/procedure though what kind I've no idea

cavan4sam

Were your injections image xray guided or just hop up on the couch and I'll find l4 kid of a job?

I'll see how I get on if anything I'll be using the cross border directive for surgery and anyone is eligible for the national treatment purchase fund NTPF if they are over 3 months on the waiting list as far as I'm aware now I may be wrong but that's my understanding. So that's another avenue to explore

Gremlinertia

Both types, have had all the way to stellate ganglion upper cervical spine blocks through to coccyx area trying to isolate. Brief relief sometimes but just now I jumped out of a seat because I got a "shock" that's messing with lumbar coccyx and pelvic area, I'll probably be able to sit down again in a few hours.

cavan4sam

Mine is L4 bulging disc sitting on the nerve root. So they reckon it's suitable for injection and sure why wouldn't they at 2.4k

cavan4sam

5612
Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) lesioning of medial branch nerve or
dorsal root ganglion, one or more levels under image guidance
with sensorimotor testing

That's the procedure code if it makes sense to anyone

I.am.Putins.raging.bile.duct

I waiting for an X-Ray epidural nerve block injection C4-C5 through Kingsbridge in Belfast. I've was referred to them through the HSE as part of the cross border directive scheme last autumn and since then I've had one 10 minute face meeting in Belfast (February) with the Neurologist and a follow up phone call (June) to confirm the procedure which was set for September but they decided to cancel it with no explanation or call just a text saying they would organise another appointment.

To begin with I got a letter from them autumn 23 saying I was on their list and I would hear from them about an appointment. After waiting for 3 months wondering if I was forgotten about and rang them. They made an appointment in Belfast right there and then for December. They rang me the evening before and cancelled that. New appointment on new years eve. They rang cancelled that. Made an appointment for phone call only a few weeks later. They cancelled that. Eventually I got the face to face appointment in Belfast in February.

In between all this they lost my MRI disc, said they never got it. I went to the hospital and got a replacement. Emailed them several times to make sure they got it and was ignored. They used the excuse that they never received my MRI disc to stall me for months but eventually when I was scheduled for my procedure in September they posted me back the original MRI disc.

If you do manage to get through to the helpline it's like feeding time in the Chimp cages you can't hear a thing they say.

I'm on a lot of pain killers and my neck is getting worse causing new pains shooting out in my chest, back, hip and ankle. I'm even having pain sitting now. They know all this but continue to mess me around

Has anyone else had any dealings with Kingsbridge? I'm fed up of them now.

Also I was told the injection was just for diagnosis as my condition warrants vertebrae fusion and they have to do the injection regardless.

cavan4sam

Sorry to hear your experience has been so bad

To be fair I've found it fairly seamless so far.

I've had an appointment with pain management in sligo then a neurosurgeon in kingsbridge Belfast I've decided to get an injection in Belfast. Partly due to cost €700 cheaper and being able to get some of the money back on the cross border directive but mostly because it's being given by a neurosurgeon

Is your appointment through cross border or NTPF?

I emailed my mri report to them and brought my mri disc with me, my neurosurgeon gave me 2 options injection first to try and then discectomy

I.am.Putins.raging.bile.duct

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122485991#Comment_122485991

Cross border ya

Ladjacket

following this thread I’ve bulging discs at L4 and L5 and after an MRI the treatment path recommended is the steroid injections.

Curious as to how people have found them. I’m lucky that they’re covered by my insurance policy but I’m more concerned about the hit and miss nature of their success

Consultant said they’ll relieve the pain enough to allow me to do the physio required but didn’t give any indication of what type of physio would be required

Does the pain ever really go away?

Maxface

I have bulging L4 and L5, had the injection. Seemed to be a few injections, one was sort of straight up the ways and some directly in. For me, I was like a new person, was flying a few weeks after. Almost forgot I had any issues. About 6 months later, it was like a train hit me, obviously I had been doing things that I normally didn't, and I guess it wore off or whatever. Back to square one again. Will look for another injection again, it will be through Kingsbridge. Not sure if I want to consider the surgery route yet, have a job that needs a decent back!

