Just got the big injection today...

[AZKathy]

and it was HUGE! a steriod shot in my neck; needle was about the size of a small straw and felt it touch the bone... OUCH!  they say that i won't really know how well the steriod is working for at least 48 to 78 hours - but right now, i seem to have lost the tingling in my arms and hands, but still have the horrendous headd and neckaches - in addition to a hole in the back of my neck...

i'm not too optimistic about this working, but it was worth giving it a try at least... this is my 60th day of no narcotics now, and there have been many, many times that i wish that a dr. would prescribe something for me... the withdrawals are just about finally gone after these long two months; but not the stinkin pain...

just thought i'd check in and let all of you know that i finally got the first of what may be a series of 3 total injections, 6 weeks apart... in the meantime, i'm still trying to contact the dr. who took care of me for 10 plus years, and i basically stopped seeing him because he refused to up my dosages of pain killers.. but he seems to be my next best option...

gonna go lay down and put some more ice on my neck, and hope to hear from my friends here soon...

take care,
kathy

[AZKathy]

oh noooo... so sorry to hear about the accident - just what u didn't need!  I'm following the drs. instructions... don't have any pain meds, but wish i did, and don't have another appt w/him for 6 weeks... u can bet i'll be calling him sooner than that if this injection doesn't work - i know they usually give them in series that are a bit closer together than that

jeez, good luck with your new round of injuries - i wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially you!

[IBKleen]

Hi Kathy!

I am so glad they finally did something to help with the pain. I had those exact shots done some years ago and after the series of three I DID have relief. Please follow the doctor's instruction to the letter.

I had a car accident two days ago (my fault) and I re injured both the cervical and lumbar areas of my back. Not fun. I am going for MRI's next week and the injections may be an option again. Since I had success with them I would welcome it. So let me know as you go along how it is working for you.

I have been praying that you get relief so hopefully this is it for you!!!

[AZKathy]

sorry, don't even know what spinal stenosis is - I was in a really bad car accident over 10 yrs ago that left me with severe head and neck injuries - my injection yesterday was done by an anesthesiologist, but it WAS a big needle, and felt it scrape my spine.. neck's still sore of course, and am using ice packs on it...

just hoping that the steriod injection will do some good, is all!

[freebird227]

By chance do you have Spinal Stonosis in your 5 or 6 verta. in your neck? I do and I am a recovering addict so mood altering pain meds were not an option for me soooo 3 years ago I had a procedure done by a neuro surgeon that envolved a LEEDER W/ A BID NEEDLE.....I have been over 75% pain free since. Yes I was awake during the whole procedure as I had to let him know when I felt pain........No, not fun but worth it. No more numbness down the whole right side of my body........Good luck with this!!!!!

[dominosarah]

Well when you do decide i want pics!!  My babies are curled up next to me right now.  One is snoring and the other one is laying upside down!!

If these injections work your energy will return.  Being in pain really wears us down.......

[AZKathy]

I've thought about it a lot, but am still waiting for some more energy to return - I'd have to take a dog for many walks daily, and sometimes I still don't even feel like going out to the mailbox.

Hopefully, given another 30 days, I'll have that energy back again... hopefully!

Oh, btw, it's safe to watch the video - it's not of an actual real life injection, but more like an almost cartoon sorta animated thingie.

[dominosarah]

I for one will not be watching the video!!  I will just take your word on it!!  I am happy you are eating good now....now to get you feeling better.  Given anymore thought to adding a 4 legged to your home??

[AZKathy]

hi guys - it's good to know that the injections might do some good after all - i guess i just need some more patience to start with, like 3 days worth to see if the steriods do any good -  here's a video that i watched to prepare myself for it - and yep, it's the same thing i had done today - OWWIE!
http://www.spine-health.com/video/cervical-epidural-steroid-injection-video

gnarly, i'm going to ask the dr about what u mentioned the next time i see him  and see what he thinks - basically he's NOT one of my favorite docs, as he laughs at me a lot - seemed to think the pain was all imaginary and a way of trying to get drugs before he saw the mri

thank u too, badshadow - the last 60 days has been like a nightmare at times; but you know all about that if you live with chronic pain too...

and sarah!  yes... i'm still eating, a lot more than before... the only time i lost my appetite is when i'm just hurting too much - and then don't feel hungry at all - most of the time, i've been able to do pretty darn well, though...

thanks for your caring & concern...
kathy

[dominosarah]

Good thing i was sitting down when i read about the size of the needle!!!!  I hope you find some relief with these injections.  Congrats on the 60 days girl!!  That is awesome!!  Are you still eating???

[gnarly_1]

HI Kathy ....I have had a lot of those shots.....it took 3 for me to get any real releaf but they may have already told you it might take 3 if not I just did so dont give up hope...I had mixed results some of them really did the trick others dident work...the ones I remember working well where with a steroid called depamedrol so you may want to ask about it
congrads on your clean time also...good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[badshadow]

I hope tyhe treatment helps with your pain.  I have problems with Chronic Pain and have gotten a couple of Steroid Shots.  They did help, for awhile, but I think you can't have them too often.

Congratulations on your recovery and staying clean from pain meds, especially when you have to deal with having pain every day.