Anyone had epidural steroid injections?

I have to go in on the 17th for these injections in my lumbar spine. My bottom 3 disks are bulged out pinching nerves and making me basicly miserable. Been fighting this for 20+ years and just getting sick of the pain but also a little concerned about having a needle stuck in my spine.

This is a common procedure - your doctor has done it lots of times. You have to do whatever you have to do to feel better. Good luck!

well, let me know how it works out. I'm looking at the same in in about a month or so. I've also got some herniated lumbar disks that have been giving me pain for years. I've gone though lots of physical therapy which helped some but my legs are usually numb and can't feel a lot on the bottom of my feet (it's really weird, it feels like I'm walking on pebbles all the time) Then other times my leg just feels like it's on fire. I've been taking drugs to help me sleep at night because I get such pain when I'm in one position too long that I have to get up every couple of hours.

Many years ago I had the same thing in my neck and ended up getting surgery to have a disk removed and my C5-C6 fused. I really, really, REALLY don't want to go through surgery again.

I FINALLY get to see a neurologist at the end of the month where my Dr says I'll probably end up getting those shots. I'm not looking forward to it, but it's GOT to be better then surgery.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

well, let me know how it works out. I'm looking at the same in in about a month or so. I've also got some herniated lumbar disks that have been giving me pain for years. I've gone though lots of physical therapy which helped some but my legs are usually numb and can't feel a lot on the bottom of my feet (it's really weird, it feels like I'm walking on pebbles all the time) Then other times my leg just feels like it's on fire. I've been taking drugs to help me sleep at night because I get such pain when I'm in one position too long that I have to get up every couple of hours.

Many years ago I had the same thing in my neck and ended up getting surgery to have a disk removed and my C5-C6 fused. I really, really, REALLY don't want to go through surgery again.

I FINALLY get to see a neurologist at the end of the month where my Dr says I'll probably end up getting those shots. I'm not looking forward to it, but it's GOT to be better then surgery.

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Thanks Mark, yea I'll let you know how it goes. IF I get to the point of surgery there not talking fusion but going in and making the holes were the nerves feed out bigger to relive pressure on nerves. I've thus far through the years been able to avoid any hard core pain killers but after so long with fighting it and getting older I'm just sick of the discomfort and pain. I try and stay pretty active, I'm only 54 and not anywhere near ready to slow down yet!!:)