SPINAL INJECTIONS?

[Hermes123]

Hermes 123 Has anybody of late had injections to their spine! I went to my G.P. at the end of January, he set the wheels in motion knowing how serious my back pain was plus being a carer at 82. when covic started I had two appointments cancelled. But as soon as the ease up on the NHS. My spinal team plunge into action, getting my MRI scan done on to the Consultant for appraisal, recommended three injections, but the injection team have been stone walling me ever since I have tried every avenue ever since, my pains are unbearable from shoulder blades down to left foot. At night time when I go to bed as I lay down it feels as if my spine has snap in two. I had an online talk with my G.P. on Friday and he is not a all happy, he to wants to know what is going on He is looking into the situation hope to have answers this week. I was just wondering if any one else has had this experience, its like hell on earth. Hermes.

[Bananas5]

Spinal injections contain steroids and research shows they reduce the immune system.

Under normal circumstances this isn't too much of a problem but with covid 19 it can be a serious matter.

In Scotland all spinal procedures have stopped and I believe many in England too.

It seems unlikely due to your age and being high risk you will be offered them.

The pain team should be honest with you and tell you why they won't do them not fiddle around the edges

With little or no alternative this is hard for many in chronic pain

x

[Hermes123 in reply to Bananas5]

Bananas5

Thank you for your informed reply, I have suffered depression trying to cope, my back injury goes back to 1969. So I spent a long time managing pain but there comes a time in life when it feels your spent, no energy left to fight and when one half of your team is doing everything possible to help, the last link in the chain not only explain the situation, but appears to go out of there way to contact me, I use loads of Hemp cream which help at first, like every thing else I have got immune to it. Thank you kindly for reply. Hermes.

[pinot]

Hi I have 3 ruptured discs in my spine and sciatica I have been getting spinal injections twice a year from surgeon and they really help. Unfortunately due to covid and lock down I've not had the injections for a year as everything is on hold I am absolutely crippled with pain 😞 praying 🙏 we get back to some sort of normal life I really hope you can bear your pain till your eventually seen by consultant xx

[Hermes123 in reply to pinot]

pinot, Thanks for your reply, I am so annoyed with the pain clinic no advise or explanation, I am on maximum pain relief drugs but they do little for me. it is the exhaustion not knowing where the left leg is going to wander off too, or the knee caps going to give away. Hermes.

[Mille21]

Hi I also have had constant unbearable pain in shoulder for months had 3 phone consultations and eventually face to face and he thought its muscle strain I am also under pain management and spoke to doctor a few months ago and he told me he was having me in for intravenous pain relief no appointment appeared and when I rang up was told it will be December x

[Hermes123]

Mille21

Hermes123, in reply from what I have recently bee told! Shoulder and neck is ok for injections, it is lower back that is the problem it might cause weakness to the chest making it more liable to catch the virus. I certain somebody will correct me if I have this wrong. Hermes.

[Bananas5 in reply to Hermes123]

As I said it is the steroids in the injections. Steroids are well known to reduce immunity so///with lowered immunity you are more at risk of catching covid 19.

x

[Flyby7]

I had injections in lower back had 3 and it hurt thae after that I had the nerves burnt before I had injections I was getting a lot of pain in lower back and down my leg right side i am glad I had it done you fell the needles but I am glad I had it done

[Jam1861]

I was offered them from the hospital specialist i refused as they not guaranteed to work and if they do the relief is only for a short period of time for me the risks out weighed the benefit

[deejames in reply to Jam1861]

Their effectiveness does vary. I get at least 5/6 months of relief and probably a bit longer of a bit of improvement as the pain relief allows me to be more proactive in stretching and exercising which leads to a more overall improvement in my fitness and pain control. For me it is worth the moderate risk. I have had them about 7 times now with no ill effects ever.

Dee

[Hermes123 in reply to deejames]

deejames

Thank for all your information, have had them about three years ago they lasted me 3. months. Right now 3. months is better than nothing, I think I must have a strong immune system as my body appears to reject every thing. The number of things I had over a life time and all disappear after a very few weeks, I am on maximum drugs but they do not a thing. Hermes123.

[deejames]

I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. I was told during lockdown that my pain consultant will not be doing any more steroid injections into the facet joints( spinal) until a vaccine is in place for Corona virus. Steroids lower the immune system and therefore make someone more vunerable to catching the virus and having severe symptoms if they do.

Its upsetting and life changing but catching corona virus would be worse.

Dee

[Hermes123 in reply to deejames]

deejames

Yes I know where you're coming from! Am I supposed to end up with a mental breakdown, there has to be a support team to help and calm people in my situation. Thanks for your support. Hermes.

[Aurorasparkle]

Hi Hermes

I just had six injections into my facet and si joints under X-ray guidance last Thursday. I was in the most severe pain like yourself . I was told by my pain consultant to self isolate for 3-4 weeks after the procedure. My Mum lobbied for me to get these injections through our MSPS and it worked.

I couldn't go on with the pain I was in I just couldn't mentally and physically cope anymore.

Xx

[Hermes123]

Aurorasparkle

Than you for your comments I don't have age on my side? but being a carer at my age dose not help, but being ignored by the injection team, not even giving information what other help I could receive, My G.P. was not happy about that as he knows the day to day strain I am under, I had steroid injections some three years ago. Needles do not bother me I have had a ton of them in my life time. Hermes with thanks.

[Caramia1964]

I am also waiting to be seen by orthopaedics and will likely need facet joint injections. I have had them in the past and although very painful to get , they do give months if relief. I think it is awful to leave people in pain all this time! I understand the steroid risk in light of covid but am sure most would willingly self isolate to be free of pain !

[Hermes123 in reply to Caramia1964]

Caramia1964

Hermes here! it is not so much about self isolation, more about risk to the lungs as Steroids lower the immune system, especially the older you are. Which is the cattery I am in.

You take good care. Hermes.

[Caramia1964]

Hi yes I understand that is the risk 🙂

[new-day-tommrow]

HI reading about the spine injections I was due to have one in neck before covid I had a call from hospital saying that having one now could cause me to catch the virus so have put it on hold.

[Hermes123 in reply to new-day-tommrow]

new-day-tommrow

When I cased my hospital about my spinal injections, I was told no lower spine injections, only shoulder and neck. maybe it varies from hospital to hospital. Hermes123.

[Hidden]

My dear Hermes, did not forget you. I am not often on this site but when

I am here, I realize how endearing it is to have many members on this website

taking the time to address any concern and offering their best advice.

Hermes, I don't have any advice or solution to what you are going thru, I can

only share your pain with a warm and tender hand, like all the members who

wrote to you. You are such a sweet person.

I can suggest Vodka !! (just kidding, not a good idea!!)

It is said that the world is full of suffering but also full of overcoming.

Hope this overcoming will come you way soon friend!! Hannah

[Hermes123 in reply to Hidden]

Hello Hanna,

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts, it is the exhaustion that comes with severe pain that gets me it sapped what little energy one has, but now it looks as if I have a long wait a head of me, at least until covic is cleared up and longer. But with kind people like you on my side, perhaps it will not seam so long. Stay safe and thank you so much. Hermes.