Anyone have nerve block/epidural?

[Cindee56]

Hi, I have many back degenerative discs and a bulging one in lower back, which has been very painful for 3 years.  Finally found a pain doctor who seems to care and know what he's doing.  I'm scheduled for a nerve block on Dec. 8, scared to death!  Anyone do this, and does it work?  Would like to know experiences?

[lorimilr]

I went in for outpatient surgery on the 18th of this month and woke up in ICU 3 days later. The anesthisiologist gave me a nerve block on the left side of my neck to help with left shoulder surgery and ended up paralyzing my diaphram and left lung. I still don't have full function of my left lung and run a little low on oxygen. He told me that I might have a little drooping in my left eye and that it would clear up but his actions went much further than that.

[audrey119]

thank you for sharing your story, I dont want this nerve blocking but they keep telling me that I need it and the pain will go away forever. I am scared to death and I really do'nt want to do this.

[toolmaker]

I have had about 15 or so epidurals,nerve blocks,disc injections and racz procedures over the last 3 yrs.I consider all the procedures preventitive maintenance  like changing your oil and lubricating your car.They have helped me continue to run my business but are still only temporary.

[angel186]

I have had both Epidural injection and Nerve Block to treat a herniated disk in the cervical spine (c6/7). Epidural deffinately helped for about 3/4 months and then I had the Nerve Block which was brilliant.  I had a local aneasthetic and while the procedure was uncomfortable I wouldn't describe it as painful. I suffered a bit of a stiff painful neck for a few days after the injection, thats all.  The Nerve Block allowed my body time to settle and the pain from the disk pinching the nerve has virtually disappeared(the pain was in my shoulder and went down my arm and was exruciating at times) I no longer take any pain meds. For me it definately changed my life for the better. I have heard lots of other positives from people who have had this type of pain management and I really believe that complications are very rare. Although it doesn't always work for everyone, I personally think it is worth trying.

[tj701]

I have also had good results with the epidural. Herniated c4-5 5-6 in car crash in 91 caused migraines and severe neck shoulder pain.  Honestly if not for the nerve blocks I am not sure I would still be here.  As stated above they are only temporary but for the amount of relief well worth it to me.  I would describe them as no more painful than any other injection I have received,    

[MisterTimC]

I have had four Epidural Spinal Injections, two in my neck and two in my lumbar; I'm not sure if that is what you're talking about. All four were quite helpful and not at all like the previous story, so perhaps we're talking about different things.

My doctor explained that there are two reasons for doing an ESI: one is to hopefully gain some pain relief for awhile, second to learn more about what is causing your pain in order to figure out possible future treatment.

In all four instances I had the injection done with only a local anestethic. Some people choose to have a general anesthetic, but I've had my teeth drilled without novacaine so I figured why bother with a general anesthetic. Pain during the procedure was minimal and far less than the pain I was having daily, one little pinch to get started and a couple small zings after that. My doctor did the procedure with flouroscopy so that he could see where the catheter needle was and so that he could see where the cortisone was going. In my case, the doctor used a few inches of the catheter needle to get where he needed to inject the cortisone.

Also, in all four instances, the primary pain relief lasted a few weeks. But the greater value came from being able to do additional exercise in order to effect longer term healing and longer term relief from the really nasty pain which I had been experiencing before that.

For me, the ESIs were just one component of the whole course of treatment. I also experienced additional healing from judicious use of a brace, so that the muscles could relax, reducing pain from muscle spasms.

Don't expect a miracle from an ESI, just expect to learn something. That makes it a valuable experience. But then also research your doctor's track record. My doctor in Portland, OR does a great job.
TimC

[Epiphany_mm]

Cindee56,  

After you read what I have to say I'm sure you'll be even more scared.

I had a Nerve Block in September 2008.  The Pain Management Dr. was very caring, very compassionate,  I felt such trust in this Dr.   My husband had a Nerve block and it seemed to work for him for a short while.  My husband was having headaches, neck pain, arm pain.  My husband didn't tell me it only worked for a few weeks and all the pain came back.  After I had my Nerve Block we found out that my husband had high blood pressure and he is on high blood pressure pills and that took care of his headaches, neck pain and arm pain.  He never needed the nerve block to begin with.  
But when I had my nerve block we didn't know that.  

