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Anyone here have cortisone shots in lower back

montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,263 ******
edited May 2017 in General Discussion
pretty sure that's what I'm facing.

Comments

  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    That sucks, but it definitely beats a lot of other alternatives. What did they end up diagnosing you with?

    I once was completely against stuff that "masks your injury" like cortisone shots. I have definitely come to realize that they have their place.

    Jon
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,263 ******
    edited November -1
    Bulging disk,pressing against sciatic nerve. Nerve inflamed and presses back at disk. Disk become more inflamed and.........[:(][:(][:(][:(][:(]
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,535 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have the same. Went to a Chriropractor who almost made me not walk ever again. Seen my spine Dr after another MRI. I had three options... go back to the quack. He laughed when he said that... do surgery or let it heal. BTW the Dr. has a bulging disc and is a surgeon. He wont get operated on. Something goes wrong and you get to wear a diaper again. I am doing ok aside the damage the quack done. No feeling in right toes or top of foot. If I go see the quack again I won't feel a thing when I kick his *.
  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,387 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am in the process and think that's where I am headed
    I have a bulging disc and a few minor issues in the area ( arthritis )
    pain pills last three years but working on seeing a pain management
    office , ( doctor trying to free his pain med out put ) I called today the pain management as I had not heard from them after two weeks . booked solid and not taking any one new for at least three weeks ( one doctor off for now ) from what I took away from the conversation all the local doctors have dumped any one taking pain meds on them .. new government tracking and push on drugs )
    I have a friend had it done well over a year ago . He told me its great its been about 14 months and the pain is just starting to come back , they told him he could only have it done twice a year so he is well ahead of the curve,
    he told me it was like night and day for him and his back and beat taking all the pain meds
  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    Have the same. Went to a Chriropractor who almost made me not walk ever again. Seen my spine Dr after another MRI. I had three options... go back to the quack. He laughed when he said that... do surgery or let it heal. BTW the Dr. has a bulging disc and is a surgeon. He wont get operated on. Something goes wrong and you get to wear a diaper again. I am doing ok aside the damage the quack done. No feeling in right toes or top of foot. If I go see the quack again I won't feel a thing when I kick his *.


    That's the problem with chiropractors. For every good one, there is a bad one. Most of them don't do x-rays, unless requested. It makes sense for keeping costs lower, but if said chiropractor is not going to be observant and do their job, the x-rays would at least show the problem they are failing to see.

    A good chiropractor can tell if you have a major issue and when they should not be adjusting your back. A bad one....well like you said, they can literally ruin your life.

    Jon
  • sxsnufsxsnuf Member Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Had a herniated disc many years ago (25?)
    Doctor sent me to the back surgeon for a "consult".
    Figured for sure I'd be going under the knife and just getting the formalities out of the way.
    Surgeon put the brakes on any thoughts of surgery until other options had been exhausted.
    He explained to me that with proper care and treatment, in his experience at least, a disc is very likely to repair itself.
    The question is how long it will take and could I deal with the pain for that period of time.
    He sent me to a pain mngmnt clinic for a series of 3 shots spaced 1 week apart.
    Almost had to crawl through the door for the 1st in the series and walked out nearly pain free.
    Went back for the 2nd shot because I didn't want to gamble on the chance of going back to my previous level of discomfort.
    They advised me that if the condition continued to improve, they did not want me to return.
    I didn't.
    Still get a twinge of sciatica occasionally, but only when I do something stupid.
    I've talked to many others who did not experience similar results.
    Arrivederci gigi
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've had probably fifteen at this point,...give or take. The injection is fluoroscopy guided and is no big deal at all to have done.

    They used to help a good amount, now the pain just laughs at the shots. About all they do for me now is to amp me up a bit for a few days.

    It's definitely worth a try Joe, as they work really well for some folks.
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,263 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by select-fire
    Have the same. Went to a Chriropractor who almost made me not walk ever again. Seen my spine Dr after another MRI. I had three options... go back to the quack. He laughed when he said that... do surgery or let it heal. BTW the Dr. has a bulging disc and is a surgeon. He wont get operated on. Something goes wrong and you get to wear a diaper again. I am doing ok aside the damage the quack done. No feeling in right toes or top of foot. If I go see the quack again I won't feel a thing when I kick his *.


    I have had the same chiro for years with great results. He is the one who refused to fyrther treat me on this recent go around. He told me it is not a spinal adjustment thing this time,he said he can't fix it and trying to can cause further damage.
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,263 ******
    edited November -1
    So, I heard these injections hurt really bad. This has me worried. Yes,yes,I already hurt really bad,but a new hurt of that dam needle just scares the hell out of me.
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    So, I heard these injections hurt really bad. This has me worried. Yes,yes,I already hurt really bad,but a new hurt of that dam needle just scares the hell out of me.

