Pin point injections versus epidural injection

[tony47]

I am going to a PM doc on Monday to discuss the possibility of some type of injections for my back can anyone tell me pros's and con's on both these types of injections or are they the same ? I have bulging disk and nerve damage going down both legs. Been diagnosed with Bi-Lateral Lumber Radiculopathy. And what should i expect after these shots. I hate to take my pain meds i am currently taking Hydrocodone generic form of Vicodin. I also know these shots will be contested by the IC due to the fact they are fighting me tooth and nail right now Just looking to know what to expect thanks all

[Bummer Knees]

Hi Tony

I have only had the epidural steriod injections and they did give some relief for a short time. The last ESI I had was 10 days ago and the leg/nerve I have experienced today is worse then before I had my first injection.

In have no experience with the pin point injections.

Here is a web site that may help you.

http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conse.../ep00.html

[tony47]

wow thanks Bummer Knees i was afraid of that i have heard some bad things about them in the past awhile ago. I thought by now it was perfected a little more. For sure i dont want to get worse. If thats the case i might as well just keep up with the pain meds Thanks

Bummer Knees Wrote:Hi Tony

I have only had the epidural steriod injections and they did give some relief for a short time. The last ESI I had was 10 days ago and the leg/nerve I have experienced today is worse then before I had my first injection.

In have no experience with the pin point injections.

Here is a web site that may help you.

http://www.spine-health.com/topics/conse.../ep00.html

[Bummer Knees]

Tony

Some people on this board have said the ESI worked for them.

They just did not work for me.

[vickinat]

Tony:
I had a series of 3 of the ESI's (Epidural steroid injection) these are normally done with the aid of a flouroscope (live X-ray), Mine were at L5, also due to Radiculpothy of the L5-S1 nerve root. I have 3 bulging discs also(mild). I didn't get much relief, and the little that I got from the 2nd one didn't last very long. The first one, the nerve root inflammation was touched by the needle, and hurt real bad, my leg jumped almost off the table, and my pain actually got worse. 2nd wasn't as bad, nor was the third. I didn't have any relief with the third one. The person who did mine said he does a series of 3 smaller injs. instead of 1 big one. He also told me that 6 months had to pass from the start of the first one to start another series of 3.

I had trigger point injections in the Dr's. office, 2 into my Periformis muscle and 2 in the SI (Sacroiliac) area, they were not done under fluoroscopy. These helped some, but didn't last either.

Friday I just had an injection under Flouroscope directly into my SI Joint, I don't know yet if it'll help or not. Right now I'm very sore. Some people have a very good outcome as others don't You might get some relief, nobody knows for sure.

I hope this info helps, it is only what I experienced, you may have a totally differant one.
Good Luck
Vickie

[tweety00]

Vickie was that a neuro doctor who did those injections?

[tony47]

thanks vicki for your help on this subject. i guess it all depends on alot of factors if they work or not. I guess the only way to find out is to try them. best case would be they do work. If they dont well at least i gave it a shot. But i would hate to have them only to make me worse. Well i will find out what they have in mind on Monday.

vickinat Wrote:Tony:
I had a series of 3 of the ESI's (Epidural steroid injection) these are normally done with the aid of a flouroscope (live X-ray), Mine were at L5, also due to Radiculpothy of the L5-S1 nerve root. I have 3 bulging discs also(mild). I didn't get much relief, and the little that I got from the 2nd one didn't last very long. The first one, the nerve root inflammation was touched by the needle, and hurt real bad, my leg jumped almost off the table, and my pain actually got worse. 2nd wasn't as bad, nor was the third. I didn't have any relief with the third one. The person who did mine said he does a series of 3 smaller injs. instead of 1 big one. He also told me that 6 months had to pass from the start of the first one to start another series of 3.

I had trigger point injections in the Dr's. office, 2 into my Periformis muscle and 2 in the SI (Sacroiliac) area, they were not done under fluoroscopy. These helped some, but didn't last either.

Friday I just had an injection under Flouroscope directly into my SI Joint, I don't know yet if it'll help or not. Right now I'm very sore. Some people have a very good outcome as others don't You might get some relief, nobody knows for sure.

I hope this info helps, it is only what I experienced, you may have a totally differant one.
Good Luck
Vickie

[WCisBS]

tony47 Wrote:thanks vicki for your help on this subject. i guess it all depends on alot of factors if they work or not. I guess the only way to find out is to try them. best case would be they do work. If they dont well at least i gave it a shot. But i would hate to have them only to make me worse. Well i will find out what they have in mind on Monday.

vickinat Wrote:Tony:
I had a series of 3 of the ESI's (Epidural steroid injection) these are normally done with the aid of a flouroscope (live X-ray), Mine were at L5, also due to Radiculpothy of the L5-S1 nerve root. I have 3 bulging discs also(mild). I didn't get much relief, and the little that I got from the 2nd one didn't last very long. The first one, the nerve root inflammation was touched by the needle, and hurt real bad, my leg jumped almost off the table, and my pain actually got worse. 2nd wasn't as bad, nor was the third. I didn't have any relief with the third one. The person who did mine said he does a series of 3 smaller injs. instead of 1 big one. He also told me that 6 months had to pass from the start of the first one to start another series of 3.

I had trigger point injections in the Dr's. office, 2 into my Periformis muscle and 2 in the SI (Sacroiliac) area, they were not done under fluoroscopy. These helped some, but didn't last either.

Friday I just had an injection under Flouroscope directly into my SI Joint, I don't know yet if it'll help or not. Right now I'm very sore. Some people have a very good outcome as others don't You might get some relief, nobody knows for sure.

I hope this info helps, it is only what I experienced, you may have a totally differant one.
Good Luck
Vickie

In the past 3 months I have had so many shots in my lower back it isn't funny. I had 3 series of epidural shots a week a part for a pinched nerve in my lumbar area. Then I had some facet shots. All of these were done using the xray or whatever they call it.
Next I was sent to a pain clinic and they gave me shots beside some nerves that helped some. Last Wed. I had the radiofrequency done where they burn the nerves. My back is still somewhat stiff but I think they will help.
One thing that I have done on my own that I think has helped as much as the shots was start stretching everyday. I found a great site to find stretching exercises and I will post the link below if anyone wants to look at it. I feel I need to stretch everyday and to build up muscle strength. IMO.

Click on each of the links on the bottom of the page for different stretches.
http://www.bigmusclesfast.com/stretch-lower-back.html

[Kentuckygal]

tony47 i had the epidural for l5 and l6 and s1 nerve didnt help at all it made my pain has been worse ever sents its been 2 months and im just starting to have a few good days again im not sure where your from but im just a small place here could be a driffrents in the dr

[vickinat]

tweety00 Wrote:Vickie was that a neuro doctor who did those injections?

No Tweety, The series of 3 ESI's was done by a pain management Dr.,the 4 trigger point injs. were done by a Do(Osteopathic doctor),
and Friday SI joint inject was done by an Orthopedic spine specialist.
Have a good night.
Vickie