Hello all, I had the above procedure nearly 2 weeks ago. Had one good day but since then I feel exactly the same as if I never had anything done. The follow up is a phone call in 4 weeks from now so I am wondering if it could take up to 6 weeks to work?? Does anyone know, I only recall the nurse saying it might get worse before it gets better but no timescale was mentioned. I've already been offered fusion (with instrumentation) and revision of former emergency slipped disc op (2012) since it has recurred (2014 MRI). Look forward to your comments thank you
Kay x
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If anesthetic is placed around a nerve root or epidural space, you may experience a period of numbness in that region or limb for 3 to 8 hours. The steroid medication may begin working anywhere from 6 hours to 3 days after the injection. Some individuals do experience a period of soreness 1 to 2 days after the injection. An application of ice may help during this period. Within one to five days, you may start noticing significant pain relief.
My husband had his first one over 20 years ago...all but 3 have worked.
He always says if he can feel pain where the needle hits the spot then it is successful.
I am sorry to say but from what you write yours seems not a good one.
Thank you for this, I had one day pain free, was done on weds and on Fri I really thought it had worked, I perhaps foolishly cleaned the bathroom because of this wellbeing but boy did I suffer the next day and ever since! So it seems if I've no pain relief now at two weeks, it isn't going to happen later. Its so aggravating and disappointing to say the least. How many has your husband had? Did the first one work for him?
I now have urine infection and I pulled a muscle yesterday which meant it hurt to breathe in deeply, luckily that's better this morning.
Even if it had worked cleaning the bathroom should be done slowly and gently....it'd cvalled pacing.
Gosh how many had David had? First one back in late 90s meant a 2 hour stay in day surgery after in case BP crashed. He stayed overnight too as no one at home to look after him. Yes it worked.
Nowadays it is in, procedure, cuppa and home.
Consultants will not do them more frequently than 6 monthly but in recent years that has extended to 12 - 18 months due to theatre shortages..
David did have a couple of years without them but every 6 months since 1995 Now they will stop as his AS progresses rapidly
I'm sorry I somehow missed this reply, at this stage I don't think I will have it again, I thought this was going to offer me more than the previous RF steroid injections did, although a lot of my pain is pelvic, hips and muscular, the muscular pain is bad. I have realised AS must be ankylosing spondilitis, I am very sorry to hear how it is progressing very rapidly x
Hello Bananas me again! Too nervous now of injections as first one did nothing but was warned that if a further one is administered, and fails, could be in a worse position than before........my confidence in pain management is diminished. Also, was offered the injection with one day’s notice at a faraway hospital. Obviously a cancellation.
Am sure you will suggest trying other clinics, other treatments, but - although not a wimpy type - dread anything that could make matters worse and not be easily correctable.
Hope poor David realises how lucky he is to have you!
Hi there, I’ve just had that procedure 10 days ago and feel I’m in more pain now!! It’s as if my nerve has been aggravated. Felt relief on day 1 due to local anaesthetic. Going back to GP today so he can email the surgeon about the outcome. Stay strong.
Yes that local anaesthetic is good, then you feel bit battered and bruised and I've continued to feel bad. Would seem its been of no benefit to us Fiona. I have a recurring slipped disc at L5 S1 and facet joint arthritis with degenerative disc disease, now all the muscles in my thighs really hurt/feel inflamed. I went to drs Monday but also had blood in my wee so that kind of took over from my back issues, I was going to ask for morphine patches but it went clean out my mind.
I'm sorry it doesn't appear to have worked for you either, its frustrating, from my appt to the procedure was a 7 month wait but I've already had my pre op assessment for the fusion which they anticipated would take place within three months. I'd be interested if you could keep me updated on your outcome.
Hi there, my husband had his first epidural around 23 years ago after failed back surgery and it worked well. Then on the second he was in agony from it and we was told by the consultant it's because of the fluid they put in can press on your nerves causing more pain. Since then on and off over the years he has tried more which have resulted in no effect or more pain from the fluid. He is now as we speak at St Thomas hospital in London on a two week course preparing for a spinal chord stimulator.
Oh my goodness, thanks for that info, your poor husband, I do hope the stimulator works very well for him, please keep us posted. What you said makes sense as to feeling worse. I didn't want to give in to the pain, but have, I haven't been to work this week......
Hello. Same situation. Have been told to wait six months to see if am a candidate for the SC stimulator. Apparently a new one will be marketed then. That's all I can tell you, but worth knowing.
The pre-implant programme is a residential group programme lasting for eight days spread over two weeks. Overnight accommodation is situated in St Thomas’ Ho
spital grounds. This is the preferred route in the pathway to ensure patients have long term success in managing their pain
with or without the stimulator. However, you need to be fully able to care for yourself, as the accommodation is not staffed at night. We will give
you more information about where to come
and what to bring with you before you attend the pre-implant programme
Hi Fyllida Derek is in there to prepare mentally and physically for when he has the stimulator put in. I think but I could be wrong that this is the latest stimulator. Hope all goes well for you🙏🏻
Hi Sally. How does one get on to the programme? Pain manager, presumably. And how bad condition does one have to be? Many thanks in advance for taking the time to reply. 😢
Aha, finally a possible answer as to why they said a failed injection could make me worse than before! Its why am so strongly resistant to it. We all want our lives back ........but at what cos.
Why are we never told the whose truth. Most of us would prefer to take it on the chin, than realise the obvious obfuscation but unable to weave our way through ‘cos of precise medical knowledge 😬😬
Yes we was told that it could make Derek worse but Derek decided to give it a go anyway. I think in desperation through chronic pain most people would give it a go but sadly it doesn't work or causes more pain for some. I hope you find something to relieve your pain.
