Having Some "Anxiety" About Some Spinal Injec... - Pain Concern

Pain Concern

38,120 members11,738 posts

Having Some "Anxiety" About Some Spinal Injections In A Few Days. They Want To Inject Cortisone Into My Spine At My Neck. HURT ? & After ?

TriggerPoint profile image
14 Replies

Has Anybody Had This Done & Can Tell Me What To Expect ?

Written by
TriggerPoint profile image
TriggerPoint
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
14 Replies

I have Occipital Nerve block injections every six months, is this what you're having? I have them for nerve pain in my arm, radiating from bulging discs in my neck at C5/6/7.

If it is, or something similar, I can't tell you that they are painless, because they're not. But, you're given a local anaesthetic first, so that helps, but once underway it's like a banging your funny bone pain, uncomfortable, but bearable. I found that trying to relax helps, hard when someone is shoving a needle in your neck I know, but learning to relax your shoulders, arms and jaw really do help. Afterwards, once the anaesthetic wears off, if is sore, I can't say otherwise, in fact the first time I had them I swore I wouldn't have them again, but the relief from constant pain in my arm and the migraines I had was 80% so it was worth the after-pain.

I adhere to the 24 hours resting rigidly now, I didn't to begin with, but I've found that if I do nothing at all (apart from pottering around) the following two days, it takes less time to recover. A wheat bag warmed up really helps me with the shoulder pain I get, so might be worth getting one if you haven't already.

Good luck, hope it works for you too!

TriggerPoint profile image
TriggerPoint in reply to

THANK YOU....That IS What They Are Doing.... They Told Me To Take A Xanax 30 Min. Before The Procedure Too.... If It'll Help ? Heck. I'm Ready...

Thank You So Very Much...*

in reply to TriggerPoint

You are very welcome. I have never needed to take anything, but maybe they do it differently where you are. As I’ve said in reply to John Smiths post, I have been having them almost six years and never had a problem. They have definitely helped the horrendous pain I was getting and the migraines I got.

Please ignore his post, there is risk with any procedure, but very, very small.

Let me know how it goes! 😊

BB14 profile image
BB14

I've had this done and I worried myself beforehand. I really shouldn't have it was very straightforward and not painful the hardest part for me was keeping my head still.

TriggerPoint profile image
TriggerPoint in reply to BB14

Thank You ~*

BB14 profile image
BB14 in reply to BB14

F

in reply to BB14

I found it more uncomfortable than painful, it was afterwards that I was in pain, once the local anaesthetic wore off.

johnsmith profile image
johnsmith

I would recommend against it. You run the risk of losing functionality in your arm. Not from the injections but from the pressure on the nerve roots which you will now fail to notice. I rely on detecting a slight discomfort in the neck and reduce the discomfort by stopping the action that is causing the discomfort. This is body awareness method which unfornatately the medical profession do not teach and often do not even know about.

There are things available which can help you reduce pressure on nerve roots, However, I have no idea how bad the bulging discs are. So my suggestions my be inappropriate.

TriggerPoint profile image
TriggerPoint

"The Risk Of Losing Functionality In Your Arms ?" If There's Even A 50/50 Chance Of That Happening. Shouldn't It Be A WARNING On This Paperwork or/ Front Page News & Warnings Everywhere ? I Haven't Been Given Any Other Suggestions From My Doctors. [?]

Now ? Heck. I Don't Know What To Do ?

Thanks Friend....

in reply to TriggerPoint

Ignore him, he doesn’t agree with any conventional treatments.

There are risks with any procedure but in all of the six years I have been having these nerve blocks I haven’t had one single problem as he describes. The pain in my arm has all but disappeared (apart from if I overdo things or coming up to the next injection) and I have had no side effects. It is a safe procedure carried out under X-ray so that the doctor can see where he’s injecting. Don’t worry.

Hi. I had this done last year and was petrified, despite having had loads done in my lower back over the last 20 years. Yes it was uncomfortable but bearable i had it done at c5/6 c6/7. I would say worked myself up far too much before hand as anything to do with my neck scares me. I went home by train and rested that night but unfortunately had f2f assessment for was the next day and had to attend as already postponed it.

That was a big mistake and the pain I experienced the day after was almost unbearable. A side effect of steroids especially in the neck caused chest pain and hot flushes. I rested and drank loads of water to a few more days.

Unfortunately I didn't get any relief from neck injections but have had in other parts of my spine and in my shoulder.

Bottom line would i recommend?

If you're in so much pain then I would say yes as there is a chance it could relieve it but please rest afterwards

Good luck Fran x

Hoodat profile image
Hoodat

I had the injection between L5, S1, a slight jag, then nothing, after a couple of minutes, I was up walking, quicker than I walked in.

My relief only lasted a couple of days, but while it lasted, was great.

KrisHarris profile image
KrisHarris

DON'T DO IT!!! No one either knows or will tell you the very real, forever life altering potential danger of these steroid injections. Look up "Adhesive Arachnoiditis." Look up the utube videos about it also. Even though the technician's injection is "guided by Xray," they can and do miss the exact location, and the steroid solution can enter your spinal canal, where it now becomes toxic and sets up a huge bonfire inflammatory process, which basically cooks your spinal nerves like strands of spaghetti in boiling water. It ruins your life forever as you know,it. It used to be considered a rare occurrence, but more and more pain centers are routinely performing these epidurals over and over, since it is their number one money profitable procedure.

I always told myself that it wouldn't be me that would be unlucky enough to get this. I was SO WRONG! The pain level from 1-50 is a 48, similar to an end stage cancer patient. The strongest pain meds only put a dent in it. I spend my life now laying flat 23 hrs day..can only sit up a few minutes at a time, let alone walk. Huge painful side affects in every part of your body daily..burning bladder, explosive nerve pain in eyes, limbs, bonfire burning in spine, tonic spasms that bend you in two, migraines, huge pressure/pain if you try to sit up too much or walk, etc. Truly a disease from hell.

Used to be so active and have a life. There is no cure..essentially it is a severe spinal injury. Mothers who get these epidurals during childbirth have been ruined also. People don't know about this potentially devastating outcome because you generally don't meet us. We are all pretty much home bound and not out in public hardly.

These shots are not worth ruining your life over. Please, I am telling you not to start doing these. They are temporary fix at best.

Remember me.

Queenielot profile image
Queenielot

Hi yes i had it done 3 years ago it doesn't hurt but unfortunately it didnt work fir me but none of us are same so jope it works but dont be anxious good luck

You may also like...

I have in my pain neck for about 4 years now? It doesn't go away and I don't know what to do? Help

another appointment tomorrow and don't know what to do. Has anyone else experience this and if yes...