Anyone had steroid epidural for back troubles?

[bloomin freezing]

I have been told I need to have steroid epidurals for my lower back pain which has been constant now for 2 years :mad: . Has anyone else had to have these. Sadly I wasn't told much else and am wondering will I need some time after away from work? Are you able to stand up and walk away immediately after having it done?

Thanks.

[mumoftwins]

Hi,

I had a course a few years back and whilst it wasn't very pleasant I was able to walk back to the car but wasn't allowed to drive. I found that I needed a day or so off work each time as it left me feeling a bit shellshocked.

The actual injection is uncomfortable rather than painful and I had to lie over some pillows to open the vertabrae so that the Dr could administer the injection directly into the spinal canal.

Best to bite on something whilst its being done but it will be worth it!

Good luck xx

[hm71]

Hubby had these in May last year, although they offered relief. unfortunately due to the nature of his condition he did still end up having surgery in sept 2007. But the injections did help and he was also off work for 2 days. mainly because he is a hgv driver and it does cause you to be a little lightheaded.
good luck with your injections I hope they serve you well.

[Ophie]

I had one course of it. I couldn't have it again as it made my back pain much worse. My back got sore to just touch, as it was I was in a wheelchair.

This wasn't helped by the fact that my mother who was pushing me in the wheelchair needed to get up the curb, forgot what she was doing and knee'd me in the back right where the steroids had been injected. I nearly managed to jump out of the wheelchair and walk again right there and then!!!

But hopefully you won't have the reaction I had to it. Mumoftwins is right the actual injection is unpleasant, but not exactly painful... but I found the steroids being injected in hurt loads.

Good luck from me too x

[LuciferTDark]

Not quite the same but my missus had them in her elbows & in her words "it hurt like hell" she could only manage one course & is now waiting for surgery on her left elbow (2 weeks to go).