Epidural for back pain - Anyone?

I've got 3 herniated discs..this is only an issue I've had for two months. I'm having weakness in the legs and moderate pain from walking and standing. Pain is in my ass and legs..not so much my back. I'm on some non opiate meds which seem to be helping but I'm going for an epidural on Friday.

Question is, I've got a trip planned to the smokey mountains in TN. A 10 hr drive and obviously there would be hiking and such planned. Does anyone know if the epidural would help to the point where I shouldn't cancel the trip? I understand everyone's experience is different but looking for feedback on anyone whose had it done.

 

My dad was just a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday and had a similar issue. The relief from the epidural was considerable and almost immediate. But by that time dad had lots of other health issues and died within a few weeks, shortly before he was scheduled for a 2nd visit. It is hard to say if it will make enough difference for you, but at least back pain was one less issue for dad to deal with during his last days.

I think you'll like it a lot better than the opiates. My guess is that you'll get enough relief to make the drive. Not sure about how much hiking you'll be able to do. This is a question that may be better answered by your doctor though.

 

They seem to think I'll be okay. That's why I'm looking for other people's experiences. Plus, my wife is up my ass to cancel the trip and if I go there and can't walk I'm in for a world of shit.

 

That is the risk OP,

I’ve broke my back twice, and an old football injury allows two vertebrae to slip ever so often, kills my feeling from the waist down and makes my hip/ lower back area swell to the point that I have to shuffle walk like a 90 year old.

Drugs did not help, I found chiropractic and massage therapy with a ton of ice helps,
I also found that if I workout the pain is minimal and the spine stays where it should majority of the time.

It is hard to say if you will be good after a 10hr stuck in one place drive.

If you do decide to drive, think about icing while you travel. Might be the difference between a good time and receiving a beating from the other half.

 

When I had mine done many years ago to try and avoid surgery. It didn't work and after the injection I could not sit or lay down for a week with out losing all feeling from the waist down.
Good luck, back injuries suck.

 

I’m sorry man. I have 3 herniated discs as well, L4-L5-S1, I hurt myself back in 2005. Did you have an MRI done to see how many millimeters it’s the bulge? Also the location plays a very important role, you can be 14mm in one and 5mm in another and the 5mm will hurt more because it pressing a nerve.
I remember back in the day I had 2 epidural shots, the first worked great, the second didn’t, it also caused me a terrible headache. Now you are talking about driving and hiking? Not sure what’s you pain level but I would not do that. The back it’s a very complex thing and because there are several nerves in the area, it all depends what nerves it touches and how it touches it. Some people are lucky and the bulge goes back in, some get relief with a disketomy, and some leave with pain for years.
Please have an MRI done and do NOT pay attention to people, people will say, stretch, apply hot, apply cold, massage, etc, etc. Find a good doctor and if they recommend surgery, get a second or third opinion. Again, some people benefit from surgery, some end up worse.
In my case surgery it’s not an option so I ended up with an intrathecal pump. Anyway, remember “ all cases are different “. I hope yours go back in and from now on you be careful when you lift, seat, etc.
Good luck.

 

Thanks man, good advice. I've had an MRI. I don't remember the measurements but one of them are pretty bad. The other two seem minimal.

 

With respect,

Ice works for every injury, even GSW’s

Helps to reduce swelling and in the case of bleeding, slow blood loss and aid in clotting.

Not everything is a good idea, ice always is as is stretching, THAT particular item must be okayed by medical professionals.

 

The injection only helps decrease inflammation and relieve some of the swelling and pain; it doesn't do anything to "fix" the issue, just make it tolerable for a while. How long from when you get the epidural until you leave for the trip? It may take a couple of days to see whether you'll get any relief, so don't count on it to work immediately and then climb in the truck and drive away. The 10 hour drive will be harder on your back than the hiking once you get there.

My experience with epidural steroid injections is mostly anecdotal, from all the patients I've had for back surgery after several rounds of injections that did or didn't help their pain. Many got good results and could continue daily activities for a while, some didn't get any relief, even after several injections over as many weeks or months. To say that one person, or several, were able to go on a hiking trip after an ESI and do well, doesn't mean that the next one after that could. It's an individual result that varies from person to person, mainly due to the extent of their base problem and the comorbidities of each individual (overall health and weight). My expertise here is 36 years as a Registered Nurse in surgery, my primary specialties are orthopedic and neurosurgery, mostly in spine work. I routinely see epidurals being done, but you can't see one and tell it will help or not. From the numbers I've seen, and the patients returning for surgery, I'd say about 40% work for some period of time that varies from one individual to another. I won't try to make a guess whether yours will or won't. Three levels of disease ups the odds against having full success, but it's certainly worth a try if you can postpone surgery.

 

Driving really doesn't cause any pain at all. I can drive all over with no issue. But the shot is this Friday and I leave on July 6th.

 

It may not hurt, but sitting straightens the natural lumbar curve and puts all your upper body weight directly on the lower spine, with nothing to take up the shock of bumps except the seat padding. Walking, you have the soles of your feet and three major joints (six, actually, ankles, knees and hips) to absorb shocks. One of the things we recommend against after surgery, is sitting for any length of time. You can recline, stand or lie down during the recovery process.

So, you have a week and a half to see if the ESI will work well enough to go on vacation. Play it by ear.

 

I cancelled it. Just going to stay local and go fishing. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Good move. When your legs start feeling heavy.... it is time for surgery. Mine felt like each had a 100lb weight attached to it, then just for good measure..... every step I took felt like a literal kick the junk. It was a painful, tiring 6 months before surgery. They did a micro diskectomy. (Band aid fix)
Drill a hole and send a scope up the channel to clean out the intruding disk.
I had l4, l5 herniated with l4 being extruded.
The disk looked like a "7" in there.

 

How long was recovery? I had an emergency gallbladder surgery last summer. I'm so not prepared for another 5 days in the hospital.

 

I was in the hospital for about 2 days, home for 2 months before going back to work. It took a full year to sort of feel normal and 2 years to get back to full duty. Don't use me as a scale though. I had many set backs and hiccups along the way. First of which, the incision (stitches) broke open and wound got infected and 30 days after surgery my 2 year old at the time, made a dash for the street at the park. I could barely move at that point, but broke into a full sprint to catch him. Ended up throwing s1 out reaching for him. After 2 years if healing L4, L5. I was able to get to my chiropractor and he put it back in.
I di not wish back injuries on anyone. They are horrible and unpredictable at best. The proper Stretching and exercises are key to keep from repeating the process. I was told my surgery typically lasts about 5 years before most people are back for another procedure. I have made it 7 so far.

 

Holy shit.

 

you just power through.

 

@NunyaBizness might have something to add here.

 

Really depends on your tolerance for pain. If you are having pain down your butt and back of your legs, then you have nerve compression.

Oddly enough, moving around is the best thing i did for my recovery. Seems counterintuitive, but if you can tolerate the pain, keep your plans. Just listen to your body.

I admire that you have not jumped onto opiates. While they can sometimes be necessary, they can also make things a whole lot worse for yourself.


Cheers, hoping you have a speedy bounce back. Stay active, but dont over do it.

 

Oh, I've got nerve compression alright.