Still in lots of pain from injection - Pain Management Message Board

HockeyCrystal · 10-27-2003, 05:37 PM

Last Monday (The 20th of October) I had an SI procedure done, where they injected several different meds including numbing, steroids, and some other into my SI joint. I was wondering if anyone else had ever had this done before, and if they were still in as much pain a week later. I've been hurting quite a bit still. I talked to the receptionist at my pm doc's office today and she said that it's normal to still be tender, but I'm not sure if she means as sore as I am. I'm still limping from the pain...I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this, and if so, can you share with me please? I really wish it would just quit hurting...

I've been in so much pain this past week, it almost doesn't seem worth trying the injection.....

Much

Crystal

avogadro · 10-27-2003, 07:45 PM

Crystal,

I had my 2 week check-up this morning from my injections. It was REALLY bad for the first week to 10 days. But, this weekend, I noticed a HUGE improvement. That was about 12 days post-procedure.

She told me it was very normal. She has actually had patients that end up going to the ER within the first week because they think somehting is horribly wrong!

So, next Tuesday, I am going back for my 3rd ESI on the left and then the same steroid, nerve block, numbing but on the right side. She only did the left side the first time.

She gave me a new prescription - for Percocet 10/325. I have never taken this med before but I guess it is stronger than the Norco 10/325 which I have been taking. She said to get the prescription filled and save it. It is specifically for the pain following the procedure.

I hope that you start to feel better in a few days!

Let us know how you are doing....

AV

HockeyCrystal · 10-27-2003, 08:30 PM

Av,
Hey hun thanks for replying. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better... I'm in so much pain, I just want to sleep constantly. And because of the first couple days, I took extra of my meds from the pain, but now since I'm low, I've gotta go easy on the meds. I can't even take what I'm allowed in a day... Not until Wed or Thurs... I'm just hoping this pain goes soon. I'm about to die from this stupid pain. I'm really beginning to think this procedure wasn't worth the time and effort and especially the pain! I really hope it helped SOMETHING!

Anyway, I know it's not like me to have a negative attitude, I'm just so tired of the regular pain, and now I've got post-procedure pain on top of it, with the same meds that barely work for my regular pain... I'm sorry for my negativity, but I'm really glad you are doing better. Hopefully I will be too. Thanks again for your sweet and caring reply. I appreciate your time that you took to reply and share your experiences w/ me. You're too sweet.

Much

Crystal

avogadro · 10-27-2003, 08:41 PM

Crystal,

I really think you will start to feel better in a few days. When do you have your follow-up appointment?

When my doctor asked me today how I was feeling, I went over how bad it was for the first 10 days. She told me that was normal. Then, I told her that this weekend I was MUCH better. I actually did all sorts of things this weekend with my son and did not even think about the pain (WOW - that is a miracle to me!). So, she asked me where I was having pain. I warned her that she might think I was crazy. But, I told her I was having pain in my lower back but on the RIGHT side. My pain has ALWAYS been on the left. I thought I was going nuts. It was amazing... she said she was totally not at all surprised. She said that a lot of times, people have so much pain focused on one side that they don't realize it hurts somewhere else too. So, once the injections helped on the left, I started to notice the right. Which is why next Tuesday, I will be doing it all over again but on the other side!

Keep us informed on how you are doing. Have you thought about calling and talking to the doctor or trying to get your follow-up appointment moved up? At least if it is not better within 10-14 days?

AV

lgriffincsa · 10-27-2003, 09:36 PM

Crystal and all,
How about that, I had my ESI, (cadual) on the 20th also! I could barely walk out of the Dr.s office (thats where I had the shot). I spent 4-5 days in bed. I have had a total of 4 ESI's this year so far. I hope this was it for a long while. I have not gotten any releif from any of the previous shots, but I must admit that I have a 20% reduction in my pain from this last one. I had an area as big as my hand is wide and long in my lower back that has been killing me. I still have pain in the whole area, but in the lower part of that section my hand covers, it is somewhat better. I hope I dont have to have any more shots any time soon. I think I read that you should only have 3 per year, is this correct? If so, I have gone over my limit as I have had 4 since January. What do you think my doc will do, wait till I can have more shots, give me more now, or insist that I have the neucleoplasty now? I want to wait on the shots, and avoid the neucleoplasty altogether. I have 1 torn disc,(so says the discogram, but my body tells me I have 2) which the neucleoplasty should help, but I also have a bad case of DDD and spondyloysis (whatever that is). From what I read, the neucleoplasty will only be a temporary fix because the DDD will get worse in a few years and I will require fusion. Thanks for listening and any advice, and Crystal I hope that your pain goes away from the injection. Good luck and thanks.

------------------
1998-Major rear-end colision
1998-mid2000-Chiropractic care
2000-mid2002-Pain level increased drasticly. No insurance, took a combo of every OTC painreleiver imaginable.
2002-MRI/ L3/L4 and L4/L5 annular bulging; DDD L4-5 and L5-S1
2003 February- Orthopeadic Spinal Surgeon said not a candidate for surgery,Percocet 5/325 every 6 hrs.
2003 June-1 month at PM clinic, Percocet 7.5/325 every 4 hrs.
08JULY2003-Had Discogram, comfirmed ********ming from L4-L5 disc.Followup confirms tear at L4/L5, pushing on a nerve.
JULY2003-Duragesic patch, had allergic reaction, switched to Norco. Norco provides no releif. Dr. wants me to have IDET. NOPE!!
14AUG2003- New PM Dr. switched me to Oxycontin, 20mg/2x a day.
Lorocet+ 2x per day, no releif. Need 3x/day Oxycontin, or ESI's to start to help.
EMG says severe nerve irritation in lower back. Shows legs ok.
06SEPT03-Severe butt/leg/foot pain, suddenly while driveing, feels like constant electrial shock, I am worried about symptom change.
Sept.12,2003-ESI, no releif.
Oct.6,2003-ESI, no releif.
Oct.20,2003-Caudal epidural scheduled. Last one in series. Scared as heck,as I hear they are painful. Decompression considered if Caudal fails. (Non-invasive/fast recovery time)
Surgery is NOT an option at this time, do to meds working great, long recovery time, possible failure and need to have surgery again.