Agia Apostle
01-03-2006, 01:45 PM
I was hit and injured last Feburary 20 in a car accident. I have a bulge in C5-C6, bone spur, and absolutely unbearable pain right now. Been down the road with P.T. , 4 Drs. and now find myself at a pain clinic. I am set to have my first epurdal tomorrow, but I am so frightened! I take Perc. for pain, but it does very little to nothing to relieve my pain. The oddness of the injury is the pain will be at a level 10 for 3 weeks, go away, and come back where I cannot even move. I never know what little movement will cause the pain to return. It has been four days now not being able to move due to the pain, so I hope someone will give a glimmer of hope the shot may help or reccomend other courses of treatment. NOBODY in my family or friends understand what I am experiencing, so I am relieved to have finally found this source of information and support.
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catsblueeyes1
01-03-2006, 04:10 PM
Hi,
I have had these injections in the cervical area, make sure that they are doing this under flouroscopy, this is important because they can see and guide the needle to to the proper area. I always get some sedation because
I have a fear of this procedure also. You are not completely out but you are relaxed. Just call and tell them you want some sedation, most Doctors will
be receptive. I will tell you from experience that some injections will work and sometimes they don't. It is over quickly and it really isn't bad, I hope that the
injection really helps your pain and you have a wonderful New Year!
Deb
I have had these injections in the cervical area, make sure that they are doing this under flouroscopy, this is important because they can see and guide the needle to to the proper area. I always get some sedation because
I have a fear of this procedure also. You are not completely out but you are relaxed. Just call and tell them you want some sedation, most Doctors will
be receptive. I will tell you from experience that some injections will work and sometimes they don't. It is over quickly and it really isn't bad, I hope that the
injection really helps your pain and you have a wonderful New Year!
Deb
ccoopah
01-03-2006, 04:30 PM
I had a bulging disc that had ruptured and spewed gel onto a nerve root.I did precocet and anti-inflammatories, then steroid pack and then a ortho surgeon told me I would need an operation to remove the problem.I had been on my back(literally for 10 days). I decided to try pain management and it was greatest thing I ever did. I had a great "shooter". He shot me right where the problem was and it helped 'wash" the gel off the root and shrink the disc back into place. After the 1st shot, the next day I could walk. After the second shot, within 4 days, I was back running.
I should never have wasted my time with all the other fixes.
They put me under'concious sedation" you go to sleep - and did the epidural. I believe that I got a steroid (to fix the problem-wash gel off root and shrink disc back) and a pain medication.
My edidural did not hurt at all! Good luck to you and I hope that you also have a great outcome!!!
I should never have wasted my time with all the other fixes.
They put me under'concious sedation" you go to sleep - and did the epidural. I believe that I got a steroid (to fix the problem-wash gel off root and shrink disc back) and a pain medication.
My edidural did not hurt at all! Good luck to you and I hope that you also have a great outcome!!!
Agia Apostle
01-03-2006, 08:52 PM
Thanks for the encouragement! I will put a post as soon as I am up and around. Looking forward to being pain free and hopeful for a brighter New Year too. Happy New Year too.
Betsy
Betsy
trauma_girl
01-03-2006, 09:07 PM
I had my first ESI today, the md gave me a versed, fentenal coctail, and I was awake durning the whole procedure, it did hurt and burn but it was over quick, I am still waiting for it to kick in, I am still in pain, good luck tomarrow
Agia Apostle
01-03-2006, 10:49 PM
Trauma Girl ~
Did you have the meds through an IV? I talked to the reception at my
PM office, and she said I will not remember much.....Hope you feel better tomorrow. I am so wide awake right now and so nervous. Should I ask for pain medication before the procedure? Not sure the pain will go away, and I have been told you really ache the next day at the minimum. Hope you can sleep a bit tonight.
Did you have the meds through an IV? I talked to the reception at my
PM office, and she said I will not remember much.....Hope you feel better tomorrow. I am so wide awake right now and so nervous. Should I ask for pain medication before the procedure? Not sure the pain will go away, and I have been told you really ache the next day at the minimum. Hope you can sleep a bit tonight.
trauma_girl
01-04-2006, 11:40 AM
Yes I got meds through an IV, but only enough to relax you, I remember everthing... I hope all goes well today, and keep us posted. I am on my 2nd day now and still in pain, I have been told it sometimes takes three days to kick in... good luck Angelia
catnap
01-04-2006, 12:51 PM
I have had the injections in my lumbar. Not anything to worry about. Believe me there are much worse tests they can torture us with Just a lot of pressure in the spine. I was pain free for about 4 hours afterwards because my injuries were herniated disks. They don't work for muscle or tendon injury.
