Did you know the cortisone used in the spinal epidural is not approved by the FDA for disc problems? Has it helped your back pain?

Asked by Aster (20023

) April 9th, 2016

A very close friend of mine has arthritis from neck to ankles, mostly in her lower back. I think it’s fibro but her doctor said he “never heard of fibromyalgia.” He or another doctor recommended she submit to a few cortisone shots in her spine and never mentioned chiropractic adjustments. If you have had cortisone in your spine what has it done, good or bad, for you? Kenalog , I think it’s called, has not been approved by the FDA for this purpose (a dot gov. site says this) but, at 2K a treatment, the FDA looks the other way.

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3 Answers

I know two people who have had this sort of thing done. One had significant relief, the other had a very negative experience.

Drugs are administered every day off label, which basically means not approved for that use. Some medicines become a standard of care, but were never scientifically tested.

I have no opinion about whether she should try it, only information about drugs and the FDA.

JLeslie (65419

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^^yup

Rarebear (25192

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In the ‘80s I had surgery to repair a ruptured disk. The pain disappeared but returned six months later. Rather than go through a second surgery, which was recommended, I opted for an injection. I walked into the waiting room on crutches and two hours later walked out pain-free. I still have lower back problems, but never as much pain as I was suffering before the injection,

Pachy (18610

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