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Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,845
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

[ Edited ]

Has anyone had these done?  I've been dealing with severe neck pain for several months.  I'm also experiencing some numbness in my hands.  I kept putting off seeing the doctor but finally did, which resulted in x-rays and then an MRI.  I am awaiting an appointment with the specialist.  The pain is so bad that if he suggested surgery immediately I'd go for it.  Even so, I have a feeling the initial recommendation will be steroid injections.  

My questions - 
Does it hurt while they're being administered?
How long before they take effect?
How long does the benefit last?
Did you get them and ultimately have surgery anyway?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,820
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

Yes, saved my life in a way.  I get them 2 x a year.  I have herniated disc, scoliosis, degenerated discs, sciatica and stenosis.  I get pain clear to feet.  When it gets really bad, my knee actually is in pain.  I think they do 3, 4 and 5 usually on right side.

 

i was scared at first. I was afraid of it all going wrong, but it is a popular procedure, and runs pretty smooth.  I have had excellent results most of the time. about 4 years ago pain was so bad, it didn't matter if I lived or died. So I went for it!!   What a relief!  Once or twice since then it  didn't work as well.  My former Doctor, before my husband retired and we had to do medicare, did them in a surgery center.  I came in early, they did the vitals and pre op so to speak.  I then had procedure, and went to recovery until versed medication wore off.  Since I went on medicare with supplement I got one.  Went to surgery center and I was on and out in an hour I think.  They know exactly where to go.  I do not do dye contrast, but they use machine to do mark spot and see nerve.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,845
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

[ Edited ]

@shoekitty wrote:

Yes, saved my life in a way.  I get them 2 x a year.  I have herniated disc, scoliosis, degenerated discs, sciatica and stenosis.  I get pain clear to feet.  When it gets really bad, my knee actually is in pain.  I think they do 3, 4 and 5 usually on right side.

 

i was scared at first. I was afraid of it all going wrong, but it is a popular procedure, and runs pretty smooth.  I have had excellent results most of the time. about 4 years ago pain was so bad, it didn't matter if I lived or died. So I went for it!!   What a relief!  Once or twice since then it  didn't work as well.  My former Doctor, before my husband retired and we had to do medicare, did them in a surgery center.  I came in early, they did the vitals and pre op so to speak.  I then had procedure, and went to recovery until versed medication wore off.  Since I went on medicare with supplement I got one.  Went to surgery center and I was on and out in an hour I think.  They know exactly where to go.  I do not do dye contrast, but they use machine to do mark spot and see nerve.


Thanks, @shoekitty.  Did you ever have any finger numbness?  Did feeling return?

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,121
Registered: ‎09-27-2011

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

I’ve been dealing with neck pain for 20 years, very long story, but I’ve had 2 spinal fusions and more epidurals than I can count! First, epidurals don’t hurt at all, they put you out in twilight mode, there may be some soreness after which an ice pack will help with. The trick is for the doctor to get in just the right spot, which doesn’t always happen, so it may take a couple of tries - or honestly may not work at all, which they should be honest and tell you. In my case, I totally get that if surgery is recommended, you’re ready! Keep in mind that surgeons cut people, that’s their job, so you may want a second opinion - you’re looking at quite a bit of down time (2-3 mos) and it’s no fun, trust me! Surgery did relieve my pain that was so bad, I literally could understand why people off themselves because they can’t stand it! I still have quite a bit of pain, so surgery is not perfect all of the time either, that’s the point. I’ve had several epidurals since, which sometimes take the edge off. Not sure what to advise you, except that any relief from epidurals will most likely be temporary if you have enough damage to warrant surgery. You have to wrap your head around the surgery, it took me a long time and I tried everything first! And then the first surgery didn’t work, so I had the second about 2 yrs later. No fun, for sure, I feel your pain! It’s hard to know what to do, but don’t do what I did is what I would say. I wasted WAY too much time & pain trying everything under the sun. Yes, get an opinion or two, but don’t waste too much time in pain - it’s just awful! But do your due diligence, if you decide on surgery, go to the best, even if you have to travel. DON’T go to Laser Spine Institute - my first try (told you I tried everything) to avoid the invasive surgery, a total ripoff! Good luck!

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 15,158
Registered: ‎06-27-2013

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

@JeanLouiseFinch

My sister had disc issues, cluster migraines and horrendous neck pain. She had numbness in her hands and fingers. 

She had injections for four years and that didn’t help.

 

She had surgery a couple of months ago. Slow healing process and physical therapy. She was doing better and then she was in a car accident. 

 

She definately benefitted from the surgery and her numbness is gone also. 

 

Some are helped with the injections. Your insurance may require you to do the injections first. 