    Read my post,...I have PLENTY of experience with them. They do NOT hurt bad. Just a minor bruise kind of feeling for a day or two afterwards,
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    better half did and it helped for a couple of years. I had it in a knee and it did nada for me. the knee replacement fixed it. If I could I would jack up my back and run a new one in under there.
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,263 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    So, I heard these injections hurt really bad. This has me worried. Yes,yes,I already hurt really bad,but a new hurt of that dam needle just scares the hell out of me.

    Read my post,...I have PLENTY of experience with them. They do NOT hurt bad. Just a minor bruise kind of feeling for a day or two afterwards,
    Thank you
  • Marc1301Marc1301 Member Posts: 31,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    So, I heard these injections hurt really bad. This has me worried. Yes,yes,I already hurt really bad,but a new hurt of that dam needle just scares the hell out of me.

    Read my post,...I have PLENTY of experience with them. They do NOT hurt bad. Just a minor bruise kind of feeling for a day or two afterwards,
    Thank you

    These LESI injections also contain lidocaine, and can make your legs feel kind of weak for a few hours (they usually make you bring a driver with you due to that effect). Your back will feel great while the lidocaine is still active if they hit the right spot. This is the same anesthetic they use for nerve blocks, and trigger point injections.

    They will numb the area with a local before the guided injection btw. Trust me bud,...the pain is not bad at all, you'll be fine.[;)]

    PS, if you get a flushed kind of feeling, and feel hot and amped up for a few days, it's normal and of no concern as long as it doesn't drive your BP up too high. I have hypertension, and it doesn't affect mine much at all. They can raise your blood sugar temporarily also, although I had no issue. Now you have ALL of the info!
    "Beam me up Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here." - William Shatner
  • tazzertazzer Member Posts: 16,837
    edited November -1
    iv had a few for my lower back and a couple for my neck.
    the last one for my neck was 6-7 years ago. worked for a long time but have some pain and numbing now and then in the neck.
    the last one I had in my lower back about 5 years ago. My lower back is still doing good unless I stand for long periods of time.
    I also have a teeter hang up and it helps on those days I have to stand all day long.[:p]

    I was told the surgery was going to happen sooner or later well its been a lot later and I plan on it being even more so.

    as for the shots hurting, none of mine ever did, it was no big deal at all.

    well worth giving it a try.
  • oldWinchesterfanoldWinchesterfan Member Posts: 1,050 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bulged a couple disks about 15 years ago playing hockey. The pain came and went but when it hit it was terrible. I had the cortisone shots. First, the area was numbed with novacain or some such. Just like at the dentist. These pin pricks hurt a little but that goes away fast.

    My cortizone injections had lidocaine mixed in so the cortizone would not burn. As I understand it, the cortizone actually helped reduce the inflammation so the bulged discs would shrink back to normal size. Normally, there are three injections for my issue two weeks apart. The first one helped so much I skipped the second one, but I needed what would have been the third one. So I had two that ended up being a month apart.

    Fixed my problem. Two or three months later I was cleared to do anything that didn't hurt including ice hockey. But I took it as a wake up call. Although I did return to hockey for many years, I have been much more careful with my back when lifting things.

    If your doctor recommends the shots, I'd suggest you follow that advice based on my experience. They are not to mask the pain but to actually help heal the problem. At least in my case.

    Best of luck with it.
  • fideaufideau Member Posts: 11,895 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm almost thru with a Steroid Medpak today. Going to start therapy Monday at Duke. If it doesn't help, the surgeon may be next. I have been suffering badly for three weeks this time, degenerative disc disease, bulged discs and arthritis. Along with the left knee meniscus damage, it's a damn wonder I can walk at all.
    Yes, I had shots in the back more than once, guided needle. Did not help me at all, except increased the pain for a week. Cortisone does not heal anything. It only reduces inflammation, which should reduce pain. Too much of it can do more harm than good.
    Good luck to both of us.
  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had one in my shoulder once and that sum * hurt.

    I'm having pretty nasty back problems now and some day I need to go see a doc but the fear if what I may hear scares me. I lose my med card and I'm done, almost lost it last month due to high bp.
  • sxsnufsxsnuf Member Posts: 2,952 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My wife has them regularly (every 2-3 months) as well.
    Degenerative spine and arthritis spurs in her lower back.
    I've been advised the stuff they use now is a cordizone "derivative".
    Much safer than the old days for more frequent use.
    You're gonna be just fine!
    Arrivederci gigi
  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    So, I heard these injections hurt really bad. This has me worried. Yes,yes,I already hurt really bad,but a new hurt of that dam needle just scares the hell out of me.


    I had injection to my lower back 4 different times. There is no pain because there aren't any nerves (to speak of), unless they 'hit' one by mistake. Mine were placed via x-ray. They hit a nerve only once.

    I hope you have better success than I did.
  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    went to one QUACK chiro for back(mite as well do prayer meetings) went to another and it kept getting worse so had a trim,tuck, and clean the junk out of lumbar discs...worked well for years till it started in again ..went to another chiro who really helped with a drx9000 supine stretcher machine...is a maintainence tool not a repair....cloned that gadgets action by buying a Comfortrac home unit....followed same itinerary as the pro setup .. has helped maintain for years ...got more lumbar discs degrading with age but home stretchy really helps...better than all the other whizbangs for sale....
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,289 ******
    edited November -1
    I've had two series of three shots in my back for the same reason as you. Nerve pain and a numbness in my feet.
    Didn't feel much pain from the shots until I got the bill!
  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Dad had a lot of back problems during his life. I remember him being put in traction at the hospital one time. What ever happened to that? Used to hear about people in traction all the time.