Thank you, Sally. Pain sufferers are usually in a terrible bind and we all sympathise with each other. We have to keep trying and keep thinking and thinking. Not everything is going to go wrong and dealing with desperation is sooo hard. Its no good telling a pain sufferer to pull themselves together is it? Just makes things worse. A certain amount of acceptance I find is also necessary. Not too much! Easy to say and so very complex. I hope Derek has an easier day. Do keep in touch.
Pain is an awful thing and I have had my own over the years but nothing compared to Derek's and do you know what he never ever moans about it, whereas if it was me I would be moan moan moan lol.
Hope you have a good day too and of course I will be in touch xx
Hi Sally, just started to write back and it flew away 😬. Anyway, my bloke too never complains (trapped nerve, can’t walk easily) but patiently listens to my banging on and on. Don’t know if he hears, but we “girls” have a need to emote and it is comforting - though we know its not going anywhere! Am assuming Derek’s a Brit!
Mine did nothing but hurt where the needle went in for a long time after every time the weather changed.
Didn't even get any numbness when it was dun. It's as if they have to hit an exact spot for it to be effective. Mine was sometime ago so I don't known it they are still using the same procedure.
We've got to try differant things to see if they work, being in pain is so debilitating makes it hard to keep a smile.
I'm not a great one for so called alternative medicines but have been taking CBD OIL for three weeks now. I'm on a mixture of very strong painkillers when if course theirs no saying how I would feel without it, but I do feel better in myself and the rheumatism in my hands from using walking sticks has eased. I'm clear headed but feel as if I've taken a step back from the pain, if that makes sense, I'm copping better with it. It's a bit expensive I got mine from Holland and Barrett in High Street, maybe it's cheeper on line but two drops 4x a day it lasts well. Give it a go I hope it helps you.
If it doesn't make you go ouch when needle goes to the spot then they's got the wrong spot.
David can always tell now when he gets a good one. Ouch is the polite version.
You mention CBD and that has been covered a lot in recent weeks.
I am a huge advocate of the oils but would never recommend buying from High St store. However if they work for you then good
I get David's from an excellent supplier on mainland Spain. I get tons of help and advice from someone who is knowledgeable and very patient!
He started on low dose capsules then increased to a higher dose. Great success with pain and sleep plus feeling of comfort most of the time. About to try a salve see how that helps his AS. Also managing final leg of coiming off Oxycontin.
Hi Banana5, just wondering why you wouldn’t buy CBD in the U.K.? Would you mind sending me a pm of the Spanish suppliers details? I would be very grateful. Thank you.
Hi Bananas, BUPA fits in ‘cos they will no longer pay for anything to do with my suffering back. They have been very decent, i.e 4 fusions 8 treatments (various injections - all failing) and a recent proposal for a steroid injection ...... none of which has worked up to now, so am fearful of accepting one more as they have admitted that if it doesn’t work, I would be in a worse position than before.
So in the last instant I must help myself, as matters are rapidly getting worse and the NHS wait list is understandably long. Am having acupuncture, which is a long and expensive process, some exercise and painkillers which have never failed to upset my tum. Take Serrapeptase and turmeric B3. Morphine, Tramadol etc., have made me ill and raised blood pressure. A lot of Diazapam and HTP5!
What really honestly frightens me is that, although not short of courage, am coming to the end of my tether. Still force myself into work - the alternative woukd be unendurable -but I can forsee that it might be finite.
Am too young for all this. I love life and exercise etc. and we all accept it isn’t fair. Have been having operations for twenty years ...... my spine is loaded with titanium and cages) but have had a blissful two years since the last. A collapsed disc came as a complete shock (equally to my wonderful surgeon) and am not coming to terms with it very well.
Orthodox medicine is no longer an option. Nor is physio, nor is self-pity. Am hoping that patiently trying alternative options might help keep my mentally focussed to also deal with a myriad of personal problems. I live alone.
Thus a CBD option, from overseas, to which you hold the key. That is my reason for the question.
However you reply, it has been cathartic to write the above.
With my thanks for your patience and understanding.
Was very painful felt like a great pressure inside my spine, told my self that in the long turm it would be worth it.
I guess when you've has a few of these you can tell the difference in the type of pain. One was more than enough for me lol I guess with it not working at all meant that I've never been tempted to have it done again.
Wow thank you, my son was gaping this, I tried it but took far too much down and just coughed and spluttered, I intended to ask him to get me some but he only used what he had bought online and didn't put in another order. I sincerely hope it works well for you x
I haven't had any personal experience but my friend has and unfortunately she was blissfully pain free the day she had the anesthetic went home and it actually got worse so much she rang them up as she couldn't stand the pain. They said exactly the same to her, it did get better but only back to the level it was before. They did say to leave it 6 months and they would try doing it with another nerve which they thought might be causing the problem she hasn't had that done yet so sorry I can't help you further on that.x
Thank you, that is interesting to hear though and to me you have been helpful, I've had the injections before but only had one or two pain free days, because of that they went on to do this one but this time, so far only had one day pain free. Its disappointing and frustrating x
I had nerve blocks and later a radiofrequency denervation done on both sides, L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1 several years ago. The pain consultant told me that some people get a few weeks of relief, some a few months, and some forever, but a few people have no relief at all... It helped me for about 4 months, and I used that time to get fitter.
Thank you waylay, I still feel so bruised and achy, muscle wise, I unfortunately felt unwell for a good few days but hope to go back to work tomorrow then back to my keep fit class next Tuesday after having two weeks off. I just do hope it goes on to improve in time cos I'm worried about going for a fusion with all that entails regarding recovery. So if yours lasted 4 months will they do it again for you because that's pretty good isn't it
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