post steroid injection for S1 area....lots of pain, views please

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jacquelineforde

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Hi
I tried to post this on the thread I had started (steriod injection for SI..please help)but it has been closed. Can anyone tell me why this happens? Anyway, I had the steriod injection to the Sacro iliac joint exactly one week ago, and I would greatly appreciate your continued help and views ( Kera4 and others who posted before?). I was told I would have to stay in the hospital for one hour after the injection but was actually discharged immediately after. Is this normal? Also the doc actually asked me to 'guide' him during the procedure as to where to inject ( i.e where my pain was) which I found very hard to do given the mixture of nerves and the fact that my pain has been shifting and altering form a lot. Again, is that normal procedure?
The bottom line however is that it has done nothing to relief any pain even for a second. In fact, and this worries me, I have new pain now which stared within hours. Rather than having on/off dull throbbing to lower right side. I have in the last week gone through a varitey of feelings: sharp, needle like pinches in lower right back, then above right side of body. These pinches have felt like something is about to snap at any time. Today and yesterday, along with the sharp twinges, I am back to throb down back but more constant.
I am so very very fed up and at a very low ebb, and I have to say that the help I get here has proved so supportive to actually just knowing which direction to go for help. I really don't know where I go from here, and I am still struggling to understand if I can ever expect to put a halt on this disc degeneration thing. I am an otherwise very healthy 38 year old, and still don't even know why my L5 disc has degenerated (the doc said maybe due to fall to coccyx 10 years ago?). I am so frustrated and concerned I may have made things worse by going down the injection route. Is that possible?
I am supposed to go back in 6 weeks for review. If by that time I am still the same what can I expect or ask as the next step? I have only had the one injection. Should I try another (but scared it may make back worse again). Also, as the review has to happen back in the UK and I am based in Portugal I would like to use advice obtained here to push for the next step rather than fly all that way to just sit and talk about how the pain hasn't gone away.
I saw a thread on here about PT, a step I took before knowing I had DDD and it didn't do anything but maybe that because PT guy didn't know what he was working with. Should I try this route now post injection? I'd also like advice on painkillers. I have held off using them but this weekend needed to and used Ibuprofen. Can anyone recommend something else?
I know this was a long post, sorry, but thank you for any advice.
Jackie
 
Kera4 .......hello..............I have SI now. Have you done anything other than the injections that you feel helped your pain ? Do you do alternative things, like exercise etc ?

I've gotten a lot of help from SI exercises I found on the net.

Just wondering if you would share anything else that has helped other than meRAB and injections ? THANKS
 
Yes, mine did - just get a WRITTEN SCRIPT from the md, or ask him to arrange it him/herself. Usually they already are affiliated w/ a rep (they're all connected somehow!!!!!!).
 
Would really appeciate the views of people who have been through this to weigh up my next options....anyone please?
 
I had the SI injection approx. 3 weeks ago. During the injection..the area where I normally feel pain went totally nurab...no pain. During the injection I did feel pain and a LOT of pressure..which I was not really happy with. It was WONDERFUL, not to have the pain though. They don't keep you sitting around long after the injection..20 min. or so. When the anesthetic wore off from the injection wow..did I have a lot of increased pain..but that settled down within a few days...then things started to feel better for several days..a little better every day. THEN, I feel about 10 days after the injection...well, that did that!! Now the pain is back and it is not a happy back or leg..oh well. I went to my neuro. Dr. yesterday...and he is going to do another MRI..then send me on to a specialist in SI joints - if I can get an exception with my insurance company. I do hope you are feeling better...
Hope you are feeling better..
Sage
 
I had a SI joint injection 2 weeks ago...thought I was doing better for several days...until I fell!! Oh well... I thought it was a miricle...the leg and foot went nurab right after the injections...I was happy..no pain!! Well, the injections wore off (lidocaine)...and the pain came back worse for a couple of days...then the steroid (which I wasn't supposed to have) kicked in and my leg and foot felt better..less pain...again I was happy...the I fell...well, I am now back to the pain in the leg and some in the foot.. But, I think that is because I fell. I go back to the neurosurgeon on Monday...the PM Dr. was happy with the results of the SI injection..I do not know what is planned for me next.

