Spinal injection for slipped disc- will it help?

[dipsy210987]

After months of pain and my back going on me numerous times , I finally had an MRI but am waiting for results

They are assuming it's a slipped disc bit obviously that's not certain until results come back.

I am on amatraptlin which was helping, but since my back going on me AGAIN it is no longer doing anything

When I speak to my doctor- can I ask for spinal injection? I am really struggling with the pain, it's literally taking over my life and I can't walk for more than a few minutes without being in agony

Ask. There should be something. I'm going through something similar and am about to start making a lot of noise.

I have the same pain, it’s agony. Mine was found to be osteoarthritis of the spine, degenerated so badly now that it has bent. Painkillers only help so much. Physio can help. Your GP can refer you but you can also self refer now on the NHS.
I’ve never been offered injections but my DiL who’s a physio says they have good & bad points.

@HumanSoapbox thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear this, I hope you manage to get sorted !

I really don't think they believe me when I tell them how much pain I'm really it and hiw much of an impact its having on my life , its ridiculous. They just want to pump my body with pain killers which don't do anything

@Darklane thank you for your reply, sorry to hear you've been going through similar

I have already had physio, which didn't really help ( they referred me for scan ) although I am still trying to do some of the exercises they originally gave me

No experience personally but my DH slipped a disc and had an epidural injection. Worked wonders!

I have a severely prolapsed disc at L4/L5, I was in severe pain for months, I really empathise.

I had a caudal epidural injection about 18 months ago and it helped enormously. The dr did say that it was possible that it wouldn't help much and if it hadn't I'd have needed surgery.

I had my injection privately as I have private healthcare with work so I'm not sure how it would work via the NHS but it can't hurt to ask if a spinal injection is an option.

Good luck, I hope you find a solution soon.

@Sunshinegirl82 thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear you have been going through the same

I actually have some kind of private health care through my work as well, but it's been very difficult trying to get through to them! Although myself and my work are trying to chase them up as I really need something done ASAP 😩

I had a prolapsed disc at L4/L5 level with sciatica and I had 2 epidural injections, one done privately and the other NHS. The NHS one worked best, probably because the technique was slightly different.

I did end up having an operation in between the two injections but this should be a last resort.

Keep on at them to do something; I do think GP’s get blasé about back pain because it’s so common, and for most it will get better fairly quickly but some of us are just left in agony unless we really put the pressure on them to act.

@Seawaver thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear you've gone through the same

Keep on at them to do something; I do think GP’s get blasé about back pain because it’s so common, and for most it will get better fairly quickly but some of us are just left in agony unless we really put the pressure on them to act.

I completely agree with you. Had a telephone appointment this morning. Je told me to ensure I take upto 8 paracetamol a day! And they just keep changing me from naproxen to diclofenac

I have tried to explain to them how much severe pain I am it, and I really do not think they understand. His repose was 'it will get better with time ' I jsut want to cry because I physically can't carry on like this, it's impacting my mental health as well as physically. I'm hoping my MRI results will be back ASAP so I can bed for further action to be taken 😪

I had a nerve blocker and steroids it really helped next going to burn the nerves away. It's not solved everything but got me walking again.

What dose of amitriptyline are you on? I was on 30mg initially and helped a bit but then my back went again I upped it to 60/80 mg I think and it realllly helped , 30mg was too low. I had a compression in servals places , l3l4, l4l5 and worse being l5SI which was why I wanted my left leg cut off. I genuinely have never experienced pain like it so u have my full support. I did the spinal injection privately (£400 for two places) and sadly can’t say it did much as a few week later it was 20x worse but what did help was the high dose of amitriptyline, rest and codeine. I was worried about addiction issues but did manage to reduce all over space of 3-6 mths agter. Not great now but Iv avoided the surgery for time being and do Pilates. Some days ok some days terrible.
depending on your amitriptyline dose I’d highly recommend upping it!

@Dreamingofthishouse thank you for your your response.

I am currently only on 20mg, I have another appointment next week I think I'm going to ask if this can be upped.

I have been on cocodamol but I can't say it does much for me 😩

The truth is that almost everyone over 40 will ‘slip a disc’ at some point. it’s a by product of evolving onto two legs rather than four , living longer, and modern life (chairs, cars, hunching over computers, etc). It’s happened to me twice and the above was said by a spinal specialist surgeon (as I panicked at her 🤣)

I’d be looking at Pilates / yoga alongside doing your physio exercises RELIGIOUSLY to ensure you build the necessary strength and mobility to future proof your body. The absolute worst thing you can do is stop moving. Painkillers are great in order to move, Also use heat packs to keep it loosening off as you’ll be compensating for the pain in the way you move which can create even more issues.

@KevinDeBrioche

The truth is that almost everyone over 40 will ‘slip a disc’ at some point. - im.not even 30 yet so god help me by the time I'm 40 😭😩

Before hurting it a few weeks ago AGAIN I was doing pilates 4x a week, which I do feel 100% made some improvement. I am hoping to try and get back to this (I always did it in the morning as come evening My pain is always worse )

I'm a mother to 2 young children so I am constantly active ( picking me youngest up is what caused this in the 1st place 🤦‍♀️)

yes i have had this done on 3 occasions - worked well the first time but the last time nothing after waiting 11 months - the problem is that the nerves grow back