Four days later I am having continuously worse pain each day. Dr. says that it is normal for it to get worse before getting better, but I am starting to get worried. The procedure in itself was hell-Dr. said she hit a nerve and I screamed...worse pain I have never felt in my life. Finally went to the emergency room Tuesday night, and they gave me a shot of dilaudid and put me on Percocet along with my Norco 10. They said it would just take a few days to get better. It's the strongest medicine that I have ever taken, and it is still not working on the pain. I've been off from work ever since, as the Dr. said that I have to stay down in order for the irritation to heal, which helps marginally, but as soon as I get up to even use the restroom I am in 10-level pain again. Has anyone ever had a problem like this? Or, does anyone have any advise as to what I should do next?
2007-02-01 14:38:10 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
your dr. is right the pain can get worst before it gets better..... you will have to wait for 2 weeks to finally see the results of the epidural. rest sleep all you can to help the affect of it actually the less you do the better. this is why pain management usually f/u with you 3 weeks after your procedure
2007-02-02 05:28:30 · answer #1 · answered by Medical Assistant 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom had the epidural injections twice. They worked for less than a day each time. ...and they didn't hit a nerve when she got them!
I think they work for some people and do next to nothing for others. My mom was suppose to get a third injection which we all agreed was useless since the first two didn't show any promise.
If your pain is the same as it was before the injection, it's probably not going to get better. I'm sorry for you. I know how much hope my mom had in her treatment, and it was definitely disappointing.
My mom's problem was arthritis and swelling around the sciatic nerve. Thankfully we found an alternative treatment that has helped with her pain immensely.
I wish you luck, and I hope you do get better.
2007-02-01 15:03:27 · answer #2 · answered by momwithabat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh man. I had one of those once and I could hardly imagine what it would feel like to have that big needle touch a nerve...
Anyways, one of the problems with ESI are that sometimes there is a "dural tear" where they accidently poked a hole in a layer in your back. If you have headaches and/or continuing pain then I suggest asking the doctor about a dural tear from the injection. I know you're probably tired of hearing this, but the injections get worse before they get better.
Good luck.
2007-02-01 15:19:25 · answer #3 · answered by JIMMY j 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never had an epidural steroid shot but i've had several cortizone steroid shots. every time they said it would help with the pain but it always made it worse for at least a couple of days. the only time i got any relief it didn't last more than about a month (it was supposed to last at least 6) so now i refuse to ever let them come near my foot with a needle again.
if i were you i'd get ahold of the doctor who gave you the shot, especially if they hit a nerve, and let them know what's going on. no one deserves to be in that much pain
2007-02-01 18:11:36 · answer #4 · answered by Mutly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