After all the injections I have more pain, is this normal? - Pain Management Message Board

sammyo1 · 08-09-2008, 08:55 AM

Ok everyone I thought I would ask, I sure have nothing to loose by doing so.
I am feeling worse, I have a feeling that the injetion in the ribs has turned up the pain abit. At first the injection site was just sore, then it became darn right painful. Lot of pain in the ribs, chest spasms as usual & as of last night it was radiating to the back of the ribs, then woke up with my entire middle back hurting, which could be from the ESIs. Now never had this "pain" with the first set of ESIs. It was hurting me to breathe last night & finally broke down at some time early morning & ask my husbund to rub my back, I had yet to even fall asleep. I am hoping this is normal but am not sure.
I did not feel this bad when the nurse called the day after, it has just progressed. Is this normal, does anyone know?
I am trying as usual to stay positive but heck I dont know if I want that rib area injected again. Its really not pleasant at all. I have iced like mad & will continue to do so. I am dissapointed & trying hard not to give in to giving up hope for future relief, honestly I could just cry. I should have never even let one fraction of hope set in. I am praying that in time it will improve & I will actually get some relief. I hope someone can share some experainces with me. I dont think the rib thing is to common, the injection was done under the breast area pretty close to the sternum. Thanks everyone, Sammy

cmpgirl · 08-09-2008, 09:29 AM

Sammy Darlin',

I'm so sorry you're hurting so bad. I never had any luck w/injections, just more pain. I always hesitate to give my opinions about trigger point injections and ESI's, because I never want to discourage anyone. They do help with some people's pain. I guess it's just one of those things that you have to try, because you never know until you do.

I don't think it does any damage, I just think it's a waste of time when you end up in more pain than you started with. If those rib injections didn't help the first time, I doubt they will be any different a second or third time. If you got some relief from the first round, then maybe you could ask to repeat just that site and skip the ribs next time. This is such a delicate area to begin with. And it is a part of the body that you almost can't help but move.

I hope you feel better each day. I'm praying for you, honey. Please keep us posted, OK? God Bless, CMP/MM

badoldback · 08-09-2008, 11:43 AM

Like cmpgirl I don't say much to discourage people from trying ESI because so many people do report getting some relief from them but in my own experience they are horrible and mainly used to avoid giving people Opiates and to increase doctors income.