I'm doing epidurals now....OMG the pain!!

Qman2

After being diagnosed with a L4 bulging disk on Jan 2, I had an epidural on Jan 14 and then again today. Boy was I naïve! My wife had an epidural during child birth and she had immediate results. I expected the same but found it was 5-7 days after the first epidural before I could say I was feeling some relief.

I was certainly feeling better and the doctor was pleased with my improvement. Today, the doctor gave me an injection at both L4 and L5 and I've been referred to physical therapy for the next month.

My question for anymore, do you suffering from excruciating pain during the actual injection? The first time I didn't expect it (I didn't know) and I thought maybe the doctor nicked my spinal cord so at least today I was ready. He ended up giving me the worst injection in thirds to spread out the pain. The pain is from the injection site down to my toes on my right side where the budge is. He said the pain is an indication that he's in the right spot. Today he proposed that I be sedated during my next epidural so I won't feel it or remember it.

Seriously, am I just a wimp or is this normal?

RTgirl2011

I experienced major pain while receiving a steroid injection down my left leg. The pain I had was from the medication coming in contact with the irritated nerve root. So your doctor is probably right, he is probably in the right spot.

Shmooey

But I had severe pain and swelling for five days after. It wasn't around the injection site, and it wasn't an allergy, but the doc really hit the right spot. Mine was not a general epidural, it was transforaminal.

I had bad pain when I got facet joint injections back in 2010 and 2011. They gave numbing shots, but then they immediately did the four spine injections. I was thinking, when they give you novocaine at the dentist, they give it a couple of minutes to work! This was immediately following the numbing shots.

mjd210

Was your injections done with the use of fluoroscope or x-ray. I know that can make a big difference. I didn't feel my injections were that painful at all. Don't get me wrong its not comfortable.

anelsen15

I asked for no sedation with mine because found it so non painful.

Qman2

They use the fluoroscope. I got injection in two spots and the only one that hurt was the bulging disk. Guess I'm not alone but I will opt for the sedation next time.

dilauro

I never had any noticeable pain level during the injection. About 90% of them were done under the guidance of fluoroscope..
I had some level of sedation medication, very little for about half of the injections.

The pain for me, was like a strong bee sting, but lasted for only a couple of seconds.

When done properly, there shouldn't be much pain during the actual procedure. Most of the discomfort will come in the first 36 hours after the injection is done.

So, I am not sure why you felt the pain you did.

jaggedline

All of mine have stung life an intense bee sting and I felt clicking as they injected it. Once I had acute L5 nerve pain into my foot, but it dwindled after the injection.

I hope the injection gives you some relief.