Steroid injection in the spine - advice

[whynotmereally]

I saw a private doctor for a prolapsed disc. He recommended steroid injection, I couldn’t afford it privately so he said I could be referred to his NHS wait list. I left it a couple of months as I was tapering off painkillers and was hoping the issue would resolve itself. I then went to the GP and asked to be referred to the doctor for injection. My appointment is this week, I assumed I’d have the injection there and then but there nothing in the appointment letter to say i will .

Does anyone have experience of the injection, would you normally have an appointment with the doctor first or would it happen on the day? Thanks.

I’d be surprised if they did it in the spine just like that. I’ve had steroid injections in my wrists in a regular appointment, but when they did my ankle they sedated me for it and I had to be booked in as a day patient.

I was actually discussing this last week with a lady who's been offered them. She was told once you have 1 they offer them long term. But are very painful.
Another lady had to be at a non local hospital for 8am..they stayed in a hotel. And again post jab as she was in too much pain for the 45 min car journey. Wasn't a simple process.
Lady 1 had refused the offer..
Lady 2 sadly succumbed to her cancer at 91...

DH has had steroid injections in the spine. Done under twilight anaesthesia (think that’s what it’s called) in an operating theatre so all properly booked in. He could walk fine after and it didn’t hurt, although he talked rubbish for hours due to the anaesthetic.

I had thos done about 2 weeks ago. You will have an appointment first with the consultant to discuss your issues. If they also think you need injections then you go on the waiting list. I was told upto 8 weeks but had it done in under 2.

It's a day procedure and you will be given an sedation. I really can remember anything after they disinfected my back. They have work really well for me and I've reduced the gabapentin I was taking and don't currently need painkillers either.

I'm afraid placebo-controlled randomised trials show that steroid injections for back pain don't work long term. www.bmj.com/content/388/bmj-2024-079971 The injections just have a temporary effect. I can understand why you might consider them if you're desperate though. You have my sympathies.

They use imaging when doing it also to make sure they get it in the right location.

Yes they are only for a short period, and as I was reminded by the nurse its only pain relief, I still need to be careful bending and lifting as it's not fixed the actual disk. But I'll take it over having to take a shit load of drugs just to be able to function daily.

Also I still have a weak leg but at lest I can sleep and not take 3 different medicines daily.

Balls. I clicked in as im waiting for an appointment to get these. I've 3 prolapsed discs. I know they hurt to bugger (had one in my shoulder before), but didn't realise the back ones were under sedation (I would say yay, but sedation doesn't really work for me) as the shoulder wasn't.
I have nobody to drive me home. And I really need them as my back is getting worse.

@PotterHead1985 there are different types of sedation. I had another procedure recently with so called sedation, I was totally awake through the whole thing and they had to top up the painkillers half way through.

The back one was totally different a d I was fast asleep, in fact they struggled to keep me awake afterwards as I just wanted to go back to sleep.

Could you arrange hospital transportation if you have no one to drive you home?

Thank you everyone at least I’m prepared now.

Sounds amazing fingers crossed

Hospital transportation in this country (ireland) exists, but is...shite, to put it mildly. I am hoping I can call on a friend for a lift home. I can get meself there on the bus not a bother so it would just be the home journey

If you’re the poster I think you are, I just wanted to say a huge well done for finding another solution to your pain. Really hope you’re doing well and it’s all going well.

My mum has had 3 steroid injections into her spine. She’s never had or been offered any sedation..They use local
anaesthetic only and xray to guide where they are putting the needle. First one no effect; second a few weeks relief; third one agony for 3 weeks after and needed carers because she couldn’t stand to make meals or drinks. I don’t think she’ll have it again. It’s a shame because she waited months to have it done hoping it would improve her quality of life. I went with her to the latest appointment and the consultant said a 25% reduction in pain is classed as good. Some people have no benefits and for some it can make it worse like it has for my mum.the hospital won’t assess the effects of the injection until 6-8 weeks afterwards because it takes until then to work fully if it’s going to at all.
I hope if you have it that it works well for you.

Sorry but I've had loads done over about 20yrs. Also herniated disc and unstable SI.

Absolute waste of time. They're not nice to have done and do bugger all to help with the pain. I've had them in my hips, all up up my spine, shoulder...just no difference at all.

I'm waiting for a 'lumbar epidural' (whatever the difference that is) but I think I won't bother.