Caudal Epidural

[Greenlife]

Hi Arvine, I was also diagnosed several months ago with spinal stenosis and the spinal neurologist recommended a caudal epidural. Due to an intervening infection I was only able to have this procedure three days ago. It was quick and painless and so far I have had no after effects. By the time I had the epidural the initial searing back pain had subsided and I was left with the ‘heavy legs’ which others report , and which the neurologist mentioned as a symptom of the stenosis, though I still cant help wondering if it is due to PMR. (I am currently making a slow reduction from 7.mg to 6.5mg). So far I have not felt any change in my legs, but having been told that it could take two weeks before I would feel the benefit, I am still hoping for an improvement. Good luck!

[posthinking01]

Hi not sure I would try to reduce meds until you are quite settled from the treatment. The body will need that steroid to cope with the new treatment.

[Greenlife in reply to posthinking01]

Thanks for the advice. I have been tapering very very slowly for over a month now and will stop the taper for a while to see how things settle down.

[Nightingales]

Hi Greenlife. I sympathise with you, the back pain can be horrendous. I was interested in the caudal epidural because although I have spinal stenosis in several areas I have not been offered this procedure. I have had SI joint and hip injections and an L5 lumbar laminectomy. How long is the epidural supposed to last and can you have it repeated.?

[Greenlife in reply to Nightingales]

I was told that some people never need to have it done again, and others repeat it once or twice a year, for as long as they need it. Depends on the individual. I think I can detect some beneficial change after just a few days, though wont know whether that is just wishful thinking for another week or so. I should add that this procedure was done privately through my health insurance, but not sure how frequently it is offered on the NHS.

[arvine]

Thank you Greenlife, well I was diagnosed quite a few years ago with spinal stenosis, and the slipped disc, degenerative etc, so Im thinking with age is why back has gotten so much worse wasnt offered any treatment at that time, so now over last over 6 years coping with PMR, has been an added stress to body and mind, and interferes with everyday challenges, I will go to pain clinic for consultation, for some relief from back pain, am reluctant to just have a cortisone shot, that is not controlled by image,, etc, ultrasound, and apparently they don,t do that, but my rheumy wants me to start there, so I will see what is recommended,

[Greenlife in reply to arvine]

My epidural was guided by ultrasound. It was done in a private clinic under my health insurance, but not sure whether NHS offers it.

[arvine in reply to Greenlife]

Well Im in ONtario Canada, and not familiar with NHS, but I really would prefer an ultrasound, imaging injection, if anything

[HeronNS in reply to arvine]

Googled this and there are places in Ontario which offer ultrasound guided treatment. Frankly I can't imagine injecting the spine without seeing what you're doing! It's probably private, but maybe there is a way the province will pay, or perhaps you have some private insurance?

Also, why not post this specific question of yours, including saying where you live, in a new thread so more people will see it, both here and in the arthritis communities, Arthritis Action and Osteoarthritis Action.

This was at the top of the search, but it looks like there are others.

silverpaincentre.ca/image-g...

[arvine in reply to HeronNS]

yes thank you, I will post, and I agree, am hesitant to go have injection without the ultrasound imaging, knowing exactly where it should go, was a little disappointed at my rheumy,s comment,

[Merryfield]

I have had about three epidurals for very bad sciatica over the span of two or three years and got relief. At the orthopod’s. She bends me over a table so my back is propped up. Don’t know what her reference is. The shot doesn’t actually go into the spine or disc, but near it. Haven’t had to have one in a long time. I too have squashed discs, stenosis and a bit of scoliosis. And my neck sounds like popcorn. All this aging nonsense went on well before the lovely PMR. If my back or hips feels painful, it helps me to bend over as far as I can to stretch. When I lost 25 pounds, back pain went away. Every ounce came back but am now losing a few pounds due to diabetes (thank you, steroids) and meds for it.