to sedate… or not to sedate (that is the ques... - Pain Concern

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to sedate… or not to sedate (that is the question)

endotheline profile image
16 Replies

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?

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endotheline profile image
endotheline
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16 Replies
Aurorasparkle profile image
Aurorasparkle

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.

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply toAurorasparkle

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!!!

Chillichicken profile image
Chillichicken

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 .

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply toChillichicken

Thank you. Really appreciate your reply.

KnittIngnannyJ profile image
KnittIngnannyJ

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.

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply toKnittIngnannyJ

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.

AML80 profile image
AML80

I don' mind injections but the Dr. who does the injections likes us to be sedated because he says our bodies move involuntarily.

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply toAML80

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.

kev60 profile image
kev60

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

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply tokev60

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!!

Southerngirl2787 profile image
Southerngirl2787

Sedation! I had two nerves hit...never again! I have a shallow response to lidocaine, surgeon found that out during kyphoplasty.

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply toSoutherngirl2787

Gosh!! Yikes. I can’t even imagine. Thank you!!!

1ChLoE profile image
1ChLoE

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.

endotheline profile image
endotheline in reply to1ChLoE

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!!

endotheline profile image
endotheline

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!!!

Coralpink profile image
Coralpink

the injections are briefly painful, but not enough to want to be sedated. I have six twice a year. Good luck.👍

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