Epidural for disc prolapse

[naama]

Has anyone else been offered epidural treatment for a chronically prolapsed disc? I think, from the conversation that I had with my rheumy over the phone that it would be a cortisone injection via epidural. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had relief from this given that we don't usually respond well to cortisone injections. He has made it clear that it would be to try to treat the nerve pain from the disc pressing on the nerves at the level below the prolapse, not for the back pain.

[Kayzee]

I had it done years ago, but I'm afraid it didn't do anything for me. There was another girl there getting it done for the second time, and she said she got nearly 3 weeks relief from it. I think everyones different. You've nothing to lose by trying it though

I hope it works for you hun

Kay x

[naama]

Thanks. Even three weeks doesn't sound particularly impressive for something I've got to wait two months for! I'm inclined to think that I'd be better off learning to live with it! I guess I can try it once and see what happens.

[sarahh]

Hi Naama there were ladies getting it done when I was having Botox injected into my back muscles not sure why they were having it done some back problem thats all I know. They had like 6 months of relief and then had it done again as they were so pleased with it. Not sure on the hms front what it would be like though. All you can do hun is try thats what I did with the SI joint injections and the Botox unfortunatly both failed but atleast I tried. I really hope it helps you hun.

Take care

Sarah x

[bexg]

Hi Naama,
I felt like i had been kicked by a horse 2 weeks after mine, then felt better (or maybe just felt better after such a response) for about 3 weeks.
I am not rushing to have one again BUT i did get a good response from a steriod depot injection - 6months or so and went back for more they gave me some nerve block instead. This is heaven becos i don't feel anything now even though there are visual spasm's. This was higher up tho. I am nearly but not quite numb there.
As you don't know your response, it has to be worth a go, at least?
They gave it to me under sedation using a magic medicine that meant I forget the whole experience, it was fab. I woke up in recovery not believing anything had been done.
Good luck.

[naama]

Yes, I will have it done to see what happens. I spoke to the consultant on Friday because I was concerned about the local anaesthetic not working and the fact that they wanted me to go to a back class afterwards. He's made a note that he needs to give me more LA and has told me he has no objection to me just continuing to see my physios in London. Isn't it nice when consultants just talk to you and put your mind at rest instead of using their secretaries to frighten everyone away!

[bexg]

Hi Naama,
ask for some madazolam (?spelling) - even if it is painful, you won't remember it so it isn't a problem! lol
Whats a "Back Class?" what do they do there?

[naama]

the back class is a back rehabilitation class. From previous experience they teach you about core stability etc and get you to do exercises that are way too advanced for me! They are great at teaching someone who has a back problem and has had no previous treatment about these things and for people who have a simple problem but are not ideal for complex patients because they can't be one to one.
I'm not concerned about the pain that the injection is going to cause really because it won't be long lasting. I can bear anything for a short time if I know it's going to go away!

[bexg]

Hi,
You said your Rhuemy told you your injection wouldn't help your back pain, but would help the nerve pain.
Do you know what you are having...is he giving you steriod or just LA?
I know steriods have their limits but if there is any inflammation it may help a weenie bit.
Be careful of twisting, took me ages to suss that one but it is a real aggrivater for disc pain.
Hope you don't wait too long.

[sanguine_emma]

Ey up naama

sorry, not been around for aaaages due to being swept up in life in general. I'll be interested to know how this goes for you. I've had L5/S1 prolapse since forever (although the raging rhino didn't see fit to tell me, I only found out since Dr H looked at my MRI!). No one seems to want to do anything about it though . If the epidural is good, I might push for one myself.

Emma xx

[naama]

the epidural is a steroid injection. I am under the impression that I've had this prolapse since forever too. The first time anyone ever mentioned prolapses was about three years ago when I knelt down at the Communion rail at church, stood up and wondered what had hit me. The physio at the time said that he couldn't see how getting up from the Communion rail could prolapse a disc but if he saw me wobble up then he might understand how my back might not be chuffed at the prospect, especially if the surrounding tissues are not as strong as they should be to start with. I've had problems with my back since I was about 14, so I actually have no idea how long its been prolapsed / degenerating.

[bexg]

Oh you poor thing.
it makes me cringe when i hear professionals say things like that. After a right roller coaster ride myself, I learnt that most discs eventually "go" when you sneeze or soemthing lame (because you don't guard like when you lift a TV) but it isn't the sneeze or getting up from the rail that actually "did" it, but the years of degneration prior to the elastic band snapping. A really good web site is
http://www.chirogeek.com/
explains the back really well.

Leaning forward as instinct relief is another classic sign that in my case was over looked. Also, be careful with the SLR (When they lift your leg at 90 degrees to see if you have back/leg pain) because of HMS I could all of it, somersaults too (i jest) but this gave a wrong assessment to the health professionals - I think they thought i was lying!
It is very worrying when text book symptoms are ignored. Perhaps you should try a different Physio? The boards here say how important it is to have one that fully understand HMS and I have to agree with that too.
There is also a school of thought that thinks that once the disc has been damaged, the fluid becomes "toxic" to the body and causes pain.
Take care and no heavy lifting!
x
Mod edit - link fixed

[naama]

Hi bex
I don't see that physio any more but he was the one who was treating me when the particular incident happened. He was private and used to be used solely to put me back together when something broke that my NHS physio wasn't treating. Now I see one physio at UCH.

[bexg]

Sorry my mistake, your seeing one of the HMS physios under DrG?

[naama]

I am seeing the physio who has replaced the one who worked in the HMS clinic. As some of my comments may have suggested, I'm not too sure about her. If she refuses to respond to the MRI information then I'm not sure what I'll do since she keeps telling me what can and can't affect my back. She gives me the impression that she thinks I'm a bit of an awkward customer!