Has anyone ever had a cortisone injection in their spine for a prolapsed disc? Any advice/tips??

[LadyBiscuit]

I've slipped a disc in my neck and am having a cortisone injection next week to try and sort it out. Would be very interested to hear others' experiences, in particular how you felt afterwards (ie did you have to take to your bed or were you back to nearly normal after a couple of hours?).

Thx

Bump

had 2 in my knees and one in foot and one in elbow(which hurt). have been offered them for my back (got 3 prolapsed discs due to car crash)..

The ones on my knees and feet were amazing. all the pain in inflammmation went down so quickly. They tell you to rest for at least 24 hours to allow the depo medrone to stay in situ because if you move too much ,the drug doesnt stay in the right place long enough. So i stayed fairly still for 48 hours and havent looked back. Im sure the instructions will be the same.

had one in my shoulder. the relief was almost instant. I took it easy for a couple of days. actually a tiny bit easier for a couple of weeks. best thing i ever did. didn't have any bad side effects.

Thanks very much, that sounds very encouraging. They are going to sedate me apparently because it's going into my spine. Do you reckon I'll be alright looking after my DC on my own or will I need help? The consultant has told me to get a cab home from the hospital

Are these injections one-offs or do you need to keep having them?

Just a one off I hope. There is one like an epidural into my spine and six smaller ones - either side of my neck. That should be enough to reduce the inflammation on the disc to stop it pressing on the nerve

Mum has had it done twice. Wasn't successful in her case, but her consultant said some people it works for straight off, some need a few but have relief each time, and doesn't work for some.

I think you'd want someone around in the evening afterwards. Mum has been quite groggy after

Had 2 in my lower spine years ago. Certainly couldn't have driven afterwards and wouldn't have wanted to care for anyone either. Took 10 days to work in my case but have been mostly fine since.
Sedation sounds good, I wasn't and wish I had been!

Hope it goes well.

Cheers - v useful. Will get a capable adult to be around rather than an enfeebled one

I've had various spinal ones in my lower back, so a bit different and not sure if comparable. I was offered the choice of sedation or not and said not and it wasn't exactly lovely, but I was glad not to be drowsy too and could leave quicker. Each time for me was different, but I could function next day with all. They won't let you leave unless there's someone to take you home, and you might feel a it shaky for a while. Sadly none worked for me either though. I know it does for many though, so GOOD LUCK X

Thanks SMEE, that's helpful. I'm going to take the sedation - not least because I don't want to flinch and have it go in the wrong place! With six injections into my neck, I think I'm going to need something to make me keep still

Really really key is to also take a lovely other half, best friend or someone similarly special and ensure when you get home you are indulged, rested and treated. At least get that from it..

Thanks smee (have no idea why I wrote your name in caps last night!). I can't take anyone with me but my sister is going to come round and look after me and the DC

Just check to make sure they'll let you home without anyone. They told me I had to be accompanied home. Am sure you'll be fine. Hope it works for you.

My mum has just announced she is going to come with me to hold my hand. The main thing I'm worried about is being sick - anaesthetic always makes me puke and most anaesthetists don't believe me until I actually do

I've had it done, unfortunately it didn't work.

I had an epidural/spinal for the proceedure. Felt fine afterwards, hospital were very keen to shunt me out the door as soon as I could just about stand up. Was a bit wobbly but managed to stop in town on the way home and do a bit of shopping.

Thanks so much for all your posts. My sister came with me which was briliant as it meant I had someone to talk to while I was waiting rather than getting nervous and I don't think I could have made it home without her help. Fingers crossed it sorts me out