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New.. Back Pain and Catheter Guided Epidural Injection??

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Posted 6/15/2012 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all.. Im new here. Little backgroung... hurt my back doing some construction work few months ago(was helping w a volunteer project in the community. MRI showed herniated disc at t5-6 and several disc protrusions at other levels in t-spine as well as lumbar. The worst though and the one hurting the most is the t5. Have terrible pain right between the shounder blades and it kind of spreads out and down. Anyway.. saw the pain management Dr and we have scheduled a catheter guided epidural injection. I was hoping to hear some of your experiences w epidural injections. It will be done under iv sedation. Im wondering what to expect right after and the days following. Having this done on a thurs and will take fri off so I have a few days after to just relax but really would like to hear some first hand experiences so that I know what all to expect.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance.

Posted 6/15/2012 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
There have been several postings of these and you can go back and read
thru them, just don't respond to the older posts. I've had them done with varying
results, sometimes they have helped othhertimes not so much, you will need to
Ice the injection sites off on over a 24 hour period, for the first 24 hours. Also you
Need a driver for these and if you can take a day or two off work to get the best results.
and these are done in a grouping of three, and the are used as a diagnostic tool to see
if they can help and as an insurance proto call...hope tthese can work for you, well
wishes and keep us poted as we do care.
Posted 6/22/2012 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your replies.. The PM drs office called me today and offered me a sooner appt for the procedure. I was scheduled for the end of July and they had a cancelation on the 5th so we reshceduled to the 5th, 2 weeks from today. Might sound dumb but Im nervous and a little anxious although Im also looking forward to it in hopes of getting some long term relief. The last few days have been especially painfulto the point where even breathing and moving certain ways hurt, and it seems what Im dealing with is nothing compared to what alot of you deal with so I probably shouldnt even complain. Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to everyone that has made me feel welcome! This really seems to be an awesome group of supportive ppl.
Posted 6/23/2012 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Butterflykisses You said("Im dealing with is nothing compared to what alot of you deal with so I probably shouldnt even complain.") there is no way to compare what you and everyone else feels or have felt. So with that said never feel bad about posting or complaining or venting about your pain or you experience with it. We are all here to support each other, and we are here to support you too!

I wish you well!
White Beard
Posted 6/23/2012 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you :) I appreciate that. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.
Posted 7/6/2012 9:42 PM (GMT 0)

Hey just wanted to update you all.. Had my injection yesterday. The procedure itself went ok. I was sedated but awake and aware of the whole thing. It was slightly uncomfortable at one point but not too bad. Afterwards however I had to stay at the surg center for several hours because I was very nauseous and got sick to my stomach couple times, which didnt feel too good on my back.

Finally got home, layed in my recliner w an ice pack, took mini naps, still feeling nauseous. Anyway.. the numbing medication wore off and I was hurting pretty bad. Today has been about the same. Very uncomfortable, still kind of nauseous, and in pain. But I guess thats normal because the Dr told me the first few days would get worse before the steroid kicked in and then it would hopefully improve the pain. Sooo overall Im glad that its over with and now Im just praying that this really does help. He mentioned that if I had some improvement we might do another injection in several weeks. We shall see.

Thanks to everyone that has helped me through the last several weeks (especially in the chatrooms) You are all great and I appreciate you all!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Hugs.

Posted 7/7/2012 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterflykisses,  I have had the catheter guided epidurals done in my neck and I have also had the epidurals done in my thoracic spine at T12. Allot of times PM Doctors like to do a serries of three injections a few weeks apart, to give more lasting relief. I know that I usually only get about 2 or 3 weeks of relief out of the injections, and it usually takes 3 or 4 days for the relief to take affect! I can empathize with you on having problems with thoracic disks! I have problems at T3, T8 and T12 with bone spurs and the disk at T12 is herniated and torn.  My back is a mess and I have problems with the cervical and lumbar area too!

 

I do hope that you get relief with your epidurals, allot of doctors will not touch or even consider giving epidural in any of the thoracic area! Usually they have to have special training to preform that type of procedure in that area. They also will not usually preform surgery on thoracic disks, unless paralysis is involved, at least that is what I have been told by several different surgeons. Anyway I do hope they can get you some adequate pain relief. Please keep us informed and up to date on your condition, we are all here for you!

 

White Beard

Posted 7/7/2012 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
      Good morning Butterfly!

           WB is spot on with his information, and the only thing I would add, is if indeed you are getting some relief, then I would consider a 2nd injection for a possible extra boost.

    My Dr has told me that the reason that DR's will do a series of three injection, is because that is what the insurance companys will allow anually, per location.

  Good luck, and I hope you get some relief out of this! You also did well by putting ice on the injection site. Smart move! wink

   SE wink

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