I sure got things changed around. First the pain clinic thought I was going to be a cervical injection, but I kept telling them my headaches were the bigger issue, so I got an occipital nerve block instead.

It was more relaxed than I anticipated. I just sat in a chair with my head on my arms, leaning over a pillow. Then they did a shot on each side of the rear of my head, into the occipital nerve. I was in and out of the procedure room in about a half hour, and that's with about 20 minutes of sitting there after the shots to check vital signs. They even let me walk to the discharge area-no wheelchair for me!

Right now my head feels kind of heavy and the back of the head feels like your gums at the dentist. They warned me that once the numbing agent wears off I might feel some pain/pressure for a couple of days, but after that I should get relief.

Not being one to take orders to rest too seriously, and since it was only 9:15, hubby and I stopped for breakfast, then the computer store, the bakery outlet and the bike shop (the tandem's chain broke on DH and his cycling buddy last night). I'm hoping the weather is nice Sunday and I'm up for a spin. Right now, though, I'm off to rest for a couple of hours. Doctor's orders, ya know :D

Feeling hopeful today this will at least make the headaches go away.

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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware

Hi Nancy,

It's nice that you go someplace where you get to control your treatment or at least listen to you. The description of your block sounded like my epis. Sit, bend head down, stick, wait for vitals and I was out in 20 minutes.

I'll think good thoughts and hope that you soon see some relief from the effort.

Rest up, you've had a busy week.

Bruce :)

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ACDF with plating and donor bone C6-7 (1/29/03)

[This message has been edited by BWL (edited 04-02-2003).]

Hi Nancy,
I hope the nerve block has given you some releif. I am still considering trying this after my discogram(scared!)depending on what it finds. I still feel headaches are my biggest problem also. How is it going?

Mel

Mel, thanks for asking. It may be kind of early yet to tell if this will work. Last night I had the pain behind my right eye again (sigh), and I have had some occipital pain, but nothing like the killer headaches of November.

I have pain in my right elbow, and am thinking that if it doesn't dissipate I'll ask for a trigger point injection in my arm.

One thing I've noticed is I sure get tired. Maybe it's a combination of the shot and the increase in painkillers I am taking as a precaution, but I'm wiped out. I'm going to cut the Lortab back again in a couple of days and see how I do.

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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware

Hi Nancy,
How are you feeling now. Headache update? Have you considered a nerve block for the arm pain? I guess a trigger point shot may be similar. My Dr said the occipital block is a painfull one and it may take a while to settle. So I guess some initial headache is a good sign in a way as it may be working.Take care,

Mel

Hi Nancy,
Wondering how you are feeling?!
Let us know okay?
Catherine

This Wednesday I go for my second shot, and I'm definitely going to lobby for either the cervical spine or in the arm itself this time.

My head is doing better since the occipital block. I haven't had a real pain behind the right eye for a few days, though I still feel some pressure there. The arm symptoms are more pronounced of late, as well as the burning/pain between the shoulderblades.

So for now my plan is to do the neck this shot and see which area is worse for the third series. Then wait and see if I can bully my way through the summer, ride my bike (planning to try that today again) and still probably get surgery #2 this fall.

I will be getting the EMG on my leg on Thursday and will ask for a copy of that EMG on my arm from two weeks prior. It will be interesting to see how improved the results are or are not this far out from surgery.

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Nancy D-ACDF C6-7 on 6/7/02. Donor bone with no hardware

Nanner..
I am just wondering why your having surgery again this fall? Is it for another disc or are you having same place done over for a failed previous surgery?

Did the shots help?

Hope your able to ride like you want and best wishes for pain free days....

Sher
Cervical Fusion C5/6 w/donor bone w/plating March 6-03