Hi there!!
I’m booked in for some lumbar spine injections very soon and they’ve just asked if I’d like sedation. I’ve really got no idea on the pain level or what to expect. Has anyone had similar before and can comment on pros and cons of sedation? I’m a bit scared to be honest.
The exact procedures are L2-5 medial branch blocks, left sacroiliac joint inj and left glut max inj… with depomedrone.
Can anyone tell me what it’s like?
hi I have six injections every three months without sedation,
Never been offered sedation, it is quite painful but depends on your pain tolerance.
I also get lots of lidocaine which helps a lot with injections.
So I’m afraid I can’t really advise about sedation .
I’m very grateful I’m getting these injections.
Thank you for the info. It’s funny as I always think I’m ok with pain. I had both my children with no pain relief at all (no time!). However I’m not very good with needles. So it’s a tricky one!!!
I have had the injections for my back,which didn’t work .
Personally I didn’t feel any pain when having them ,so personally I wouldn’t be sedated .
Thank you. Really appreciate your reply.
hi I’ve had several spinal injections. The first time was under general anaesthetic. After that I had them under local anaesthetic and it’s no problem. Just a sharp sting when the anaesthetic goes in, like any other injection. After that it’s painless. Don’t worry it will be fine.
That sounds quite reassuring at least. Yes I’m not good under general at all. I’ve had to have it a couple of times and been very ill afterwards.
I don' mind injections but the Dr. who does the injections likes us to be sedated because he says our bodies move involuntarily.
that was my worry also… in case I moved… it’s hard to know and I’ve asked for pros and cons from the hospital but they’ve not answered yet.
Hi, I had a lumber puncture for testing spinal fluid (diagnosed FND) . You will have local to dull the local area for the needle and should take about 20 minutes not sure if that’s the case for just injections. My procedure lasted an hour as I had a junior doctor doing it and she couldn’t get in between the vertebrae five times she scraped the bone that was a weird sensation finally a senior doctor stabbed me once extracted the fluid and it was done then they dropped the sample so lost half on the way to the lab lol. I was not sedated but I am ok with needles (just not so many lol) , I would ask the person doing it how many times they have done it. Good luck. Kevin
Thank you. Makes sense. Luckily I know the guy doing it is very experienced and comes highly recommended so hoping he’ll stab me right first time!!
Sedation! I had two nerves hit...never again! I have a shallow response to lidocaine, surgeon found that out during kyphoplasty.
Gosh!! Yikes. I can’t even imagine. Thank you!!!
I had a caudal epidural and now need another, I would choose sedation for the next one if offered. I’ve had other epidurals with no need for sedation. I wouldn’t have thought it would be a general anaesthetic, more something to make you more comfortable. Hope it all goes well for you whatever you chose.
Thank you so much. I do have my husband available to drive me home anyway so whichever way it goes I should be ok. I hope!!
I really appreciate all of your answers. Thank you so much. Really good to see others’ experiences. I knew this would be just the right forum to ask!! Well I’m booked in for 7.30 am next Thursday… eek!!!
the injections are briefly painful, but not enough to want to be sedated. I have six twice a year. Good luck.👍
CRPS-pain meds or no pain meds that is the question ?
Surgery or not surgery this is the ? 
NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION
Do I Rest Or Keep On The Go 
