Hello Jaggr,

The "success" of an epidural injection depends on several factors in my opinion/experience.

It depends on what is causing the pain. It depends on what is injected and most importantly it depends on the expertise/precision of the person giving the injection, and of course on the patient.

In January and again in February of "07 I had epidural injections of Kenalog (a corticosteroid) by two different PAs (physician's assistants). The results from the first injection were almost immediate. Within 24 hr I felt like I was 10 years younger. The "effect" lasted not much more than 2 weeks. Then in February I had a 2nd injection by another PA. Positive results for not much more than a week.

I then had some discussions with my pain management doctor. He said that the previous injections I had most likely were not "delivered" to the specific spot they needed to be. He encouraged me to try again and said that HE and HE alone gives the injections to his patients. He carefully reviewed the MRIs and then used a fluoroscope to help him guide the needle to the exact place it needed to go. To the very spot of the inflamation causing the back pain. In the latter part of April he gave me an injection of lidocaine (to kill the pain the of the injection), and Kenalog (a corticosteroid). By that evening my wife could tell that I was walking straighter. In about a week the pain in my leg was gone. In about a month the tingling sensation in my lower leg was gone. Today I still do not have any pain in my leg or that tingling sensation.

A few weeks ago my PM doc gave me a second Kenalog injection for the lower back pain that I was having. Within about a day the pain was less and is still less than it was.

So have been my experience.

I'm convinced that there are several factors involved as to whether an injection is "successful" or not. Without a doubt (in my opinion) the skill of the doctor giving you the injection plays a most important part as to whether the injection is a success or not.

Be aware that the rule of thumb is ONLY three injections within a year.

May I ask for what specifically are you having the injections for? That will help to better understand the time frame in which you should notice an effect.

I wish you the best.

RichT

hi i had an operation on my back this year it was an emergency op has my doctor decied i just had a bad back 9 weeks later i was still in the worst pain id ever had and had lost the control of my bowls and bladder it was horrible i couldnt even walk anyhow 7 months on had the op im still in so much pain and still on morphine i was with my surgeon last monday who says theres nothing more apart from the pain clinic and some injections im scared to death of needles will you please be honest with me and tell me if it really hurts haveing these injections i had morphine injections in my back when i went away before the operation that was when it started getting really bad while i was on holiday and it just got worse any info would be great im just sickof being in this pain and want to get my life back to normal

Hello Jinnymc,

It hurt to read your post. I know I can't even comprehend the pain you are going through. At the same time I'm very concerned that you are on morphine which is so very addictive.

Have you been to other neurosurgeons/spine surgeons to get their opinion? If not, I would highly recommend that you do so.

Considering the pain you are in, an epidural injection will be a piece of cake.

There was but a very little pain on my first injection. And that only lasted but for a few seconds. The injection was to the bulging disc between L3/L4 if I recall correctly.

For my 2nd injection my PM doc inserted the needle through/near my tail bone. Sounds bad and I thought it would be, but it wasn't. I barely felt a thing.

Again, get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. You really need to have the thoughts of other spine doctors.

Stay in touch.

RichT

After many injections after seven years of back pain, I have had success about half the time. The doctor is correct, it does take up to three weeks to work sometimes, but they can last over six months if successful.

Facet injections later on with pain meds included did a better job than the cortisone injections, but I don't know if your back problems include facets or nerve pain.

hi i know im in a lot of pain but just the thought of a needle really makes me feel ill yes im that scared of them its even that bad i have in in my med records how scared i am of them i surpose most people have something in life there scared of it is the worse fear i have and i know its stupid but i cant help it im hopeing they could give me something to sleep before they do it when they took me down for my operation they gave me tablets to relax me i surpose at that point though i was that bad i didnt care what they did to me jinny {england manchester}

Jinny--I wish you all the luck as you face your fear of needles headon. I also have that fear, although it has been controlled after my many injections over the years.

I'm assuming you are young and I'm definitely old, so you are not required to listen to my advice. I've had probably ten or more of the back injections (cortisone, pain meds, etc.) and my advice is ask for something that will relax you or even put you under. Have you ever had nitric oxide at the dentist? Something like that. Call the pain clinic ahead of time and ask for a relaxer as powerful as they can give and reiterate your fear of needles.

The tablets you took prior to your op was just to keep you from climbing the walls thinking about what you were going to have done to your body. You were very relaxed by the time you got the real anesthesia. Why do you think it only takes a second or two counting backwards from 100 before you are out in the operating theatre?

When I do have the injections, I try to concentrate on something else. In my case, I recite poetry back to myself until I get drowsy. "Kubla Khan" by Coleridge is a favorite of mine.

So, now you have some stitiches and I'm assuming you don't want any more and that you hope the injections give you relief. I hope so, too, but remember, they are only temporary and may not work at all. So, don't get your hopes so high that you are crushed if the worst happens.

You can write to me with a pm whenever you want and I'll try to answer your questions. Best of luck with everything.

lsg