Charliebubs, I hope all goes well and the nerve blocks work for you.
I'm no good at explaining how they are done, I just know that they work for me!
~Jaime~

Charliebubs,

You are welcome. And I sure hope I am right in what I told you. So again, I was referencing the part where you said nerve ROOT. I am almost positive that is what your doc is intending to. And only because trigger points in the scalp or around the occipital nerves do not require sedation. With other types of blocks sedation is usually available. Anymore, I don't ask for sedation I just take a Valium or two before the injections and just because I am anxious. And I don't always take a Valium every time either. It just depends on how many he is going to do. This past visit there was 5 areas he was injecting so yep, that made me anxious. Next month he will be doing a Selective Nerve Root injection at the C7.

In any case and as Jaime said, they have worked well for her and myself! In some instances they don't help. But from what I gather or have learned rather, if they don't help, that is only because the nerve generator was not found. I have had that happen too...in the beginning of all of this. The docs were injecting every level but for some reason didn't hit on or missed the target for the C3/C4. When my newer and current PM saw my MRI films he told me right off the bat that the C3/C4 was the culprit; did a couple of injections and I can't remember the exact types since it was back in 2003. But I had instant pain relief for the first time in 3 years. Of course it came back and then he did another set. But you have to know the C3/C4 was really, really bad...so fusion it was in 2004. And don't get me wrong, I am not saying you need a fusion LOL! It is very possible all you really need is just to get the nerves calmed down which is what your doctor's objective is.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. And I bet you find you will get some good relief. Just the numbing agent itself is heavenly! I can't tell you how many times I have had these only to ride home with blessed relief. But the numbing agent wears off after a few hours. You MIGHT have some increased pain for a couple of days but don't fret about that. It is just that the nerves sometimes get mad. But the steroid itself should kick in about a week or so. The doc can explain that all to you. But hang in there and don't fret and don't think it isn't working if this happens. I have done that too...called in to tell them the block didn't work. And how wrong I was LOL! I just needed to give it more time.

I wish you the best and don't fret too much. These are really not that bad at all...especially with some anesthesia. Honestly, you won't really care what they do and I know that sounds odd. But it is the truth.