Hello all,
I had my first cervical esi done two days ago. It was an interesting experience to say the least. The procedure went well I think, no major pain getting injection. Later that day my arms felt really tired. I usually have left sided neck pain, left shoulder and bicep pain. After the injection my right side of neck and right bicep hurt worse. Strange isn't it? Doctor said if I would get pain relief it would be at about day 5-7. Hope everyone is feeling better.
Artic
two moderate disc bulges c5-c7
moderate to severe neural foraminal stenosis c5-c7
osteophytes everywhere

I hope it works !!!--It has helped alot of people i know some first shot did the trick a few people need a 2nd.

Believe me, if the FIRST doesn't work, the SECOND one won't work either. they do NOT build up in your system. So if this one doesn't work, do NOT let them do another. They are not good for the body, and they are just money-makes for the doctor. Read the medical journals and you'll see for yourself.

I do hope it works for you though. Best of luck and God bless. Hugs, Lee

Hello and welcome to Neuro Talk. I agree with Leesa. please evaluate carefully the amount of relief, or no relief you get from ESI shots. Do not be talked into more, if the first round doesn't work. Ususally the second round does not either. There are other more effective, less dangerous injections out there through pain management. I sure wish you all the best as you go forward with treatment. ginnie

Hello,
No relief from neck or arm pain with esi. Ginnie, you spoke of other less dangerous injections that are available. What would that be? My meds are lyrica, tramadol and flexeril. Not alot of relief there either. Tramadol takes about two hours to get into my system. Not really very effective. I did not want to do the whole pain contract thing because of my work. I know people abuse the system but for those of us who have legitimate conditions a pain contract is just that, a pain. Neurosurgeon wants to do two level acdf with instrumentation. Not happy with that idea. It seems nothing is easy with spinal conditions. Anyway, hope everyone feels better.
Artic

When the ESI injections do not work the first time, most doctors want to keep at it. Very expensive to insurance and out of pocket, a real money maker. Also the risk with them is there. I am not a big fan of them Artic. My own experience with them wasn't so good. I am fused C3-7.
Between my fusions, I had something called a Ketamine infusion. This is done with a pain specialist however. They use a floroscopy and a thin cath into the places that are damaged. There was no pain at all for me, before, during or after, and it provided about 4 months of relatively pain free existance. I had several of them. The final one didn't work, and it was at that point, my pain specialist after viewing on the floroscope just what my cervical spine was doing, said I should go to to a neurologist again. These shots, any of them, (facet blocks as well) are a temporary fix Artic. They are all worth a try to stay out of the operative theater. That really is a last resort.(surgery)
I didn't have to sign a pain contract with my physiatrist at all. She really did get me on a better track after my fusion. I still get help when needed with medications. Tramadol didn't do squat for me either.
I sure hope you can find some resolution. I really believe if you find a pain specialist, it would help you. They are not all jerks. I interviewed 4 of them before finding my current doctor. It was worth the effort to do this.
I hope you have a good weekend. I am here anytime to talk to. ginnie

I was never offered Ketamine infusions, but I would SURELY ask about that before allowing them to do ANY more injections into the spinal canal. All those are, are money makers and just "bandaid" fixes. Perhaps the ketamine infusions weren't even available when I had my problems -- it was awhile ago.

Tramadol didn't do squat for me either. LOL All it did was make me have a real MIGRAINE! Good Lord, that was awful.

Ask about a long-acting Opiate -- although if he has you on Tramadol, he probably won't give you any. But you DO need something long-acting! You need something that lasts at LEAST 8 hours or so. I'm on OpanaER and that works quite well. It does last close to 8 hrs and I sure appreciate that!

Keep us posted, okay? Keeping you in my prayers. Hugs, Lee

Hello
Thanks to ginnie and leesa for your caring comments. I am currently seeing a pain management dr. My first appointment was for an emg. The study came back abnormal of course. I have cervical radiculopathy at c4-c6. I have not asked for narcotic pain meds and dr does not offer any. I think she is waiting for me to ask for them. I am mid fifties and this situation with my neck is hard for me to grasp. I have worked hard my whole life and now I am struggling to live with physical pain. The mental aspect is also wearing me down as I feel my life slipping away from me.
Realizing my own mortality is a real eye opener. I must sign pain contract to receive narcotic pain meds. The terms such as random drug testing and pill counts make me feel like a drug seeker. I have no problem passing drug screening yet its just one more thing to deal with. I have less energy these days as my condition seems to leave me drained. When I was younger I would hear older people talk about death as a relief, I could never understand this line of reasoning. Now I am understand their position from a different prospective. As I am typing this my arms are tired. I know there are many on this site that are far worse off than I am.

God bless you all
Artic

I deal with pain management as I mentioned. I was drug tested the first visit, and none after. I use the medications, as without them, I sit like a bump on a log doing nothing much. In my own situation, I refuse to give up my life to be sedentary. Rather pay the price and take the meds. so at least I can do a few things. I know giving in, and getting the meds. isn't easy. I too was active all my life. I need to have some activity to remain mentally OK. I hope that you are OK, and can find a happy medium. ginnie

I have had several for various reasons over the years. All but one worked well and without residuals. Success rate runs at 60-70% and complications happen but are low in frequency (selected nerve root blocks excepted). It's all relative....it's a last ditch effort to keep someone out of surgery...