papergoods
05-08-2004, 05:17 AM
Hi All,
Ive had a year of pain and two facet blocks, I have a bulging disk at c5-6 and c4-5. They have suggested a Nerve block and say this could relieve the pain in my arm/hand and some neck for up to a year......
Is this the case as with anyones experience? Anyone have negavite experiences?
Ive had a year of pain and two facet blocks, I have a bulging disk at c5-6 and c4-5. They have suggested a Nerve block and say this could relieve the pain in my arm/hand and some neck for up to a year......
Is this the case as with anyones experience? Anyone have negavite experiences?
Sponsor
secondfiddle
05-09-2004, 02:24 AM
I had a series of three CESI's - cervical epidural steroid injections (aka nerve blocks) - and had, maybe, three weeks of dramatically reduced pain. After that, it was all back. I ended up having ACDF on 4/15. We'll see...
papergoods
05-09-2004, 07:25 AM
Ugh it jsut sounds like a mega dose pill that masks the pain. Ive already have surgery and beat around the bush while a disk got beyond repair. Im wondering if I should take a risk.
EmtShirl
05-11-2004, 10:11 AM
Hi secondfiddle,
I just wanted to let you know that CESI's and nerve blocks are different from each other.
Shirl :)
Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)
The traditional epidural (ep-e-do-ral) steroid injection technique involves the physician feeling the patient's spine in order to guide the placement of a needle between the spinal vertebrae. A newer technique involves using x-ray fluoroscopy (floor-o-sko-pee) to guide the needle directly to the neural foramen, the point where the affected spinal nerve root exits the spine.
Injections of steroids into the lumbar epidural space are particularly useful for pain that radiates from the lower back into a leg. This pain may be caused by disc herniation or spinal stenosis, which triggers nerve root irritation and inflammation. ESIs are also used to treat neck pain that extends into the arms. Injections of steroid medications into joints can help to reduce pain and inflammation. For example, the facet joints of the spine are a common cause of back pain. Injections into these joints or blocks of the nerves that go to the facet joints can often be very helpful with these pains. This problem is more common in the lumbar spine, but also occurs in the neck.
Nerve Blocks are injections of medication onto or near nerves. The medications that are injected include local anesthetics, steroids, and opioids. Blocks are used to control acute pain (i.e., shot at the dentist or an epidural block for the surgical delivery of a baby). X-ray fluoroscopic guidance is sometimes used to help place the needle accurately. Blocks can provide periods of dramatic pain relief, which promotes the desensitization of sensory pathways. Steroids can help reduce nerve and joint inflammation and can reduce the abnormal triggering of signals from injured nerves.
Blocks often provide diagnostic information, helping to determine the source of the pain. Peripheral Nerve Blocks affect the peripheral nerves; nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. These nerves transmit sensation and motor (movement) control.
I just wanted to let you know that CESI's and nerve blocks are different from each other.
Shirl :)
Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI)
The traditional epidural (ep-e-do-ral) steroid injection technique involves the physician feeling the patient's spine in order to guide the placement of a needle between the spinal vertebrae. A newer technique involves using x-ray fluoroscopy (floor-o-sko-pee) to guide the needle directly to the neural foramen, the point where the affected spinal nerve root exits the spine.
Injections of steroids into the lumbar epidural space are particularly useful for pain that radiates from the lower back into a leg. This pain may be caused by disc herniation or spinal stenosis, which triggers nerve root irritation and inflammation. ESIs are also used to treat neck pain that extends into the arms. Injections of steroid medications into joints can help to reduce pain and inflammation. For example, the facet joints of the spine are a common cause of back pain. Injections into these joints or blocks of the nerves that go to the facet joints can often be very helpful with these pains. This problem is more common in the lumbar spine, but also occurs in the neck.
Nerve Blocks are injections of medication onto or near nerves. The medications that are injected include local anesthetics, steroids, and opioids. Blocks are used to control acute pain (i.e., shot at the dentist or an epidural block for the surgical delivery of a baby). X-ray fluoroscopic guidance is sometimes used to help place the needle accurately. Blocks can provide periods of dramatic pain relief, which promotes the desensitization of sensory pathways. Steroids can help reduce nerve and joint inflammation and can reduce the abnormal triggering of signals from injured nerves.
Blocks often provide diagnostic information, helping to determine the source of the pain. Peripheral Nerve Blocks affect the peripheral nerves; nerves beyond the brain and spinal cord. These nerves transmit sensation and motor (movement) control.
feelbad
05-13-2004, 10:58 AM
Are you talking about the ESIs or a stellate ganglion block?they are two totally different things. marcia
papergoods
05-17-2004, 04:50 AM
Hello
wanted to give an update, I had the block last week. I am still in pain. I was pain free for the last few days (down my arm) but today the pain came back, buringing worse than ever.
wanted to give an update, I had the block last week. I am still in pain. I was pain free for the last few days (down my arm) but today the pain came back, buringing worse than ever.