Has anyone ever had these before? They're apparently normally used for degenerative dis disease, sciatica, or herniated discs.

Over the last 3 or 4 years, I have had a lot of back problems. I've been to the ER for it twice, and they just keep telling me that I have a pulled muscle and that I need to take these pills, do these activities, have these restrictions, etc. So the last time, the ER doctor actually gave me a recommendation for a doctor to follow up with if I wasn't feeling better. Which I didn't very quickly, so I went to the doctor a few months ago. They wrote me a referral for x-rays, which I had, and they thought I might have degenerative disc disease. So they refer me to a spine specialist. I went there the first time a little over a month ago, and they had me taking medication and doing physical therapy for six weeks. At this point, I feel almost completely better most of the time. My level of pain went from being a 9/10 when I first went to the ER to being 6/10 when I was at the first doctor's office to 1/10 after physical therapy and everything. So the specialist refers me for an MRI anyway, and they get results back that I have a large disc herniation that is putting pressure on nerves in my back. (Apparently not degenerative disc disease or arthritis or anything, just a herniated disc.) So, even though I feel a lot better, the doctor wants me to have a series of 2 spinal steroidal epidurals. I've done a lot of research online, and I've read that herniated discs normally heal themselves as long as you return to normal activity and everything, so I'm kind of on the fence about having these injections, especially since I studied the procedure and it sounds pretty painful, even if it isn't supposed to be. I can't find anyone who has actually had these though, to get an opinion.

To me, it seems kind of pointless to do this, because I'm not really in much pain, and the main point of it is supposed to be for the pain and inflammation. And I'm not in pain, and am taking medication for the inflammation. I have a pretty crazy low pain tolerance, so I don't really think that 20 minutes of really intense pain is worth it to lessen a couple of months of extremely mild pain. I guess it would probably be different if I was actually in extreme pain, but not so much.

So anyway, I'm looking for the opinion of someone that might have had these injections or knows someone who has, or is just medically knowledgeable.

Thanks!

Sorry for rambling!

My mom has gotten these before for her back, she has multiple herniated disks and has already had 2 back surgeries Ive gone with her to get these done, but its just like an out patient procedure done at a surgical place, they dont put you under but they gave her versed (or something of the like) to make her loopy, she was a trip to see afterwards haha

They took a while to start to work and i think she felt worse before she felt better, but she hasnt had any lately due to insurance not paying or whatever

but i think its a common procedure compared to other things, IMO i would say if other non invasive things are not working i would give it a shot

The weird thing is, I can't figure out why my doctor wants me to have them, since I haven't been in any pain really.

No point if you're in no pain. I would advocate clinical pilates with a physical therapist to get your back strong rather than sticking an injection in to deal with nonexistent pain.

Doctor probably has no idea how to handle you.

• Are you still getting leg pain or pins and needles?

If not, then don't proceed. If it were severe enough to be causing pressure on the nerve permanently then surgery would have been talked about.

Nope. I haven't had any leg pain in a while and the back pain is pretty rare. Like, I'm in pain today, but have been doing a lot of stuff. You have a point. And they've already said I'm not having surgery ever.