Hi everyone..

Thanks for all the info.. I think it is a nerve block that he's doing.. will have it done on Mar. 14th so I will keep everyone posted.. Gibbn.. You are right .. it only masks the pain for a while and I wish there was something else that would help longterm other than surgery ! But first it's Forida for 3 weeks and then come home and have the shot !!!!!

I wish everyone a painfree or not painful weekend.. GO PATS !

Hi Dolfinz,

It's my understanding that a steroid injection is not the same as a nerve block. I've had both done, in two different injections; the steroid injection is to reduce inflammation and irritation of the nerves, whereas the nerve block injects an anesthetic to put the nerve to sleep, or "block" it. My doc did tell me, though, that in the steroid injections they also inject a small amount of a mild, short-acting anesthetic. The transforaminal approach targets a specific nerve root, because the injection is done through the foramen of the vertebra where the nerve root exits the spinal cord, rather than a generalized injection into the epidural space, in between the vertebrae.

I'm not actually sure how mine was done...I'll have to ask my doc when I see him tomorrow. It was under fluoroscopy, with some anesthesia; I requested some anti-nausea meds, too, as anesthesia tends to make me queasy. I was drowsy, but not asleep...I've had several injections in my neck for various things, and with some of them they gave versed and some they didn't. That's the med that makes you forget everything that happened...I definitely liked that better! Mine were all done at a surgery center. I just remember being sore for a few days and very sleepy the day of, which makes it hard because they wanted me to keep a pain diary for that day. It's hard to tell how you react to the injections when you sleep the day away! I didn't have any long-term effect from mine, though, but I know some people do, as Di can attest to.

Here's a link to a brochure about the procedure from a pain management center somewhere...I didn't dig too deep to find out where it's from...

http://www.paindiagnostic.com/Proced...nfoConsent.pdf

Hope this helps, and I hope the injection brings you some relief!

Take care, and enjoy Florida...we're snowed in for the fifth week in a row here in Colorado!

Donna

Hi Donna,

Thanks for the info, the Steroid injection sounds more like he described to me .. anti inflamitory injection to the vertabrae... I am hoping that it gives some relief to me, it seems everyday there is a new area that just plain hurts no matter what you do !!

Gosh I am glad we are not snowed in but I have been there MANY times ! Florida will be a welcome relief, but my mother is having back surgery so I am going down to take care of her..and get a little sun in while I am there !

Thanks everybody as usual for helping.. I will let ya know...
Dolfinz