I had a neck injury and had bulging discs at C1, C2 and C3 which were causing migraines and arm pain.  The pain management Dr in Tulsa said that he could take care of my pain and everything would be ok.  I'd be asleep for the simple injections into those discs and after I woke up I could leave the hospital and go home... I'd be groggy for 8 to 12 hours because I'd still be under the anesthetic and pain medication from the procedure.  But I also had a small prescription for oxicodine if I needed it later in the evening.   I was to take it easy for the next couple of days.. I'd be in a little bit of pain but I'd be able to resume my life after a week and I'd be out of pain from the migraines and arm pain.

After I was asleep the Dr. chose to do a catheter up from the middle of my back to the top of my spine/base of my skull to give the injections.  I don't know why.  But with that decision he changed my life.  

After my husband and I left the hospital... within 20 minutes, I was in so much pain I could barely talk.  I never knew such pain existed.  I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep for the next 3 days.  I couldn't bare the trip back to Tulsa to see the Dr, any bump in the road was as if my neck were being chopped off.  

I'll make a long story short. When I told my Dr's Nurse how much pain I was in, a few days later I was fired as my Drs patient.  Yes, this very caring, compassionate Dr damaged me and then when he realized what he'd done.. he refused to help me.

I went to another specialist, but as soon as he realized I was damaged he refused to follow through with the surgery he said I needed and the games that were played on the phone with his medical secretaries were insane.   I've tried to see other Dr's but as soon as they get my medical information they run away or refuse to see me.  I've had both.  I've learned that a person has several medical files and they are kept secret from the patient.  

Ok.. from MRI's taken before and after the simple procedure.. Nerve Block in September....basically what happened to me with that Nerve Block is that every disc in my neck was herniated, Nerve Roots were damaged which have given me Chronic Intractable Pain which is incurable.  I've not had an MRI of my Back, but I suspect that the discs in my upper back are also damaged because I also have pain there.  

Because a Dr damaged me... no other Dr who could help me would see me, because helping me means they'd have to 'out' another Dr and also potentially be involved in a lawsuit.  NO ONE WILL HELP ME... except my GP Dr.  All she can do is give me pain medication.  She is fully aware of my situation and the situation with the Drs and has tried to help me find Drs. I also have witnesses to the treatment I've received.. Dr's running.. lying to me .. trying to not be involved.. afraid they'll have to 'OUT" another Dr or be somehow involved in a lawsuit.   I don't want to sue anyone, I just need help.

The only reason I am alive typing these words is because I saved my life by doing TM and Silva immediately and for months and months.  I' still do these techniques to lower my blood pressure and heart rate.  I also use these techniques to help my pain levels.   But also, my GP Dr has given me pain medication and without it I'd be dead now.  Chronic Intractable Pain kills immediately unless you have extremely high levels of pain medication or like me.. you are a long time practioner of TM and Silva.  Like an expert.   It is the only reason I am alive.  For 9 months I struggled with trying to hold onto life.. and pain itself wipes out brain cells.  I did everything I could to retain my brain.. haha.. if that makes sense.  But that is the reason I can type these words now.    

I wish to GOD I'd never gone in for that Nerve Block.  It destroyed my life, My live is over, I'll never be able to drive, or have friends, or be independent again.  If I hadn't had the Nerve Block.. I would have had my life, instead of being an invalid.. and dying as I am now.  

I personally think that Nerve Blocks are gimmicks sold to desperate people by Dr's trying to pay off their student loans or trying to get rich.  Nerve Blocks don't work.. and when they do it's only temporary.  The risks aren't worth the temporary relief... if you get relief.    I told you about my husband.. I told you about me.    My son just told me he had a nerve block 6 months ago.  I asked him if it worked.  He said it worked for a few weeks.   It was direct injection and not by catheter, thank God.. but it still proves my point.  

Don't believe the pamphlets in the Dr's office..  Believe peoples experience.  I hope you find a bunch of people who tell you it cured them.  I really do.  

Good luck,

Michelle