Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
I need to have soaking cold towels and ice around my head and 2 very nice nurses to get me to realax and cool down. 2nd injection and wil be my last. My surgeon is all business, but the nurses are geat. Surgeon really gave it to me today.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
Injections need not be as traumatic. Both Pain Management doctors I have used utilize light IV sedation during the injection and then inject pain medications immediately after. Because of the versed used in the IV for conscious sedation I have never felt the back injections at all (or if I have the versed allowed me to not be aware).
And there are some people who choose not do sedation and do quite well. Not me, sedation all the way.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
Yes. I think you are right. I'm done with the shots though. I probably need sedation. Just wish the surgeon who injects has as good as understanding as the nurses, that this is painfull to some people. This time I warned them. Felt like they soaked me down with a hose. Again, thanks to the nurses.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
I have had as many as about 100 injections in my back L4-L5 7 L5-S1 facet joints and also L5 nerve root. I have learned to relax as much as I can (not easy) but if you tense up it only makes it worse. The worst is the initial jab and if any hits the nerve you get nerve pain. The nerve root block injections where the worst but the one that bothered me was when the doctor had to reposition the needle under CT guidance, a few times to get it right along side of the nerve that was already compressed by the vertebrae. They tend also to be worse if you are already in a lot of pain. I am going to discontinue any injections because my testosterone has been very low and also I am concerned about how much cortisone is being placed around the bone, as I have been told to avoid that. Allan
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25-Nov-2010: ALIF fusion L5-S1. 9 years of Chronic lower back pain. Nearly 18 months of pain across my upper pelvis, through my butt and down my left leg into my foot. Sciatica relieved by surgery.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
My Pain Management doctor always sedates me just long enough to get the injection so I never feel any pain. I'm awaken a few minutes later. About 25 years ago a doctor gave me an injection similar to yours and I've never forgot it. Sounds like its time to find a new doctor. Try a Pain Management doctor.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
Seriously - look for a new pain management doc. I had three cervical ESI's - I was sedated for all three - had excrutiating back spasms for two weeks from the second one - they did the third shot a bit different (not really sure - since I was sedated) but - I did not hurt afterwards. Just was a bit sleepy.
Rose
The following user gives a hug of support to rose4me: weitz (03-03-2011)
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
You guys are lucky my doctors have never even suggested sedation. I just grin and bear it. Though I have been through a lot and have become very resilient. Its not that bad usually if you have an experienced doctor. Anyhow good luck to anyone going for their first. Allan
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25-Nov-2010: ALIF fusion L5-S1. 9 years of Chronic lower back pain. Nearly 18 months of pain across my upper pelvis, through my butt and down my left leg into my foot. Sciatica relieved by surgery.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
J just think that back injections can be presented in a way that they are easy. Just saying for me, they are tramadic, painfull for me, but work. Did I mention that I love nurses?
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
I have had a number of injections from ESI's to several nerve blocks, and I have never had severe pain from them. There is a minor bee's sting sensation when the needle first goes in, but I usually have more pain from having blood drawn from my arm quite frankly.
I was scared to death the first time I had one, but now it doesn't bother me at all. I don't use any sedation.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
My Pm numbs me with novacaine before he does the injection. And because I am fused from T9 to my sacrum, I have caudal injections. Where they go in from the bottom of your tainbone and go straight up. Not the most pleasant experience... But all I suffer is some minor hot pressure feeling because my PM is that good. I wouldn't let anyone else there do the shots.. that and I brought my teddy bear along.
Last edited by ibake&pray; 03-22-2010 at 06:55 AM.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
OMG Bake&Pray I just had a Caudal with the pain meds and I felt every jab. I was sobbing thru the whole procedure and they gave me 3 vials of something but it just didn't help. I think the problem was Dr. found a huge patch of scar tissue and couldn't get thru it but kept trying. I have had this procedure before with a different docor and I remember it hurt but not like it hurt this time. I think these things go differntly for everyone though. A regular epidural doesn't bother me much at all-but the caudal sure is a horse of a different color!
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Cervical fusion C-3,4 June 2004
Lumbar fusion L3,4-5 November 27 2006
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
I'm really scared now after reading everyones opinions. I'm still waiting for WC to approve the shot so I haven't had one yet. I just hope if I get one it really works like the doctor believes and things get better.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
Just understand that sometimes it takes a couple of rounds of injections for them to work properly. That is what I believe but others may know a bit more about the actual injections you are referring to. There are a couple different types and different placement as the doctor may send you for a CT guided injection or if he is very experienced he may choose to go ahead with it himself. I wish you luck with that but try not to worry to much as the pain usually doesn't last to long and sometimes you may have instant relief of some of your pain. Also the more relaxed you are the easier the injections go in as if you are tense it makes the muscles harder and if you can just really take your mind off to somewhere else it will be a much better experience. Allan
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25-Nov-2010: ALIF fusion L5-S1. 9 years of Chronic lower back pain. Nearly 18 months of pain across my upper pelvis, through my butt and down my left leg into my foot. Sciatica relieved by surgery.
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
I hope I didn't scare you. That wasn't my intention. I do believe that these shots just like any other procedure are different for everyone. I do recommend the sedation because the more relaxed you are the easier it goes and I like knowing when I get home I will at least get a few hours of good sleep. I have had mostly good luck with the epi's. I haven't had to have a caudal since 2006 so it worked and lasted quite awhile. I think this time tho the scar tissue is the issue and thats why I still hurt.
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Cervical fusion C-3,4 June 2004
Lumbar fusion L3,4-5 November 27 2006
Re: Back Injection are painful. Don't let them tell you they are not
Thanks for explaining more. My doctor's appointment was cancelled for tomorrow. So I have another week to see if WC gives the go head. I noticed that it's not good to stress with my back. The pain gets worse so I try to relax.
