Second injection

Sorry you are increased pain that really is a bummer. I have wondered about those injections. Where did you get it done? Im so scared of just thinking about the size of the needle needed, I had been offered one for my back but chickened out.

I would think that if both were unsucessful, just dont get another cus reallly....that seems like torture!!

(((hugs)))

My neighbor gets injections about every 3 months for her back problems and she says they really help her. I on the other hand have had 3 different types of injections and never had a positive outcome.

Being diabetic myself I can understand the issue with the raise in blood sugar. I have always been very brittle where blood sugar control is concerned and often have to fight to keep my readings under 200. The last 2 times I had injections it took me 2+ months to get my sugar out of the 300's.

Unfortunately I didn't have any relief from the injections either but I did give it the full six week trial. I know for some they really do help. At least I didn't have to pay anything for them and my pain management doctor was excellent.

Sorry to hear that they just aren't working for you...That's the thing with treatments for pain...some work on people and others don't...but at least you tried...

I was lucky to get a good 6 months of pain reduction after mine...

Hopefully your Dr. has a plan of action to go from here...

Keep us posted..

Hi Kaely, I am sorry to read the 2nd injection did not work. Who knows maybe in a few more days it will kick in and help. I totally understand the sugar issues as my husband is on insulin for his diabetes. You know sometimes you have to weigh out the risks and I sure don't blame you a bit when you say you are done with the injections. Having your sugar out of wack is just not good.

The injections are a gamble they may help or they may not.

Take care & keep us posted......Susie

It's been a week now and no relief. It seems to have made things worse actually. My first shot was a month ago and did nothing. It's definitely not worth the added blood sugar problems and the added pain of driving there and back. Doesn't help that the steroids make me want to eat anything that's not moving. My cats are afraid to lay down lol.

Well, Kaely, given your complications, You may be right in discussing this with your doctor before proceeding with this. Remember though, some docs are hard cases about following through with their treatment plans before moving on to something else. This is CYA in most cases for insurance and FDA purposes. Though with the blood sugar thing, that's a major potential hazard, and if you aren't seeing the faintest of results by now, he should change his mind. Seems reasonable enough, but I'm no MD, I'm just working from common sense here. Remember though, it's your body, and if it comes down to it, you have the right to refuse treatment, or find another doctor if he simply refuses to listen to you.

All I can give you is my experiences. The first round of three (L4-L5) was pretty good with results lasting a good 6 months after the last shot. The second round was okay, and it was time for the third round, by the time it came around. I got bupkis out of that one. We tried one more single shot, and when I started cursing my doctor's name, he stopped, and upped my meds.

THAT BEING SAID, anyone who is reading this thread and has been advised to get the procedure by a board certified pain specialist should at least give it a go. Complications, unless you have other health issues are exceedingly rare if you've had no problems taking cortisone or steroids before. This procedure is as easy as pulling a tooth, from the doc's point of view. You numb it up, you do the thing, you wait a few minutes to make sure everything is good to go, and it's all over. The patient is generally nervous, and the staff spends more time reassuring them before the procedure than doing the actual procedure.

Some people swear by these injections, and I'm happy it works for them. There's a percentage it works for, unfortunately, I'm not in the percentage.

Matt..I did spit my water out and now my a,b,c,d, " ", button is not working!!!

Kaely---I would not do another one ( i have no experience with them ) but you truly sound very disappointed and definate that its not working, so your doctor HAS to have another option for you..

((hugs))

Matt you rock!

I talked to my pcp and told her I won't be going back for more shots. She said 'Ok.'. So apparently, she's ok with it lol.

Justanotherday, Neurontin drove my blood sugar through the roof. 215 fasting sugar. Stopped taking it which I wasn't happy about because it was working.

No, there was no relief at all. The second shot has made things worse though. Before the shots all of my pain was on the right side. Since the last shot the right side pain is worse and there's pain on the left. I'm done with the shots while I still have a leg to stand on!

Alcie,

I'm done with that pain doc. He is making things worse not better. I've already made the mistake (21 years ago) of going to a chiropractor and trying to stick with the treatments even though it was hurting more and more. I ended up needing surgery and my back has never been ok since. I will never do that to myself again.

Thanks, I wish it were feeling better, instead it's more painful. think a good part of that is winter weather setting in. I don't do so well in the winters.

Hi Top and welcome to the forum. I'm on Morphine ER 30 mg twice a day with Morphine IR 15 mg for breakthrough. I'm also on Flexeril 10mg 3 times a day as needed. I've just recently been given the Morphine, (I was under medicated for years) so I haven't tried any other opioids.

I tried Neurontin which seemed to help but it drove my blood sugar too high. Same problem with the steroid shots. This last shot made my sciatica worse on the right side, and I now have some pain on the left side which I didn't have before the shots.