    He built one himself to use at home that worked. He welded up a steel frame with 2 pulley's mounted to hang weights from with ropes that were hooked to a wide belt around his waist. When he started feeling pain coming on he would hook it up at night when he went to bed and usually by the next day he was feeling better.
  • CoolhandLukeCoolhandLuke Member Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Cortisone didn't last much on me, so DR gives me a Lumbar epidural steroid shot every 8 months and so far it helps a lot, kind of pricey but worth it.
    We have to fight so we can run away.
    Capt. Jack Sparrow.
  • jerrywh818jerrywh818 Member Posts: 2,573 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mountainjoe I probably had about 20 of those shots. At first they helped a lot and then less and less. They never did hurt very bad to get the shots. But now I think they just masked the pain while my back got worse and worse. I finally had spinal fusion and it didn't help much at all. Now I just suffer.
  • SawzSawz Member Posts: 6,049
    edited November -1
    My wife and one of mu installers has had them , they work wonders. they hurt but are far better than the alternative hurting
  • bearman49709bearman49709 Member Posts: 503
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by CoolhandLuke
    Cortisone didn't last much on me, so DR gives me a Lumbar epidural steroid shot every 8 months and so far it helps a lot, kind of pricey but worth it.


    The lumbar epidural steroid shot is Cortisone, and you can have them every six months.
    If yours last eight months they do last on you.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I took a series of shots almost twenty years ago...
    Used NSAIDS ever since.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Had one in my right shoulder that one worked great and allowed the shoulder to heal, have had no problems since.

    But had one in Neck/ shoulder left side and about 2-3 weeks later the pain came back and was way worse than it was before. Still bothers me nothing they can do except Back surgery and at this time I can live with the pain.
  • CoolhandLukeCoolhandLuke Member Posts: 7,826 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bearman49709
    quote:Originally posted by CoolhandLuke
    Cortisone didn't last much on me, so DR gives me a Lumbar epidural steroid shot every 8 months and so far it helps a lot, kind of pricey but worth it.


    The lumbar epidural steroid shot is Cortisone, and you can have them every six months.
    If yours last eight months they do last on you.


    The initial shots were called just cortisone and didn't last much so Dr changed to the epidural steroid, I didn't know it's also cortisone.
    We have to fight so we can run away.
    Capt. Jack Sparrow.
  • danielgagedanielgage Member Posts: 10,585 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by CoolhandLuke
    quote:Originally posted by bearman49709
    quote:Originally posted by CoolhandLuke
    Cortisone didn't last much on me, so DR gives me a Lumbar epidural steroid shot every 8 months and so far it helps a lot, kind of pricey but worth it.


    The lumbar epidural steroid shot is Cortisone, and you can have them every six months.
    If yours last eight months they do last on you.


    The initial shots were called just cortisone and didn't last much so Dr changed to the epidural steroid, I didn't know it's also cortisone.


    me neither

    I have had 4 epidural steroid shots 2 worked great for several years the other 2 not much

    one made me feel better for a week and then went away I think it has caused my blood pressure to be high now

    went back and let them numb it up trying to find the right spot to burn the nerves they tell me that will last for 6 months to a year
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,263 ******
    edited November -1
    Thank you for the replies everyone.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    quote:Originally posted by Marc1301
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    So, I heard these injections hurt really bad. This has me worried. Yes,yes,I already hurt really bad,but a new hurt of that dam needle just scares the hell out of me.

    Read my post,...I have PLENTY of experience with them. They do NOT hurt bad. Just a minor bruise kind of feeling for a day or two afterwards,


    BULL...CRAP!!! Most painful thing I've ever experienced...hands down!!! Absolutely EXCRUCIATING! In fact, they had to stop because they thought I was going to have a heart attack (seriously). My blood pressure spiked, not in a good way either. It was supposed to be an 'in-and-out' procedure...they wound up keeping me for about 6 hours after injecting sedatives and hooking up all manner of monitoring stuff.

    They did the whole 1-10 pain scale thing. Had to squeeze the nurse's hands. The nurse had to let go of my hands at about "5" on the scale (I was crushing her hands) (I have an extremely high pain threshold too). We were at about a "7" when all of a sudden the pain went to about "40"! Felt like someone drove a cold-chisel into my spine with a 12 lb. sledge hammer!

    It's different for different people. Never, EVER, again!!!


    Last ones I got were like that. The nurse kept a watch on my face and could tell that something was wrong. She said all the color drained from my face. And I started to sweat like I was in a sauna. It came on just like you said . Think I have a high pain threshold and it was too much for me.


    But my 1st one just took away the pain.
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