((((((Donna)))))),

Oh, I **HATE** those things. I cannot stand having anyone within 5 miles of my neck. Now, they have a note in my record that I get very nauseous and dizzy to the point of almost passing out -- so they give me something in the drip that prevents me from sliding to the floor

I hate 'em and they won't use the fluoroscope for the neck. I have found, though, that I get much-much better results in my neck than I do in my lumbar.

I had an epidural in my neck last May and it just started wearing off last month. I really need another one.

I have the same as you -- degenerative changes (arthritis) in my neck. The symptoms that I get when it's really painful are almost like wearing a cape -- pain in my neck, upper back, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, down into my hands and fingers (this is in addition to the pain that I 'normally' have in my hands and fingers from my blood condition and the pain that I 'normally' have from my fibromyalgia).

My son says the warranty ran out too early and I should go complain to the manufacturer

Epidurals *ARE* steroids. That's why my doctor will only give me three per year. I usually get one in my neck, one in my lumbar (which rarely works because they don't want to use the fluoroscope) and I save the third one just in case something craps out before the year is up.

I turn into a real STEROID WITCH for about 6 weeks after the injections. Like PMS -- only much-much worse -- you do NOT want to be on the same planet as me

They're not a cure and they don't really solve anything, but, if they work, they DO give you a break from the pain, which is a blessing. I'm not given any drugs except ibuprofen (which I can't take anymore because it's leaching calcium out of my bones, not to mention all the 'normal' problems with NSAIDS).

You know pretty soon after the injection if it's going to work or not. I pray for miracles for you, Donna.

BIG HUGS.

Barb