Lumbar Cortisone Injections…

Citroënbender · 04-01-2023, 09:59 PM

I have been “prescribed” this for improved mobility and pain relief by a local doctor, after having my back scanned. Guess it’s a big positive that nothing is broken.

Sure that others here have been down the same road. Naturally I’m a little apprehensive (isn’t everyone about their first time?

). So - curious to hear from anyone with similar experiences, what sort of initial discomfort to expect, how long until any benefits are felt?

FERG_51 · 04-01-2023, 11:18 PM

Hi Citroenbender, I had a really bad bout of sciatica down my left leg that almost brang me to tears for about six weeks where scans showed I have damage to L5 and L6 discs in my lower back, I had the lumbar injection and within a couple of days I was much better. The physio gave me some excercises to help when the pain comes back which I don't do as regularly as I should, I don't have the sciatica pain but my back gives a bit of grief at the end of the day. I also get spasms down the left leg at nights which wakes me up until I can shake it off and my left big toe is numb which is due to the damaged discs. Short answer is the injection helped for sure, was quiet painful but didn't take long to be done.

Citroënbender · 04-01-2023, 11:21 PM

That’s really helpful, thank you.

prktkljokr · 04-01-2023, 11:46 PM

I have a herniated L2, did it 23 years ago, I have good days and bad days, but I have realised that the bad days are my own doing, I have never taken any medication for it but as I am getting older its taking longer to recover, so I might start looking into either having injections, or going on some medication that I can take on the bad days, so I am very interested in what other people have done to cope also.

CFOUR · 04-01-2023, 11:58 PM

cortisone injections will almost certainly negatively affect your eyesight.

Citroënbender · 05-01-2023, 12:10 AM

C4: I’ve honestly never heard that before - but I don’t generally Google medical stuff. Where did you hear about this?

PJ: Doctors used to throw around pregabalin (correct name of Lyrica) for a lot of nerve type pain but I think this is now less recommended. I’ve personally seen a family member become slightly addicted to it, and experience mild withdrawal symptoms.

arm79 · 05-01-2023, 12:38 AM

Have you had Cortisone or Prednisone before? Even in oral or cream form?

Only ask because some people are rather allergic to it. Creams and oral are easily stopped if you have adverse reactions, but once its injected your stuck with it for a bit.

Dad is allergic to both, they are from the same family. Will cause a nasty red itchy rash over his whole body that takes days to get relief. Pills and cream take a day or 2 to show up. Injections cause redness within 6 hours.

Adverse reactions can be much more severe too.

There have been a couple of times Dad decided to weather the side effects and have cortisone injections in a shoulder and knee. To him it was almost an instant night and day recovery while the injection lasted.

Citroënbender · 05-01-2023, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arm79

Have you had Cortisone or Prednisone before? Even in oral or cream form?

Only ask because some people are rather allergic to it. Creams and oral are easily stopped if you have adverse reactions, but once it’s injected you’re stuck with it for a bit.

Fair point, apart from hayfever I don’t have a predisposition to allergies. At this stage I think your father’s idea is where I’m probably sitting - even a reaction is OK if the pain is reduced. Can work with a rash, whereas now I struggle to check the mailbox.

prktkljokr · 05-01-2023, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

PJ: Doctors used to throw around pregabalin (correct name of Lyrica) for a lot of nerve type pain but I think this is now less recommended. I’ve personally seen a family member become slightly addicted to it, and experience mild withdrawal symptoms.

Yeah got a mate with a bad back also, he's on whatever the doctor has prescribed, I tried 2 once they made me nauseous, 1 is not bad, but probably still a bit strong for me or I am not as used to them as he is, he throws them down like peanuts but he is no better than me pain wise.

I find if I spend a bit of time in the pool it loosens me up so I try to do that as much as I can.

LG17 · 05-01-2023, 09:02 AM

I only have 91/2 fingers due to being on a high dose of Lyrica - horrible stuff.
I have CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) because of a bad crush injury to my left foot and my pain specialist suggested lumbar injections as a way to cope and lessen the pain. From memory I had 5 of them over a period of months. Each one did help but the assistance lessened as time wore on. I had no side affects.
I was apprehensive before my first one, despite my specialist saying it would be ok. After the first one it was just another step in my possible recovery.

PooDog · 05-01-2023, 09:29 AM

Hey CB ,I've had a bad back for years , got about 3 munted discs I've had a few injuries and had a cortisone injection a couple of years back I was told by the doctor some people it can last for up to a month but others only a couple of days it was almost instant relief but unfortunately for me it only lasted a couple of days , so I haven't bothered again

I was offered one in a damaged shoulder years ago and decided not to as I was told that the cortisone weakens ligaments because I do a lot of physical work ....so I presume it wouldn't be good for the ligaments in your back either

Your call , I sympathize with your position I just suck it up but it's getting harder the older you get

Good luck

PooDog · 05-01-2023, 10:36 AM

Oh ,forgot to say the injection did not hurt really at all ....I was expecting worse

prydey · 06-01-2023, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LG17

I only have 91/2 fingers due to being on a high dose of Lyrica - horrible stuff.
.

