Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

[Bbomber9]

My NS doesn't want to do the CM surgery yet because my migraines are under control (so far) but the muscles in my neck and shoulders are still very sore so I got a second opinion. The second opinion is the same. No surgery yet but the second Neuro hooked me up with a pain management specialist that wants to try a tens unit (something I haven't tried in PT) and the injections. I'm obviously scared to death. Has anyone had these injections that can give me some insight good or bad?

[Lisagchiari]

So, if I have chiari, how do they safely patch e leak of spina fluid ?

[selmaS]

If someone with Chiari develops a CSF leak, they will use several methods to stop the leak.....first is rest, and keeping hydrated....lying flat helps....if that is not successful, they do a blood patch.They use your blood and inject it to create a blockage.....after this procedure you are instructed to lay flat and not lifting or bending to allow it to heal and seal.

[Lisagchiari]

Regarding the blood patch, is that safe considering it uses a needle ? It won't cause further herniation ? Then whats next ?

[Ttraye]

I have over the past 7 yrs, had a failed back surgery and 4 neck surgeries before I was diagnosed with Chiari. I can honestly tell you I have lost count of the injections that I have had, 1 worked before my back surgery almost 7 yrs ago and it lasted for approx 3 weeks. I would be very picky if Selma even says you can have injections, there are so many drs out there that really push the envelope on what their true job entails and I’m not being a drs guinea pig any longer. Just be safe, if you don’t feel comfy don’t do it. I wish I had someone to ? Or rely on when I was going through the hell of a bad back, sciatic nerve killing me, and falling w/o any notice or signals to me that it was about to happen. I was just diagnosed with Chiari in Feb and I see the 1st neurosurgeon on my list Tuesday I’m a scared half to death. I wish you nothing but good luck!

[KerriC1]

Hi! Just wanted to chime in. I had decompression almost 3 years ago. But last March my car was totaled by a semi who overturned in my lane. It messed up some discs in my cervical and lumbar spine and the Drs (who weren’t well versed in chiari) did a few cervical epidural injections also. It was not a comfy procedure and it only helped me for a few days. I refused to do them anymore. Just scares me

I too feel like the Drs. guinea pig

[Ttraye]

I feel you, I have seen 2 neurosurgeons, and I went no where really fast. Wishing you the best, it’s not easy finding a dr to listen....

[selmaS]

  Hi...the CINE MRI is of the cervical area and done in 2 parts...w/wo contrast and for the 2nd part when using contrast they also use a BP clip on a finger or leads to track ur BP as this is a moving picture a video of the CSF also called a flow study...they look to see if the tonsils pulsate with the BP.....

Many of the related conditions can cause many of the symptoms and not all Chiarians r surgical candidates for the chiari itself...but, u never know what else is going on if we focus on one thing and with chiari it has so many possible connecting issues that we have to rule them out.

  Look into EDS and a CINE MRI....it all depends on ur pain and symptoms...so keep a journal so u can show what changes r going on.

[Bbomber9]

I do have low vitamin levels and disk issues...buldging ones to be exact.

Yeah, I've had the full cervical, thracic and lumbar MRI's and I'm unsure about the CINE?

The first NS I saw is a Chiari specialist but he didn't offer much outside of just pain meds so I sought the second opinion. This is when I got hooked up with a neurologist and a pain managment specialist.

I do worry about this though because I feel like it's going to put my Chari in jeopardy..

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I have to ask if u were checked for CSF obstruction and related conditions like a syrinx, disk issues ,tethered cord, ICP, POTS, ehlers, danlos....low vitamin levels etc....

The tens unit has been used with some success, but not the injections, the issue is  they do not last and they might hit the wrong area since u have a herniation....I never had the use of either,

The main thing is to make sure u have a true Chiari specialist and they r looking for all related issues.

Did u have a full spine MRI, cervical , thoracic and lumbar as well as a CINE MRI?