Getting Cervical Epidural Tomorrow
 

Hi everyone!

So...after talking with the doctor about my MRI results that I was previously told were normal (but really showed two bulging disks and a herniated disk)...we have decided to try a series of cervical epidurals to see if that helps with some of my pain since my fall. I know it won't help with the RSD...but there's definitely some other stuff that has been going on in terms of neck pain, shooting pains down my arm, etc since I fell. I am hoping that this will help with at least SOME of that pain and give me a little relief. Tomorrow I go in for my first one, three weeks later we'll do a second, and then three weeks after that a third. Tomorrow I will also check in with the doctor on the status of the DRG stimulation treatment and if it's time to resubmit to insurance or if the information will be published in January. I think THAT will be a real game changer for me and I am anxious to get it done...but definitely need to make sure all the approvals are in place from the insurance company first.

It's been a really rough time lately for me with extra cold weather and the holidays...but hopefully tomorrow is the start of things getting better for me. Wish me luck!

I hope you find some pain relief soon Catra. Soft hugs.

Good Luck!
 

Cartra. I hope everything goes well for you and you get some relief soon!! I hope that you get your DRG soon!

Hi Catra,

I hope your injection went well, was comfortable and you get the relief and healing you need. I know we are all hoping for the best for you. I'm sending extra healing vibes your way for 2017!

:hug:

Injection
 

Hey Catra! Long time since I have posted here!! I hope your cervical ESI helped you, although it could take a while to kick in! I got a lumbar ESI this afternoon, herniated discs causing problems in my legs. Anyway, wishing you well!

Thank you everyone. I'm still VERY sore and my neck has been stiff all day today from the shot...but that is slowly getting better. I know it can take up to 10 days to experience the full relief...but already today I noticed that even though my shoulder still hurt doing certain things...it wasn't the intense AGONY it has been. I still took it easy and didn't push it...but that has given me a little bit of hope that maybe it really was this simple?? If so...that would be amazing. My second epidural is scheduled January 24th and that should hopefully add on to any relief I get from this one. Only time can tell how long such relief lasts...but I am feeling hopeful today.

Even if this helps with my shoulder...I will still be going ahead with the DRG stimulation because my RSD has gotten much worse over the past year because of the limited activity and extra 20 pounds I've gained...not to mention increased stress and just overall pain...due to not being able to use the walker ever since my fall off the ladder over a year ago.

It is incredibly frustrating to think that if they had just listened to my complaints about the neck pain in the beginning, ordered the MRI of my neck sooner, and not dismissed the results of the MRI as "basically normal" sooner...I could have gotten this relief and treatment sooner. BUT...can't look back and think what if...we all know what that's like after spending months or years before finally getting the RSD/CRPS diagnosis. All we can do is move forward once we have the answers and do the best we can with that information.

So yeah...fingers crossed the relief continues and even...hopefully...improves over time and with the second and third epidurals. :)

Thanks Nanc! I hope your lumbar ESI provides you some relief!

I'm glad it helped somewhat. The whole story is a sad one, though. Hugs to you!