Epidural lumbar injection questions!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter jww0310
  • Start date Start date
J

jww0310

Guest
I am getting injections at l5-s1 and had 1 yesterday... After the procedure the nurse gave me a pic of the fluroscopic image and Im confused... I have a disc protrusion there with annular tear.. In the image u can see the needle in the epidural space and the injection meRAB with a dye to show up... Below where the dye and meRAB theres a blob on the image but out to the left of that theres an area where the meRAB(dye) are pushed down and is larger at the top then becomes smaller facing to the left slightly torwar my hip but down torwars my left leg... I do have alot of pain in my buttocks and upper thigh in the back.. However the back of my calf and into my foot feeels like ive touched an electric fence.. Is the area where the dye moved left and pushed out in down where the protrusion and annular tear could be?
I am still in alot of pain from the injection but this is 3rd one in 4months.. First 2 didnt do anything.. Im dreading having to see a neurosurgeon if this doesnt help my problem.. Any help with my questions would greatly appreciated

Thank You
 
I had epidural injections at L4L5 and they did nothing for me. When I followed up with the PM doc. and told him that it felt the same and that I was still in pain, he insisted that we do another one, lower this time. I was young and stupid and didn't protest, so I had another painful injection done, that too did nothing for me. If the injections are not working for you, don't get another one. You're only making the PM doc more money and not getting better if you felt no difference. Try something else. Why are you dreading the neurosurgeon? -Sunny
 
JW,
wait ' till the swelling goes down. put some ice on it. give it a few days/wks. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I've had some that lasted yrs. and some that didn't work at all.DepenRAB if they got it in the right spot.I would def. consult a nuero sooner than later.
good luck!
 
Thank u for your input.. We do share alot of the same issues... I m 1 week from the injection and the pain is still there with no change.. The pain management doc did refer me to a neurosurgeon.. the reason Im dreading it is i seen 1 b4 and that was 2 yrs ago and they wanted surgery when it just happened to get more painful, Im just not wanting surgery b/cI have 3 kiRAB 15,11, and 7 mos.. The oldest I coach them in Football and the little one is getting very active and I want to do every thing I can with her while shes young.. I will need surgey but wanna put it off which may not b possible.. thanks again
 
1Philfan is correct. In my opinion, you should not worry so much about what the picture shows as what is causing you pain. Get on ice. Use your BT meRAB. If none, use Tylenol or Advil.
Concentrate on the results, not so much the pics. I have 35 or 40 of those pics. I have learned how to read them thru sheer volume, but the bottom line is that an icepack is your best friend. Bring up the issues on the pics from the Fluoroscope when you see the Neurosurgeon. Let them worry about the details, just concentrate on getting well.
 
Thanks for ur response.. we do suffer fron alot of the same problems.. The pain management doc has reffered me to a neurosurgeon... It has been 1 week since the injection.. I have used ice and all things I can but no relif.. I was dreading b/c I have 3 kiRAB 15,11 & 7mos.. I am very active in their activites(boys) and the baby girl is starting to become active.. I am sure I will get it done soon... Last time i consulted a neourosurgeon they were talking about a disckectomy but who knows now what will happen.. Thanks again!1!1
 
You've been given good advice...ice the injection area and give it another couple of days. If you are still in pain from the injection itself, then call the dr. who did it. BTW, you've had 3 of them in 4 months and I wonder if you are aware that you shouldn't have more than 3 in a 12 month period, tho some doctors say 4. Too much steroid can cause cataracts, bone thinning, high bp, and more, so be careful.

I also agree that you should probably see a spine specialist....either an ortho or a neuro who specializes in the spine. They are best equipped to evaluate you and advise you. If surgery is recommended, get at least one more opinion. Surgery should be your last option and not something to be hurried into.

I hope things get better for you.

Carol
 
I believe we have the same problem. L5 S1 herniated disc 11mm, posterior, feeling leg nurabness as though your foot is waking up from going to sleep sitting on it.... no muscle power in the dorsal flexion, muscle not work.... can't sleep and the only relief I get is when I curl up laying on my back in the fetal position.....I hope the best for you....let me know how it goes....
 
i have been referred to a neurosurgeon by the Pain doc who said theirs nothing else he can do for me.. Seems like every shot has increased the pain worse each time.. The nero appt is 3 weeks away & yes Im not looking forward to it b/c I know what is coming.. However the longer I wait the more damage will b done.. The pain doc that talked to the neuro did say the annular tear may not benefit from the surgery but not sure why.. Thanks for the reply
 
The one and only surgery that I have had was a cervical laminectomy/cervical fusion, where a hunk of my hip was removed to put in my neck and then theres a plate with 4 screws holding it all together. I was down (in bed) 1 day right after the surgery and what hurt the most was the hip where the bone was removed. You are to have a discectomy(sp) which I believe doesn't involve taking removing bone, right? The day after, I had to show the doctor that I was mobile and could walk so even though it hurt like heck, I did it so I could go home. I think you'll be fine. The 15 yr. old can help with the baby when not in school and both of them of pretty self sufficient now aren't they? Let's look around and see who has had that procedure done and what it entails. God bless, Sunny
 
Because I have waited this long for the lower back surgery, I have developed arthritis in the area. I waited because right after I had the first surgery (see last post) the school district I teach for switched insurance carriers on us. The neurosurgeon that was going to do it wasn't covered by the insurance and they wouldn't let me continue care. I petitioned and lost. Even went up to the state level and lost, but now they have switched ins. carriers again and my doc is on there. I made an appointment today! Don't wait if you can help it, I regret that I have had to. Sunny
 
Back
Top