Sage
 
Dear Susan, I'm sorry your SI is flared up! I know just how that feels. I do exercises/stretches that I learned in PT that help my SI joint-also core strenghthening exercises, since I have lurabar issues as well. I find that when I am REALLY flared up I cannot do the exercises though, I need to wait until the pain goes down a bit until I exercise. When I'm not so bad, I also exercise in water-walking and leg lifts, toe raises, etc. When it is really bad I ice a lot, up my painkillers (Ultram and Voltaren), and use my TENS machine. The TENS machine is good for all the muscle tightness/soreness that goes with the joint pain. Your doctor can write a prescription for a TENS machine. I wish I had more advise-usually it just takes time and laying down and resting. Which is so frustrating:(

Sage, I'm glad they pinpointed your problem! It sounRAB like the injections worked, but then your fall happened. I'm sorry about that-I fell too, back in January. I slipped coming in from our hot tub, and landed HARD on our marble entryway, right on my tailbone. Then, I ended up having injections at the end of January which helped a lot. I hope you feel better soon!

Take care, Kera4
 
I just had my second epidural shot on the 19th fo feb,it was put in my lower back to help my legs,well my legs feel better but my upper spine is killing me feels like i have a wet swollen stump in my back.something is not right i cant trust these drs anymore every time i get a procedure something else is breaking down.Im really beginning to think it is all about the money.my gp sent me to reumy 25$ to him my reumysent me to pain management 25$ to him plus 500$ for injections,back for follow up another $25.this bites I just want relief.Im personally done with the injections i still the pain killers and honestly think they are making me worse,sorry to complain but i dont want anybody else to hurt their spine like this.no wonder people avoid drs. any suggestions? marywoo
 
THANKS KERA..................I've been using a TENS UNIT for years for facet joint, fibro, you name it, I've got it and it is one of those things I find a lot of help in. What a pain to wear though no ?

I'm about to joint a fitness center so I can get back in the water........really good for it isn't it.

I'm surprised you can't do exercises when you are in pain.........seems that's when they help me the most. Not that it feels good mind you, and I do only one or two of each one ( I do them 5-6 times a day), but it can really get me out of some pain.

I find staying in bed only makes me worse. I do have to rest, and often, but I seem to just go downhill the more I stay imobile with it. I do ice, at least, once a day also. FUN in winter no ! :) :) :)

ANYWAY, Thanks for your input and tips and time..............hope you are feeling mucho better. Look forward to getting to know you here.

I forgot to say: A friend of mine sent me some liquid DMSO OIL and it really works. ALWAYS helps my pain with hubby rubbing. Also have you ever heard of TRAUMEEL ? Couldn't live without it. It's a homepathic anti-flammatory that causes NO SIDE AFFECTS and NO STOMACH Problems..........NONE.........melt it under your tongue. Gives me a little boost of energy too. Does not bloat me, or make me eat............and that's HUGE for meRAB with me. Thought I'd share.
 
I had those shots ONE TIME for Facet Joint..........I'll neve have them again.

NO ONE bothered to tell me it might set off all the nerve endings in the area and I would be a LOT worse than I was before. I could not even walk. ONE
leg so weak and FUNNY feeling I could not even stand on it.

I was like this for days.........and I did not go back for the other rounRAB.

I know they've helped some folks.......but I have read sooooooo much about them not helping or only for a very short period.

I think it's a money making scheme for anthegisioist (Sp) and Pain Clinics. I also developed arthritis in that area and now when the weather changes, I have one more PLACE to hurt.

Like I don't have enough.........got a bunch of stuff.

ANYWAY, I'm sure I haven't helped much and am hurting realllllllllllllllllllllll bad right now, but I know how you feel and wanted to answer you as best as I could in my experience anyway.

CALL YOUR DOC..........worry the horns off his billygoat until he tells you WHY all this is happening and really pray about having anymore.
The sterioRAB they are SHOOTING us with (a huge dose) is also very, very damaging to our bodies long term. I hate that stuff, and will suffer before I ever have them again.

I'm sure you'll find different opinions. BLESS YOU
 
Once again thank you all for coming through for me with all your experiences and ideas. It's such a frustrating subject, the back, isn't it!! I guess I am still learning that everyone has different feedback to offer me from the same treatment. I think I will allow the 6 weeks pain diary they asked for, and then see what they say next. Today, I am almost scared to say, actually gets a fairly low score on the 1-10 pain scale:). I am sure, if you all don't mind, I will be back to ask for a second opinion from you guys. In the meantime, I recently heard that Omega 3 could be good for my situation. Your thoughts?
 
Hi everybody,I just wanted to apologize for the rant on epidural shots.it was true but the shot has stopped the pain in legs and iam walking, so please forgive me I think the weather probably caused the spine to swell and just disregard that post,I dont want to turn others off to the shots because they can be very helpful.I really have no ther options then to get those shots,and they dont hurt at all.I was not sedated and honestly the most painful part was the funny looking hat you have to wear,again IM SORRY.have a great day marywoo
 
Questions regarding Pain Management and the medication related to it belong in the Pain Management section of the forum.
 
