Question about neurologist shots - Neurology Message Board

mudbone · 03-17-2007, 07:33 AM

Hi all, I come from a different forum so I am new here. Short history- I have several herniated disks and some other things I dont quite understand with my spine. I'v been on a bunch of meds of different kinds, some worked some didnt, some were bad., Now on Oxycontin and roxicodone for rescue. My Dr is now sending me to a neurologist for eveluation and has described these shots that after about 3 of them I should be pain free. Has anyone else had them? if so what were your experiences. Did it help? Hurt? Was it worth it?
I am scared of shots like you cant imagine,

I mean Id rather be hit by freight train, so they probably gonna have to put me out.

Katirina · 03-17-2007, 09:19 AM

Are you talking about steroid injections? I go to a pain clinic and the doctor there gives me with injections with the use of an x-ray machine. I had shots in the doctors office prior to this. Here is the difference I experienced. In the doctor's office I would lay down and pull my legs up and he would tell me exactly what he was doing. There would be a numbing shot and then the injection. It was not pleasant but he was very gentle and I have had migraine shots all my life and also these same type shots in my neck so it was okay. At the pain clinic they gave me an iv and had meds in it that made you forget what about the procedure. Of course this is a lot more expensive but with insurance wasn't that bad. I was afraid also but the results were good for a while and now I am in awful pain. However some people get the shots and are pain free for months. Tell the dr of your fears as most doctors can be very nice and sympathic. Good luck.

Tripletmom · 03-17-2007, 12:59 PM

Katrina is right...usually steriod injections are given in a series of 3. It is usually the first "hoop" you need to jump through in pain management, and then if they don't work, you might then do an RFA (Radio Frequency Albration) which is also used with needles that vibrate so quickly, that they heat up and burn the nerve endings that are causing the pain...these are the ones done with help of and Xray and IV meds.

I found the steroid injections to be more unpleasant, obviously, mostly at the injection site where it was bruised.

Good Luck~
D.

mudbone · 03-17-2007, 03:24 PM

Thanks for the input, as I know there will be many "hoops" as I'v been jumpin now for a while. Did they work enough for you to be completely off the meds?

Tripletmom · 03-17-2007, 04:53 PM

Hi Mudbone~

I had a L4/5 fusion back in 97'. Before going to that length, I had to do the steriod injections to see if they would be helpful, unfortuantely they were not. After my surgery, my ortho doc kindly referred me to a pain specialist. With him, I did the RFA under IV meds, and I found those to be very helpful. I have had several of those when the pain got worse and the meds were not working.
We moved to another state several years ago, and although I FINALLY found a Dr that treats me well, she is not qualified to do injections, so I have not had any while here, and really haven't needed to...thankfully.
Anyway, to answer your question...no, I still have to use meds, but NOT as much and NOT as strong. It really is a personal thing...what doesn't work well for one, may work well for another, and vice versa...
Good Luck, and I hope you feel well enough to keep jumpin' through those hoops...LOL
D.