Ladjacket

I’ve read people saying Kingsbridge. Whats that?

I’d be happy to do the surgery if it removed the pain

cavan4sam

Kingsbridge is a private hospital group in Northern Ireland. A lot of people using it through the cross border directive where you pay first then hse reimburse the costs of what it would cost here for the procedure

Ladjacket

Thanks cavan4sam

I got myself in a rut the last week or so not doing any exercises etc that might help. Scheduled for the injections in a few weeks time but anything I have heard or read doesn't fill me with confidence to be honest that it will help much.

How did you fare out with the injections?

cavan4sam

I'll let u know in the next few days... I'm getting it tonight

So hopefully It gives some relief

Nothing to lose at this stage

Ladjacket

ah best of luck with it!!

Ladjacket

I see some places advertising non surgical spinal decompression and promising big results - has anyone ever tried?

Ladjacket

Cavan4Sam, how did it go for you?

sheepondrugs

I had the injection done on the L4 disc and it did alleviate the pain. covered by VHI at Santry sports clinic. combined with lifestyle changes its resolved i think,stretching, better posture, pilates etc. The MRI showed the disc clearing bulging out by 1cm - looked horrible- to nearly back to normal 18 months later.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122567726#Comment_122567726

Can I ask what lifestyle changes?

Ladjacket

One week out from my first set of injections for L4/5 bulge. Getting it done in UPMC Clane.

cavan4sam

Hi folks a week on and I have to say fingers crossed it's been a huge success

Still have a little bit of back pain but the unbearable nerve pain that was radiating down the leg is all but gone

I've gone from not being able to walk 50 metres to walking miles at the weekend

Booking in to pilates next week to see if I can strengthen up the core and see how I go

Best of luck ladjacket

Ladjacket

great news! Delighted for you. Keep in touch but fingers crossed this is it for you

cavan4sam

Will do... Next job is see was it free through cross border or how much was covered

£1785 between consultant fee and then injection for anyone looking to self fund through cross border directive

Ladjacket

in for the injections tomorrow morning. Hoping for some relief. Last 48 hours has been rough with pain

cavan4sam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122596455#Comment_122596455

How did ya get on?

Ladjacket

I feel a good bit better i have to say. Not fully there yet by any means but last night was the first night in 3 months i went to bed without painkillers.

They told me it can take up to 2 weeks for them to fully kick in so to speak so I am just gonna take it easy in that time, will get out for a few walks each day but until the consultant calls me and chats through, that will be the most of my activity.

How have you been since?

Ladjacket

By way of update, I am a week post-procedure now and I would say that I am….ok.

If the pain was an 8, i would say its at a 4 now. I have gone from 8 painkillers a day to 4 now but would still take 2 in the morning and 2 at night.

I have been moving quite a bit and walking over 10k steps each day. Its been recommended to start Yoga/Pilates and I am also going to look at spinal decompression as well.

I am expecting to hear a follow up from the consultant this week also

Ladjacket

so the pain got worse and i am back in for another round of injections on the 22nd of this month. Consultant also pre-scheduled me for keyhole surgery in December if these injections don't work

I.am.Putins.raging.bile.duct

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122695889#Comment_122695889

sorry to hear that. God you didn't get much time at all.

pummice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122484798#Comment_122484798

How did you get on, my spouse has similar C4/C5 disc degeneration causing headaches and neck pain

I.am.Putins.raging.bile.duct

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122698454#Comment_122698454

They gave me an appointment for the epidural injection just before Xmas so ive another few months to go again. I'm in varying degrees of pain all the time depending how I mind myself, It doesn't take much to pinch the spinal cord and pain blooms up in my neck, chest, mid back, top of the hip and foot(all right side). I carried a fruit box of shopping to the car a few weeks ago(maybe 15kg max) and I was shocking sore for days.

