Epidural Steroids

[Bunce]

How many of you think epidural steroids are safe procedures? How many of you have found them to be effective in radiating pain in the leg from a buldging disc? Specifically burning pain? Did it help you function better? Or should I just keep to physio and medication?

[chrissyclevercloggs]

Hi i have had pain but not severe burning sensation. i have had two candular epidurals and they helped for about 2-3 weeks. others i have heard had had 3 months and one case after several gain complete pain free.

as for risk, there are risks to everything.but these people do this day in and day out so it is a small risk.

would i have it done again..probably

[Boozybird]

Hi Bunce, my experience has been that the skill of the practitioner is paramount. 😜

[Cullercoats_Mammy55]

Hello ... I have steroids injected into my facet joints in my spine (is that what you are referring to?) every 4 months. I agree that this skill of the practitioner is the most important, mine are done by a surgeon. Talk to the practitioner and ask them about the positioning etc. Good luck x

[onamission in reply to Cullercoats_Mammy55]

Hi Cullercoats_Mammy55 I also have the same injections how lucky are you our hospital will only give us 2 a year

[Cullercoats_Mammy55]

What I didn't say is that they help MASSIVELY for me. X

[carol1964 in reply to Cullercoats_Mammy55]

They able to give these injections in your foot? Thanks x

[micmar]

Hi I have had Epidurals in the base of my spine for about 18 years and the last one in July 2013 broke my skin out in thick crispy wheals on the base of my spine and left buttock where it ran down after three different creams from the doctor it just will not clear up and I cannot sit on the bottom of my spine and tend to sit on one cheek. It is a shame this has happened as they worked quite well for me but did not last so ;long as time went on,but have been told that long term Epidurals with Steroid can affect your skin, and I do have allergy problems I have since been having Facet injections in the middle of my back but have now declined from these in case my skin breaks out again as this will be the fourth time.. Best of luck

[Hidden]

They are very safe procedures, probably more than you think, my husband had one done and it got him three years pain free, he has three bulging discs, unfortunately our health authority does not do them any more,the reason we were given is that nerve root injections are as effective, and our health authority serves a centre of excellence in spinal and neurological medicine. But like all H.A's they have to justify the cost and time it takes, here we do spinal stimulator's and in most other areas the won't fund them. Go figure.

[Wendyld]

I had a steroid epidural but it made no difference to me. I have the same as you, a bulging disc plus other conditions.

It works on some people & not on others. It's as safe as any other intrusive treatment. I guess you need to think about the pro's & cons & make a decision.

Good Luck

[Juliette64]

Hi Bunce, I have had that procedure done a number of times. Each procedure may last 6 months to a year. (More or less) because over time, the effectiveness for me became shorter between the times that I needed another epidural. There are risks with every procedure. In my case,I was not able to function. I needed this procedure done. Physical therapy did not work alone. I have had no regrets.

Good luck to you, and I do hope you find relief with your choice.

[earthwitch]

Definitely not safe. They may be effective, but I'm really not sure they are worth the risk having known folk end up with effectively a spinal cord injury from a syrinx formed as a result of epidural injections. I believe there is also a very real risk of bone necrosis.

[Boozybird in reply to earthwitch]

Inflammation eats bone away too... Devil v deep blue sea.. 😕

[earthwitch in reply to Boozybird]

yes, but there are other ways of dealing with inflammation....

[Boozybird in reply to earthwitch]

I thought I'd tried them all but what's your best that works for you? 😃

[almegor]

I have lumber epidural steroid injections for a damaged nerve at the base of my spine about twice yearly, been having them for about 5 years. I must say I couldn't function without them. Same as you I have burning pan radiating down both legs.

About a week after I have had the injection I can do the garden and go for longer walks.

[flamenca1 in reply to almegor]

Hi, do you still need medication after the epidural. I find I now have nerve pain radiating down both legs without Gabapentin. I really want to get off these if I can.

Thank you for any advice.