Steroid Injections - Round 2

DailyGroomer
DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
edited November 17 in Fitness and Exercise
Back Story:
Been dealing with chronic back pain for about 20 years now. It's really ramped up since i had my daughter 18 mos ago. It has gone out about 4 times since then. Pinched nerve started in July, subsided a bit and then recently popped back up in January several weeks after tripping and had bad sciatic pain since.

MRI revealed 2 slightly bulging discs, 1 very bulging disc pinching and cramping the nerve and a slight tear in a ligament.

I had my first shot on 2/21. I had instant relief of the sciatic pain, and slight relief of back pain. After about 2 weeks I started having some hip pain again in my leg and some back pain. I was about 50% better than prior to the shot. The dr suggested a second shot which I had on 3/23. I have felt no relief and my back actually feels worse now.

What is the deal? What else Can I do now? The sciatic pain is not too bad, just occasional hip pain but some muscles in my back are tight and causing sharp pain with certain movements and feel like one wrong move and I will have muscle spasms again.

I'm feeling so defeated. I'm trying to work out hard and get in shape and I'm in so much pain that I don't want to do anything.

Replies

  • Alisonswim46
    Alisonswim46 Posts: 208 Member
    Have you tried acupuncture? It couldn't hurt to try something different.
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    do you work with a PT, or are you working out to get in shape on your own? If you don't have a PT or a trainer, you might consider one just to learn the proper way to do the exercises that you are doing.

    when i had sciatica from lower back issues, i actually wasn't able to do anything for at least 8 weeks at a time as my back healed, and then i'd be ok and go back to life and reinjure myself a few weeks later and be back resting another 8 weeks, and i repeated that cycle for about 10 years. When i finally learned proper form and technique from trainers and PT's and was able to build up my core strength, my life changed and i haven't had a back pain since.
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    do you work with a PT, or are you working out to get in shape on your own? If you don't have a PT or a trainer, you might consider one just to learn the proper way to do the exercises that you are doing.

    when i had sciatica from lower back issues, i actually wasn't able to do anything for at least 8 weeks at a time as my back healed, and then i'd be ok and go back to life and reinjure myself a few weeks later and be back resting another 8 weeks, and i repeated that cycle for about 10 years. When i finally learned proper form and technique from trainers and PT's and was able to build up my core strength, my life changed and i haven't had a back pain since.

    I do work with a PT, I see her 2/week for the last 3.5 months. She is a nurse as well and knows of my back issues. She is always making sure I have the proper form.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Unfortunately steroid injections can be hit or miss. My wife has had several rounds.of injections. Sometimes they have no effect. She has been told that it can take 2 to 4 weeks to feel the effects and that sometimes it gets worse temporarily before it gets better. I think you should give it a couple weeks before you call it a failed effort. Have you talked with your physician since you had the injections? A follow up appointment?
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    BigGuy47 wrote: »
    Unfortunately steroid injections can be hit or miss. My wife has had several rounds.of injections. Sometimes they have no effect. She has been told that it can take 2 to 4 weeks to feel the effects and that sometimes it gets worse temporarily before it gets better. I think you should give it a couple weeks before you call it a failed effort. Have you talked with your physician since you had the injections? A follow up appointment?


    I have a follow up appt tomorrow. I am hoping there is just a delayed response because I did feel effects from the first one.
  • kaizaku
    kaizaku Posts: 1,039 Member
    I had sciatica from 2014 although I not fully recovered I know what you going through. Exercise is what made me moble. Before I couldn't walk. I Use to take few steps like a penguin. I was told if I had operation I may never be the same again. Since I did not want an operation.
  • markrgeary1
    markrgeary1 Posts: 853 Member
    DailyGroomer wrote: »
    BigGuy47 wrote: »
    Unfortunately steroid injections can be hit or miss. My wife has had several rounds.of injections. Sometimes they have no effect. She has been told that it can take 2 to 4 weeks to feel the effects and that sometimes it gets worse temporarily before it gets better. I think you should give it a couple weeks before you call it a failed effort. Have you talked with your physician since you had the injections? A follow up appointment?


    I have a follow up appt tomorrow. I am hoping there is just a delayed response because I did feel effects from the first one.

    Good luck. I have cervical spine issues and while a little unpleasant they've worked well for me.

    I have known a few people who have had mixed results for lumbar issues. Fortunately each had a very positive effect from surgery.
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    kaizaku wrote: »
    I had sciatica from 2014 although I not fully recovered I know what you going through. Exercise is what made me moble. Before I couldn't walk. I Use to take few steps like a penguin. I was told if I had operation I may never be the same again. Since I did not want an operation.

    I am glad you are feeling better. It's an awful thing to have
  • DailyGroomer
    DailyGroomer Posts: 93 Member
    markrgeary1 wrote: »
    DailyGroomer wrote: »
    BigGuy47 wrote: »
    Unfortunately steroid injections can be hit or miss. My wife has had several rounds.of injections. Sometimes they have no effect. She has been told that it can take 2 to 4 weeks to feel the effects and that sometimes it gets worse temporarily before it gets better. I think you should give it a couple weeks before you call it a failed effort. Have you talked with your physician since you had the injections? A follow up appointment?


    I have a follow up appt tomorrow. I am hoping there is just a delayed response because I did feel effects from the first one.

    Good luck. I have cervical spine issues and while a little unpleasant they've worked well for me.

    I have known a few people who have had mixed results for lumbar issues. Fortunately each had a very positive effect from surgery.

    I have a 20 month old, I can't possibly go out for surgery right now :(
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