How close can serious of shots be given (cervical) ?

[vickie]

At present time, have had 4 epidurel shots, and pain management docter is starting on second serious with no 4 to 6 months break. I understand what he is trying to help me with, but was wondering if all this is just pro-longing surgery for me, which I was told by one docter that it would be necessary and another, not needed at present time.
Pain in neck and traveling down left arm, burning sensation is great.  Never had a problem with neck until I lifted a MD off the floor of my school bus, 120lbs dead weight. Having a difficult time understanding all the terminology, and would appreciate any translation to help me understand.
M.R.I. findings:
Slight reversal of normal cervical lordosis is noted at
C3-4 C4-5 C5-6 C6-7, there is moderate diffuse annular disc bulging at each of these levels that results in encroachment upon the neural foramina bilaterally.  This is most prominent at C3-4 C4-5 C5-6 where in  combination with the reversal of lordisis there is significant narrowing of the spinal canal in a ventral dorsal direction with near complete obliteration of the anterior cerebrospinal fluid space and compression of the cervical cord.  No evidence of abnormal signal intensisty within the cord itself is noted. There is noted to be disc space narrowing at c3-4 through c6-7. Bone marrow signal intensity appears within normal limits.  In addition, there is suggestion of an additional component of disc material on the left foramina likely representing herniation in combination with the bulging.

Thank you for your time, all this is foreign for me as I have never had problems with my neck, needless to say this is very overwhemling for me and trying to learn as much as I can.

[also a Margie]

I also injured my neck and shoulder lifting a 200lb patient and their wheelchair that was stuck in a wheellock in the back of a van....I have found out I have 2 herniated disc...DDD and arthritic spurs...they also found out I had a partially torn rotator cuff and some bad ligaments and tendons around that, they did the surgery to fix shoulder also removing the end of my collar bone...they have had a very hard time distinquishing exactly what symptoms where coming from my neck or my shoulder...have had the shooting pain from neck down to underneith shoulder blade.(L) also pain goes down left arm, fingers tingle, have pins and needles, get cold and go numb...pain in the neck usually gets bad enough to travel up the back of my head and I end up with whooper headaches..I have been in PT since Dec 99 when injury occured...had epidural injections which didnt seem to do much good except cause me to swell up like the pilsbury doughboy...I have had 2 opinions on my neck one agains surgery saying it was to dangerous and the last one saying it would definetly improve my situation and at the very least stop the progression of symptoms......now it is up to workers comp. to deside wether or not they are going to go with the surgery or not....I have never injured my neck or shoulder before either to my knowledge but have always had physical jobs and lifting.......the injections seem to help some people but didnt help me....
If you want to contact me my email is ***@****

[maggie]

I have bulging c3/4 5/6 6/7 with spinal straitening..
i had 3 epidurals already..will this ever go away?

[margie]

Epidural Steroid Injections:Are they safe?
I have DDD and 3 buldging disks, and my doctor wants me to try the epidural steroid injections.  Does anyone know the risk facotrs?  I am frankly scared!  mine are c4,5,6,7.
I have the burning down the arm, tingling in hands and numbness in fingers and forearm.  My neck is constantly stiff and my left shoulder/side is weak.  I am restricted to lifting 10 pounds, with no over head lifting.  I have done PT, Traction, Chiropractor, had MRI, EMG.  And I am mainly concerned about this Epidual.  Will it improve my quality of life?
Will I still have restrictions, I know there is no cure for DDD.
I have lived with this for over 4 years.  I woke up one day and couldn't move my left arm, and had the burning sensation.
I've always had neck problems, but no accidnet.  It's a mistery.
Have the Epiduals helped anyone, And have they harmed anyone?
Thank you,
Margie
you can email me with your comments at ***@****
Thank you all for your help and I wish you all the best!

[vickie]

Thank You very much for your reply,  They did tell me I have DDD, although I had never heard of that before, and I know that may be hard for some to believe.  I never had anything go wrong with my neck, and don't quite understand how I would not know of having something like this. Anyway, I would like to ask one more question, the first docter said I would have to have a plate and screws, although I have been reading alot about fushions, am I assuming that a plate is not considered a fushion? Is this a different procedure or perhaps you can lead me to a site that could help explain so many question I have and the terminolgy. I do want to be pain free, have led a very active life, bus driving, woodworking, and gardending, and wish to return to all of it. Thanks again

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Vickie:

Sorry to hear about your neck.  The shots should not cause any problem however, I hope they help your pain.  The MRI suggests that you have disc disease, as the straightening of the cervical curve (reversal of the curvature).  The significant narrowing of the cord is worrisome.  This would compromise the nerves travelling down the cord.  This is one criteria that we use to see if surgery is indicated.  But I would agree that other things need to be tried before surgery as surgery is often a hit or miss proposition.  The finding of no abnormal signal in the cord is very good as this indicates that there has been no real damage to the nerves or cord components besides compression.  I would be suprised it all of your changes are the result of the one episode lifting the MD.  I would think this has been occuring for awhile with the episode having a big impact on an already compromised cervical spine (albeit likely not too bad).  Since you have two opinions, one for and one against, I would see how medical management does and if no relief is found then I would seek a third opinion and break the tie.  

I hope that you become pain free.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD