Re: Epidural costisone shots

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

 

I have had the epidural shots for damage in my cervical spine (not damage caused

by arthritis).  It was supposed to be a series of up to 4 shots, one every 2

weeks in my case.  These were last ditch effort as I had been thru physical

therapy, MRIs pain management, etc.  My first shot was amazing, I felt relief

within 5 minutes and it lasted almost 8 whole hours.  At that time, I would have

been excited to have just the 5 minutes relief!

 

2 weeks later I go for my second shot and it didn't go so well.  Now realize I

have had 2 neck surgeries prior to these shots so the dr was working with

damaged goods but...the doctor hit my nerve while trying to twist the needle

in.  I told him it hurt and he said it would get better.  He kept twisting and

damaged my nerve quite badly.  I was nearly immobile for about 2 weeks after

that shot.  Needless to say I didn't go back for further treatment.  As a matter

of fact I fired the whole clinic.

 

I know  these shots are not a doctors first choice, but I would not opt to have

any of them done again unless I could have a GUARANTEE that I would have results

like the first shot again. 

 

For me, the " plan B " was surgery again but I have not exercised that option.  I

am enduring the pain for now but when it gets to be too much, I will have to

accept the surgical options.

 

I hope I have not scared you away from this option as I am sure many people have

had good results, I just wish I could have been one of them   Ideally the

shots give you spinal area enough time to adjust/try to heal a bit.  My shots

were to buy me time as I had just had surgery a year before. 

From: cynthiadew1 <cynthiadew1@...>

Subject: [ ] Epidural costisone shots

Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 8:58 PM

I'd like to know if anyone else has had epidural shots for damage in

the cerival and lumber area of their spine. I have a chicken soup of

problems in my spine, osteo caused by RA, facet diease, bone spurs,

pinched nerves, etc. That were shown by the MRI that I FINALLY got

done. Gotta love insurance. The orthopedic doctor wants to start with

a series of shots over a month or two. How long can the shots last?

Do I get them again later? If they do not work, what is next?

Hoping someone else has gone through the same thing with successful

results.

[Guest guest]

and ,

I am so sorry that the surgeries didn't do it and now the

shots neither. Are you seeing a neuro-surgeon or an orthopedic

doctor? I don't know if it makes a difference, but I went to a

neuro. He was wonderful! I have a plate and 3 screws in my cervical

spine from the 2 herniated disk. He removed the spurs also.

Everything seems to be doing great so far. At first my rheummy was

going to send me for shots but after the MRI, insisted that I had to

see a neuro.

I did get a second opinion before the surgery just to see if there

was any other treatment. Don't hesitate to do this. The neuro did

the referral and my insurance covered it.

I am so sorry that both of you are going through this. My thoughts

and prayers are with you both.

Shirley

>

> From: cynthiadew1 <cynthiadew1@...>

> Subject: [ ] Epidural costisone shots

>

> Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2008, 8:58 PM

>

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> I'd like to know if anyone else has had epidural shots for damage

in

> the cerival and lumber area of their spine. I have a chicken soup

of

> problems in my spine, osteo caused by RA, facet diease, bone

spurs,

> pinched nerves, etc. That were shown by the MRI that I FINALLY got

> done. Gotta love insurance. The orthopedic doctor wants to start

with

> a series of shots over a month or two. How long can the shots

last?

> Do I get them again later? If they do not work, what is next?

>

> Hoping someone else has gone through the same thing with

successful

> results.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi - I think it depends on what's in the shots. My aunt gets

them in her lower back every 6 months and she says that's what's

keeping her walking. Good luck to you..........Doreen

--- In , " cynthiadew1 " <cynthiadew1@...>

wrote:

>

> I'd like to know if anyone else has had epidural shots for damage in

> the cerival and lumber area of their spine. I have a chicken soup of

> problems in my spine, osteo caused by RA, facet diease, bone spurs,

> pinched nerves, etc. That were shown by the MRI that I FINALLY got

> done. Gotta love insurance. The orthopedic doctor wants to start

> with a series of shots over a month or two. How long can the shots

> last? Do I get them again later? If they do not work, what is next?

>

> Hoping someone else has gone through the same thing with successful

> results.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am hoping this is the case. I am a veteran of cortisone in what

seems every other joint in my body. I've had pain in my right arm,

hip and leg off and on for so long I can't remember when it started.

I just can't take it anymore. Some doctors said it was the RA, some

said they didn't know, and finally my current Rhuemy said it was Osteo

and that there wasn't anything he could do. He didn't refer me to a

Orthopedic doctor, I went to my PCP for that referral. The Ortho is

the one who offered the Cortisone injections. RA doesn't get me down

the way this back stuff has. I am trying to take a class at the local

community college, and after 30 minutes of sitting the pain is

unbearable, and I take vicodin to try and manage the pain even in

class. If I can get Epidurals every six months, I will willingly try

that. Thanks for the note.

Doreen wrote:

> Hi - I think it depends on what's in the shots. My aunt gets

> them in her lower back every 6 months and she says that's what's

> keeping her walking. Good luck to you..........Doreen

>