Anyone had pain relief injections in their back?
Been refered to have pain relief injections in my back but want to know if they hurt and do they actually help?
I'm a real phobic when it comes to needles and they've told me they can sedate me first.But surely that would mean a needle!!
I have been on prescription painkillers for sometime now and they have no effect.Injections are the last resort but i want my life back!!!
Thanks to everyone for your support and advice so far.I think i'll just have to be brave.Oh and try the Valium!!
Public Comments
1. They hurt like a little bit but honestly after you get it it will be worth it!! You will notice a huge difference and no pain at all2. Yeah, it's called accupunture
3. I've had several injections in the back and neck. Sometimes it stings but you will get used to it.
Just bite the bullet and do it.
4. I use to have to get epidural steroid injections (ESI) into some of my lower lumbar discs. The do numb the area (with a needle). It only hurts for a moment. Then they inject the steroids. When they do that, you don't feel the needle's point at all. It just feels like pressure. Oh yeah...and they really do help!
5. I just found out of 2 herniated discs, pain killers, steroids & anti inflamatories are doing the trick....shots...i would try chiropractic, I'm on a new machine, it stretches your back so liquid can go back into discs....good luck!
6. Had shots in my upper right shoulder area back in 1975 after a whiplash accident - I had no pain there until the Dr. said there was and even then didn't feel much except about once a year for a decade or so after the shots.
I felt the shots were meaningless and only meant to jack up my medical expenses for the eventual insurance settlement - could have done without them - my lawyer arranged for the Dr.
7. Are you talking about injections into the spine to try and relieve pain along a nerve root? I am sure they will give you a local anaesthetic. If you alk I am sure you could also be given an oral sedative as well if you need it, but the procedure should not be too uncomfortable.
Good luck, I hope it goes well for you.
8. I has the epidural steroid injections in my lower back and I have never gotten any relief from them. But they say some people they work wonders for and some they don't help at all. As for hurting at the time its not that bad just alot of pressure but afterwards the pain gets a little rough.
9. They hurt, But the long term relief you will get out weighs the initial discomfort. The initial stick is not bad most Doctors use a local med to numb the initial injection. But a large knot will form that needs to be rubbed to help with the soreness that will last about a day, mine lasted at most two. The sedation they are talking about is probably like mine and just local at the injection site. Also it is not too bad since in this case you can't actually see them doing the injection. I also don't care for needles, but I like the relief.
10. I have had cortisone shots in my back as well as my knee. It will hurt at first (the initial injection). For me, I am sore for 24 hours after the injection and then it takes effect. I will be free of pain in that area for about a week. Some people it helps alot, but for me it's only a week. When you have it done... don't look, you will be less tense and it wont hurt as much. It's not that bad though. My husband has a fear of needles too. It hurts less then you imagine and if you have the level of fear my hubby does, then you are imagining it being terrible. I don't lie... it does hurt somewhat , but it is worth it in the long run.
11. I've had these procedures a lot of times. Six times a year in fact. Yes, they work well on controlling lower back pain and they do that by treating pain at the source. The steroid reduces swelling which treats the problem without covering it up like analgesics do. As far as having a phobia of needles go, I am afraid that this is one time in which you are going to have to practice acceptance just as a diabetic has to get used to needles whether he wants to or not. There is no other way around it. But I did it and now needles don't bother me. And that helps having to get six IV's in any given year for the injections. And yes, a spinal injection does invove an IV. E-mail me if you have any more questions. I'll be glad to answer them and good luck facing your fear of needles.
12. I have had steroid injections for pain in my back before. I am a nurse and the biggest chicken you have ever seen The sedation they are talking about is Valium (orally) usually. I HATE needles but had such a good doctor that it was almost pain free but for a little pinch. I think blood draws hurt more than the shots did. I didn't get a lot of relief from the shots for a few days afterwards but they did help a lot in the long term.I ended up having back surgery but the shots made my quality of life better up to that point. I am doing almost everything I did before my back injury - that includes being a volunteer firefighter...and I am a female! Discuss your fears with your pain management specialist or who ever is giving the shots. They can tell you what you need to know to make the injections as painless as possible. Anxiety makes it a lot worse - I heard all the horror stories and it was not as bad a picture as everybody else had painted. To my relief...
13. I had a series of 3 cortisone shots in my spine a few years back. The shots are best described as uncomfortable but not severely painful. The pain that I was already feeling from my injury was definitely allot worse. The shots helped me, they were well worth the uncomfortable feeling during the procedure. I thought they would hurt allot worse than they did. GOOD LUCK!!!!
14. hi, my bf has had them a few weeks ago. He is terrified of needles but said it wasn't that bad. However, he has not had any improvement yet and is still in quite alot of pain in his lower back. I think it works for some and not for others. Give it a go. The good news is his back has not got any worse so you got nothing to lose!! good luck.
15. I have a torn L4-L5 / L5/S1 and I had to get the cortisone epidural. I also hate needles and told the doctor I was really nervous.
Here's what they did for my nerves & fear: They started a line in my hand where they added the sedative. I immediately felt woozy and much more comfortable; I didn't care what was about to happen. It really took the edge off and helped me get through the procedure.
The procedure itself: It's very brief and is not extremely painful. You will feel some uncomfortable pressure as the doctor inserts the epidural and you're done. They will let you recover and slowly allow you to sit up as the sedative wears off. You go home with a band-aid on your injection site. (Someone will need to drive you.)
What to expect afterward: Soreness over the first 24 hours. ice helps a lot.
What NOT to expect: Immediate relief! It helps some people right away; in others relief might take up to 10 days as the cortisone disperses into your system. Don't get discouraged. Allow the medicine time to work.
Is it worth all of this? Yes...if your back pain is controlling your life and making you miserable it's worth a try. Not one part of the injection procedure is any worse than the back pain itself!
Hang in there; it gets better. I still get epidurals every once in awhile but now that I know what to expect I don't even need to be sedated.
This forum helped me a lot.
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=18
16. I have had injections three different times back pain. The first time was years ago and it helped for about 3 days. The 2nd time was last year and they helped my pain level lower a lot (allowed me to lower my duragesic patch level from 50mg to 25. The doctor had me return in two weeks for a second set, this time it was a waste of time. I guess what I am saying is it is a crap shoot if they will help. They do hurt to get them but only for a few seconds and you should not see the needle. Good luck.
17. My hubby had one several weeks ago this is his second but I'm sorry to say they didn't work for him.He did say they were a bit uncomfortable.
