I'm getting my 1st epidural spinal injection this thurs, and am getting a bit nervous, it's in the thoric area a t7-8. Hurt myself again at work on sunday and have been bed ridden since. Though I am going to try to work tonight, this has realy but me in the poor house! You see I have a heavy lfting job and though i do love it I'm starting to think that maybe i just cann't do it amymore and it is scarying me, I have had 2 surgerys on the past year c-5-6 acdf and then a revision c5-6 posterior. aalso have c3-4 herniated and c6-7 also. My lumber is also herniated all of them plus l4-5 is stenonic. But the thoric area is just killing me, it constantly feels like a big knife stabbing me between the shoulders, am getting headaches again neck pain an stiffness and it feels like there is something in my throat all the time, my arms are getting weak again and going to sleep also. I am getting drop foot when i over do it is that normal,also no appipite and feel ilike i have to go to the bathroom and just sit (sorry about that one) an constantly tired falling asleep all the time now and i have been an insomnic all my life plus and getting dizzy which i think my be to not be able to eat, numbness is back in fingers and feet also, please don't tell me another level went? I am goint to have to push myself to just get out of bed and get to work, but am scaried i will get fired. Also th doc didn't give me any info about what to do before the esi, Bobbi you have been great with advice but i am still a nervous wreck what if this doesn't work, i cann't afford not working as the bill collectors are after me nolw plus i don't want to spend my life in bed, though right now i wish i could for couple of more days.. Any mor advice would be soo apprciated and sorry i am wining so much, feel like a big baaby[, gotta go now as my hands are giving out , but thank you to all who read this and or gives me some in put. deb

I have had several ESI's in the lumbar region and cervical area. I am going in tomorrow for a selective nerve block. This will help them to find the area that is causing the pain and whether it is nerve related or not.

Don't be nervous about the procedure as it really is not that bad. I was told not to eat or drink two hours before the procedure and to have a ride home.

I will share how mine have been and hope that will put you at ease. I think it helps to know what is going to happen beforehand. When I arrive they take me back and have me change into a gown but I get to keep my pants on. So wear something stretchy and comfortable. I wear jogging pants. Then they put an IV in and the nurse will ask what medicine you are taking and check blood pressure.

Then when it is your turn a nurse will walk you into the procedure room and you will lay on the table and try to get comfortable. They will probably give you something in your IV to relax you but you will still be awake.

Next the doc will give you small shots to numb the area. They sting but are really not bad at all. Then the doc will inject the numbing medication/ steroid combo in your back. It doesn't take long and only once did it feel like I felt it down my leg. Even that was not bad.

Then they roll you on another bed and take you to recovery and they give us juice and a banana while continuing to monitor blood pressure and stuff. Then the doc will come ask if the pain is relieved at all and will talk to you.

After that you get dressed, they walk you or you sit in a wheel chair depending on if you are able to walk. (I was always able to) and they take you to your vehicle for your ride home.

You may be sore afterwards although I usually feel pretty good. You can aslo expect some extra soreness they next day but I usually just ice the area and it feels better. When you see the doc, usually a week or two later tell them what improvements you feel if any. I hope this helps to relieve some anxiety. I was worried sick with my first one and I made it so much worse in my mind than what it actually was....Sue

Dag,

Snoozie hit the nail on the head.

They are not really all that bad and I have had all kinds of injections. Actually, sometimes I look forward to them because I know I will have some relief afterwards. And definitely use the ice afterwards as she suggested...it will help! Oh, and I just had bilateral facet injections at the C2/C3 yesterday. I am a bit sore and stiff but I am hoping they work because an RF would be next and that would be great if it relieved some of the occipital headaches. Anyway, I hope you get great relief from it. Again, they are just not all that bad.

No worries at all. I've had four and

Nothing to worry about. I have had 3 ESI, They took less than 3 minutes each time. The ESI slowly gave me complete relief over the next few days.