Got my first injection on monday for L4-L5 mild.

I have just finished the 16th procedure where they inject steroids into your facet and SI joints and then they have burnt the nerve endings..This was over a period of 12 months.

This was done from T1 to L5/S1, so basically my whole spine..I found this to be of great relief to my hips and lumbar spine but no relief from thoraic pain.

Due to the ongoing pain my PM is going to trial 2 stimulators in my Thoracic and Lumbar as he cant even get a needle into that area anymore due to severe adhesions and scar tissue and my lumbar pain has returned..

Always remember its your body and you are the one to make the ultimate decision and be comfortable with it.

I didnt know these procedures where available before my neck surgery as maybe it would have put the operation off for some years?? Who knows as I have severe Degenerative Bone Disease and Fybromyalgia..

Take care and feel free to ask me any ???? you may think of..

I did get relief form the 1st injection, some - but at least it was better than nothing Im hoping that #2 will help even more! It wasn't as big of a deal as I had originally thought that it may be, so I was quite pleased

I think I may be in an unlucky minority here.
I had continuing back pain and the surgeon I saw back in 2008 said there was nothing he was prepared to do so he referred me to the Pain Clinic where I saw a specialist in that field.
The decision was to try and epidural in February 2009.
Following the procedure I was in absolute agony ranging from 7 to 10 depending on my position.
I had my GP come out to me and administer various pain meds which barely took the edge off but eventually I had a follow up with ther specialist that did the epidural.
I limped into his office with my wife and he stood there all smiley faced saying 'how are you Mr er' um' Lethbridge?'
I threw a bag of medication at him with tears running down my face with the pain and from that moment til March this year I was put onto Morphine (MST).

I wish anyone that has an epidural the very best of luck but just be aware things can go the other way.

waste of time as were all the other spinal injections .the epidural is the one everyone tells you is the worse due to the size of the needle but don't worry they tend to use plenty of local anesthetic and you can request sedation {and i would if i was you and if you don't feel as sedate as you would like to ask for more ..they should give you some extra .unlike a discography where you need to give a response to the surgeon {so you cant have powerful sedation } with an epidural you can have midazolam /and other top end IV sedation with a bit of luck you wont even remember it
good luck
STRAKER