puparoo
09-04-2006, 01:41 PM
Hi everyone - I'm getting facet joint injections at levels 3/4 and 5/6 tomorrow morning. I'm going w/o sedation so that I can drive myself the heck out of there. Obviously if that doesn't work, they'll give me sedation, but I have the option. Anyone have experience with facet joint versis ESI's here?
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Puparoo
Scarrry --
Puparoo
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Kissa
09-04-2006, 05:22 PM
I would not advise driving yourself because you do not know how much you may or may not hurt. Some doctors will not even do the proceedure if you do not have someone to drive you home.
It's better to be safe than sorry!
It's better to be safe than sorry!
puparoo
09-05-2006, 02:14 PM
Kissa, you were so right. Docs wouldn't let me drive myself home.
Well, I had the injections around 8am in C3/4 and C4/5 levels at the facet joint, not ESIs. I originally was going to go without any sedation, but chickened out and let them hook me up to an IV. I took a darvocet before I left the house for some relaxation as I thought I would go w/o sedation.
The sedation was versed and they let me control how much I wanted. I said, only a little, but when they drove the needle into my neck, I said MORE, NOW. So I got more - and yes, I wish they would bottle versed, because I would buy it... it's the best.
But, yes, the injections hurt, but were not torturous by any means. They were slightly painful. The local anesthetic hurt the most. The actual facet joint injections were more like 'pressure' and really weren't that bad. I was in and out of there in about 6 minutes. My husband picked me up. Four hours later, no pain yet. We'll see what I'm like over the next 24 hours. But so far so good.
Thanks all.
Well, I had the injections around 8am in C3/4 and C4/5 levels at the facet joint, not ESIs. I originally was going to go without any sedation, but chickened out and let them hook me up to an IV. I took a darvocet before I left the house for some relaxation as I thought I would go w/o sedation.
The sedation was versed and they let me control how much I wanted. I said, only a little, but when they drove the needle into my neck, I said MORE, NOW. So I got more - and yes, I wish they would bottle versed, because I would buy it... it's the best.
But, yes, the injections hurt, but were not torturous by any means. They were slightly painful. The local anesthetic hurt the most. The actual facet joint injections were more like 'pressure' and really weren't that bad. I was in and out of there in about 6 minutes. My husband picked me up. Four hours later, no pain yet. We'll see what I'm like over the next 24 hours. But so far so good.
Thanks all.
neckpatient
09-05-2006, 02:28 PM
Good news for you - no pain! You might want to ice the site as it may become sore later when the numbing med wears off. I also used heat later in the day.
SpineAZ
09-06-2006, 11:57 PM
Puparoo:
Versed can be your friend! I told people the injections didn't hurt and versed led to a pretty relaxing day :-)
Versed can be your friend! I told people the injections didn't hurt and versed led to a pretty relaxing day :-)