pain block
 

I was wanting to know if anyone has had a spinal block for a bulging disc, they tell me that i need one because i have had a bulging disc for around 12 months now and it doesn't seem to go away, i have had a lot of pain for months now that radiates down my leg any advise would be appreciated.

well I take it that no one has had this spinal block for pain thank you

Hi Dianne,

I saw your Post and thought someone was bound to have had a Block. I am sorry you have received no response yet.

But, know that you are not alone. I have a compressed spinal cord in my neck causing neck and referred pain/numbness down both arms. The stabbing pain is SO intense it brings tears to my eyes, and I can barely lift my hand to my mouth.

I also have referred pain shooting down my left leg from damage to my lower spine. Numbness again, and the same pain intensity as in my right arm, causes frequent falls.

The last idiot Neuro I saw is still dragging his heels regarding forwarding MRI results to my GP, so I don't know if the damage is being caused by disc or bone. Whichever, I will not be a candidate for surgery due to my heart, but a dx would be nice.

Maybe with another Flag on the Forum someone will pop in with a reply for you.

Dave.

I have a spinal condition that is called cervical spondylotic myelopathy and I also have / had radiculopathy and I have that same stabbing pain in my arms. I tried several pain blocks and never got an ounce of relief, including two epidural steroid injections and a facet joint injection. I know of some people who say they get relief but I never did.

I had a ESI on May 8th and yesterday. The one on on May 8th was amazing. I was completely pain free for about 4 days.

The one yesterday... I hurt more and still do than before I got it. I'm willing to try again though. Anything for pain to go away.

Thank you to all that have answered my question i am still not sure if i will have the injection into the spine it sort of scares me a lot i was going to see if there is any alternative to try and help with the pain,
if it makes it worse i will be in all sorts of trouble as i can't afford time off as i have alpacas that need looking after so i have to keep going

Hi,

I am not even sure where to start. I have been down all those roads that you are considering, those that have been of benefit and those that have erupted into new and serious complications. Nothing is without risks, I guess. I have beat the odds most times, and lost on others that I have paid for dearly. Choose the best road for yourself after thoughtful consideration and then go with it! There are no absolutes. You have to go somewhere, right? Otherwise you wouldn't even be here.

Hi Dubious
thank you for the advise at the moment I have decided to see how much pain I can put up with I am a chicken it scares me to think of having an injection into my spine as I have had surgery on my spine when I was young and they had to do a mylogram and that wasn't pleasant I had no choice as I was paralyseds so it scares me to go for the injection I will see what happens.

I just wanted to say, I have had at least 6 Epidural Steroid Injections in the cervical(neck) area and they always worked to help the pain.

I was also terrified of getting these injections....the thought of an injection into my spine terrified me also but it was so easy, the first time I actually laughed because I was bracing myself for the shot, I thought the doc was still giving me numbing meds and he said,"I,m done". They have always been effective for me.
The best advice I can give is make sure to research the doctor. I found the doctor via my pain mgmt doc.

Subsequent times I went, I had him give me a series of lidocaine injections along with the ESI although last time he said the law( perhaps a Medicare one) did not allow it....so I would go to one doc for the ESI and my pain doc is down the street and I would go to him for a series of lidocaine shots around my neck and shoulders......Maybe try the lidocaine injections, if you have not yet. I had a bad winter this winter and my pain doc used to let me come weekly for several weeks for lidocaine injections and I know folks who get lidocaine infusions.

Best of luck,
D.

Epidural steroid injections are no big deal. They use fluoroscopy which is a like a low dose real time / live xray so they can see the needle and guide it to where it needs to be placed. I have never had a tinge of pain afterwards, but they always give me general anesthesia for these injections. I've never had one work for me, but I've been willing to try 3 times. Sometimes my pain is so high I could care less about the needle into the spine procedure. When you hurt so bad that you ponder suicide, who cares about a silly needle?