Had second lumbar nerve block yesterday

[moeck]

Well yesterday I had my second lumbar nerve block.  I told the radiologist that the first one gave me real relief on days five and six following the procedure and now I feel worse than ever.  He told me the same thing my neursurgeon said..that was normal and number two should give relief for two to three weeks (starting on day five).  if it does, we go on to nerve block number three next month, if it doesn't we look at surgery for pinal stability as an option.  In the meantime my physical therapist told me not to come back until I am feeling much better as I couldn't do much of anything with involving my back or legs this past Monday.
With me neck block number one did pretty much the samething while block number two made me feel like cr** for two weeks afterwards.  Right now I am still at the post-procedure cr** phase.
At least I didn't have a funeral to fly off to this month.
A week from today is my right hand CTS release than two weeks after that I go to JHH for my evaluation.
Nerve block number three (if it comes to that) isscheduled for the following week along with the left hand CTS.
Apparently since I had positive emgs for CTS on both sides they want to do the releases before looking at my neck any further since the nerve involved can give the same symptoms no matter which end is being pinched.
Thanks for letting me whine, I'm feeling nauseous from the pain meds, in pain at the injection sites and have an elevated temp.  Not high enough to worry yet but I'can't easily inspect the injection sites myself for signs of infection.  Hubby is due home soon though and I'll have him look.

[Heather3418]

Thanks for your reply.  It helps me to understand more about the blocks.  They have talked about my lower spine.  Hoping to relief some of the leg pain that I have.

As to the EMG and NCS for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  Would you believe that both of mine came back normal?  That was done by a Neuro.  When my hands kept bothering me, I finally went to an Orthopedist that operated on my shoulder and elbow after a car accident in 1980.  The Ortho knows me so well, that he knew when I was complaining about my hand pain, that despite the normal EMG's and NCS, that there HAD to be something wrong.  He knew that I was not a complainer.  He scheduled the left first and when he went in, he said that the nerve bundle was so tight, he culd not understand why the EMG's/NCS showed nothing.  Same with the right hand.  He said they were both bad.

I heal very quickly and I took my wrist splints off within a couple of days.  I was able to use my fingers almost imnediately  The only thing that really bothered me for about two weeks was using either hand to take care of my bathroom needs.  (If you catch my drift, without me being crude here)  I would say I was back to 100% within 3 weeks, when at that time (1991) they took my sitiches out.  I had the full palm cut.  I don't believe they do that anymore.  So your healing time should be a whole lot faster.

The only thing I can tell you that I cannot tolerate since I had the hand surgery is holding anything cold.  To this day, that makes my hand hurt.  But as far as success from the surgery, it is wonderful.  AND it was almost immediate relief.  I couldn't have been happier.

Thanks for your help and I hope you get everything resolved....I will be watching for your updated posts.

Thanks again, Heather  

[moeck]

Where is your doc suggesting the nerve block?  I've had two in the upper neck and so far two lin the lowerback.  They intorduce lidocaine into the area surronding where the nerve roots extend our from the cord and then bathe the whole area with steroids to reduce the inflammation.  Mine were done under conscious sedation (versead) and the whole thing takes about rwo hours (from when I check in to when I can go home).  I've always been told that it can make you feel lousy up to 7 days afterwards and that it takes going three times a month apart for optimimal effect. BUT, if you get no releif from number two then they quit there.
As for CTS, two questions.  How long before you could use your hand for "normal activity" such as eating and how long until you could really be back to "normal"?
I started down this road because my right hand kept going numb while playing (recorder, hence my screen name).  Regular tests showed no CTS, finally found bulging discs (one ruptured) in neck, no hand relief, did mris (brain, c-spine, t-spine), found brain lesions, sent to weanie neuro who did emgs, found CTS, sent to hand specialist who did first tests over and said CTS before he even looked at the emg results.
Ishould bless those docs (GP and rheumy) who had originally said no CTS or neck might have gotten worse and brain lesions would never have been found.
moeck

[Heather3418]

Even though you are going through so much right now, I wonder if it's alright to ask YOU a question?  Could you tell me a little bit more about the procedure to have the lumbar nerve block?  Is it for pain in your back or your legs/or both?  My Pain Center doc has talked to me about the possibility of the nerve block in the future and I know absolutely nothing about them.

Hope you can help and of course, I hope that you get to feeling better.  Since I have had Carpal Tunnel Release on both hands, if there are any questions you would like to ask me, I would be glad to answer.

Best Wishes and be well, Heather

[moeck]

Need to add, in case someone can recognize what is going on, I'm getting shooting pains down my left groin. Bowels and bladder have been normal (for me), I can walk no problems and have no loss of motion anywhere but can't fully straighten up without back pain.  Slightly nauseous and neck is stiffer than usual.
moeck

[moeck]

Thank you, prayers are always welcome.  Today is day three (nerve block was on Tuesday) and I feel like someone has hit me across the back with a baseball bat. No fever, no signs of tenderness, reddness, etc at the injection sites but chills followed by sweats followed by chills, etc.  Enough to drive me batty, well at least battier than I already am.  Thanks for letting me whine though, it really helps.
If things aren't better by Sunday then absolutely no way am I going for round three.
moeck

[grannyhotwheels]

I'm sorry your in pain.  It sounds like you have a very busy schedule.  As always, I'll be praying.

Carol