Epidurals for the lower back?

Question

Does anyone know if epidurals used for lower back pain (herniated discs) are painful? Do you normally go under? Or is there just local anthesia used? I really need some serious answers and soon! :-\ Thank you so very much!

Answer 1

I have had this done for back pain and it was a little uncomfortable but nothing to fear. It is called an ESI an it injects steroids and an anesthetic into the spine to relieve pain. If it works it will postpone or remove the need for surgery which is worth it.
The physician uses an X Ray to locate the area and then injects a 'numbing' agent into the skin. He then uses a needle to inject the steroids and anesthetic into your problem area and after a short...maybe 25 minutes....time you can drive home....I like to bring my husband with me....he holds my hand...besides he is a Neurosurgeon!

Answer 2

When most people say "epidural" they mean the nerve block usingthe continuous infusion of medicine that numbs the patient from the level where the infusion was started and downward....

I bet you are referring to an "Epidural Injection" or Epidural Steroid Injection", right?

If so, that's not a constant infusion of pain mediciation but a on-time injection. Although MD's that do these usually do a series of 3 injections spaced out over months. Most patients aren't put to sleep but given a local infection in the skin to numb the area and then using a special xray they guide a needle to the right location in the spine and inject a combination of pain medication and steriods. The steroids reduce inflammation (swelling, irritation) and the pain med gives serious relief from pain. It usually doesn't hurt but there are risks like with any procedure (ie. bleeding, infection...)

The only MD's that should be doing this is a Physiatrist (physical medicine specialist/MD) or a specially trained Anethesiaologist. All this should be discussed at length before anything s done. If not, then don't let him/her touch you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The epidural injection blocks pain along the spinal column from the point of the injection. A normal use for an epidural, for instance, would be childbirth, where the shot would blunt the pain in the pelvic area.

For the herniated disc, it will make you numb to the adjustments that the doctor is making.

In other words, not to worry. You'll be fine.

Answer 4

Hi, I had epidurals when I delivered my baby.

Local anesthesia is use for epidurals. The local is not really very painful, just a prick.

You do not fall asleep but just don't feel pain at your lower back. As the amount of epidural given to your body can be controlled, if you feel some pain, just ring the bell and request for a stronger dose.

Good luck.

Answer 5

some info i found ....you might not want to waste the money

Dr. Carette's study found that although epidural injections for disc herniation of the low back relieved pain in the leg temporarily, the benefit was short-lived. In fact, after three months there was no benefit from epidural injection compared to salt water placebo injection. Further, the need for surgery was not influenced by the injection even one year later.

Dr. Carette's study demonstrated that epidural cortisone injections can relieve pain in the short-term. However, this study seems to suggest that undergoing an epidural cortisone injection for sciatica from a herniated disc in order to avoid surgery may not be valid.

Answer 6

Epidurals are the way to go for many procedures. When properly done they are completely effective. You can remain awake (if you choose) but the procedure renders you completely pain free. You are also completely paralyzed until it wears off so you need to work that out for yourself. The medication wears off quickly though with zero nausea or other ill effects that I'm aware of. I've had one epidural and it was great for what I had done. My daughter-in-law has has two for the birth of her two girls. The first one was a problem for her because the technician shoved the needle completely through the specific target area. She did have some complications. Her most recent one was just fine though.

Answer 7

See a chiropractor before you under go that pain my dear. With the right care, you may not need to get the shots at all and you may actually restore your health without surgery. Are you icing the pain to prevent further swelling? are you laying on you back and propping yourself up on your elbows for a time to help restore the natural curve in your back? There is always a need for at least a second opinion. Remember that there type of doctor you went to will determine how he/she treats back injuries. Not all docs like surgery and not every doc will go for a physical therapist or chiropractic approach. Try the least invasive approach and move on from there. Don't listen to just one doctor's advice because they tend to be myopic in their approaches. I know, i have suffered through it, too. I found a chiropractor who was also a physical therapist and I no longer have herniated discs. Just remember, you can't undo back surgery that doesn't work.

Answer 8

I have never had one, even during childbirth ( I was afraid).....I have found for you some good information and I hope that it will help you. I am sorry that you are feeling bad...it can be awful pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/epidural/feature/ep01.html

Epidural steroid injections

Introduction
Spinal injections are not new – the use of spinal injections to treat low back pain was first documented in 1901, and in 1952 epidural steroid injections were first used to treat low back pain with associated sciatica (pain in the sciatic nerve due to lumbar disc herniation). Today, epidural steroid injections have become an integral part of non-surgical management of low back pain.

An epidural injection is typically used to alleviate chronic low back and/or leg pain. While the effects of the injection tend to be temporary - providing relief from pain for one week up to one year - an epidural can be very beneficial for patients during an episode of severe back pain. Importantly, it can provide sufficient pain relief to allow the patient to progress with their rehabilitation program.

An epidural is effective in significantly reducing pain for approximately 50% of patients. It works by delivering steroids directly to the painful area to help decrease the inflammation that may be causing the pain. It is thought that there is also a flushing effect from the injection that helps remove or "flush out" inflammatory proteins from around the structures that may cause pain.

This article provides an overview of epidural steroid injections, including:

What is an epidural steroid injection?

When is an epidural typically recommended?

How is the injection performed?

What are the benefits?

What are the potential risks or side effects?

How frequently can epidural steroid injections be performed?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~How frequently can epidural steroid injections be performed?
There is no definitive research to dictate the frequency of how often a patient should have epidural steroid injections for low back pain and/or leg pain. In general, it is considered reasonable to perform up to three epidural injections per year.

Epidural steroid injection timing varies
Typically, epidural steroid injections are done in two-week intervals. However, there is no general consensus in the medical community as to whether or not a series of three injections need always be performed. If one or two injections lessen the patient’s low back pain and/or leg pain, some physicians prefer to save the third epidural steroid injection for any potential recurrences of back pain later in the twelve-month period.

By: Rick Staehler, MD
November 1999 (updated August 4, 2000)
http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conserv/epidural/feature/ep07.html

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http://www.ask.com/web?q=Epidural+for+back+pain&qsrc=0&o=333&l=dir
There are many links to this topic here...


Good Luck to you.

Answer 9

they can help.. no you dont go under... they numb the area with a local and you do feel some pressure as the go in... I have found it easier to have them laying on my side.. but each dr has their own way to do them... I have have had 3 epidurals done for child birth, 2 they messed up and had to do twice; a blood patch, they are done the same way,; and 2 cortizone shots in my back

Answer 10

You don't normally go under
They are not super super painful, but they are uncomfortable.
They are done by an anesthesiologist and they are just an injection.... sometimes they don't even have to use local.
They usually take up to 3 shots in series to work the best.
They truely are worth it if you want to avoid surgery and get rid of pain. It tends to work for about 85% of my patients, and that is a chance most people are willing to take.