Good luck to you,
Carol
Good luck to you,
Carol
Agia Apostle
01-05-2006, 11:32 AM
Survived my first epedural yesterday! The staff and the Dr. were wonderful at helping me relax before the procedure. Half the office has had these shots, so they had understanding and compassion. After the IV was put in and I started to relax, I was completely under and remember nothing about the shots. My first waking moment I was sitting up and they were asking if I wanted anything to drink. Afterwards, I was in pain and swollen. I was surprised to feel such pain in my spinal area, below the origianl site of pain. I counted 8 Needle injections. He put injections on both sides of the bulge. Is that in range to have so many injections? hmm...
I iced every hour yesterday and that helped tremendously. I am still swollen and sore today, so I will ice again all day and take perc. every 4-6 hours for pain control. The Dr. wants to do another series of shots in two weeks, but the nurse said 1 week was OK too. Is that too soon to have the shots so close together? Any advice is welcome. The only surprise was the level of pain and swelling yesterday, but I knew not what to expect. Can't even imagine being awake through that process. Thanks for the kind words and letting me know what to really expect!
Betsy :bouncing:
I iced every hour yesterday and that helped tremendously. I am still swollen and sore today, so I will ice again all day and take perc. every 4-6 hours for pain control. The Dr. wants to do another series of shots in two weeks, but the nurse said 1 week was OK too. Is that too soon to have the shots so close together? Any advice is welcome. The only surprise was the level of pain and swelling yesterday, but I knew not what to expect. Can't even imagine being awake through that process. Thanks for the kind words and letting me know what to really expect!
Betsy :bouncing:
pedden
01-05-2006, 12:57 PM
I was fully awake with all of my lumbar epidural Steroid Injections back when I had all of them, and yes it was painful, only because of the pressure really though. But I was having 7 injection sites at a time and yes every other week I had that series of injections for a total of 21 injections. Which did'nt provide me with no permanent relief but alot of people I know personally have had great results. Also I was wanting to share that one of my best friends had 12 needles in each of his series, yes count them a series of 12 injectinos each tim ehe went in for injections, can you say oooooooowwwwww. But I was just wanting to chime in with my experience and knowledge in this situation which isn't much, but figured it might help someone feel better. Good Luck to you for Pain Relief from your injections, I will keep you in my prayers as well.
Sincerely,
Jonathan W. Motte :wave: :)
Sincerely,
Jonathan W. Motte :wave: :)
Agia Apostle
01-05-2006, 01:45 PM
Jonathan,
Thanks for letting me know I am not the only walking and talking pin cushion in town!
I had no idea they poked you so many times at once, but with so much pain I am glad he went for it. Now I wait to see & pray I find relief. Hope you are having a day not filled with pain.
Betsy
Thanks for letting me know I am not the only walking and talking pin cushion in town!
I had no idea they poked you so many times at once, but with so much pain I am glad he went for it. Now I wait to see & pray I find relief. Hope you are having a day not filled with pain.
Betsy
catnap
01-05-2006, 02:36 PM
You did not get any relief from the epidural? I was told that if I had a herniated disk I would get relief for about 4 hours and that is what happened. Although one time the doc that did one of my injections did not do it right and it caused me a lot of pain afterward. I didn't mention that in my previous post to you because I didn't want you to go in thinking they might not know what they were doing. This happened to me and to my dad by the same doctor. We never went to him again.
Agia Apostle
01-05-2006, 04:50 PM
I did get relief from the epdural, but was sore and swollen around the injection sites and about 6" down my back. I am petite and very sensitive to any shot given to me anywhere. I am continuing to ice today and the soreness and achy feeling is better. Compared to yesterday I am in much better shape. Ice is my new best friend right now. I was told to expect this achiness for 48 hours. I can't imagine how you could have so many shots and not hurt! Glad you did not tell me a horror story, but I read quite a few from others and that is why I was terrified!
trauma_girl
01-05-2006, 04:56 PM
Glad all went well with you, I sure wish i was asleep with mine,lol I too am feeling better today, day three for me...but still my pain scale is higher than pre shot, hope it keeps getter better for the both of us... keep us posted, after reading how many holes you had i checked mine and I have three, good luck Angelia
Agia Apostle
01-05-2006, 05:46 PM
I had my first ESI today, the md gave me a versed, fentenal coctail, and I was awake durning the whole procedure, it did hurt and burn but it was over quick, I am still waiting for it to kick in, I am still in pain, good luck tomarrow
Glad you are feeling a little better today. Is your pain in a different area from your original pain spot? Three holes sounds better than eight to me. Are you icing? The ice is helping me more than anything right now, especially with the swelling. Keep in touch. Betsy
Glad you are feeling a little better today. Is your pain in a different area from your original pain spot? Three holes sounds better than eight to me. Are you icing? The ice is helping me more than anything right now, especially with the swelling. Keep in touch. Betsy
Agia Apostle
01-06-2006, 07:19 PM
3 Days later and NO PAIN when I woke up today. I thought it was a dream at first and I did not want to open my eyes. I feel a little stiff, but that is it. I am so relieved. Dr. wants to do another series in 1-2 weeks. Now I am on heat and finished with the ice for now...... Thanks for your support and personal stories.
Betsy :wave:
Betsy :wave: