I am having a cervival ESI done on 6/20/12 to help with my spinal stenosis. I am scared and anxious about having this procedure. I know that the results differ with each person, but I was hoping that someone might be able to share their story as it results to getting the steroid shots. Thank you so much for your time.
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Bambino Bear kenzibenzi (06-16-2012), Orlandohot (06-16-2012)
I've never had one, but do hope yours goes fine! I hope it brings you some relief. Good luck, and let us know how it goes and if you get any relief. ~Kenzi.
The following user gives a hug of support to kenzibenzi: Bambino Bear (06-18-2012)
The Following User Says Thank You to kenzibenzi For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-16-2012)
I'll try to remember to let you know. Mine is scheduled for tomorrow at 9AM. I already have ACDF C4-C7 and all that's irritating the right nerve from shoulder to finger tips. This is my only choice to avoid yet another ACDF. Had to break out the pills today cause I've been off steroids for a week and feel much worse pain wise so got my fingers crossed and if I forget to get back to you, good luck!!
The following user gives a hug of support to Orlandohot: Bambino Bear (06-18-2012)
The Following User Says Thank You to Orlandohot For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-18-2012)
Just got back, went smooth as silk. No worries. Don't let the message boards scare you, I was up all darn night for no good reason. Whole procedure took 15 minutes and I didn't even know when they started or finished. Should be 2 or 3 days for it to sink in then will know for sure but I have very high hopes. Have another scheduled for July 2nd and doctor say he's only doing two, doesn't feel a need for three at all.
Ray
The Following User Says Thank You to Orlandohot For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-19-2012)
That's GREAT news! So happy to hear it went well. It's nice to hear something turned out good, rather than all the bad things we hear. So happy for you. I hope it does it's job for you. ~Kenzi.
The Following User Says Thank You to kenzibenzi For This Useful Post: Orlandohot (06-18-2012)
12 hours later..... I must react very well to steroids or happy pills(wasn't taking them until yesterday) because I'm already feeling relief, pain level went from 6-7 this morning to 3-4 and almost nil when laying down.
Most pain I have now is point of entry for ESI but you put ice pack on it 20 Min's and done. I'm still taking Vicodin 10/650 once every 8 hours for now....they said not to stop just yet.
I don't like taking pain meds they do not allow me to perform at work at all. I am a financial controller so I can't afford to be spaced out. Back in 2009 was on oxycodone and caught myself enjoying it, 3 months after surgery I had to go to Sweden for work and dried out for a few weeks under care of employer.
I prefer a high pain threshold over pills as if I am honest with myself the pills do NOTHING to stop nerve pain, they just make you "forget about it" for a while. That's just me.
I'm going to work in morning and will give an update in the evening.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Orlandohot For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-19-2012), kenzibenzi (06-18-2012)
Also, I hear you about the pain meds. The crazy thing is, I don't even take them as often as the dosage recommends. I can't go to work on them. I work in a litigations office and like you said I can't be fuzzy. So for now I am on FMLA as the pain has gotten to the "I can't function" point. So keep your fingers crossed for me on Wednesday!
The following user gives a hug of support to Bambino Bear: Orlandohot (06-20-2012)
I had my work done at Florida Hospital Orlando, they used live x-ray and were done before I knew they started...like a whole 15 minutes. Dr says that if he has to give a 3rd injection he'd prefer that surgery was option so he's only going to do 2 for me and belive it or not now 24 hours later no pain in arms, have headache from the injection which should go away. I hope your results are instant and the same as mine so far!!
Ray
The Following User Says Thank You to Orlandohot For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-19-2012)
My update... today I am 100% pain free, I'm having just a few muscle spasms in right elbow and that's it. No pain from ESI entry either, did not take one single pill today. I did think about taking a xanax just because I am so hyper, have a craving for chocolate and everything taste sweet to me...I can live with that...now the test...how long will it last?
Ray
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Orlandohot Bambino Bear (06-19-2012), kenzibenzi (06-19-2012)
The Following User Says Thank You to Orlandohot For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-19-2012)
I am off to the hospital for the shot. 'crosses fingers'.
I hope it went well for you. I have had 4 of them in the cervical aera. It always felt like a screwdriver in my neck for a few days, when he did the facet joint so I get the epidural at C7. Then it would go away it helped a lil bit, the best part was the few hours after, as it was numb after that it was ice time and time for meds for a few days.
The worst side affect I had was eating like a cow and cramps in my legs for a couple weeks it always took a couple weeks for them to set in then darnit would wake me up 15 times a night.
Good Luck hope it went well for you
The Following User Says Thank You to NeckIssueGuy For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-20-2012)
I had 8 ESI's in my lumbar spine between 2004-2005. Last Monday 6-11-12 I had an ESI in my cervical spine C7-T1 area to help 4 bulging discs C4-C7 . 2 Drug companies, Bristol-Myers and Pfizer have sent warnings out on the drugs Kenalog and Depo-Medrol, the 2 most popular drugs used in epidurals saying these drugs are NOt Recommended for epidural use into the epidural space because of reports of serious medical events.
When I had my 8 epidurals 7-8 years ago I also had 2 back surgeries, before the surgeon closed my back up he poured the drug Depo-Medrol into my spinal cavity . I have encountered severe burning throughout my body since having those lumbar epidurals. I am scheduled for my 2nd cervical ESI next monday and after reading these warnings I am very nervous. Just look up for yourself the drugs Kenalog and Depo Medrol and put in Kenalog epidural warnings on google.I have an appointment with a Neuro-Surgeon next month but I was hoping the injection would help ease my pain but so far no good. We are taking a huge risk using these off label drugs in our bodies.
Last edited by mike1953; 06-20-2012 at 04:52 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to mike1953 For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-20-2012)
I am having no issues with my ESI, can't even find the spot in my neck where they hit me and I don't know what they used as far of brand or type drug. I'll ask on my next one but to tell the truth I don't care because it has given me freedom from being confined to the bed. My only problem is being hyper and wanting to do too much due to the range of movement this shot has afforded me. So I'm taking a sedative to slow me down, but no pain pills.
We all react to meds differently with different absorption rates and complexities of the damaged nerves. Anything damaged in the spine would take years to heal if it even does. So I am going to do everything I can to slow down the degeneration issues I seem to have with my disk. I know I have more disk degeneration going on and my spine could soon look like the rail road by the time they finish with it....
The Following User Says Thank You to Orlandohot For This Useful Post: Bambino Bear (06-20-2012)
Well, the shot itself was a breeze. Very little pain. I was super anxious going in and pretty much made myself sick. The doc and nurses were super nice. I have some pain at the injection sight and a headache. I also feel shaky. I am hoping to wake up in the morning to less pain and numbness. I want to thank you all for taking time out to post and help me through some of my fears. This message board is a great place to talk about your issues and fears.
((Hugs to all))
Nikki
The following user gives a hug of support to Bambino Bear: Orlandohot (06-20-2012)
Cervical ESI 
Virgin poster.
Re: Cervical ESI 
