upcoming 3rd cervical esi....couple questions

[hethr1]

hi there,

i'm a 37 yr old female with neck problems. here's what's going on:
bulging disks at c4-5 & c5-6, herniation c6-7, numerous bone spurs, degenerative disk disease.

after my first 2 esi's (done in upper shoulder/low neck area), i had the following side effects, which lasted about 1 - 2 weeks.

edgy/hateful/aggresive feeling, heart raced on & off, acne along jawline (the sore kind), huge appetite (even after eating), felt very bloated (especially face...like a balloon), some headaches, very emotional and tense all over!!

i have had some relief from the first 2 injections (which were spaced 3 weeks apart). my 3rd one on monday, will be 5 weeks since my 2nd. i've put it off mostly because i'm SO NERVOUS about the out-of-control feeling again. my primary care dr said it sounds like my body is quite sensitive to the medications used. on a positive note, i haven't been taking as many pain pills since the 2 injections.

here's what was each injection:
1-2 cc of 1% lidocaine
1 cc salt water
1 cc isovue
200 mg dye
800 mg kenalog

my neurosurgeon said he would have to do a 3-level fusion and wanted me to try all other options for relief before moving in that direction. i'm hoping they approve the use of artificial disks in the next couple years and i can have surgery that way.

has anyone had similar side effects from esi"s? if so, does it get any better after each injection? any advice you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated!

[siberiandog]

well i think if they made me feel that way ,id be leanin more towards the fusion,and ive heard minimaly evasive surgery is alil less painful,and you heal lil quicker,less hospirtal time, just a thought

[dave-r]

I just finished my 3rd esi yesterday and they spaced mine one week apart. I have had mixed emotional reactions, mainly from the fact that the injections have not really helped me and that I have more pain to look foreward to. Mine went into the spinal region of c6&7. I have spoken to people who have said that the worked, some say they don't work, and some say that it made them worse. I would have to say anything that might have the possibilty of avoiding surgury (I had L4&5 laser surgury 9 years ago that went south) is something to try.

[carol632]

With the reaction you experienced with the first 2, I would not chance the third. There have been 2 people on another board I am a member of who have had reactions like yours, but much more severe. One went into a serious 5 day long rage, and the second almost committed suicide. I would be afraid of what would happen with the 3rd one...it might be overload.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Carol