Help please! Experiences of spinal steroid injections for a slipped disc?

[Dinodoodle9545]

Not really an AIBU but wanting to ask for stories from anyone who’s had the spinal steriod injection for a slipped disc. I’m waiting for mine and am finding life so tough, im trying to stay hopeful that it’ll be a magic fix but it’s hard.

Ive had problems with this disc for years and years but it’s always calmed down after a couple of weeks. This time it’s been ongoing since December and it’s completely ruining my life. I have 2 very young children and im in so much pain all the time, it’s affecting my ability to care for them, my mental health, my relationship. Everything.

Thankfully the combo of drugs I'm on has got me on my feet again after weeks of barely being able to stand. Using nappies at one point because normal sitting is too painful so i couldnt use a toilet! I’m able to do a bit more with my kids but it’s constantly hurting and I don’t have the patience i should. Then the guilt hits like a bus when I snap or shout at them.

Has anyone had this injection and it work well for them? I know the NHS stats on it don’t look great. I’d rather just have the surgery but this seems to be the first step.

OP, I haven't had the injection, so can't comment there, but I have had a slipped disc, and I feel so sorry for you. The pain is indescribable and unrelenting. Just sending you a hug x

A steroid injection is a strong anti inflammatory. So it will help with any inflammation in the surrounding area but won't impact on the disc itself. They do often add in an anaesthetic to it so that can help with the pain for a few days after

Mine took quite a few days to kick in, was on pregabalin for a couple weeks and prednisone for about a week after. It's pretty bloody sore going in.

Best of luck

Unfortunately, the injections didn't work for my DH. He had to be blue lighted in the end to a specialist hospital where the neurosurgeon and his team were waiting to operate as soon as he arrived. This was due to numbness in the saddle area which happened very quickly.

If you experience the onset of any sudden numbness please seek immediate help as the repercussions are very serious.

TBH I would urge you to push for the discectomy surgery ASAP. I wish you well as the pain you're in is truly awful.

I had this. Was totally painless and helped a lot. Alternative was surgery which I didn't fancy.

Had one for a Bulging disc and sciatica. Didn't really help. I've had most help from amitriptyline.

I have cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy and stenosis. Injections were not offered because was told no point and straight for surgery. I am having ACDF surgery in August. Exactly one year after MRI diagnosis.

Also, if NHS waiting list is long for the injection, maybe consider private?
I think if I'd had it privately it would have been about £1100 (a few years ago).
A lot of money but money well spent if it relieves your pain.
Good luck!

I had an epidural steroid injection in my neck for a prolapsed disc some years ago. Different place, but same thing basically. It was great for a few months but unfortunately the results weren't permanant for me and I did end up having surgery eventually. I'm glad I tried it though as it was a quick procedure and if it had been permanantly successful it would have saved me the operation. I didn't really want surgery but at least when it came to it I knew I'd tried all the alternatives and so it really was necessary.

I had this about 3 years ago, i had the injection due to a bulging disc. I have never known pain like it and i was on pregablin. The injection was amazing. It worked straight away for me and stopped all pain. I still got some if i twisted too much or over stretched but i could live my life as normal and without drugs.

Sadly it only last about a year before the pain started creeping in again. I had to start taking pregablin again and had another MRI but they said nothing had changed.

In the end i had a last minute appointment to see the surgeon and i opted for surgery, which was 2 years ago and i have had no pain (apart from normal back pain), and it has given me my life back.

Was that Cauda Equina? How was his recovery? I have severe canal stenosis and they always mention cauda equina but thankfully I’ve never had it.

Same, I didn’t have the injections and was waiting for surgery but developed cauda equina

Yes Cauda Equina. Luckily not complete Cauda Equina so can still walk but permanent numbness down below.

It did take a few weeks to get back on his feet and he still takes tramadol & pregab every day even now, many years later. But pain is manageable with his pain relief.

People who have never experienced this, truly have no idea what you are going through at the moment. I really feel for you.

Thanks everyone for your replies, it’s nice to have some solidarity if nothing else. I dont even think most of the doctors understand how relentless this is. I’m on pregabalin, morphine and Diclofenac but it’s a battle to get these everyweek. It’s like the GP just expects it to be better by now.

No cauda equina signs, just a left leg I want to saw off with a bread knife most of the time 😂