“Are you asleep for an epidural steroid injection?”
I am a 39 year old female. I want to know if you are asleep for an epidural steroid injection?
10 Answers
AnesthesiologistAnesthesiologist
Some people prefer to go to sleep and some prefer to stay awake. It varies from person to person.
Not necessarily but you can request sedation if you are anxious
It depends, some pain management doctors use minimal sedation just to reduce patients’ anxiety and some use deep sedation to keep patients completely out during these injections.
no
No you are sitting up when the epidural is done and the steroids are injected
No you will be awake. The procedure is not that painful and we need to know if you are having symptoms that would require changing the path of the needle used for the injection. Laboring women are wide awake when they receive their epidural catheters as well.
Yes it can be done under moderate sedation when you are asleep
No. Epidural Steroid injections are typically done in the office with local anesthesia. The doctor will numb up the area before placing the epidural needle.
No. It is usually done under local anesthesia.
Generally, you are not asleep for an epidural steroid injection. Some physicians use sedation if they work in a surgery center. In my opinion, the risk from sedation is greater than the injection itself.
