Hi, After chronic pain from an auto accident 5 years ago that left me with herniated disks in my neck, I've now been told that I have arthritis at C-6&7 and degenerative disk disease throughout my entire cervical spine. I've been to the neurologist and surgery is not their first option at this time. (thank goodness.)

My doc wants to send me to an orthopedic specialist who has had success with injections of cortisone into the neck joints. I am in daily pain now and advil, heating pads, ice, etc. are not cutting it. I started glucosomine and MSM on my own, but today the doctor said a study came out just yesterday that says neither of those really have any effect.

Has anyone had these sorts of shots and did they work for any length of time? I've had cortisone before in my shoulder blade and I know it's something you don't want to do with any regularity.
Thank you for any advice or history you might have with this.

I have OA in the same area due to a fusion I had 2 years ago and have had one injection done and I can honeslty say never again! It didn't help and there is only a 50/50 chance it "might" help. I had mine done with a fluroscopy (sp) which is the best method because it gets exactly in the area that needs to be injected and it still failed and it was one of the most painful things I ever had gone through outside of a lumbar injection (which I'll never do again either)
Furthermore, dispite what doctors tell you, steroidal injections are not intended for usage in the spine anywhere at anytime. They can lead to further damage. There's a bit report on the subject but the name escapes me and it can be found in the pain management board.
For what it's worth the best option until you can actually have it surgically fixed is gentle exercises, ice (if there is swelling never use heat it imflames it more!) and anti-imflamatories. A TENS unit can also provide additional relief as well as Lidocaine patches which is what I use. Advil does not cut it for true arthritis pain you need to be on something prescribed like Mobic which is much stronger and much more effective.
If you are still suffering with pain then you would be best advised to see out a pain management professional to assist you in medicating your pain in an appropriate manner. There are also alternative therapies which are very effective such as massage therapy and even Reiki.

Good luck
Barbie

Hi,

I am with Barbie, I have severe RA and DDD along with having a cervical fusion 7 years ago. The pain can be unbearable and I have had 2 shots that
did not work in fact they made the pain worse. It actually felt better for about a few hours then once the numbing agent disappeared the pain came back worse than it orignally was. I do many things to help with my pain, I go
twice a week to the arthrits pool along with PT. I never wanted to take pain medication but because of the severity of my problem I sometimes have to take it. I am very careful with it but my doctor told me that you can't live with pain on a daily basis. I hope that you can find some treatment along with
a medication that can help you alleviate your pain. the pain management board is wonderful and there are many people that can help you. Several have severe back problems and can answer your questions.
Deb

Hey Deb,
I thought I was the only one who had pain worse AFTER the proceedure than before!! I honestly think it's because the joints become lubricated it gives almost a lose feeling if you will. I had my lumbar done 2 years ago and it was the most horrid experience, I couldn't walk for 3 days and the pain is now 10x's worse with no exaggeration.
I have had the injections in my shoulders, knees and hips since I was a young girl and never had any good results but never had the pain become worse than when I did the cervical and lumbar spine.
It is actually said these types of injections are not intended for the spine because lack of sacrial spacing. Personally I think they shouldn't be done because they increase the pain for some odd reason.
Glad to know I'm not the only person!!

Kissa: There is an on line publication called The Burton Report, that deals with the issues of the ESI's (shots).

Yes I'm quite familiar with the Burton report and argued it with my Pain Management doctor who said "It's a bunch of BS"....
Out of fear of not being able to see him anymore I went ahead and had the proceedure done twice, once in the neck, once in the back. While you might think I'm nuts for subjecting myself to such a thing you should realize how difficult it is to find a doctor in Ohio who does not force you into these injections let alone find one who you can see in a reasonable amount of time.
He and I have come to the agreement that yes I tried them and no I will never do them again. :)
Hugs
Barbie

WOW!! All of you are in agreeance and I am now very reluctant to go see this Orthopedic Specialist Doc! I have had many surgeries & medical problems on other parts of the body and I am ALWAYS in that 10 percentile of patients that things do not go right for! They never can explain the failure, inability to heal properly after surgery, or why it didn't work for me, and so needing further treatments or procedures done...

I swear at times that as you do one procedure you end up with 3 more problems & complications...

This really frightens me that all of you have had increased pain. My brother was also rear-ended in an auto accident one year after me with a lessor injury(what can I say, Washatonians cannot drive in all this rain!) ;) anyway, he had the shots only one time, and he said they did bring him rather "instant" relief, but within less than 3 months they wore off. The original pain is back.

Hhhmmm... I know when you go to the appt, they "assure" you of their success, and it can be a somewhat "pressure situation" if you are not prepared to try whatever practice they are "pushing." (i.e. why are you there wasting their precious time?!)
My regular doc, who is referring me, endorses this Orthopedic doc quite highly as finding success with difficult patients with my injuries.

I will take all of your remarks very seriously before I even consider this! Thank you kindly for your responses. It would figure that with my crummy body - I'd be right there with you all suffering more than when I went in.

Thanks and I hope you all find some good relief as well! :)