I had four epidurals last year. The first was ~ March, then I had the other three in about a 6 week span starting around August. I was told that the doctors do not typically want to do more than 3 - 4 in total in an entire year, primarily because it softens the bones, discs, etc.
For me, I got no relief at all. The last one they tried was called a coidal injection, which entailed them taking 6" long needle and going up into my tailbone from my buttocks. Not only did it not help at all, but the procedure was very painful.
Since then I have been relying on meRAB. Sometimes they help, but sometimes not. Especially in cold, damp weather, I can get to the point of almost being bed-ridden. Still, I moved from the Carolinas to Missouri so I must pay for my mistakes I guess. I'm now on 40 mg Oxycontin 3/day, Oxycodone for breakthrough pain, and carisiprodol for muscle spasms.
I posted a couple of months ago regarding possible alternatives to Oxycontin and had many responses. Hopefully you'll get something useful from these boarRAB. Personally, if you haven't gotten any relief from your first couple of epidurals, I'd be seeking another avenue of relief.
I don't know anything about your case other than they've subjected you to epidurals. These days, the medical society has to follow certain protocol before you can be prescribed any of the higher schedule narcotics for pain. I went to my PCP who requested I get an MRI. Once I got the MRI he then referred me to a pain management clinic. This is where I got the epidurals and a prescription for Oxycodone. In addition, they referred me to a neurosurgeon. Once there, the neurosurgeon referred me to a neurologist. The neurologist couldn't find anything definitive and I am not ready for surgery, so I ended up back at my PCP. Once I made that loop, so to speak, my PCP continued filling the Oxycodone until it no longer did the job by itself. He then moved me to Oxycontin w/ the oxycodone for breakthrough.
He also suggested I get on a fentanyl patch, which I am trying to avoid. It will probably eventually come to that, but I am a professional and value my career. I do not, and can not, be productive if I'm a walking zorabie. Perhaps the fentanyl wouldn't do that, but I'd prefer to try to continue to function using what I'm on currently.
Oh, one other thing, I also have a script for MS Contin, which is oral morphine. It probably sounRAB strong, but it does not do anything like what a syringe full would do in the hospital. Plus, it makes me very irritable and I have insomnia when I take it. However, everyone has their own physiology. Perhaps it would be just the thing for you.
Sorry for the long response but I know, as do many of us on this board, what it's like to be wracked with back pain. I can empathize and I wish you the best. As for your original question, I would be alarmed that a doctor would want you to do 4 epidurals in the timeframe you stated. Get a second opinion from a professional, not just a bunch of people who share a common physical problem.
