topic Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections in Wellness

Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

SXMGirl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:28:21 GMT

Has anyone had one or more of these and did you have pain or complications? What I thought to be SIRVA has now been diagnosed with a spinal problem and this is the first step before surgery. Since I do not plan to have spine surgery ever, this is probably my only option. I am also seeing my chiro, but he has looked at my xrays and mri and tells me that these are really my only options.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Carmie — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:37:01 GMT

I haven't but my DH has as well as our youngest son and my sister have.

No one has had any problems and all agree it was helpful, but didn't give them relief long enough..just a few months. It is a quick painless procedure.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Kachina624 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:38:21 GMT

I had the steroid injections but the were in the lumbar, not cervical region. I went to a pain management specialist and had injections every two week for a couple of months, while he tried to find "the sweet spot". . I had no complications, just a slight soreness at the site the next day.

Unfortunate, the injections were totally ineffective for me so I remain in pain. Surgery is not an option.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

SXMGirl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:41:18 GMT

@Carmie @Kachina624 Thanks for the info. Surgery is not an option for me since the main area is C5 and it was explained that they would need to take a bone from that area as well as above and below. Too chancy. I do know that it is important that a nerve not be hit during the injection; but as I told DH, some ground rules will need to be established first.

Did either of you have pain meds before the injection?

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Kachina624 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:47:39 GMT

Yes, the area was deadened before the injection. It was not painful. My doctor used something like a fluoroscope so he could see where he was and what he was doing.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

skatting44 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:51:01 GMT

I would definitely consult an ortho surgeon or neurosurgeon with excellent credentials . I would not have the procedure unless it was being done under fluroscopy .

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Foxxee — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:04:02 GMT

My father had injections in his lower lumbar region several times. He said pain subsided only about 24 hours each time. He thought they just didn't do the injection in the right spot, so he tried a few more times.

Besides not working, he was concerned about the danger of the procedure...although, not common, one slip of the needle and he might be in a wheelchair.

We researched possible surgery, but there were risks with that too. Some people were actually worse afterwards.

He finally found Tylenol, the only pain med he's permitted to take, and a heating pad works best for his pain. He sits against a pretty hot heating pad all day. His pain is relieved for a good 5-6 days not needing to use the heating pad.

Not saying it will work for everyone, but it's worth a try.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Carmie — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:54:02 GMT

@SXMGirl I just asked my DH. He said he was given an Injection first to numb the area. The steroid was given to him while the anesthesiologist watched on a camera to guide the needle. He had no pain during or after the procedure.

He has had it done about 5 or 6 times in the past.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

SXMGirl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 01:56:29 GMT

@skatting44 My ortho sent me to his colleague who does this procedure. While I did not really care for him because he did not really give me all of the info that I need for this, my chiro did explain everything after looking at my xrays and mri. Then, I had nerve testing and that doctor also explained everything. I have researched online and find that about 40 percent of those who have this as well as surgery need more medical treatments.

@Carmie Do you know how long a period of time elapsed with the 5 or 6? I really do not want this to become a regular thing.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Carmie — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:26:23 GMT

@SXMGirl I don't remember. I do know our insurance company only allowed three injections a year. I don't think he ever maxed that out.

He was getting about two a year, but hasn't had one for a while. He is complaining about pain again but he hasn't gone to see his doctor. I suppose it doesn't hurt bad enough this time around. His pain is in the neck and shoulder area.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

msgb — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:13:16 GMT

My father would have these epidural injections for spianl stenosis. He suffered a stroke in Sept 2011. I know that he would say that these would help him when he was in pain. I do not remember him saying they hurt but he had to decrease the amount of blood thinner he was on in days prior to each treatment. These are not a permanent treatment but something that helps for a time.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

SXMGirl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:21:23 GMT

@Carmie Thanks and good to know. I am on three different meds right now and for once, I am not self medicating. I only take the meds at night and am hoping to wean myself off of them over the next week. I have really good insurance but I am hoping that one of these might just be enough, even though my chiro told me that it does not look good. I have known him for 20 years and he is a straight shooter but in this instance, I am hoping that he is wrong.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

sydsgma1 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:27:21 GMT

@SXMGirl my dd just had these done on her c5 and c7.

Shecwas treated by a neuroradiologist who only does the cervical injections. The initial injections did not help .he recommended that she have an ablation on each side. This was a more complicated procedure but she has experienced some relief.
She was sedated for each procedure

I would suggest making sure your dr has a lot of experience. In doing this procedure.

Best of luck
good luck

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

rms1954 — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:32:08 GMT

I had two. They helped but didn't last long. One hurt and the other didn't. I have degenerative disc disease ... personally I would rather have the surgery where they inject a substance that fills up the space. I have bone on bone. Now I suffer from awful back issues and now I'm told I'm too old. So sick of that reasoning.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:46:47 GMT

2 1/2 yrs. ago I had three injections at level C5/C6 within a few months. Other than the temporary relief I experienced from the numbing medication for a few hours, the injections did nothing for me. I ended up having ACDF surgery. Why are you refusing surgery? Unaddressed, your situation could get worse.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

SXMGirl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 02:47:30 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch I am terrified of surgery that could render me paralyzed. Right now, meds once a day are taking care of business, but I have no idea how long that I can be on the meds.

@rms1954 No one mentioned injections that could fill in the spaces, Sounds like the gel shots for my knee, which have worked beautifully.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

gillsburg — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:12:30 GMT

Find a physical therapist that does DRY NEEDLING. I had all these shots, surgery and therapy. My PT asked to try this and it did wonders. It's like acupuncture then hooked to a machine like a tens unit. Really doesn't hurt at all. Did wonders for me.

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

gillsburg — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 14:13:49 GMT

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

hckynut — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 19:37:29 GMT

@SXMGirl

I have had 3 cracked(compression) cervical vertebrae for decades now. Wore a collar or brace on and off for a couple years. From there Chiropractic Adjustments has kept pain at bay.

Had back surgery in the mid 1970's to remove ruptured L-5/S-1 discs. In the early 2000's I had the several Caudal Blocks for my L-3 pain issue. With each one they lasted less time.

I decided to go the surgical route again and had it removed. With lots of work I have maintain pretty much all my spinal flexibilty and very few flare ups worth mentioning. If my neck once again becomes an issue, if surgery is the best option, I will go the same route.

A good friend of mine is a Spinal Surgeon and that is all he does. He did my last surgery, and if necessary would do my next. My choice of surgery was by far my best choice. I was/am able to fully physically function as in many past decades.

I have never been one for any kind of pain meds and have been able avoid them through many bad injuries and surgeries, especially since my Colon Bleeds starting in 2008. Now it's strictly Tylenol.

Just got out of the hospital yesterday after a 2 day stay. Took a fall ice skating and broke a left rib and punctured my left lung. From all the painful injuries I have had, broken ribs are close, or at the top, of all I have had over the decades.

Hope you find the best option for yourself to help with this painful cervical issue.

hckynut

Re: Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

SXMGirl — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 15:58:58 GMT

@hckynut Thanks for your reply. I am no longer taking pain meds, just Meloxicam and a nerve med. Depending on how long I can be on them, and I know that Meloxicam is not a long-term drug or fix, I am more comfortable taking them than surgery. While I did not care for the doctor who does the injections, thanks to the nerve doctor, I now know that it is another doctor who is the spine surgeon. You would think someone would have told me that earlier. My chiro is hesitant to do more than four weeks with me, at least at this time. I am requesting that he gets the nerve testing results to see if we can go forward.

I hope that you are healing well and are not in any pain. You are my inspiration and I was looking to hear from you about my situation.

Thanks again for your response.