On July 3d I put my back out, and it made me miserable for weeks. Finally, last week I went for an epidural, which is essentially a cortisone shot into the afflicted area near the spine. It was my sciatic nerve that was being pinched, and boy that shot hit it just right.

Now I feel re-born, almost young again as I can bend over on command. (Boy, was the bf frustrated when I couldn't!)

So, have you had this procedure? How long will it last? They say I need two more, spaced two weeks apart. But I feel fine now...can't you see how much cheerier I am?

Glad you're feeling all frisky again! I've definitely noticed a recent lighthearted optimism in your posts that made me wonder if Tony Robbins had stopped by and taken over your keyboard.

Never had one of those epidurals myself but, from what I've read, the painkilling effect lasts between a week and a year. Which gets me to wondering how your doctor knows you'll need another one in two weeks, and another one two weeks after that. If I were the suspicious type, I'd wonder if (s)he checked out your insurance coverage first before recommending a treatment plan.

(Full disclosure: a needle anywhere near my spine would give me the willies. Three needles would add the heebie-jeebies and screaming meemies to the mix.)

And, since the shot is only for pain relief, welcome as that is, what's the doctor's recommendation for preventing the next pinch? It's not like your sciatic nerve is suddenly going to learn how to jump out of the way next time a couple of your vertebrae get too close.

For me, prevention is the holy grail. Once the pain kicks in, as you say, a week or two of misery lies ahead. My back usually lets me know when it's starting to get testy, and that's my cue to get back to a daily hike or some such.

Finding a willing excercise partner may also help speed the return to a strong healthy back.

Or so I am told.

On July 3d I put my back out, and it made me miserable for weeks. Finally, last week I went for an epidural, which is essentially a cortisone shot into the afflicted area near the spine. It was my sciatic nerve that was being pinched, and boy that shot hit it just right.

Now I feel re-born, almost young again as I can bend over on command. (Boy, was the bf frustrated when I couldn't!)

So, have you had this procedure? How long will it last? They say I need two more, spaced two weeks apart. But I feel fine now...can't you see how much cheerier I am?

Can a chiropractor help you out? Or acupuncture?

A couple of years ago I went to physical therapy after many chiropractor visits. The guy was great. his objective was to teach me how to avoid the problem, not to keep me coming in to see him. So he gave me some simple exercise to do when the back started acting up. It worked well for the two years- not a single chiro visit.

But, almost ten hours in a compact car did my back in to the point that I had to have some relief. Besides the shot, I am doing chiro again.

I think the spacing of the shots is up to me, with two weeks being the minimum time.

lookin, you mean you didn't send this guy by? he said his name was Tony!

A couple of years ago I went to physical therapy after many chiropractor visits. The guy was great. his objective was to teach me how to avoid the problem, not to keep me coming in to see him. So he gave me some simple exercise to do when the back started acting up. It worked well for the two years- not a single chiro visit.

But, almost ten hours in a compact car did my back in to the point that I had to have some relief. Besides the shot, I am doing chiro again.

I think the spacing of the shots is up to me, with two weeks being the minimum time.

Yeah, best not to get into the whole shots thing. Not to seem too earthy-crunchy, but I'm always for preventive stuff.

lookin, you mean you didn't send this guy by? he said his name was Tony!

Heaven-sent, no doubt. Maybe he can help with the August Challenge.

Lucky, sorry for your problems. I have an amazing chiro in LA that I fly into see from time to time. I think he is the cat's meow! PM me if you want his info.

Oz, i am seeing a guy here that I like. he told me that with epidurals it is necessary to have more than one if i want long-lasting relief, so I will at least get the second one.

But thanks to all for the advice and information.

Now that I am fine again, I can share this pick of me doing my morning exercise;

Now that I am fine again, I can share this pick of me doing my morning exercise;

Lucky, FWIW. I've never had cortisone in my spine, but I've had them elsewhere. What every doctor has ever told me is that you should NEVER get more than one shot of cortisone in a joint. It has potential to do serious damage to the cartilage. Maybe it's different for the back then for the shoulder, elbow, knee, whatever. But I'd go to a reputable orthopedist before you undertake a regimen of multiple cortisone shots in the same place.

Now that I am fine again, I can share this pick of me doing my morning exercise;

Cortisone did that for your pot belly? I'm calling my doctor for an appoinment.

Cortisone? I thought he said Corleone!

Still, I'd watch my back.

There is no doubt that, in my case, the doctor got the shot in the right place. I could feel my sciatic nerve react as it went in. Now I am seeing the chiropractor and doing the back exercises that will keep me in shape. At least, that is the goal.

this article does not discuss the number of injections needed,but does give a good overview of how epidurals can be helpful in cases like mine:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections-low-back-pain-and-sciatica

There is no doubt that, in my case, the doctor got the shot in the right place. I could feel my sciatic nerve react as it went in. Now I am seeing the chiropractor and doing the back exercises that will keep me in shape. At least, that is the goal.

this article does not discuss the number of injections needed,but does give a good overview of how epidurals can be helpful in cases like mine:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections-low-back-pain-and-sciatica

My lower back pain is normally just an intermittent aggravation but occasionally it moves into the disabling zone. Lucky, thank you for this thread and the link you posted. I hadn't heard of cortisone epidurals before and will discuss it with my Doc next appointment. If he has anything adverse to say about it, I'll post it here.

A reason to have the second shot: