Facet Joint Injection / Nerve Root Sleeve Injection
 

Had both done last Friday along with an epidural flush. Facet on the left and Nerve root on the right along with epidural flush. So pleased that procedure seems to have sorted the recently developed pain in my right knee. Came round with chest pain, after much testing, tilting, pushing, bloods and prodding they determined I had a grade 1 AV Block, nothing to be concerned over, but because my BP was so low, 58/36 and remained low they kept me in overnight again. Had my bed head lowered so spent most the night hauling myself back up. The good news is all procedures seem to have delivered results on day one and I'm in much less pain. I'm conscious today of the left side trying to say "hello" I'm still here, but it's nothing like it was and the right side also bearable. My meds have been increased, temgesic up to 6 times a day, (I've taken 3 so far today) still on the Valdoxan daily and endep 10mg daily added back in again along with Valium PRN. MY PM wants me to see a new physio who is apparently gifted with being able to pinpoint exactly what nerves needs injecting so I'm going to go see him asap. If he can tell my PM which nerves to do on the right side as well as a bit more on the left, I could be pain free almost for the first time in years. Something very much to look forward to! Kind of puts the shock of coming round in that situation to the back of the mind. I was so frightened as I also had the real urge to use my bowel which is apparently common with heart arrest. All I could think of was my poor old dad and his last day 7 heart arrests before they let him go. Anyway, that's not the point to this topic. The facet joint injection and nerve root sleeve injection seems to have delivered a good result!!

Pam,
You sure have been put thru so much. Hope you do have success with getting an appointment asap with the "gifted" physio your PM wants you to see. At least you are feeling hopeful for the chance to be pain free. Pray he comes through.


Gerry

Saw the gifted physio
 

Wow she is amazing!! She spent over an hour listening to me, assessing my ROM, making notes, then did some dry needling, pressure points and finally some light neck/ shoulder treatment. She is writing to Dr Salmon says I need on the left side L4,3 and S1 nerve root sleeve injections with epidural flush and nerve root sleeve injection with epidural for T3,4,5&6. Says my sciatic nerve is shot and thoracic pain is causing the migraine of last two weeks. I've got 2 more appointments with her this week & she wants me to also attend physio lead Pilates with 3 in the session (plus physio). So will see what my PM says and will also get results from CT scans last week. It looks like I've lost about 3cm in height :( . Will update again soon

Pam, You've had these type of injections for your knee. Is there a time frame/limit for these injections; i.e., like every so many months need repeating? How is your knee doing?

Hopefully the physio is "right on" where the injections are needed. The thought of being almost pain free has got to be uplifting and hopeful. Looking forward to your updates.


Gerry

hi Pam,
sure sounds like you have found a winner in this physio.
best of luck with the full outcome.
you are moving in the right direction.
love, d.

Having the nerve root sleeve injections tomorrow morning. L4,5 S1 & T3,4 along with epidural flush. Feeling quite nervous, don't fancy another overnight stint in hospital again. Hopefully it all goes to plan and I come home in the afternoon.

Had to stay in overnight again, felt quite sore yesterday after I got home via taxi. DB in work but had got home as ready as he could including pre cooking meals etc. had a good sleep last night and my back a little better today, it takes 3-4 days for the injections to give relief. I'm hopeful of a good result, but it's not as instant as it was last time.

On another note, my stomach has been playing up for sometime now, I've been putting it down to bowel blockages, seems not. Had ultrasound late the week before and got a letter in the mail to contact my GP urgently for test results. While in the scan the lady said I have multiple hernias, so I guess a mesh insertion is on the cards. will know more this week.:eek:

No mesh insertion at this stage. Have to try and control the controllable things in hernia management until I can no longer. I'm banking on for a good long time, I have not heard many good or positive reviews about mesh hernia repairs and I have enough going on already without adding to it. Those I know of who have had the mesh surgery have all ended up in a pickle again further down the track, quite a few say they wish they knew more at the time and chosen not to have it done.

Feeling the results of the procedure already. Pain is minimised considerably for the first time in years and tomorrow I'm attending my first Pilates class. It is run by the guru physiotherapist and only 3 of us in class. The plan is to build and develop my muscle strength in my back to provide better support for when the procedure wears off, which we all know can happen anytime within the next 6 to 18 months. Make hay while the sun shines :)

Hi Gerry, the procedure was all done on the back and had the added bonus of sorting the knee pain out. Apparently the knee pain was referred pain from L4 in my back. Who knew!! My right knee is doing great, from the minute I took my first step I knew the knee pain was gone. The injections are needed every 6 to 24 months. You can never predict when they will wear off. For me usually about 6 to 9 months in, but I'm hopeful this time will be longer as I have had the left side sorted as well. :) my PM is brilliant.