Epidural for disc prolapse

[sarahh]

Hi Naama physio's ay they think they know everything don't they like stuff about our bodies they think they know it all and whats best for us when they clearly don't. A physio my mum saw told her one thing and then when she told her rheumy her rheumy said what a load of rubbish how would that help.

[naama]

OK, now this is getting closer - the end of next week, I'm wondering exactly why I'm having it done. If the only thing it helps with is the nerve pain then I think it's fairly pointless because I don't get very much. By far and away the more problematic is the back pain, although I did go to the only hilly place in Worthing yesterday and realised that walking uphill is pretty much a no no because I've got virtually no strength in my right leg when I'm walking up hill. I don't know if it helps with things like that or if it only helps with the pain, which I don't get!

[bexg]

You gotta suck it and see!!

I guess it also depends what meds the doc is injecting - Steiod alone or steriod + anaesthetic. The latter will give you some relief until the anaesthetic wears off!
If your prolasped disc is casuing any local inflammtion to surrounding tissues you may get some relief and it may last for a while. It all depends what the pain triggers are in your back and what is really happening, which is why backs are such a nightmare.

I never heard that epidurals were for nerve pain, in fact I thought the oppostite was true - that nerve pain was difficult to treat.?? You hear so much conflicting stuff, i wish the medical profession would agree on things!

Good luck Friday and take care!

[naama]

I think, from having read a bit, that the steroid basically treats the inflammation, so if the inflammation is what is causing it to press on the nerve then reducing the inflammation should reduce the nerve pain. I am having one with a local anaesthetic although I don't have a good track record with anaesthetics not working so he's giving me a bit extra. Apparently the anaesthetic can help with pain relief as well - something to do with chemicals - not my speciality! I've been taking my one a day anti inflammatories for four weeks now. I generally don't think they do a lot for me, basically because generally I don't get inflammation but this may be different. I guess I'm just getting nervous. It is a week on Friday so plenty of time to get wound up about it!

[bexg]

It shouldn't be any different from any other spinal injection from your persective. Are you being sedated?
They lay you flat down afterwards for a good few hours (so your gaureenteed to spill your Tea)
Your legs may feel a bit strange for a few hours. My back felt "numb" for a wee while on the day, aside of that, much the same.

[sarahh]

Hi Naama hun glad the consultant is giving you a bit extra, I really hope you get some relief from the injection. When I had my SI joints injected I was sedated but when I had the botox injected into the muscles I asked for sedation which failed to work I just laid there and didn't tell anyone naughty me should have said something. Take it easy and take your time do not let them rush you, Bex is right your legs may feel a bit strange for a while afterwards mine did I kinda forgot where my legs were.

[naama]

Ho hum. Well, it came, it went! It wasn't a pleasant experience and I wasn't expecting him to do it so low down. I thought it would be at the level of the prolapse but it was actually right at the bottom of my spine where the nerve exits. He gave me two whacks of local anaesthetic which, predictably, didn't do as much as it should have done. I felt one buttock go numb but not the other one. I definitely felt the needle go in . My hubby was great at holding my hand throughout. The sensation of shoving 50ml of fluid into somewhere that doesn't have space for 50ml of fluid was pretty horrid too. I could feel it going up my spine to about the level of my waist - nasty!
Then I had to spend three days lying flat. Oh my word! How painful is that! My ribs were screaming for mercy, as was my pelvis.
So, what effect did it have? It's a bit hard to say because I'm also quite bruised. I have a peculiar vertical bruise basically along my spine going roughly an inch either side of the hole. I'm back at work today and I still have pins and needles and pain but it's impossible to tell how much of that is due to the bruising needing to settle down. I think I'm only going to manage working until lunchtime because it's very sore. The doctor said some people know immediately if it's had any effect, some it takes up to 2 weeks. Only 2/3 get any relief. I also read that it can make things worse before they get better. I'm going to be keeping an eye on the bruise and may go to the docs to get it checked out later in the week if it's not better. It really is particularly weird looking. I'm only assuming it's a bruise but it is very red.

[sarahh]

Hi Naama

I was wonder when you were having it done and just seen your post. Sorry to hear the Local didn't work I really wish they would learn with us. Ouch putting 50ml where they isn't room for it nasty. Glad hubby was there with you. 3 days lying flat I couldn't do anything for days after both of mine couldn't lay on my back, if its still very red I would go and get it checked out it could be something like inflam under the skin or like a small reaction. I really hope it gives you atleast some relief hun. I am thinking of you.

Sarah x

[naama]

Thanks. I'm trying to act positive and think that maybe I'm one of the ones where 'things get worse before they get better' because my sciatica, which is what it's supposed to help, is definitely worse. My consultant did know about us and locals, hence he put two lots in. There's not much he can do if it doesn't work! I'm starting to get a bit down about the whole back thing and wondering whether I just need to start getting used to living with it. This is the first time something has flared up and I've felt it's not going to improve. After six weeks of being good and sensible I would have thought it should be at least slightly better. Going back to see the rheumy who did the epidural at the end of July.

[hannah]

naama. I hope the redness goes away and the epidural kicks in with a good effect m'dear. It is disheartening when you just can't see the end, but keep going hun. - and do try and take it easy
let us know how its going.
H

[bexg]

Naama,
I wish you a speedy response to the injections...
Hang in there!

I am not sure there is any way of telling if it will work or not. My first ever injection worked a treat, lasted 2 years before I begged for another one.
The next time I was given some nerve block thing and again it has worked.
My lower spine is a different story.
I wonder if there is a substance that can just knock off the pain signals?? ho hum..

Take it easy and listen to your body.

[sarahh]

Hi Naama hun

Glad the doctor knew about the hms, really wish our body would learn when its being helped. As you know I had my SI joints injected aswell as Botox neither worked or helped in any way. I really hope it works for you. Glad you are seeing the rheumy who did it this month.

Take care

Sarah x

[naama]

I guess it's time for a bit of an update. Well, the epidural seems to be doing its stuff. My back is loads better, despite the fact that the epidural wasn't supposed to actually help my back due to it being administered much lower down than the prolapse. Maybe the stuff can travel up the spinal column when I was forced to lie down. The last couple of days have been a bit worse, but I think generally the trend is in the right direction. Now all there is to find out is how long it is effective for! Lots of non-bendies have cringed at what I had done and said they would never have it done. So, would I have it done again? We'll have to wait and see how long I benefit from it to answer that. Given that the first week after the injection was pretty hideous, I wouldn't have it done if the benefits are short lived. However, if they are longer lasting then probably I would have it done again. Maybe the lesson is that I need longer after the injection to get over it than a 'normal' person. After all, it takes us longer than everyone else to recover from anything else!! Having said that, the tramadol will be coming out when I get to work today!! I guess even up and down is better than unrelenting misery!

[sarahh]

Hi Naama thanks for the update I am glad to hear the injection has worked for your back which is good. My consultant said some injections people find have to be repeated others find they never have to have it done again and have had long term relief from it. It does take us longer than normal people to recover I was still recovering after my injections a week-2 weeks. Ups and down are better than continous agony definatly.

Take care

Sarah x

[naama]

I'm beginning to think that the pain I'm getting now is more SI pain than spinal pain. However, I do seem to be getting sciatica again. Maybe it's helped the pain but not the sciatica - it was supposed to do the opposite!!