Mini epidural to reduce chronic pain??

[Dawn5718]

Hey there. Just posting this to see if anyone has had this treatment into back to help with severe sciatica? I've had the gold injs which made pain worse two yrs ago leaving me on morphine. I'm a single mum, 37yrs with a six yr old boy. And struggle everyday. It's exhausting. But i keep going because of this fantastic man. This is what pain consultant has offered next saying there is nothing else i can have after this. I am petrified this won't work and makes this worse again so I'm reaching out to you all to see how and if this has worked for any of you?

Many thanks Dawn

[FibroGirlUK]

I've had lots of injections between L4 and my sacroiliac for sciatica/3 trapped nerves and chronic pain after an accident a couple of years ago. They worked really well.

I'm waiting to have injections in my cervical spine as I now have a prolapsed disc there. I admit I tried the physio route first as spinal injections without a general anaesthetic are very uncomfortable.

I'm on fentanyl patches, neurotonin, & paracetamol for the chronic pain management now. I've also got oramorph to top up that lot if necessary. If you haven't already, can't you try something like that?

[Alljaxedup in reply to FibroGirlUK]

Hello FibroGirlUK, I've had Fibro for 30 yrs. and as far as the injections go if I were you I'd try radio frequency instead of the epi's it works much better and for a longer period of time, mine last about a year. Hope this helps

[FibroGirlUK in reply to Alljaxedup]

I tried RTMS several years ago, but I don't think that is the same. It's incredibly expensive and has a limited result in terms of time/efficacy. I'm not a high flying worker with that sort of medical insurance anymore thanks to fibromyalgia.

I will look up this treatment as an alternative. Thank you.

[ReccyMech]

I have had 22 of these ESI Epidural Steroid Injections the injection is via the base of the spine (under a local) the relief is up to two months with me. tapering off until the pass routine which was every six months. It is relief and you can get some decent sleep. I have now been discharged from the scheme after 22 they feel a rest is overdue. I have thought of changing Doctors as we are on the border with another Trust and I might get help there. Do not worry or stress about the ESI, it will be straight forward and you will fill sore after. But within a few days much better. Do not feel its a cure, it provides relief and you may feel you can take on more things. Take care to not overdo things. It seemed to not last as long, if I did things, I normally would be cautious over. i.e. Lifting, over stressing my back.

[Dawn5718 in reply to ReccyMech]

Thank you for replying. This has given me some hope, I know there are a lot of others out there who suffer worse but it's much appreciated so thank you. I will let you know when it's done and the outcome. Thank you for taking the time to reply and advise. It's Very much appreciated.

[suzie2shoes]

Hi Dawn5718, I had this procedure in my Sacroilliac joint several years ago. I think things have moved forward a bit since then, but this was done under Magnetic Imaging. It helped enormously and gave me some respite from the pain. You were only allowed to have three sessions a year, but to begin with I didn't really need three. I think you should give it a go. What have you got to lose?

[Dawn5718 in reply to suzie2shoes]

Thank you and sorry for the late reply. This has made me feel so much more confident about having these, thank you. I did have some kind of steroid injected into back before, making it a lotthousand times worse. That's why I'm scared I think. But just hearing positive things really helps. Xx