Caudal Epidural Steroid Injection

[a Dreamer]

I'm booked in to have this done on Wednesday to help my lower back pain and sciatica and wondered if anyone else has had this done. What happened afterwards? Did it hurt? Dit it work for you? I'm quite nervous about it as I have a phobia of needles.

 

[partypoison]

Hi Lavandula,
My experience of the procedure was excellent. I was given a sedative before the procedure, so I wouldn't remember a thing and didn't.

My problem was I had severe sciatica caused by a herniated disc and found the strongest of pain killers and anti-inflamatory tablets weren't working.

In my case, the first caudal epidural didn't work and at a follow-up consultation a disc ectomy was suggested, but with a long recovery (not lifting my baby son) etc, I requested to try another epidural. This second one worked in so much as the pain killers etc now had an effect on my pain and slowly became pain free.

I hope this dosen't put you off. The proceedure was fine, so much so, I did it twice.

Good luck with the epidural and hope you are pain free soon.

Best wishes
Peppermint

 

[agiftantego]

I had chronic back pain for about 10 years. I had many expensive steroid injections by central London specialists on Wimpole street. Im sorry to say they proved useless & didnt stop the pain.
Thankfully, a year or two after, I discovered the Alexander Technique which changed everything for the better. For the last 3-4 years my pain has completely gone & to my surprise also made other many great changes for my health/life.

You wont meet many people who have overcome chronic pain in life.
I know exactly what it takes to go through to make the important changes needed.
If I hadnt discovered the alexander technique I honestly think I would have gone to my grave never knowing why I had the pain at such a young age (18).
Looking back with this knowledge of both sides of the coin, I am completely at a loss on how these injections are supposed to work. They may technically 'strenghten' the muscles but it takes alot more than that. That is my opinion anyway.

all the best.

 

[reza f]

Hi, I also have had this performed twice but with little success. The procedure is a bit difficult but not unduly painful for someone like yourself who is experiencing pain anyway. I have now been fitted with a spinal cord stimulator which is a bit like an internal TENS machine. This has given me a little relief and is operated with an external remote control. My husband is only sorry that this doesn't come with a mute button!! However, I wish you all the best and will keep my fingers crossed that yours is successful.

 

[quaz]

Thanks for your replies. It seems that people have had mixed experiences with this. I had mine done yesterday. I didn't like the experience ata ll and I was in quite a bit of pain last night. Feel better this morning although still a bit stiff. No pain relief as yet but they did say it can take a few days for the steroids to kick in.

 

[CrystalZephyr]

How are you doing now, a week later? I have been offered this injection but am in two minds as some say the steroid can destroy nerve tissue. Has yours helped?

 

[Hovis]

Hey guys,

My post won't be any help as i have had 4 of the buggers and none helped at all.
I kept trying, in the hope that one of them might help, even a teeny bit, but have given up now....:::sigh:::

 

[klutzie]

Well, nearly two weeks on from the injection and I'm still getting sciatica and some back pain. I also now have a numb foot but not sure whether this is linked with the injection or not. Going for a check-up tomorrow.

 

[shaken & stirred]

The reasons that you would have been given this injection are 2 fold,

1) to locate the root cause of your pains, including, what level they are.

2) to offer you some temporary pain relief, which is 'hoped' might become
permenant

If they had injected the 'correct root location' of your transferred pains (such as sciatica) the relief would have been 'immediate' and you would have felt almost 'complete relief' for the first injection over a 4 - 10 week period. The second and subsequent injections would become less and less effective. Too many injections would seriously damage your soft tissue including muscles, cartlidge and discs.

I am very sorry to say this, but they appear to have not located your 'root location' and they appear be looking in the wrong place. I base this opinion on my own experince where I was misdiagnosed and mistreated for
over 3 years, Before getting a 3rd & 4th nerve root block in the correct level and the pain completely disappeared for 6 weeks.

You need to challenge you Doctors belief on where he/she thinks your root cause is, this won't be pleasent or easy and the Doctor won't like,
but if you don't you may suffer an unneccesary and prolonged period of pain just like me (3 years).

Best wishes

SPINELF

 

[grqmyaers]

But that does help, even if it is negative, the more information we can get the better, thanks

 

[AnotaTaunda]

I was told the other day that I do not have any disc problems! Even after xrays showing lack of disc height and mri's showing discs trapping nerve roots. When I queried the comment with the doctor he said he was only concerned with disc that impinged in the spinal cord!! So I am thinking that after reading your post that the epidural into the main spine wouldn't help my nerve root problem at all?

 

[brandy]

Hi! Cassie,

If the epidural is targeted at the main pain producing area. you should get releif, for at least 4-6 weeks or so and in that sence it will help temporarily.
I am dissapointed at what your Doctor told you, but not suprised.
Reducing disc height usually suggests disc bulges (by default) because the outer edge of the disc has to go somewhere when its compressed, that is usually anteriorly or posteriorly in to the spinal canal and the foraminal openings. In that case, they will start impinging on something and that usually causes the sort of pain you are describing.

Keep demanding explainations, because I think the Consultant is talking
rubbish!!

Good luck

SPINELF

 

[Boiblionewero]

Thanks, I am getting a second opinion Funnily enough the letter the surgeon sent to my gp said that I was actually too risky for surgery because of the overgrowth of bone spurs caused by the spine trying to stabilise itself because of the disc protrusions! I would need to wait till the base fused more. Doesnt really make sense. I know I am not a candidate for simple surgery, the discs are so weak and flat that the facet joints are causing more of the pain as they take the load. I should have made a fuss earlier not keep being sent home with anti inflams and painkillers

 

[Al Capone]

Well done on the second opinion Cassie, I am prood of you!

You are right Cassie, the reason the Consultant gave for 'not helping you' does not make any sence to me either!

You are right about making fuss, but its not too late! keep up the good work and do you research!!

Well done Cassie and best wishes

SPINELF

 

[faerstil]

Thanks Spinelf

Today was a good day, hope yours was too


Cassie

 

[Eric_XTC]

I'm great today thanks Cassie!

I am seeing my MP soon, in order to gain funding for a 2nd lumber decompression operation at The Spinal Foundation, my 1st was great and cured my sciatic pains completely. Wish me luck!

All the best

SPINELF

 

[Pompal 09.]

Good Luck Spinelf


Cassie x

 

[browneyes1]

I saw my MP on Friday, WHAT AWASTE OF TIME!!

Even though I offered to show him my NHS trusts e-mails confirming my local NHS trusts 'failure' to record 'safety & effectveness rates', he 'could not' bring himself to look at it or accept that the NHS spinal Consultants had no proof to continue their procedures. He is one of those people who have become brainwashed into believing their propagander!

He warned me, that he probably will not be able to help, what a wuss!!

Bummer!!

SPINELF

 

[raewllwd]

Oh I am so sorry! It does seem like a cover up doesn't it? I am so sorry, that is a real letdown, I know when I questioned my potential surgeon about results he said " well I can't make your pain any worse!" OMG he must be mad, I know that the pain I bear could get worse, much worse and think myself lucky I had a narrow escape from the mad butcher lol.

Don't give up Elfie, scream and wail and yell a bit, then deep breathe and gather up your emails and move to the next in line

 

[bouscubusem]

Cheers Cassie, that's what i'm doing now. I'm taking a swift drink, or two, then regrouping, refocusing, then they can look out!

Thanks for the kick up the arse!

SPINELF