Sorry to hear that. Lyrica worked well for me. I was on the max dose of 300mg twice a day in the months leading up to surgery and couldn't have got through without it. It was used as a nerve blocker. I'm still on it but only 50mg now, twice a day and gradually weaning off.

I've had no side effects during the time I've been using it but everyone reacts to medication differently.

LG17 · 06-01-2023, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

Sorry to hear that. Lyrica worked well for me. I was on the max dose of 300mg twice a day in the months leading up to surgery and couldn't have got through without it. It was used as a nerve blocker. I'm still on it but only 50mg now, twice a day and gradually weaning off.

I've had no side effects during the time I've been using it but everyone reacts to medication differently.

I too was on 600mg per day for months.
I spent the entire time as high as a kite and just floating through the days. After I lost my finger they decided to get me off Lyrica and on to Gabapentin as it's side effects were supposedly not as bad.

Itsme · 05-01-2023, 12:43 PM

I have only had two Cortisone shots in my life, one for back ailment and the other for shoulder problems, Cortisone should only be used as a last resort if other remedies fail.
Your treating physician should explain the pros & cons especially if you have other ailments or health issues.

tbro4123 · 05-01-2023, 10:20 PM

After having 2 disc fractured L1 & L2 and 7 herniated disc after an industrial accident in April 2020 my specialist recommended this treatment purely as a pain control. As you can imagine it was a bit scary, but after he explained that they would do an MRI and locate the areas for injection and then mark the spots and then inject the spinal area.

It worked after a couple of days and lasted probably 3 or 4 days but that was far better than taking the painkillers I was on (oxycodeine) 4 or 5 times a day and it allowed me to do some physio to help recovery.

If your in pain go for it. I also have had both knees and shoulder injected and my previous doctor told me that 3 times is pretty well all you should have the injections, if you need it more than that you need to see a specialist for treatment ( I had knee and shoulder ops to repair damage)

Terry

Citroënbender · 05-01-2023, 11:02 PM

Good information, thanks for all replies so far. It’s disappointing to hear how quickly this wears off but encouraging to hear of so few side-effects. My dearest is waiting on a new right hip (August, with the left one an estimated eighteen months later) and rips through painkillers - it’s not my preferred MO.

One of the companion issues I’ve apparently got is narrowing of the “bore” in one’s spine such that it slowly constricts the spinal cord over time. Eventually surgery to ream it out, will be required. Hopefully the current condition will taper off with time, injections, gentle exercise and return to near this baseline.

prydey · 06-01-2023, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Good information, thanks for all replies so far. It’s disappointing to hear how quickly this wears off but encouraging to hear of so few side-effects. .

I was led to believe that the interval between injections would continue to grow. The effect may only last months the first time but 2nd time might be a year and 3rd time longer and so on, until no longer required that often at all.

I suffered from a badly bulging disc that was impacting the sciatic nerve early last year. Physio wasn't able to improve it and eventually I had an injection in May. 2 weeks later I was able to sit down again having got to a point where I could barely sit.

For me though the specialist determined that surgery was my best path forward as scans showed the bulging disc was large, so I went under the knife in July(L5S1 microdiscectomy). I'm 5 months in to recovery and while I'm still sore if I do too much I am expected to make a full recovery eventually.

I would definitely say that surgery should be a last resort though.

Depending on the severity of the inflammation, injections should give reasonable relief and can last many years eventually. It's more about accepting that it's not a magic quick fix or wonder drug and working with the specialist and doc and physio to reach a suitable outcome.

HIPO · 10-01-2023, 05:38 PM

Good luck! had a disc replaced with a carbon fibre one many yrs ago... also suffer with sciatica.... had many meds - opiates since.... as much as i enjoy some opiates they can mask pain, allowing you to stuff yourself up more before realizing it..... NOT fun to come off of either!

prydey · 10-01-2023, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIPO

Good luck! had a disc replaced with a carbon fibre one many yrs ago... also suffer with sciatica.... had many meds - opiates since.... as much as i enjoy some opiates they can mask pain, allowing you to stuff yourself up more before realizing it..... NOT fun to come off of either!

For myself, the medication was simply to help with the pain. It was never administered as a solution so that I could continue my day to day life. Dr and surgeon made sure that I understood I still had to take it easy and not do things just because the pain had eased.

Citroënbender · 11-01-2023, 12:11 AM

I’m very conscious of that re-injury risk, particularly because there’s nobody who can really step in if I’m laid up badly.

Can’t believe how chaotic the imaging place is, though. Would not be surprised if they’ve managed to book me in for the wrong procedure. Guess I’ll know if they start slopping K-Y on my stomach.

**73 4V XB** · 12-01-2023, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m very conscious of that re-injury risk, particularly because there’s nobody who can really step in if I’m laid up badly.

