Getting A Shot For Lumbar Pain

February 18, 2019, 10:49 AM

AUTiger89

This is exactly how my test shot went. I didn't get sedated, just a little lidocaine at the site. They gave me 6 test shots, which I think were also lidocaine, and pain got down to around a 3 or so a few hours afterward, but quickly shot back up to around a 6.

The whole procedure took around 20 minutes.

quote:
Originally posted by Gustofer:
quote:
Originally posted by AUTiger89:
What should I expect?

Sedation if you want it. Most folks don't need it. You'll be placed in a prone position and your lower back will be prepped and draped. Unless it's just a very basic injection with nothing fancy, XRay will be used to guide the needle into the correct position. There can be some pain as the needle tip gets close to the injection site (the nerve), but if you do have any, it's not bad...just kind of surprising.

quote:
Will there be instant relief, or will I be out of commission any?

If they add local to the injection (most of us do) you will have relief fairly quickly. However, this relief will go away once the local wears off (up to 18 hours depending on what they use). Your pain will likely come back as it can take several days for the steroid to start doing it's thing.

Out of commission? You shouldn't be, unless they dope you up good for the procedure.

quote:
Will there be a recovery period?

What I tell everyone is that while you may be pain free, that doesn't mean that the problem has gone away. You didn't magically get the spine of a teenager. I can't tell you how many patients I get that feel great after and proceed to go out and do the same activities that got them there to begin with. Bottom line is, you've got a bad back. Treat it accordingly. We can treat the symptoms, but the problem remains unless and until it's fixed surgically (and I would avoid that as long as you can).

Good luck. Some folks get great relief with just one. Others require several. Others still, it just doesn't work. Hopefully you're in the first group.

ETA: Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.

February 27, 2019, 09:24 AM

AUTiger89

Well, I had my final shot yesterday. Pain is already down to around a 2, which is great.

I'll continue with PT to strengthen my core, but I'm quite pleased with things so far.

February 27, 2019, 10:22 AM

maxdog

Shots can be very effective.

I’m going through my 3rd ser of these over the last 10 yrs. L5 and 4. I’ve had 3 surgeries since age 32. I’m 70. Generally they work although the duration of effectiveness may grow shorter.

When I had my first 2 courses, the doc used some local deadening. Now uses prophenol to knock out completely in this 3rd set.

Second st, about 3 yrs ago, didn’t last but about 3-4 weeks. Next step was radio ablation which was very effective and lasted over 2 yrs.

Technique uses radio emissions via needle to “burn” sheaths off of nerves. At least that’s my layman knuckle dragging understanding of how it works.

Had my second steroid injection 3 weeks ago and like last time, not very effective. Anticipate ablation will once again be brought into play.

Side effect of injection is elevated blood sugar if that’s a concern.

Best of luck!

February 27, 2019, 12:23 PM

Ripley

There's a lot going on around the lumbar region. For those who have had shots, any effect on urinary, bowel or sexual functions?

March 08, 2019, 02:50 PM

AUTiger89

quote:
Originally posted by Ripley:
There's a lot going on around the lumbar region. For those who have had shots, any effect on urinary, bowel or sexual functions?

No effects for me.

I still have some pain, but it's about 75% reduced from where it was. Pain is mainly when I first get up and late in the day.

Pain doc said to keep going with physical therapy and my daily exercises.

So far, two thumbs up.

March 08, 2019, 03:36 PM

Ripley

quote:
Originally posted by AUTiger89:

I still have some pain, but it's about 75% reduced from where it was. Pain is mainly when I first get up and late in the day.

Pain doc said to keep going with physical therapy and my daily exercises.

So far, two thumbs up.

I've been fighting bad leg and back pain for a year and a half and yeah, first thing out of bed was the worst. My primary care doc gave me a sheet of core exercises as therapy, she has nothing good to say about surgery, chiropractors, acupuncture and shots. I've been afraid of going into those treatments with such a negative attitude.

I rolled the dice and sprung for a different, good quality chair. I bought a used Aeron, figuring I wouldn't take a great loss if I sold it. Side note: Crimenently I hate dealing with Craig's List but it came through.

Anyway, I spend too much time in a chair and my old one was a very poor fit, seat too flat and came forward to near the back of my knees. The new chair has a radiused falloff at the front, isn't so long and has much improved lumbar support. It's been a revelation, I'd say my pain is a quarter of what it had been. I would have paid a bunch for the improvement I've seen.

My problems still exist but it's clear the wrong chair was really messing with me.

April 03, 2019, 02:45 PM

AUTiger89

Well, the pain has been gradually increasing, and it looks like I'll be getting a second shot.

PT is going well, but I haven't been doing my exercises as faithfully as I should have been, but I've been improving in that regard.

April 03, 2019, 04:39 PM

Sigfan Roy

I injured my back in Feb 2014. Tried the shots 3 times, did PT and workplace hardening (more PT) and even tried a shot in my hip since I had longstanding issues with the hip on the same side in an effort to determine exactly what was going on. I finally had micro discectomy on the L2/3 in Oct of that year. Eventually had the hip replaced in Nov of 15. The shots never really did much for me in either case. Its a bummer but its worth trying them to avoid surgery. Hope your second one does the trick for you.

April 04, 2019, 11:27 AM

maxdog

Shots worked for me for awhile. Tend to work on back related leg pain for me. First series severAl years ago had lidocane. Somewhat painful when close to nerve. Now doc uses Propofol to knock out completely.

I also have recently had the radio ablation series for back pain. Worked well for over a year.

Now doc seems to favor propofol for his procedures. Guess it’s easy to use and ensures patient won’t move or flop around. Only down side is you are pretty well cooked for the day. No driving, making important decisions, operating machinery, voting or voicing political opinions in mixed company.