So tomorrow I have a lumbar spine epidural - and I'm terrified

[jennyema]

I’m glad that it’s over for you now and you can come down from it all and relax…. Just focus on taking care of yourself!

We are here to listen and respond to any and all “ramblings” of members because — at the heart of things — we are a chosen family

 

[Linda0818]

I’m glad that it’s over for you now and you can come down from it all and relax…. Just focus on taking care of yourself!

We are here to listen and respond to any and all “ramblings” of members because — at the heart of things — we are a chosen family

Thank you so much.

Maybe I'm just getting lucky for now, but my pain has been almost 100% better since the procedure. I'm actually walking normally and I'm able to bend over and stand back up without struggling or crying out in distress. There's a slight bit of pain right now, but it's nowhere near what it was.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this lasts. This makes me very happy.

 

[dragnlaw]

 

[Linda0818]

View attachment 71775

 

[Andy M.]

Thank you so much.

Maybe I'm just getting lucky for now, but my pain has been almost 100% better since the procedure. I'm actually walking normally and I'm able to bend over and stand back up without struggling or crying out in distress. There's a slight bit of pain right now, but it's nowhere near what it was.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this lasts. This makes me very happy.

Really great news!!!

 

[Linda0818]

Really great news!!!

Thank you, Andy

 

[taxlady]

I'm really pleased to read this. Take it easy and I sure hope this lasts a long time for you.

 

[RobertHolloway]

I totally get why you're nervous it's normal before any procedure. I haven’t had the epidural myself but I’ve heard it can bring great relief for sciatica, sometimes even right away. Just remember that everyone’s experience is different and hopefully, it helps you feel better. Wishing you the best of luck tomorrow you’ve got this!

 

[Linda0818]

I'm really pleased to read this. Take it easy and I sure hope this lasts a long time for you.

Well, today I'm feeling the pain again. And I'm pretty upset right now.

However, at least the pain isn't as bad as it was before the epidural. But it's still back, trying to bother me. I feel it mostly when I'm sitting down.

I'm a little disappointed it only lasted a couple of days, but I'm staying hopeful that this return of pain is only temporary and/or it will only be a once-in-a-while thing, instead of constant like it has been for the last 6 months.

I suppose we shall see.

~sigh~

 

[medtran49]

Well, today I'm feeling the pain again. And I'm pretty upset right now.

However, at least the pain isn't as bad as it was before the epidural. But it's still back, trying to bother me. I feel it mostly when I'm sitting down.

I'm a little disappointed it only lasted a couple of days, but I'm staying hopeful that this return of pain is only temporary and/or it will only be a once-in-a-while thing, instead of constant like it has been for the last 6 months.

I suppose we shall see.

~sigh~

Your anesthetic has worn off, that's expected, as you mentioned they had told you previously. Give the steroids a chance to work.

I haven't had steroid injections in my back, but have had them in both knees. After the first injection, they did the worst knee first, my knee hurt worse than before the day after, actually thought something was wrong and called doc, but then did nearly stop hurting at all over time.

 

[Linda0818]

Your anesthetic has worn off, that's expected, as you mentioned they had told you previously. Give the steroids a chance to work.

I haven't had steroid injections in my back, but have had them in both knees. After the first injection, they did the worst knee first, my knee hurt worse than before the day after, actually thought something was wrong and called doc, but then did nearly stop hurting at all over time.

Yes, you're probably right. Like I think I mentioned above, they told me it could take several days for the steroid to fully kick in. Thank you for that reminder. It makes me feel better.

So glad you're out of pain now.

 

[Linda0818]

Back to my thread to complain. The pain has returned. Today I had that old familiar jab of pain go down my right backside, enough to make me yelp in agony.

Oh well. The few days I had of being able to walk like a normal human being was nice while it lasted.

I have a followup appointment on the 20th of this month where I take in my pain log and show the doctor how my pain, day by day, gradually came back and put me in the same position I was in before I had the epidural and he's gonna tell me "We should do one more epidural" in which case I'm gonna say "Nope, I'm done, I'm not going through that torture again" and then he's gonna suggest this and suggest that and I'm gonna just sit there looking at him like he's crazy, thinking forget it, it's no use, I give up.

Yeah, I'm in a mood. A very crabby one. So forgive my blatant negativity, but it feels good to have a place to vent. And on top of being back in pain again and walking (or attempting to) like a 90 year old, I have a bad cold that doesn't want to let go.

Okay... deep breath. Blow out slowly. I should probably zip it before I get too crazy.



Thank you for listening. I'm going to bed to try and sleep, even though I can't breathe through my nose. Will be stopping by the hall closet on my way to grab the Vicks VapoRub.

 

[taxlady]

@Linda0818, god bedring (Danish for good bettering)

 

[dragnlaw]

{{{Hugs, wearing a face mask}}}

 

[Linda0818]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate that. Just needed to vent for a few.

 

[Kathleen]

@Linda0818 I feel for you. I'm also getting shots that do not last as long as one may hope and trying to avoid surgery. Pain is horrific at times. And pain management ppl can help reduce the edge but not eliminate it - at least in my experience.

 

[Linda0818]

@Linda0818 I feel for you. I'm also getting shots that do not last as long as one may hope and trying to avoid surgery. Pain is horrific at times. And pain management ppl can help reduce the edge but not eliminate it - at least in my experience.

Do you get the spinal injections as well? Or do you have some other malady going on?

 

[Kathleen]

Yes. I've been getting them in two locations. They do help. However, the relief is short-lived.

 

[jennyema]

Linda,

Im really sorry. I have arthritic knees and had my left replaced. They hurt all the time but this spring my right hip started hurting like a motherf**er. Like the worst, most unbearable pain.

My great doc gave me a cortisone shot which totally solved my pain and said I need a hip replacement. My pain is back so the surgery will be scheduled.

In your case, I can, in fact, imagine what your daily life is like with that unforgiving pain. Im just so sorry that its happening to you.

There are pain doctors and pain centers out there. They treat pain and not the cause. Maybe try to find one...

Jenny

 

[Linda0818]

Linda,

Im really sorry. I have arthritic knees and had my left replaced. They hurt all the time but this spring my right hip started hurting like a motherf**er. Like the worst, most unbearable pain.

My great doc gave me a cortisone shot which totally solved my pain and said I need a hip replacement. My pain is back so the surgery will be scheduled.

In your case, I can, in fact, imagine what your daily life is like with that unforgiving pain. Im just so sorry that its happening to you.

There are pain doctors and pain centers out there. They treat pain and not the cause. Maybe try to find one...

Jenny

I'll see what my pain management doc suggests at my followup appointment.

I've had cortisone shots in my hips for bursitis (years ago) but I don't think a simple cortisone shot is going to help my spinal issues, which go much deeper. We shall see.