Have any of you had, or know someone who has had, a cervical epidural and can give me your views on the pros &/or cons? I recently had 9 trigger point injections in my back, but the doctor also wants to do a cervical epidural in 2 weeks which scares the he** out of me. I am in so much pain that I can barely care for myself and thought I was willing to try anything until the doctor mentioned that. I already have several problems with my neck, but I was always told to NEVER have any procedures done to your neck unless you are already paralyzed. I would welcome any comments or opinions any of you could give me. Thank you so much!!!
What is a cervical epidural? It does sound scary. I have never had any injections except in my knee and elbow and they both were for sports related injuries. My new rheumy mentioned trigger point injections but I was so tired and ready to go home by the time she mentioned those (about 3 hours after I got to her office) that I didn’t really ask questions about that. I think I will ask when I go back in February. Right now the medication works fairly well but it is not a medicine that I want to be on long term (it is MS Contin). We shall see. I spent so many months not getting any relief that I am happy to have pain in the 3-4 range most of. The time instead of the 8-10 range all the time. Good luck with whatever you decide but could you please let me know exactly what the doctor wants to do with you. Thanks so much!
I'm no help, mine were all lumbar injections, but I no longer go. I may have to some day in the future, as I have spinal stenosis, but I got to the point I could not stand anymore, couldn't stand to be touched.
You may want to discuss this with your Rheumatologist or General Practictioner who know your history and your x-rays. That would be my very best advice to you.
Wishing you well,
SK
Thank you for this link. It was very informative. The procedure still sounds scary and I have some thinking to do, but now it doesn't sound terrifying. Thank you again!
I had them before I had a cervical fusion. I also have had them in my spine. I had a very bad reaction to the Prednisone they used the last time, in October in my lumbar spine. I became a diabetic due to the steroids. Of course you would want to talk with you Physican and if in doubt ask to talk with other of his or her patients that have had this treatment. wishing you the very best of luck.
Hopeless, do you know if you have arthritis in your back? If so, it could be radiating to other places in the back and causing pain. I had radio ablution done back in July because my back was horrific and it did help some. BUT I was also in agonizing pain for 3 weeks after the procedure. It's worth looking into, IMO, even with the pain afterwards. And I was also doing lifting right after the procedure, which I shouldn't have been.
Hi there, I have had a few in my back and one in my neck. They all hurt like hell, the neck being the worst by far. I have since refused having any. I really only had relief for a couple of weeks and to me it is not worth having the cortisone in my body. It causes weight gain, and it is thought to cause cancer in long term use. I just am not willing to mess with it. I assume you have a Anesthesiologist doing the procedures. If so, they do so many of those that they know exactly what they are doing so I think your safe in that aspect. It is also done under sterile procedure is X-ray guided. You just have to decide what is best for you. You are not supposed to get more then two injections in a year. Do your research. Good Luck!