Cortisone Injections

Hi Mia,

I've had cortisone injections in my lower back for inflammation and a pinched nerve. I'm glad yours hasn't gotten to that 'pinched' stage. It's very painful on top of what you already have.

I found the injections to be no big deal, others found it more painful. They most often use a numbing agent before or along with the steriod so it makes it more comfortable. For me it was no worse than getting a flu shot. If it were me I'm make sure that whoever was doing it was using Fluoroscopy and x-ray type machine so they can watch where the needle is going. Most do use some sort of x-ray or guided procedure now days.

The shots didn't do much for me. I had a series of 3...the first one nothing; 2nd one nothing but when I was walking back to the car my knee buckled on that side where I had the 'problem'. Doc had told me that might happen because I had my injection in my sciatic area. 3rd one I got a tiny bit of relief.

One thing to consider is if you are diabetic. Steriods raise the blood like crazy for most. I take insulin and have to watch more closely and usually triple my intake of humalog.

OK, I've rambled enough. Hope you found something of use.
Chutzie

The SI blocks are extremely painful. The blocks in the spine are no big deal. Mine did not work, but I have a different dx than you. They put Lidocaine in the syringe to lessen the pain. The most effective way to not allow the little bit of pain to bother you is when they tell you "a little pinch" to begin to take a very slow, very, very deep breathe. It is amaizng how much it helps. Don't worry. The pain is minimal. Hurts less than an IV IMO.

Im not sure what verterbrae it is exactly. Its in the upper part of my lower back. I just know its affecting my left lower ribs. The muscles around my left lower ribs are so contracted its cause my ribs to be pulled out of place. My ribs and back where the disk is out is tender to touch.  I have never had an IV so I really dont know how much that hurts lol The last shot I had was a flu shots a couple years ago and I was sore for a couple days after that so thats why im worried about these injections.

Hello Red,

ALtho my digonosis is different than yours I have had both SI injections and the epidurel injections... the SI injection was a bit painful to have done but I had more pain afterwards with that injection.  The epidurel injection was much better didnt hurt as much going in and didnt hurt as much afterward either.

The first injection didnt do a thing for me and the second seemed to help for about 3 to 4 days and then pain was back...I go on Monday to get the 3rd injection so I will let you know how that one turns out.

It seems to me that you are in alot of pain already that these injections will be a breeze to what you are going trough now...also I got a shot before the injections that relaxes you and makes you tired so that helps as well....I do agree that it isnt much more than a flu shot though and its over before you know it...just make certain to have a list of questions you would like to ask before you go in so you dont forget them as you are nervious.

Good luck Red and I wish you well and hope they work for you...altho for many on here the injections havent worked so much there are many that they have worked for.

Take care and good luck

Lara

My SI nerve blocks may have hurt more because I have sacroiliitis. The clinic is very skilled and use the xray & Lidocaine techniques. If no one else felt the amount of pain I did, I will chalk it up to sacroiliitis. Also, for 3-4 days afterward I hurt so badly I had to use a cane. The Epidurals caused little to no pain afterward.

The S1 injection was very painful for me, I moaned like a baby while getting them and afterwards when the local wore off I was in alot of pain so much so I almost went to the er. and i do not have sacroiliitis, but again I did fine with the epd. but others have been fine with it so I quess it really depends on the person.

Lara

I had a S1 injections on Tuesday this week, Mine was very painful...and was almost crying!! my dr went into the S3 or distal area of the joint and injected both short and long term meds for pain.. he said, that these injections are the worst that they do and he hates doing them, because they are so painful...i have Sacroililits would that make it more painful....i didn't do any sedation with the injections and had Cervical Facet injections just last month on both side in 4 joints and did ok with that...but if i have to do it agian i need the sedation...it was the worst....its been two days..at the most part i feel better, but still not myself yet and pain and weakness comes and goes...so we will see....the pain was the worst when He was injected the meds and die into the joint, and of course moving the needle around....My pain is even more compromised do to having other injuries and Scoliosis, and its a Comp case on top of it...i need chiropractic all the time to keep from making things worst well they refused and now i have this on top of all my other injuries, maybe now they will listen to what my body needs.........because this could have been avoid....