Had Epidural in cervical spine 2 days ago still in pain help! - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

alex12 · 10-03-2007, 05:48 AM

Thanks for reading...
2 days ago I had an ESI, my first ever. Well the next day I went to work (I work in a pretty physical environment), I lasted 5 hours went home and had a throbbing headache just in the right side of my head, it also traveled down my arm, it was piercing and still hurts. I called the Doctor since I was on the verge of tears, she said it could be a side effect of the cortisone or just pain from my stenosis and the medication not being absorbed yet. At any rate I did not go to work today, she advised me to take a day off. I am still in pain and my neck still hurts.... I am supposed to have 2 more but I think I may pass. Has anyone been in a lot of pain after ESI?
I just cant keep taking off of work... I am so upset!

Thanks

Backinthesaddle · 10-03-2007, 06:52 AM

Hmmm not sure why you are in so much pain, I had a series of 3 and did not have any problems. Could it be that they pierced the cord and need a blood patch? I am not sure that is the right wording but I know when I had a mylegram for example I was fine but my gal pal had one and ended up with a horrid headache and had to go have a blood patch done. Look into it..

acaptainn · 10-03-2007, 07:49 AM

Evry time i have a procedure i hurt like hades for a few days, the doc dint seem to believe me at 1st but now has started given me some meds aftr the procedures, they tell me all people react and heal differently.
Goodluck

PNo · 10-03-2007, 12:50 PM

Hi alex12,
I also get bad headaches for about 3 days after these procedures. Doc says its probably reaction to the meds and steroids. They have me up my pain meds for a couple days after.

One trick is to schedule injections on Friday to allow the weekend to regroup. Use ice pack on your head and neck, it really does help.

Before you give up, you might want to try at least #2, it can take a week or more for the steroids to work so you might not be feeling anything right now. The 2nd dose of steroids, might help you. If you get no relief after 2 injections, then it could be a reasonable decision to not do #3.

Hang in there.

alex12 · 10-03-2007, 01:29 PM

Thank you all for the feedback. Its so nerve racking to have someone stick a needle in your neck and then when the pain is more severe after the fact you start to get nervous something went wrong!

Thank God that there is a place to get opinions otherwise I wold be lost!