Sciatica! Injections

01-22-2011, 03:08 AM

I was originally diagnosed with a bulging disc by an orthopedic. Went to a nuerosurgeon (best one around here) who said the bulge was only slight and not big enough to be causing the sciatic pain I am experiencing. Went to a pain specialist who has been sending me for injections. First injection was into the ischial bursa. Felt some relief due to the local anesthetic, but once that wore off the pain was back the next day. Second injection was into the SI joint about two weeks ago. It felt about 30-40% better for about 3 whole days. The pain then returned to normal. Now the doctor wants me to get a SECOND injection into the SI joint. If it didn't work the first time, what's going to make it work the second time? Am I wasting my time with this?

My pain is right in the middle of my right buttock, slightly to the outside, and deep. I can't touch my toes unless I really work at it. The pain is just too intense.

01-22-2011, 03:14 PM

Usually they like you to have a series of 3 injections, I have had 4, they usually last me about 3 months, which is better than nothing at all.

Sunny

**Megss** · 01-23-2011, 08:10 AM

My injections never did diddly squat for me either, even after more than one. And I got a nice big fat bill for each one, so I decided not to have another one.

One suggestion, and I know many might disagree with me, but I didn't have any luck with a nuero. He pretty much blew me off since my tests showed no nerve impingement, and that is their specialty. I obviously do have one, because I have the sciatic pain really bad, but the orthopedics I have seen took me seriously, so an ortho is doing my surgery (along with his neuro).

01-23-2011, 09:51 AM

The pain in the location you are describing is right on top of the sciatic nerve as it goes through the hip area. You might be having a tight muscle on top of it (your piriformis muscle) and a simple stretching routine might be extrememly benifitial. Also, check with your local chiro's since they tend to have alot of experience dealing with these types of things. They are typically anti-surgery unless is it very necessary, so it'll be a different type of opinion.

01-24-2011, 04:26 AM

SounRAB kinda like Sciatica - that usually starts in the buttocks... have you tried physio therapy?

As for the injections, the way my pain management doc. explained it to me, is that sometimes the 'medications' they inject in the area need to build up in order to work. So you might feel relief after the second or thrid set of injections in the same area. In fact, the norm is to get three injections in the same area.

The injections didn't do anything at all for my pain, but I've heard a LOT of success stories with them - even if it takes you a year to get your pain under control, and find out what works for you.

Good luck and take care!

XOXO!