Spinal Injections
March 13, 2010 - 1:31pm
Update from Feb 16 caudal ESI
I never got 100% relief from my ESI, but I did feel a little better. One week after the ESI, I switched from Gabapentin 600Mg to Lyrica 150Mg. Even better, when I take the NSAID Meloxicam my pain is completely gone.
I guess my dilemma is I'm having trouble figuring what worked for me. Too many variables changed around the same time. I really want to think that I'm healing and all of this is going away! 
Perhaps it's a combination.
I guess I should just feel grateful that I have options that make me completely pain free! I feel like I have my life back. I hope it holds!
Thoughts?
Have a great weekend!
Kathryn
_____________
July/August 2009 - Lumbar back pain.
Sept 2009 - Mild butt/leg pain proceeded to get worse.
January 2010 - Dx with L5/S1 herniated disc with 7mm fragment compressing S1 nerve root.
Feb 2010 - Caudal ESI. Took 10 days to work, but so far, so good.
May 2010 - Started lowering my meds to see if I can come stop altogether. Only take Lyrica 75Mg once a day and Meloxicam every other day.
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It sounds to me that the ESI did work. There is no guarantee and it is unusual to get 100% relief. They may suggest another one be done to see if you get even more relief.
Best wishes,
Marianne
Please click on my user name/pic for med/surg history
Good to hear you're having pain relief! I was taking the max amount of Lyrica when I had my ESIs last year and my PM Dr. wanted me to try Cymbalta instead of Lyrica but he wouldn't change it until 1 month after the ESI to see if the ESI would help first. Hopefully all things combined have helped and maybe your Dr will wean you off the Lyrica later to see how you do. I had a lot of side effects from Lyrica one being a 35lb weight gain and water retention but I was taking the max amount. I hope you continue to feel so well. Take care. Charry
Any answers I have is not medical advice only a Doctor can help you with that. Just sharing my personal experience as a fellow Spine Health member only. DDD of lumbar spine with sciatica to left hip,leg and foot. L4-L5 posterior disc bulge with prominent facets, L5-S1 prominent facets with a posterior osteocartilaginous bar. Mild bilateral foraminal narrowing Neck-reverse Lordosis of c-spine C6-C7 with impingement, numb hand and sore outer elbow. Keep the faith.
Thanks for the feedback, ladies. I guess we'll just have to see how it plays out over time. I wish I had not switched meds so soon after the ESI. Live and learn.
July/August 2009 - Lumbar back pain.
Sept 2009 - Mild butt/leg pain proceeded to get worse.
January 2010 - Dx with L5/S1 herniated disc with 7mm fragment compressing S1 nerve root.
Feb 2010 - Caudal ESI. Took 10 days to work, but so far, so good.
May 2010 - Started lowering my meds to see if I can come stop altogether. Only take Lyrica 75Mg once a day and Meloxicam every other day.
In my opinion, your pain relief is coming from a combination of the meds, but the steroid injection is by far the most helpful aspect. Without the shots, you would probably still be suffering. The ESI steroid is an extremely powerful anti-inflammatory and Im sure its helping quite a bit.
Good luck and hang in there.
Stan
I'm still going strong from my ESI.
I even did a P90X video last night. I am very careful so all of my exercises were somewhat modified if needed. But I got a great workout in.
Still taking 75Mg Lyrica 2x/day and Mobic every other day.
Those of you still suffering, may you find relief in whatever form! Who knows...I might be back with you one of these days. Take care.
July/August 2009 - Lumbar back pain.
Sept 2009 - Mild butt/leg pain proceeded to get worse.
January 2010 - Dx with L5/S1 herniated disc with 7mm fragment compressing S1 nerve root.
Feb 2010 - Caudal ESI. Took 10 days to work, but so far, so good.
May 2010 - Started lowering my meds to see if I can come stop altogether. Only take Lyrica 75Mg once a day and Meloxicam every other day.