nancyjo
04-29-2009, 09:25 PM
Hi all--
I saw my new PM doctor today and she recommended the series of three injections for my ongoing neck pain. Having read momto3kids' not-so-great experience with these recently, I am not at all sure I want to go this route; does anyone have any input you can share with me?
Thanks,
NancyJo
I saw my new PM doctor today and she recommended the series of three injections for my ongoing neck pain. Having read momto3kids' not-so-great experience with these recently, I am not at all sure I want to go this route; does anyone have any input you can share with me?
Thanks,
NancyJo
Sponsor
SpineAZ
04-30-2009, 12:48 AM
I have found these quite easy. Ask your PM doctor if he uses "conscious sedation" for these. My PM doctor does, so I would lay down and get IV fentanyl and versed. I never felt the cervical injection and went home for a nice nap after each one. They did work for quite a while for me both before and after surgery (with flare ups).
1sunny1
04-30-2009, 12:12 PM
I have had 4 epidurals in the cervical spine. In between these injections, I get trigger point injections. I have no problems with the injections and they give me relief for about 3 months. I do not get any sedation with these and feel no pain, they are pretty easy to have.
Sunny
Sunny
Kerri532
04-30-2009, 01:48 PM
I have never had cervical injections but I had several lumbar injections. I don't think the doctor gave me enough whatever they give you, to numb me. I felt every bit of it and was crying by the time it was over. Since then I have refused injections. I am sure doctors are somewhat different in how they do them but I am totally scared of needles, worse now than before. Last time I had my neck checked out, they wanted to a discogram on my neck. I was too dang scared of that also. Had one done on my lumbar. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. Has anyone had lumbar injections that didn't hurt too bad? I would consider them again if I knew that maybe my doctor didn't numb me enough. I have a different doctor now than when I had them done.
Thanks,
Grandma Kerri
Thanks,
Grandma Kerri
Loyll
07-14-2009, 11:33 AM
I have had a cervical discectomy with fusion in March of 2008. I had 2 epidurals prior to the surgery, but was told if the second one does not give any relief then the third one is useless, so the spinal specialist decided on surgery. After the surgery I did get some relief, but only about 75%.
A year after the surgery the spinal surgeon decided to go with another series of epidural since my pain had not resided. He told me there could be only 3 in a year's period; however, after seven months I could not stand the pain once again and he told me I could have another set of epidurals or go with one every two months. The last two epidurals were so painful that I could not stand straight up afterwards. Each one got worse and I have declined the third and went with trigger point injections along with the epidurals and two of the injections yesterday. I have had to take pain meds during the day several times a day or afte I do anything strenuous. he also told me not to lift over 15lbs for the rest of my life. This has really diminished my activity and have gained weight from both the injections and loss of activity. I try to swim n a daily basis, but biking is out. I also have to take a muscle relaxant at night to sleep at least four hours.
We have decided to try some physical therapy with electrical stiulation and traction. He wants me to get a traction device for the house. I will wait and see. I do think I would rather do this than go through any other surgery, which may be the next stage on a disc lower.
A year after the surgery the spinal surgeon decided to go with another series of epidural since my pain had not resided. He told me there could be only 3 in a year's period; however, after seven months I could not stand the pain once again and he told me I could have another set of epidurals or go with one every two months. The last two epidurals were so painful that I could not stand straight up afterwards. Each one got worse and I have declined the third and went with trigger point injections along with the epidurals and two of the injections yesterday. I have had to take pain meds during the day several times a day or afte I do anything strenuous. he also told me not to lift over 15lbs for the rest of my life. This has really diminished my activity and have gained weight from both the injections and loss of activity. I try to swim n a daily basis, but biking is out. I also have to take a muscle relaxant at night to sleep at least four hours.
We have decided to try some physical therapy with electrical stiulation and traction. He wants me to get a traction device for the house. I will wait and see. I do think I would rather do this than go through any other surgery, which may be the next stage on a disc lower.
tata616
07-14-2009, 11:54 AM
I have had one ESI. I received a topical anesthetic (lidocaine?) and felt a few twitches of pain. I have had NO relief from the epidural so my PM has advised against anymore.
I have friends who had cervical injections and they mostly report pain relief and were quite pleased with the results. Everyone is different. YMMV.
I have friends who had cervical injections and they mostly report pain relief and were quite pleased with the results. Everyone is different. YMMV.
Toonces1
07-14-2009, 02:29 PM
I had two cervical ESIs and a couple of facet injections. I did not get any sedation. I was scared with the first one and was shaking a bit, but after I realized it wasn't that bad, I calmed down. I didn't think they were too bad. It was not comfortable, but my doctor was very gentle and kind (and cute) so he made me feel a little better about it. I was also told that if you don't get relief by the second one, then it doesn't make sense to get the third, which was my case. I have heard that a lot of people do well with them. My brother had lumbar ESIs and they helped him quite a bit.
michelemore
07-14-2009, 08:46 PM
I've had several injections. First was in my neck (broke it when I was a kid) Second was in my lower back which wasn't quite as good but I've since found out the problem is actually in my tailbone which I have broken twice. Now I get 3 injections a year in my tailbone and my sciatica has totally disappeared. I would like to get it in my neck again but my neck pain doesn't totally ruin my day and I can make it better through other self treatments and ice. So I ALWAYS get pain medication!! It's not enough to lay you out but I wouldn't want to drive a car afterward. Even with the pain meds I still get a painful "pressure" feelings in both my legs as I did in my arms with the neck injections but I feel the pain is so worth the relief.
All in all my life is so much better with these injections. They do make me anxious for a few days and sleepless. I ask my family doctor for Lunesta to help me sleep at night, it's quite effective.
I would recommend these injections to anyone who has spinal pain. I've been told to never have them in the shoulders or knees because they are harmful to your cartilidge.
All in all my life is so much better with these injections. They do make me anxious for a few days and sleepless. I ask my family doctor for Lunesta to help me sleep at night, it's quite effective.
I would recommend these injections to anyone who has spinal pain. I've been told to never have them in the shoulders or knees because they are harmful to your cartilidge.