Can a cortisone epidural cause more pain?

Question

I received my 3rd cortisone injection on Thursday done with fluoroscopy. It is to treat my L5/S1 disk which is in bad shape and is causing sciatica pain.

The 1st two never did anything but this one has increased my pain a lot. I am wondering if anyone has experienced this.

My thoughts are that:

1. he did it wrong. can these be administered incorrectly and cause more problems?

2. the area was much more inflamed than the 1st two times and the injection agrivated it.

3. he actually got in the right spot and this is a good sign that in a couple more days i may actually have some relief.

Last week I had a lot of pain but could function enough to drive to the store, go to work and take it easy. I am now bed ridden. I suffer to just go to the bathroom, go to the kitchen to grab a quick bite to eat. The pain has increased A LOT!!

When I called my doctor about this he showed some concern and told me to take more pain medicine (12 norcos 5/325 a day).

Answer 1

Sometimes the injection will hurt for one week. It's because the cortisone is working at breaking up the inflammation. I've had these types of injections and they hurt quite a lot and then suddenly all the pain dissipates. For now place an ice pack on the area of injection for ten minutes several times a day. Give this one week possibly even ten days to work.

Answer 2

I have had 3 injections my husband has hed 9 including a nerve block and yes they can cause more pain that can last up to 2-3 weeks,I will never have another one and either will my poor husband.see a good nuerosurgeon see what they say.Iwas told to have water theropy which has helped in the past along with pain meds,which I am still on as my back is pretty bad and the only way I can function is on the meds.Try ice alternating with moist heat,(corn or rice bags heated in the microwave work great) Also try arching your back and doing this 5-10 times a day,this helps realine your back,but it will not solve the problem.Those pain clinics will keep you coming back for more pain.No fun being a fric'kin pin cushion.