Doctor has me on Lyrica 50mg twice daily, I'd be screwed without these. Vitafen 100mg when it gets sore, I try not to take them they are hard on the stomach. Tramadol 50mg for very bad pain, I hate these as I'm so tired for 3 days after one. Difene spray as well but I'm not sure it does any good at all.

The epidural-steroid is really only part of the necessary diagnosis for me that precedes a discectomy according to the surgeon, but it might give me some relief but I'm doubtful.

https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/spinal-fusion/acdf-anterior-cervical-discectomy-and-fusion#:~:text=Anterior%20cervical%20discectomy%20and%20fusion%20(ACDF)%20is%20a%20type%20of,weakness%2C%20numbness%2C%20and%20tingling.

This is exactly what I'll need as I have osteophytes in there as well.

Ladjacket

Back in for round 2 of injections tomorrow. Seeing a physio post online about how they've achieved fantastic results with non-surgical spinal decompression and lots of reviews from folks on Google etc raving about the results. May be a good alternative to surgery

cavan4sam

Back to the cost of the injection which for me wasn't a great success... Only got about 8 weeks out of it €2000 euro between injection and consultant...

Got 1150 back of Cross border directive

So back to square one again waiting on ntpf and to see what they will cover after being referred from public system

Woodcutting

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122420880#Comment_122420880

Had them twice . Useless . Another money game I expect .

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123112028#Comment_123112028

I know more people who got relief from them,some haven't had issues in years.

Its more likely to work than not work so if physio alone doesnt work its definitely the next step.

It didn't work for me and I have to accept that,it's surgery or bust now.

I would advise if you are doing it to make sure you get the laser guided rather than the hit and hope injection.

Woodcutting

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123112122#Comment_123112122

Had both . Waste of time. Still fighting with doctor who won't give enough pain med " for my own good" lol. More like his own good. Docs put themselves first and listen to the clowns who abuse drugs and cause trouble for those who don't .

cavan4sam

Getting another x-ray guided injection in the next couple of weeks he's going to try putting an electric current through it or something like that so I'll see how I go

My symptoms are the minute are tolerable but it's like I'm waiting for for it to fcuk up at the time I need it the least

Andy From Sligo

I had very bad Sciatica in 2009 that put me in hospital for a few days - Mri showed slipped/bulging discs on Sciatic nerve specialist told me I should go for op but when he started talking of 'could be paralysed' because its right next to spine I decided against it to try and carry on with medication to handle pain.

when i was in Hospital they gave me a Caudal injection (I think thats what its called) that hurt , they did it blind, found out afterwards it should have been guided by an x-ray but it wasnt, kept feeling like the nurse kept hitting the wrong space and I was awake through it and pretty sure I heard her say "wrong space just going to try again" - then there was other injections , one where I had to lie on operating table (again I was awake for it) and the pain management specialist made me curl up into the foetus position to administer it, I had to fast from the night before for that one.

They sent me home from hospital on a dose of Lyrica/Pregablin , but a couple of days later I was in with the physio and he said "get off that muck… pure poison" (the lyrica/pregablin he was talking about) but he said to me "dont come strait off them you will get cold turkey" - so I went to doctors who said I have to wean off them over 3 weeks (I dont even think it was that much of a big dose)

over the years (and as I say I didnt go for an operation) I have been getting bad back's every now and again (not sciatica that was going down to my left foot like before though when I was in hospital thank God) , mainly control pain by paracetamol, ibroprufen , hot and cold bottles on my lower back and doing some excercises I learnt from physio appointments.

The most ironic thing I have ended up with a lot of the time is that there are times I could be lifting something heavy and think "I am going to pay for this now" and a lot of the time I have been OK that evening or next day. Then there will be times I wake up in morning, and go to get out of bed and bent over and cannot straighten up and I can be like that for the next 4 or 5 days and cannot place lifting anything heavy or doing anything strenuous or jolting my back and it just happens out of the blue. - so it is still unpredictable.