Facet injection in lumbar
 

I have had RSD for too many years to count. I was doing okay until I was rear ended in a MVAccident 15 months ago. I have herniated discs from L4-5 to S 1.

The orthopedic surgeon wants me to go to the pain clinic and have a facet injection. I know needles and I do not get along any longer. Even having a blood pressure cuff on is touchy.
So as I understand the person is not knocked out and it is painful, for a few seconds. At least what I have read for the cervical facet injection.

Anyone have a lumbar one ?

The doc wants to do surgery on my neck for the bulging disc compressing nerves. I have already tried traction..

So this lumbar injection is hanging over me. I will have a new patient consult at the pain clinic I have not been to now in soo many years.

Encouragement ??

I've never had a lumbar injection, so I can't really offer any advice on it. I would get a second opionin from your nuerologist and pm dr and maybe even another orthopedic specialist before deciding to that procedure though. I hope whatever you decide, that your pain subside. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Thank you for your kind words
 

In all my years with RSD I never had a lower block either. The risk always seemed too high.
My pain management doc wanted me to have a coddle epidural which goes under the lumbar bone. A Chinese orthopedic not licensed in this country said don't do it. He escaped from myo say tung regime.

However, had to get an orthopedic surgeon involved, and he actually wants to do surgery on huge bulging disc in my neck and has referred me to the pain clinic for this facet injection. Since I can hardly walk, I have made a new patient appointment at the pain clinic. ( that is how long I have been to any of these pain doc's)
If RSD wasn't an issue, I would go get a procedure done... But RSD is an issue..

When my pm dr wanted me to get a SCS and I was afraid because of spread from my rsd so I went to my gp and neurologist for second and third opinion and they said the chance of it helping was small and the chance of an infection occurring from it could aggravate my rsd and cause a whole host of other health problems for me. They also told me that this procedure was a very expensive procedure (somewhere around $50,000 and that they wondered sometimes if drs do it for the money they make off of it. I decided not to do it because of that. My point is, maybe just get those extra opinions from other drs to make sure it will help you if you decide to do it. Also check healthgrades on drs online to check out their backgrounds, possible malpractice suits and other patient reviews as well as what insurance they accept. Good luck and take care. I hope you find an answer and feel better soon.

Hi Tashi!
I have had numerous stellate ganglion blocks, cervical blocks (for pinched nerve in my neck) and lumbar blocks. I know they come with risk, but the SGB's helped me so much in the past, I was willing to try any block that the dr thought would help. I have RSD in my face, hands, feet, shoulders, left leg, left arm and trunk. The results of the lumbar blocks were mixed. The only reason I stopped getting them is because I devoped a bad reaction to the steroids. I never experienced spread from any blocks, I know ssome on here have, but I didn't. It was only with some of the SGB's that I was sedated, but I would rather not be because that is one less needle. Besides, the pain from the procedure is only brief and temporary. I had botox in my face/head for migraines. It helped the pain a lot, but I had an allergic reaction to it :(

I even got two SCS's implanted in 2011. Even though I am having some issues with them now, I am glad that I got them. They allowed me to get thru another 1 1/2 years of work. They even helped me have more movement in my limbs and helped with desensitization. I know they are not for everyone as we all respond differently.

Anyway, I hope you can find some relief soon!
Nanc
:hug: