I have to go have it done tomorrow on my neck. The dr will be doing three joints on both sides...I understand the pain can go away and come back...My question is: will/could the pain come back worse than it is already now? (my pain meds barely help as it is)...Also how many injections can you have done at one time, etc? and will I really be sedated all day? (I dont want somone to d rive me and dont want to take the whole day off work) I am just wondering and alittle nervous..thanks!
mel

Oh my I had that done on my lower back can't even think of the neck

good luck

:wave: there!! You might want to ask this question over on the spinal board. This board tends to be more towards the lower back and thoracic region. The spinal board is more cervical discs.

Good luck and I hope you can get the answer you are looking for.

Hi! I have never had the neck injected, but have had the lower back done a few times. I had three levels on each side done (so 6 facet joints total). You don't have to take sedation if you don't want to, but I would reccommend having someone drive you. You never know how you will feel afterward, and it is good to have someone there. I personally would reccommend sedation, it is very light and wears off quickly. It just makes the procedure SO much easier on you :) With sedation, it is not that bad. It takes longer for them to prep you, than the actual shots which take about 15 minutes. Good luck! Kera4

i agree about the sedation. i had 3 levels done each side 4x. 2x were sedated, and 2 were not.
it makes it so much easier...its just scary to sit there and anticipate the needle going in, and so many times. i think the facet hurt worse than epidural, before and after, but that's just me, and it wasnt on my neck. truth is, you wont know how you will feel after. every set is different. all mine, eventhough they were in the same spot felt different.
also, i have always been made to have someone drive me no matter what type of injection..you may want to make sure you dont need a driver if that's what your basing the sedation on. i would get your appt in the afternoon, so you can work a half day..in the morning, not to risk calling off if your worried about that.
good luck!

I had epidurals and nerve blocks in my neck prior to my ACDF. Currently I have been having the facet injections in my lumbar area...without a great deal of success...they only last for 10 days or so. The neck injections weren't that bad...had sedation for 2 epidurals....and none for one. Had no sedation for the cervical nerve blocks. I was soooo frightened that I would move.and do myself damage that I just laid there like a piece of wood. Yes, it was uncomfortable, but I have had much worse. The worse part of the nerve block was when the stimulated the nerve..yikes...I let them know it was hurting....but it took a bit not to move. I hope that the facet joint injections work for you..the worse part of the procedure is the numbing agents they inject...think of a bee sting - count to 10 and it gets much better. Good luck.

Sage

Hey there...I had them done YESTERDAY!

This was my third time.....

1st time, Hurt and caused me more pain for a week.

2nd time, caused a lot of pain DURING, but only bothered me slightly when I left the place. Didn't help with pain. Ended up getting Radiofrequency injections that DID WORK for me.

YESTERDAY, got 5 injections (as usual) only ONE HURT ALOT, and the other 4 were so-so. Didn't hurt til I went to bed. Feel Ok today.

SEDATION, they give you something to calm you, you are awake for it, and only lasts for THAT TIME you are in the room. Recovery for 1/2 hr, and someone has to drive you home. You are NOT ALLOWED to dribve the rest of the day...but you will feel fine. i went to eat afterwards at a Restaurant.

You'll do great...good luck!!!! Any other Questions, go ahead :)

FYI, I have had 3 Facet Joint Inections, 5 Epidurals, 1 set of trigger point Injections, and 1 set of Radiofrequency injections.