 

I hope you find relief. You’re in my thoughts. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,820
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

[ Edited ]

Yes finger tingling at times.  Left hand only. Personally, I refused surgery.  They have offered it to me many times, and I qualify.  I am 70, and don't want to deal with the long healing and less mobility.  At my age if I stay still for a few hours, I rust .  But this is just me.  I figure if I am lucky, I have 20 years left.

one thing I did that seriously helped me is exercising.  I weight lift and do resistance training.  I started so small a couple years ago, and I increase it.  Sometimes I cant for a few days but I make sure to do what I can.  The strength that occurred in my back muscles is amazing.  It helps me.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,224
Registered: ‎01-26-2013

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections


@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

Has anyone had these done?  I've been dealing with severe neck pain for several months.  I'm also experiencing some numbness in my hands.  I kept putting off seeing the doctor but finally did, which resulted in x-rays and then an MRI.  I am awaiting an appointment with the specialist.  The pain is so bad that if he suggested surgery immediately I'd go for it.  Even so, I have a feeling the initial recommendation will be steroid injections.  

My questions - 
Does it hurt while they're being administered?
How long before they take effect?
How long does the benefit last?
Did you get them and ultimately have surgery anyway?


Try physical therapy.  My neck is a mess.  I also had numbness in one arm down to the hand.  My first experience with a therapist was 12 years ago, went for therapy for 3 months and was pain free for about 10 years with daily exercises.  Had problems again 2 years ago, had therapy again 2x week for 4 months and have been pain free since which is going on 2 years now.  Again, I am doing daily exercises to hopefully remain pain free as long as possible.  My therapist told me to have surgery only as a last resort.  

 

I do urge you to give therapy a try.  It might help you.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,916
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

I've had 5 of them over the course of  2 years. The last one finally worked (losing 25 lbs also helped). I had them done at a pain clinic. The doc would have me lay on my stomach, he'd inject numbing medication into my lower back, and using an xray type of machine to pinpoint my disc herniation, injected the steroid. I focused on my breathing, drawing air in and then slowly out through my nose. This helped to take my mind off the injection. The injection itself gives you a burning sensation, but if you can force yourself to relax through deep breathing, it's not bad.

I was up and about immediately each time. The first few injections gave me only temporary relief, but the last one was permanent. I was able to stop taking the Percocet, and now don't even need an NSAID. I'm completely pain free. 

I hope you are able to get some relief.  Constant pain changes you and not for the better. Good luck.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections

[ Edited ]

@JeanLouiseFinch

 

My response is based on my experience and clinical knowledge.

 

I was rear-ended by 4 drunk drivers over a period of 12 years.  Yes, it's as though I had a sign on the back of my car which read, "If you're drunk, hit me."  Anyway, the result was trauma at the C5-6 level, which is where the force of such hits is directed (per my neurosurgeon).  After 17 years, my neck was in near total protective spasm and I had only 5 degree of motion to the left.  Additionally, I had started to dropped x-rays at work and had some pattern numbness in my right hand.  Ended up having an anterior diskectomy with fusion at that level.  Wow!  Got my neck back!  Fantastic result from the surgery in 1992, which continues to this day.

 

The give-away in your case (the red light coming on) was that you're experiencing numbness).  This is usually caused by nerve compression. If the compression is caused by osteophytes/arthritis, fracture (could just be a tiny one) or a number of other reasons which are not inflammatory in nature (swelling causing pressure on a nerve), then an epidural will have no effect on your present condition.  If inflammatory in nature, then an epidural may very well help, as a steriod is one of several components of an epidural.

 

Edited to Add:  Please insure that your physician/surgeon takes the numbness seriously, as the next step in the process is development of weakness.  These central nervous symptoms can increase in their scope to the extent that they become permanent losses for you, unless acted upon; e.g., pressure on nerve or nerve bundle is surgically relieved.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 21,845
Registered: ‎10-03-2011

Re: Epidural Cervical Spine Injections


@Tyak wrote:

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

Has anyone had these done?  I've been dealing with severe neck pain for several months.  I'm also experiencing some numbness in my hands.  I kept putting off seeing the doctor but finally did, which resulted in x-rays and then an MRI.  I am awaiting an appointment with the specialist.  The pain is so bad that if he suggested surgery immediately I'd go for it.  Even so, I have a feeling the initial recommendation will be steroid injections.  

My questions - 
Does it hurt while they're being administered?
How long before they take effect?
How long does the benefit last?
Did you get them and ultimately have surgery anyway?


Try physical therapy.  My neck is a mess.  I also had numbness in one arm down to the hand.  My first experience with a therapist was 12 years ago, went for therapy for 3 months and was pain free for about 10 years with daily exercises.  Had problems again 2 years ago, had therapy again 2x week for 4 months and have been pain free since which is going on 2 years now.  Again, I am doing daily exercises to hopefully remain pain free as long as possible.  My therapist told me to have surgery only as a last resort.  

 

I do urge you to give therapy a try.  It might help you.


Thanks for that suggestion, @Tyak, but I don't think that would work in my case, based on my MRI findings.