Cervical Epidural shots

[KeithEugeneW]

I go in on Feb 13th, and again twice more in March to have the cervical epidural nerve block shots for 2 severely degenerated disks in my neck. I've read a lot about it, and understand what the doctor is going to do, but how much is this going to hurt?

[PsychLea]

Keith,

Good question! I am also looking at that option too. My NS said that the pain doc they use gives heavy sedation, because they don't want me pulling my neck away at the wrong time!

I have had spinal taps before and it is painful, but they do numb the area first with "bee sting" sticking sensations.

I am also interested in others experiences.



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God bless,

Lea

[spazzysmom]

I am going to get my first epidural shot today for this same problem. I have severe pain but also, clumsiness and loss of muscle control in hands. I also tend to have tremors in my hands and arms. Does anyone else experience this? I work at the keyboard all day and, besides being in severe pain all of the time, I am frustrated because I can no longer type as I used to. (It used to be second nature and now it takes double the time with triple the errors). Please let me know I am not crazy!!!

[KeithEugeneW]

You're not crazy, I have a lot of the same, but not quite as bad as yours sounds. I have considerable pain in my neck and shoulder, and semi-numbness down my arm and especially in my fingers. The migraines are the worst part, but since they started me on Neurontin I've only had one, where I used to have 2 or 3 a week and missed a lot of work because of them. I started out as a teletype operator in the Air Force 26 years ago, went into computer programming and then into management where I spend about half my day on the computer, so I can relate the the keyboard thing. Strangely I have more discomfort using the mouse than I do the keyboard. I wish you luck in your shots (sounds like you probably have already had them by now) and hope you share your experience with us. Keep your chin up and hang in there. I'm optimistic that the shots will help me and that I can avoid the surgery. They told me there was a 50% chance they would work and keep me out of surgery. That's better than I have now, so I see that as a positive thing.

[LilDarlin]

I had my first Epidural Cervical Injection on Feb 3, 2002. Yesterday. I was hurting in my upperback/neck all day and it got bad. However my shoulder and arm pain was better. I dont understand why my neck/back was still hurting so badly,...when I got some relief on shoulder and arm. Does anybody know??
Thanks,