Epidural Steroid Injection -anyone have one?

**madhen** · 09-24-2009, 08:41 PM

I am going in for mine tomorrow, and I am hoping someone can tell me what to expect.

My dilemma is that the doctor says I have to have someone to drive me home, and I literally don't have anyone I feel comfortable calling upon. None of my co-workers live anywhere near me, and the shot is close to my home, so they'd have to drive out about an hour. I could call a taxi, but it would be really expensive from my house to the doctor and back again.

The doctor mentioned that I would feel okay after the shot but that they had to tell me to have a driver for THEIR liability, so I'm hoping I can just drive myself there and back and just tell them I have a driver.

Anyone have one of these things? It will be a two-shot procedure: the first one to numb me and the second one to inject the anti-inflammatory into my spinal cord area.

**TigerGirl1226** · 09-24-2009, 08:43 PM

I've had things where I had to have a driver according to the docs. They had to see my person and get a copy of their DL. Not sure if that'll be the case for you, mine involved sedation so it may be different.

**kaurand554** · 09-24-2009, 08:53 PM

I have not had the shot; but in any procedure that myself or family has had they wheel you to the door and to the driver. Maybe they can let you stay for an hour or two to make sure you are okay then they will let you drive home. (Like an allergy shot where you have to stay in the office for an hour?)

Let us know how it goes!

**madhen** · 09-24-2009, 09:05 PM

Worst case scenario, I can call a taxi and just pick up my car later.

**starsapphire** · 09-24-2009, 09:43 PM

My DH had 3 of them before he ended up having back surgery and we have friends who had them too. The shot they give you is a steroid and a hormone so be prepared for strange mood swings and an increased appetite. Once the lidocaine wears off, you may experience increased pain before the steroid kicks in and gives you pain relief.

I've talked to people who had no problems at all as well as people who had the side effects so maybe you will be one of the lucky ones with no side effects. Take care and good luck!

**frugalfranny** · 09-25-2009, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by madhen

so I'm hoping I can just drive myself there and back and just tell them I have a driver.

UMMMMM...good luck.......this have never worked for me. They always wanted the person to come INSIDE and get me.

Good luck.......with both......the shot and 'snowing them' about the driver!

**madhen** · 09-25-2009, 03:51 AM

I am trying to work something out. Worse case, I'll drive myself up and then just call a cab to get back. I can work out picking up my truck on Sat, because my sister was planning to visit, and the truck will be fine sitting for one day. I don't mind paying for a cab or working out a ride if it is really dangerous for me to be driving, but if it is something like an allergy shot, where they just want to make sure you don't have some uncommon but severe reaction, I'd rather save the time and hassle.

I am told that I shouldn't do much of anything on the day of the shot, but that I can resume "normal" activities about 24 hours after. The doctor says it should take 2-3 days for me to feel the full effect. They have me scheduled for a second shot in about 2 weeks, but he says a lot of people cancel the second one, because the first one works so well. Hoping I'm one of those people!!

**frugalwarrior** · 09-25-2009, 07:21 AM

You can't fake them out. They will have your person come in and wait for you. Nice try.

**2ndGenGranola** · 09-25-2009, 08:45 AM

Our area has a service that will drive you to medical events and back home. Could you check with the dr (or I guess even phone book) looking for that kind of service.

**madhen** · 09-25-2009, 09:59 AM

Okay, my question is not so much can I pull off convincing them I have a driver, but whether I will actually NEED one. Apparently, doctors in California are a bit more trusting, because I have been in positions of TRULY needing a driver, and have been allowed to leave to where my driver is sitting in his/her vehicle waiting for me. So I am more concerned about whether it would be unsafe for me to drive than what the doctor thinks. I could tell from the doctor's tone yesterday that he was more concerned about their liability than me getting into an accident, and the if I let him off the hook, he'd probably let me out the door.

Thank you, starsapphire, for the input. That is more the information I was hoping to hear, and I appreciate any head's up on what to expect.

**madhen** · 09-25-2009, 10:00 AM

2ndGenGranola, thank you for the information on the transport service. The doctor didn't mention one when I told him a driver was a problem, but I'll check the yellow pages this morning!!

**NikoSan999** · 09-25-2009, 10:29 AM

Ok, kinda the same but not...Long ago when you had a kid they did Epidurals...( maybe still, don't know ). This was to numb you also. Maybe they gave more for labor but the not being able to move from waist down ( shot in lower back ) wore off in couple hours, maybe 3. But within the next hours after it wore off, on me at least, it set in again and couldn't move my legs for a couple more hours. Nurse just said hmmm, now that's not normal. No **** jack.

Anyway, is there a possibility of that happening with you? Don't drive yourself. Not worth the chance. We would miss you to much.

Also if you have never had the steriod shots they can be painful more so after than during. I've had both hands, one wrist, one elbow and both shoulders with 2 in 1 shoulder. All worked except the shoulders.

**madhen** · 09-25-2009, 10:37 AM

Thanks, Nikosan999!! Good to know about the pain level going UP before it goes down. The doctor told me about it taking several days to really start working, but nothing about the pain going up beforehand!

I'll probably just call a cab. It is about 25 miles from my house to the doctor's office, and I'm not sure whether the driver can wait or if I'll have to call again when it's done, but I guess I'll find out!

**pinetree** · 09-25-2009, 02:55 PM

Its been a few years since i had it done. I think its the same thing as now. I had it done in the hospital, so didnt need a driver, BUT, I stayed in bed the entire day. You DO NOT want to try and drive yourself. The pain is about the same as a mylagram, check spelling on that,, its uncomfortable, but tolerable. It feels like they are moving the needle around alot

,Good Luck, and dont try to drive, be safe.

( the shot never worked on me, so they never did another one)

**madhen** · 09-25-2009, 05:08 PM

I'm back!! I can see why they don't want you to drive, although I think I could have done so without a lot of issues. My balance was a little off, because the area above my hipbone was numb (and still is), but since it is on my left side and is a very small area, I think driving would have been no problem.

The procedure was fast - about half an hour. The worst part was when he inserted the needle. LOTS of deep muscle pressure, not excrutiating, but not to be ignored. Then, when he injected the meds, a lot of pressure down my leg, as the liquid filled up the already swollen join area and pressed on my nerves.

I am possibly going to feel some injection site pain as soon as the drugs wear off, but after that, hopefully I'll start to feel some relief in 24-36 hours.

My marching orders are no driving today, and no strenuous activity. (The nurse told me that today was not the day to move my refrigerator and clean underneath it. Like there was a chance that I was going to do THAT!!

) Tomorrow...let the HEALING begin!!