Back spasms

[Sandy Kay]

I had an epidural today for a bulging disc at L4/L5. I've never had one before and wonder if there is some relief right away or does it take awhile? I'm not noting much relief from the pain that radiates down my left leg. My Dr. has already scheduled a second epidural in a month. I've heard they are done in a series of three. I know this is probably a silly question but I've never dealt with any real back pain before.

My spasms have lessened with physical therapy but the pain radiating down my leg has been going on for a couple weeks now.

I hope that everyone is able to have a restful night with a relief from pain.

Sandy Kay: confused:

[Jackiey]

I suffer with Failed Back Syndrome.......and before I had my SCS installed in August 2010 I too had some epidural injections (well a lot actually!!) for something similiar to what you describe. I had a fusion at L4/L5 then L5/S1but to no avail. This was for pain in my lower back and pain in my left leg, like you describe radiating down to my toes...plus some of my right leg to my knee......So after all that surgery I was advised to have some more injections. The initial ones did absolutely nothing for me. Like you I was expecting them to kick in straight away. Or at least thats what I had been told. However, I never did experience that happening. I continued to have epidurals on a monthly basis, again to no avail......and it was then decided to consider the SCS. This I will say has been the most successful of all the treatments and interventions Ive had done on my back over the past 7 years. I have heard of patients feelings the 'effects' immediately after the injections have been given and can actually 'feel' it going down their legs. As I say, I didnt and never did even after a few days. We continued 'just in case' sometime I might but it wasnt successful for me, unfortunately.

I will say though Sandy Kay that the SCS is good for me....

I do hope that you will get some relief from these injections.....

Take care

Jackie

Originally Posted by Sandy Kay

I had an epidural today for a bulging disc at L4/L5. I've never had one before and wonder if there is some relief right away or does it take awhile? I'm not noting much relief from the pain that radiates down my left leg. My Dr. has already scheduled a second epidural in a month. I've heard they are done in a series of three. I know this is probably a silly question but I've never dealt with any real back pain before.

My spasms have lessened with physical therapy but the pain radiating down my leg has been going on for a couple weeks now.

I hope that everyone is able to have a restful night with a relief from pain.

Sandy Kay: confused:

[JavaJan]

Originally Posted by Sandy Kay

I had an epidural today for a bulging disc at L4/L5. I've never had one before and wonder if there is some relief right away or does it take awhile? I'm not noting much relief from the pain that radiates down my left leg. My Dr. has already scheduled a second epidural in a month. I've heard they are done in a series of three. I know this is probably a silly question but I've never dealt with any real back pain before.

My spasms have lessened with physical therapy but the pain radiating down my leg has been going on for a couple weeks now.

I hope that everyone is able to have a restful night with a relief from pain.

Sandy Kay: confused:

Hi Sandy Kay

I've had several epidural injections over the years, and my experience has been that I didn't feel immediate relief. Most of the time, unfortunately, I didn't feel much relief at all, but a couple of times it did ease my pain. For me, the first few days after the injections I always feel sore and kind of achy, like a mild flu. Then gradually I feel better as the week goes on, with the pain subsiding over a couple of weeks (if it's going to work at all). The first time I had a series of 3 injections over 3 months and they worked like a charm! I was able to continue working, and only had minor back pain for several years afterward. Hope this is the case for you!
Jan

[Sandy Kay]

My aunt said her neurologist said the injections should be given while you are awake for best results. My Dr. sedated me. Has anyone heard of this? Stall waiting for some results and am scheduled for #2 in a month. I'm going to ask my Dr. what he thinks.

Sandy

[Jackiey]

Yes Sandy I was awake for all my injections.....was never even given an option to be sedated. Some I had done as a day case and was in hospital for most of the day, others I had done in an Out Patients room, and just got up after about half an hour and then sent home

Jackie