Living with Epidural Injection

After years of pain from traumatic induced arthritis from service-connected injuries, I’ve had three cervical spine surgeries with hardware; a failed fusion at C6-7 necessitating a second fusion with replacement hardware; a laminectomy at C3-4 at the top of the first (3 level fusion); and chemonucleolysis to reduce a herniated disc at L5-S1. All of this has left me with chronic pain in my cervical and lumbar spine, which significantly decreases my quality of life and ability to perform tasks and exercise I enjoy.

Now, my surgeon has put me into pain management with a specialist who is using epidural injections in both locations. So far, the results have been great at first, but with the longest relief lasting only about 1 1/2 months in my lumbar spine. I’m due for more injections, with the latest being done on February 11 (second cervical), and the next this coming week for my third lumbar epidural. I’m afraid the last two cervical surgeries (done simultaneously) “fixed” the main problems, but will leave me with chronic pain problems there.

I’ve never had surgery for the L5-S1 disc, but it has herniated at least 4 or 5 times. Thankfully, I haven’t had sciatic radiculopathy since the second time in 1983, but that may be in the future. I cannot give a great endorsement for epidurals because of the short term relief (feels very good at first, though). This pain management doctor has a great reputation, and he suggests there are further treatments that can be tried (some surgical) if the shots don’t get me long term relief.