Just joined today to find help with my si joint pain that has been going on since august 2007. It has changed my whole life. Considering injections. Jacquelineforde, did you ever get better or go back for more injections? I'm really scared to get injections but I'm basically home bound with the pain and I'm willing to give it a try. Have been to different physical therapists and not getting any better. I'm wearing a si lock belt that the therapist gave me to supposedly stabilize the si joint area and I'm in more pain than ever since wearing it for two weeks now. Wonder if anyone else has had relief using the belt. I'm giving the new therapist three months and if not better by the end of April I'm considering the injections. Very frustrating. Any feedback will be greatly appecitated. Thanks, Beth
 
Beth
I'm very pleased to finally give rather than receive on this site, although I am certainly no expert and the other people will probably give you more useful information. Perhaps I don't even have similar problems to you as I have no knowledge of this belt you talk about. All I can say at this point is that I sympathise with your frustration (as other here will too; this site is a lifesaver in terms of understanding and practical help from those who have been there). I can report that I am now in week three of post injection and feeling less sore. Week one was hell, more pain, different pain and lots of worry about whether I had done the right thing. Week two went up and down, literally from one day to the next. Week four may go either way!

I am supposed to keep a pain diary for 6 weeeks to get a proper picture of any results. I think I am slowly learning that there are many avenues we can be taken down in terms of treatment and we will all react differently to each one. Have a look at others' views on these injections and get a good overall picture. If nothing else, this will arm you with lots of questions to ask your doctor and this is vital. Good luck, and stay in touch here.
 
Been a while, but wanted to report back.
Marywoo, never apologise for ranting due to back frustration, we have all been there.
Beth67, you asked if my injections worked. Well, after a threshold in week 4, I noticed a definite reduction in pain that continued for 3 weeks. However, I then moved house and lifted boxes I stupidly shouldn't have, and the pain returned. I have however booked in for session two of injections this week, with an absolute promise to myself to avoid future stupidity and treat my back and the injections with the respect they need. I'll let you know, as I understand two attempts is about as much as you should try to know if this route is working, right everyone?
 
Falling and landing on the coccyx can cause disc problems further up?! No one has told me this even when I've pointed out that I've had several hard falls over the years (usually 2-3 really bad ones per year -intense pain and/or concussion). The most I've been answered after a fall in Noveraber that has left me with pain in my mid back is "maybe some bruising".


These very side effects the two of you are describing are one of the reasons I've refused to have any injections for now. I'm not that bad off yet and I don't want to push my luck.

I currently take Relafen twice daily for arthritis pain (facets, SI, neck, and elsewhere), it keeps the worse of it at bay unless I miss doses. I have Ultram for when the pain gets worse, I only take this if the pain is really bad or if 3+ joints/areas are really hurting. Ibuprofen stopped working for me a couple years ago (I had been taking it since I was 12), naproxen worked well but was too tough on the GI.


Don't let up on the doctor. Call every day if that's what it takes until you get someone willing to talk to you about this.
 
Dear Jackie, Hi! I'm sorry you are having pain a week after the injections. Sometimes they take up to two weeks to work-but, sometimes unfortunately they do not work. Or sometimes you need a repeat injection. If they do not work, it can be an indication to your doctor that the pain may be coming from another area. Sometimes SI pain can mimic pain coming from a bad disc, or the facet joints higher up. This happened to me when I kept getting epidural shots near a bulging disc (L5/S1), but it didn't help. Turned out my pain was coming from the facet joints and the SI joints. Of course, we only figured this out after 3 epidural shots and a discogram-so now we know. This whole process took over a year. Process of elimination I guess. Now I get the SI shots every 4-6 months and they help a lot.

A couple questions I thought of: did you notice any pain relief from the lidocaine a few hours after the procedure, and then the pain came back when it wore off and you had the steroid only in the joints? If you did not notice any pain relief at all, then you could ask the doctor if he thinks the pain may be coming from another source. Also, did he use a fluoroscope (active xray) to locate the right spot to inject? This is the way the injections should be done-and he should have pictures to show you at the follow up appt. of the steroid going in the joint. This would assure you that the shot went where it was supposed to.

Usually, after I have shots, they keep me for observation, maybe 20 minutes. Just to make sure the sedation has worn off and I am steady on my legs.

Let us know how you are doing-I hope it starts to feel better. If not, I agree with the others. Call your doctor and report what is going on to him. As far as medicines, I take Voltaren (anti-inflammatory) and Ultram for pain. Take care, Kera4
 
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