Nerve block

[carol1964]

Getting a spinal nerve block in two weeks,anyone know how long it takes to work and is it painful.

[ZedT]

I had one a month or so ago. Everyones experience is different of course, but i found the procedure a little uncomfortable but manageable. At first i felt no different (people had told me to expect the pain to be worse), then there was some pain for about a week.

Then i had virtually no pain. 6 weeks later i have a bit of breakthrough pain now and again during the day, but i have been moving house and mauling boxes around etc so that might be expected.

The one pain which is worse is my back pain ( i had the spinal block for sciatic pain). The physio has told me this is called centralisation and is actually a possible sign of some healing in my disc ironically which is very pleasing. the breakthrough pain has increased slightly recently and im wondering if this is the block wearing off.

Good luck with it all. Like I say everyone is different, so be positive and don't be afraid of the procedure, just practice breathing techniques and think lovely thoughts, it will soon be over, and SO worth doing if your pain is helped.

[carol1964 in reply to ZedT]

Thank you x

[Hidden in reply to ZedT]

I'm not being funny but you have been 'mauling boxes around? How do you know your not doing any harm to your back for the future if you can't feel it

from the block?

[ZedT in reply to Hidden]

Good question! Firstly, I always ALWAYS lift properly, and slide things or push things if I can and I never lift anything heavy. But secondly, one of the things they teach you at Pain Management clinic is, as long as you use the right techniques, using your core strength and keeping your centre of gravity low, using your arms or legs as a lever, you aren't going to damage your back any further.

That's not to say things aren't painful, but your spine, even with arthritis or disc damage, is a strong supportive structure and is not going to crumble away if you use it.

When we are in pain all the time we become fearful of doing anything which seems to make that pain worse. This means that we avoid bending, moving, lifting, squatting etc. and in fact that means that your muscles become weaker and weaker.

Most of us will push through pain to get jobs done at home, and quite sensibly will not attempt to do anything we couldn't do normally. It is just the same if you "can't feel anything". Actually, you can feel things. It is only my leg and foot that are numb. My back pain is actually worse due to a process called centralisation. For me, the spinal block was to help with sciatic pain which was terrible and at points unbearable, with hospitalisation as a result. Hope that answers your question

[Hidden in reply to ZedT]

Ok I hear you. What I have found is I need to feel 'some'

pain. (Not discomfort when sitting) Rather, I need to feel

pain when I'm moving or doing too much. My body is warning

me that some movements are hurting me. I never, take so

many meds, I'm pain free. If I do, I do too much, and for days after I could be in agony paying it back. Good

luck you.

[Hidden]

Had mine done one week ago,it was put in through the scar from my spinal fusion 6 months ago, so I was offered sedation and took it. I have had 4 now and each one has been different. The pain is worse when the local wares off and for 10 days after is not uncommon. It hasn't worked for me, but every back is different, my husband had his done 12 months ago, no sedation and very good result for him. It's a bit of the devil you do and the devil you don't. Good luck and as ZedT says try and relax, and control your breathing.Someone will be with you in Theatre to hold your hand and distract you.

[carol1964 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you x

[talgarth]

I have had this procedure done many times with varying success. Increased discomfort directly after the procedure is normal and (in my case) usually lasts for up to a week. The level of pain throughout the procedure can vary enormously as it very much depends on the exact 'target' spot, which could be shallow/deep straight/obtruse etc. Just ask the anaesthetist to be generous with the local and all should be fine. The adage I use is "No pain no gain" which makes it more bearable.

The outcome is not possible to comment on as many others have suggested, it can be variable. Hope it works for you!

[carol1964 in reply to talgarth]

Thank you x

[Hidden in reply to talgarth]

It sounds awful. No way I would risk it.

[ZedT in reply to Hidden]

I'm sad you feel it sounds awful, I honestly found it no more uncomfortable than having a tetanus shot. you feel pressure rather than pain and it doesn't take long at all. The risks are minimal and for me worth it, as my chronic sciatica was unbearable.

[onamission]

I have had many of these spine blocks mine work straight away I have steroid, cortisone and anaesthetic I get around 6 to 8 weeks pain relief the NHS say you should be pain free for about 3 months some hospitals do 4 per year ours is short of funds we are lucky if we get 2 a year.

[Hidden in reply to onamission]

Emm......well my pain is caused by nerve pain as proved with gabapectin,

as at a very dose- did more for my pain than huge amounts if opioids.

Just could not breath on it...lol!

I have physio next week, I may ask about this. Cheers.

[onamission in reply to Hidden]

Yes I have nerve pain also I have bulging discs