Life Anyone ever had an epidural steroid injection?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-11-2011, 10:33 AM

I have two degenerative and bulging disks between L4-L5-S1 in my back that is causing significant sciatic nerve pain down my left leg. I've been going to PT for 3 weeks with no relief. Doc says this is the next step.

Anyone had this done and care to share their experience?

TIA.

Mr. Laz · 10-11-2011, 10:38 AM

With me i had to sit on the edge of the table and lean/curl forward. Put my chin on my chest and hunch forward to spread my vertebrae out as much as possible. Then doc stands behind you and gives the shot.

It's scary as **** but it's really not bad as long as the doc doesn't 'miss'

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-11-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

With me i had to sit on the edge of the table and lean/curl forward. Put my chin on my chest and hunch forward to spread my vertebrae out as much as possible. Then doc stands behind you and gives the shot.

It's scary as **** but it's really not bad as long as the doc doesn't 'miss'

How long ago did you have it done? I've been told they use a "live X-ray" and contrast to show exactly where the needle is.

WilliamTheIrish · 10-11-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

How long ago did you have it done? I've been told they use a "live X-ray" and contrast to show exactly where the needle is.

Yes it's done under real time fluoroscopy. The beam is limited to the area of interest and the practitioner punches the needle through the meninges and into the canal.

They use lidocaine prior to the spinal needle so it numbs the area of interest. The Lido feels kind of like a bee sting.

**Buehler445** · 10-11-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Yes it's done under real time fluoroscopy. The beam is limited to the area of interest and the practitioner punches the needle through the meninges and into the canal.

They use lidocaine prior to the spinal needle so it numbs the area of interest. The Lido feels kind of like a bee sting.

That makes me hurt just reading those words.

**1ChiefsDan** · 10-11-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

How long ago did you have it done? I've been told they use a "live X-ray" and contrast to show exactly where the needle is.

I had several cortizone shots in my neck (ended up with C5-C7 fused) and they used the x-ray to guide where the needle was. Very easy procedure.

stonedstooge · 10-11-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denverdanchiefsfan

I had several cortizone shots in my neck (ended up with C5-C7 fused) and they used the x-ray to guide where the needle was. Very easy procedure.

Did your fusion work and alliviate the pain?

**1ChiefsDan** · 10-11-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonedstooge

Did your fusion work and alliviate the pain?

Did for a while. Just had a CAT scan done on my neck Friday. Waiting to hear from the Dr on what the options are now.
Sounds like another surgery to fix the plate on the front of my spine and add one to the back to make everything more stable.

Mr. Laz · 10-11-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

How long ago did you have it done? I've been told they use a "live X-ray" and contrast to show exactly where the needle is.

15-20 years ago

**BigRedChief** · 10-11-2011, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

How long ago did you have it done? I've been told they use a "live X-ray" and contrast to show exactly where the needle is.

That's what I had done. They know exactly where the nEedle is at all times. Out patient . In and out in a couple of hours.

El Jefe · 10-12-2011, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

That's what I had done. They know exactly where the nEedle is at all times. Out patient . In and out in a couple of hours.

Yep

Frosty · 10-12-2011, 10:29 AM

My mom has suffered from severe sciatica for years and has had a host of treatments that didn't help. She was recently diagnosed with a ruptured disk and had surgery to repair it but it did nothing for the sciatica.

I'm always hesitant to suggest alternatives because people tend to flip out (where's your MD?) but I'll throw this out in case it can help someone like it did me.

I was laid up almost all of last February with severe back pain. It hurt in my lower back, into my hip and in the groin. I couldn't sleep for long because laying down was incredibly painful and turning over was out of the question. Standing or walking was very difficult too, and a cough or even a deep breath would put me on the floor.

I went to the doctor a bunch of times and they were useless. Even after doing a CT scan (which cost me $1200), they had no idea what was wrong and recommended exploratory surgery.

At that point, I decided to research treatment options. After wading through tons of snake oil and bullshit, I found a paper written by an Australian doctor written for the Australian medical profession comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for back pain. This lead to another similar paper written by a researcher at the University of Washington. The outlook from these looked kind of bleak because the research showed that most current medical treatments for chronic back pain was not very effective.

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/...g10461_fm.html

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...00102013440508

I did find that my pain was likely related to the quadratus lumborum muscle on my right side. The pain when twisting or taking a deep breath, as well as the pain in the groin, were good clues.

Research the quadratus lumborum muscles and treatments lead me the saveyourself.ca site. The site is full of treatment reviews and treatment options. After reading through a bunch of the articles on the site, I ended up buying his low back pain e-book out of desperation (hey, 20 bucks is a lot cheaper than the $1200 for the useless CT scan) and read through it (took several days as it's huge). It's incredibly well referenced as are most of the articles on the site. I also like that he doesn't sell anything as "The One True Way". He presents evidence for different treatments for different situations.

I ended up using this treatment to bring my pain from a level 9 to about a 5. I would soak in the tub in the hottest water I could stand and then have my wife work the spot at the end off the bottom rib (the "floating" one).

I found another point by accident. I had my hands on my hips, stretching my back and found where my thumb was pressing into my hip (in the back) was incredibly tender. Working that spot for a while made pain go from a 5 to a 1 almost right away. It turns out that it is the gluteus medius.

