Help! Cervical Epidural? Your thoughts and experience

debi33029 · 01-25-2003, 08:48 PM

Due to an auto accident 11/14/02, I now have C3-4 mild annular disk bulge; C5-6 with a broad-based herniated disk compressing the ventral surface of the cervical spinal cord; C6-7 with a centra herniated disk impinging the ventral thecal sac. Which I've been told simply means a couple of heriated disks with a pinched nerve. Also, a broken knee cap which in the begining due to the different way I was walking all my back pain was blamed on walk. Since then, with the pain getting worse and affecting my right arm with sharp pain and my thumb being numb now for three weeks which hurts and tingles in my hand and back of my hand as well. I was sent for an MRI and the above is the findings. Now I have been told I need an cervical epidural and possible more than one with NO promises that any of them will help. I am scared to death of getting an epidural in that area. The sharp pain is not constant any longer in my forearm and I think I might getting better because of that. I have good and bad days. Please has anyone out there had simular to my condition? I have heard that lumbar epidurals are ok but, cervical are very dangerous. Please give me any and all your thoughts, experiences and/or prayers you may have.... Help - Thanks!

[This message has been edited by debi33029 (edited 01-25-2003).]

[This message has been edited by debi33029 (edited 01-25-2003).]

BlueBelle · 01-26-2003, 02:23 PM

Hi,

I had a total of 5 cervical epidurals over a period of about 4 months.

They said there would be pain during the first 24 hours. For me, I didn't have the pain until the 2nd day. One thing is I didn't look at the needle, ever!!! After all of them were done, my husband told me about it. If I had looked, I would have had more fear.

I had the first two done at a different place then the last three. The first place did a shot to numb it then gave me the epidural and I went home right away. The second place didn't numb me, they just gave me a shot then I had to go to recovery for 30 minutes then I went home. Also the first place did the shots in two week intervals. The second place did them every week.

Try not to think of it too much because that makes the whole experience worse.

After the first two shots, for awhile I felt like I had a new shoulder and arm, it was great but the pain did come back.

I hope your shots work for you.

debi33029 · 01-26-2003, 03:48 PM

BlueBelle,

Thanks so much for the insight. If you don't mind I have a few questions for you - How long were you pain free? Did it only last a week? I know the epidural is not a cure it is just temporary relief;but considering what you went through to have 5 of them was it worth it? How are you today? Did you and/or do you have to have surgery? Who administered your shots? What type of doctor? What disc's did he do? Did you have also a pinched nerve? Why did you change places where you were having them done?

I feel like it is getting better. Almost like I have spasms in my right arm and back every now and then, but the thumb is still numb as before. I have an appt this thursday with a neo doc as I have been being treated by my knee specialist for my broken knee cap. After the MRI he recommended the epidural and that scared me. Went for a consultation and walked out. Then, my knee doctor told me to get a second opionion from a neurological surgeon - so that is this week.

I am so flustrated, confused and scared.. If you had it to do all over again would you still get the five epidurals?

Thank you for taking the time to talk - I wish I would have found this place sooner.. I have been a wreck over all this since I found out 01/13/03.. Boy, I do appreciate you and this web-site.

Thanks again - deb

BlueBelle · 01-27-2003, 03:00 PM

Hi Deb,

I just hopped on the board for a few seconds and saw your questions. I'm going to answer them quick, just had my EMG and a little uncomfortable!!! But here goes,

I was pain free for about couple week, not sure, I didn't write it down. I know I had 2 shots in August then had the other 3 in October. It was definitely worth having them. If they had worked, then I wouldn't be going through all this.

I have a lot of pain in my left shoulder area and down my arm. Used to go to my fingers, but it stops just below my elbow know. Mainly burning and pulling. Sometimes pain, the way I describe it is like people putting razor blades in my shoulder blade. (I have never had that happen, but I'm guessing it is what it would feel like, stinging, burning).

The first two shots I had at a surgery center and a anesthesiologist (spelling?) gave them to me. He was great, real positive. The other three shots I had at a pain center, I'm not sure what kind of dr he was.

I changed places because when my pain came back up, the surgery center couldn't get me in for a week, my pain meds didn't work and I was in too much pain to wait. The pain center got me in right away, so I went there.

I do have pinched nerves and bulging discs and mild degenerative disc. I am under the care of an ortho dr. He is the one that prescribes the shots, tests, etc. I'm guessing I will end up with surgery, he just has to make sure there isn't any nerve damage (that is why I had the EMG), and what levels are actually the problem (according to the MRI, I have things going on at 4 different levels). Anyway, I'm trusting him.

I hope this answered your questions, I'm not very good at it. I hope you are having a little relief today.

debi33029 · 01-27-2003, 09:43 PM

BlueBelle,

Thank you so much for all the info. You have been very informative and I dearly appreciate it.

I do wish you well. Hope you are doing better too.

Today I have a new tingling feeling in my right calf and felt dizzy off and on today. Hopefully, this is not meaning it is getting worse.

Thursday can't come soon enough to see the doctor.

Again, you are great - thank you so much!

Keep in touch! - deb