Can’t believe how chaotic the imaging place is, though. Would not be surprised if they’ve managed to book me in for the wrong procedure. Guess I’ll know if they start slopping K-Y on my stomach.

You’ll be laying face down so if the K-Y comes out I’d be very concerned

I had the injections 4-5 years ago for a collapsed disk. I’d be standing there and all of a sudden get a strong, sharp, stabbing pain from the area. It was an ultrasound guided injection with 2 local injections for the pain, 6 needles in total.
I won’t lie, yes it was painful but the benefits far out weight the negatives. Fortunately for me they worked well. I’ve had injections in other parts that have had no results at all..
Hope it works out well for you.

Citroënbender · 13-01-2023, 04:38 PM

Done, can already sense less of the pain and a return to normal sensation. The “wear and tear” of bracing against pain, lost sleep and medicated vagueness hopefully will now reduce.

It’s a bit unsettling to consider this is just a masking of the problem. I’m keen to shave off about 15-20kg, and reluctantly considering a bike. Have just been “on” too many hours in recent years and it’s cumulatively what has put me in this situation now.

What was nice about the procedure was the nurse, a Mediterranean woman of similar age to myself. Genuinely kind, reassuring and personable; two years ago it would have all been conducted through a half-metre barrier of gloves, masks, sanitiser and screens - and customers wouldn’t benefit the same.

HIPO · 10-01-2023, 06:46 PM

I found the Buprenorphine 7 day patch to have the least side affects, but after several yrs stopped lasting the 7days, so would be withdrawing regularly..... dropped that recently & am trying to go just 20 Endone per month, which were meant for break through pain with the patches.....ok so far.
Oxycontin IR was my fave, euphoria & wire me for action, but does no good in the long run..... terrible withdrawals. Beware of this stuff!

HIPO · 11-01-2023, 11:11 AM

My Mrs has had this procedure several x for some of her probs & generally gets good long term relief....sorry meant to mention earlier, but got carried away with the meds.

I had this about 25yrs back into the facet joint area. They used imaging to place it correctly.... didnt really do much.

prydey · 11-01-2023, 04:27 PM

This is slightly off topic, or a tangent...

There was a series on Disney+ last year (not sure if it was exclusive or available elsewhere) called Dope Sick. It's about the Oxycodone epidemic in the states and the pharmaceutical company supposedly behind it. Admittedly it is no doubt dramatised to make better viewing but it's a great series.

I'm not anti 'big pharma' but if it's portrayed accurately then it was quite an eye opener for me. Well worth watching I thought.

Citroënbender · 11-01-2023, 04:51 PM

I found oxycodone the “smoothest” of the opiates I’ve taken. Gentlest onset, most even control of pain through the active period. If this is a common experience it’s easy to see how it would trap people. I’m fortunate that my situation is seeing the pain diminish steadily ATM.

jaydee · 14-01-2023, 01:55 PM

Good job CB, hope it helps you.
Apart from migraines I've been lucky not to have continuous debilitating pain.
Certainly folks up your life style.

**hawkgirl** · 05-02-2023, 11:47 PM

The tingling, crawling sensation is nerve related, paresthesia. Nerve involvement would also affect your gait. I know my right leg sort of muddles up instructions from my brain and back again, so things like walking up stairs can be a bit tricky.

Can recommend Dr. Susanna Deshpande at Penrith pain management

Hoping it gets better for you

arm79 · 06-02-2023, 12:40 AM

Just a stupid side thought for you... Have you considered a new supportive mattress?

I don't have any chronic back problems as such, apart from the excess weight and bad posture... But this and a crappy mattress was causing a bad sleep where I'd wake up almost unable to walk and it would completely fubar my day, unable to walk or move properly.

Late 2018 I went in search of a suitable mattress. Ended with a big brand chiropractic approved thing from Forty Winks. It was crap. Full of so much foam I compressed it within 2 weeks and made by back worse than ever. Went back to sleeping on the couch for a better rest. I was that bad I took them to QCAT to get my money back, which I did.

Ended up with a Sleeping Duck mattress. Best decision ever. 2 weeks after purchase all back problems gone. The only time I have issues is if I do something stupid during the day or sleep like an idiot. But 4 years in, even though I put it to the test nightly, it hasn't sagged nor has the foam compressed. Still as comfy and supportive as when I got it and back issue free.

I will admit the foams have gotten a touch softer over time and I might consider buying new ones. But think I can atleast hang out till the 5 year mark.

As compared to the oldies $7000 Beauty Rest thing which has compressed all the foam into permanent divots, unique body impressions they call it, and causes issues with Dad's back.

My uncle also had chronic lower back issues, some sort of lumbar problems. His best sleep was on the concrete lounge floor. 2 sleeps fixed his back for a week. Eventually got himself some super firm mattress and problems largely went away.

I suppose all this is to say maybe you need to look at it from the other end. Rather than try mask the problem with pain killers, rest your back nightly in a way that relieves pressure from the affected areas and allows you to start the day on a bounce, so to speak.