Anyway - I know I sound like a groupy or something but I was so relieved when it worked that I want to put it out there in case it could help others. I was terrified that i would have to live it with it and didn't see how that would be possible.

I don't know if it would help OTWP (though this is supposed to help with sciatica) but it sounds like there are a lot of people here with chronic back problems.

WilliamTheIrish · 10-11-2011, 10:39 AM

It's temporary. It's a good fix for some. However, you're still looking at a lumbar laminectomy in the future in most cases.

Stretch, stretch, stretch. And if you can, begin yoga. Many people find that relieves some of the issues of sciatica.

Good luck bro.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 10-11-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

It's temporary. It's a good fix for some. However, you're still looking at a lumbar laminectomy in the future in most cases.

Stretch, stretch, stretch. And if you can, begin yoga. Many people find that relieves some of the issues of sciatica.

Good luck bro.

Thanks. I'm doing about 40 minutes of prescribed stretching every day. Hasn't made much of a difference, at least not yet.

WilliamTheIrish · 10-11-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Thanks. I'm doing about 40 minutes of prescribed stretching every day. Hasn't made much of a difference, at least not yet.

A lumbar lammy is no guarantee of living a pain free life. It's invasive as hell and takes a good while to recover from. It's the last resort. Don't get me wrong, if I needed one, I'd get it. A some folks get relief right away.

But do everything you can to stave that off for as long as possible. If you're heavy, diet. Lose some of that bulk. Do your level best to strengthen the belly. A stronger core will also relieve the stress of the lower back.

Acupuncture, yoga and core strengthening will help you stay lean and fit. And as we all learn - sometimes too late in life - you EARN your health after 45.

10-11-2011, 10:33 AM	Topic Starter
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4731115	Anyone ever had an epidural steroid injection? I have two degenerative and bulging disks between L4-L5-S1 in my back that is causing significant sciatic nerve pain down my left leg. I've been going to PT for 3 weeks with no relief. Doc says this is the next step. Anyone had this done and care to share their experience? TIA.
Posts: 60,273

10-11-2011, 10:38 AM	#2
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	With me i had to sit on the edge of the table and lean/curl forward. Put my chin on my chest and hunch forward to spread my vertebrae out as much as possible. Then doc stands behind you and gives the shot. It's scary as **** but it's really not bad as long as the doc doesn't 'miss' __________________
Posts: 95,626

10-12-2011, 10:29 AM	#12
Frosty Go Beavers! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Warshington Casino cash: $5418243	My mom has suffered from severe sciatica for years and has had a host of treatments that didn't help. She was recently diagnosed with a ruptured disk and had surgery to repair it but it did nothing for the sciatica. I'm always hesitant to suggest alternatives because people tend to flip out (where's your MD?) but I'll throw this out in case it can help someone like it did me. I was laid up almost all of last February with severe back pain. It hurt in my lower back, into my hip and in the groin. I couldn't sleep for long because laying down was incredibly painful and turning over was out of the question. Standing or walking was very difficult too, and a cough or even a deep breath would put me on the floor. I went to the doctor a bunch of times and they were useless. Even after doing a CT scan (which cost me $1200), they had no idea what was wrong and recommended exploratory surgery. At that point, I decided to research treatment options. After wading through tons of snake oil and bullshit, I found a paper written by an Australian doctor written for the Australian medical profession comparing the effectiveness of various treatments for back pain. This lead to another similar paper written by a researcher at the University of Washington. The outlook from these looked kind of bleak because the research showed that most current medical treatments for chronic back pain was not very effective. http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/...g10461_fm.html http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056...00102013440508 I did find that my pain was likely related to the quadratus lumborum muscle on my right side. The pain when twisting or taking a deep breath, as well as the pain in the groin, were good clues. Research the quadratus lumborum muscles and treatments lead me the saveyourself.ca site. The site is full of treatment reviews and treatment options. After reading through a bunch of the articles on the site, I ended up buying his low back pain e-book out of desperation (hey, 20 bucks is a lot cheaper than the $1200 for the useless CT scan) and read through it (took several days as it's huge). It's incredibly well referenced as are most of the articles on the site. I also like that he doesn't sell anything as "The One True Way". He presents evidence for different treatments for different situations. I ended up using this treatment to bring my pain from a level 9 to about a 5. I would soak in the tub in the hottest water I could stand and then have my wife work the spot at the end off the bottom rib (the "floating" one). I found another point by accident. I had my hands on my hips, stretching my back and found where my thumb was pressing into my hip (in the back) was incredibly tender. Working that spot for a while made pain go from a 5 to a 1 almost right away. It turns out that it is the gluteus medius. Anyway - I know I sound like a groupy or something but I was so relieved when it worked that I want to put it out there in case it could help others. I was terrified that i would have to live it with it and didn't see how that would be possible. I don't know if it would help OTWP (though this is supposed to help with sciatica) but it sounds like there are a lot of people here with chronic back problems.
Posts: 14,502

10-11-2011, 10:39 AM	#13
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $5680607	It's temporary. It's a good fix for some. However, you're still looking at a lumbar laminectomy in the future in most cases. Stretch, stretch, stretch. And if you can, begin yoga. Many people find that relieves some of the issues of sciatica. Good luck bro.
Posts: 34,663