cervical epidural injection and side effect

Kurtiss I was wondering how long it should take for the steroid injection to help? In May 2012 I had surgery C5-C6 for a severely herniated disc as the result of a fall in March. Before the surgery I didnt have any signifigant pain in my neck but my left arm was paralyzed and withering so the surgery was done as an emergency by a neurosurgeon. Since May I've had steadily increasing pain and arachnoiditis (I think that might be what you were saying about the cattle prod). I have the same thing. I also found out in August that I have a new herniation not as severe at C4-C5. I've had two cervical facet joint injections one in September and one in August that didn't help so my doctor did an epidural injection on December 4. I definitely have the blood sugar and lack of sleep, fatigue etc problems.It is December 8 and with a long acting pain med and one for breakthrough pain I am sitting on an ice pack. Do you have any idea how long it might be before I can tell if it is going to help me? So far the pain is way worse and yea it definitely feels like a cattle prod in my neck. That is a good way to describe it, I really didn't know how to explain the excruciating pain as well. I would appreciate any help with this from you or anyone else that has experienced similar problems. I also have had a loss of bladder control being worse since the injection but I've had that off and on since May when I had surgery, I came back from the OR like that. The surgeon doesn't recommend more surgery but pain management instead which is great because honestly if I had it to do over I don't know know if I would take surgery or the paralysis seriously the pain is that bad. They are also trying to tell me that I have MS but a neurologist told me he would be surprised if that's the case because my spinal cord was so severly impinged before the surgery that it could never possibly be near normal again. I do have DDD. I didn't mean to write a book here but you are the only one's post I saw that described the pain close to what I have. Have you heard of arachnoiditis? My surgeon told me that's part of what I have from severly damaged nerve roots. It feels like bugs crawling up and down your neck. I didn't mention it to him because I thought he would think I was mental...LOL.

I just wanted to post my experience because I came across this site while I was preparing for my 1st cervical epidural injection yesterday.  I've had three previous facet injections resulting in a great deal of relief - 4 months, then 7, then 11.  I'm doing everything I can to avoid fusion surgery, so the doctor suggested trying the epidural injection.  I had a heavy feeling on my left side immediately following the injection for about 1/2 hour, woke up this morning feeling great, and after sitting in my office chair for a couple of hours, I started to feel my neck getting stiff and got a headache.  But, it's not been anything Advil couldn't take care of.  If I can get 11 months or better of relief from this, I'm all for it!

I don't imagine anything will change, but if I have any side effects sneak up in the next few days, I'll post again.  If this is an option for you, DO IT!  But, starting with facet injections would be preferred.  That way you can see how you respond to the steroids without going directly into the higher risk injection...  Good luck - I hope you all find some relief!!!

i had a injection in c7 first then did nerve and mucsle test with new Dr. I needed injection in c-6 .I had my first one Dec.18 201,only 2wks ago.the shot helped alot for about 2 wks. now the severe pain in neck and between shoulder again.has anyone experienced relief for longer periods of time with a second or third shot? Im not worried about weight gain,as Im willing to do anything to reieve this pain.the 2 wks Of some relief was a God send during holidays.also wondering if anyone has had the fusion operation.Did it help? Any feed back will really help me .Thanks Holly

hi,I had epidural injection.First one 2 wks ago.it helped alot for 2 wks.then severe pain is back.How did yours go?I guess I will try 2 more injections,as Im desperate for pain relief.The next option is fusion surgery .Has anyone had this fusion surgery work for them?It is in c6-5 area of neck.Thanks for any feed back.

No fusion for me, one slip of the knife and you are a quadriplegic the rest of your life.I have a great pain doctor that specializes in spines, the med's are doing there job just fine. I believe, from everything I have read, these shots are way over used and misused. They are for short term injuries, and herniation's are not short term. They make me feel worse immediately, and the steroids around that area are said to (from reading about it on the web, and people I know) facilitate fast deterioration of muscle and bone and all that. I already have a degenerative disease, I am not going to make my Dr. rich a the expense of my neck crumbling to pieces. Man, you need to self educate, cause these doctors are out for a buck. Luckily for me, my feet swell badly as a reaction to the shots, my doctor has witnessesd this and no longer pressures me about them. Plus, the hut terribly for me anyways.

 

I had one injection in my cervical spine back in 2009. The doc had difficulty getting the needle into the right place--he used an Xray machine and dye, but it felt like the needle was going through scar tissue maybe? Right after the injection, I felt a cold "wash" of pain flow all the way down my left arm, and then my left arm went numb. This only lasted for a minute or two, and the doctor said he had never had anyone complain of this before. I researched these injections after that experience and found a lot of potential risks... decided not to have another one. An interesting story about these injections is at 

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Do your homework... it seems that some people have had good results, but some have been permanently injured.

yes I have experienced alot of weight gain..I have cervical and thorasic shots..works great for the pain ; but i have been doing this therapy for many years now..,I must get the weight down my cardiologist said...and the medicine has caused me to get the condition called Gastritis..which is inflamation of the stomach lining....the main cause is over use of anti-inflamatory drugs.. Now I am going to do alternative treatments....we shall see..only problem is the pain epidural shots are covered my insurance/ acupunture is not....I am also trying traction machine; to maintain in between shots..
My shots only last 3 months never longer...

Be careful with traction, it sure made me worse. I was a herniated c-6-c7; it did no good at all. It was a lot of pain and didn't get better. I too took far to many anti-inflammatory meds, such as ibuprofen and other NSAIDs - it left me with damaged kidneys, although it has been over 6 months since I have taken any think like them, I believe my kidneys are starting to recover. A simple blood test will tell you if your kidneys have been damaged as well.

I didn't see this until now, yes, that same exact thing has happened to me. I will no longer except injections into my spine, they can be very dangerous despite what the Dr. says, the doctor just wants to make money, no matter how good they are, they all seem to believe they work, and I have read they do, for short term injuries, but if you like me, have a herniation or protruding disk, that is not going to go away and the shots will fasten the deterioration of the muscle and bone and everything that the steroid injection is around!

I had an injection about 9 days ago. Will never do it again. Bad headaches for 8 days that had to be treated with morphine 2 of the days.

Speaking to your stomach problems, I had that. Like you, the upper GI test showed nothing. Like you went on Carafate and tried all different scripts for acid reflux. Bad stomach pains, I would have to get up and walk around during the night. Anyway, started a routine of daily soluble fiber (not insoluble fiber) and started not eating anything after 7 pm. After several weeks on a regimin of soluble fiber, my stomach calmed down. I eventually replaced the soluble fiber with having a cut up peeled apple for breakfast every day. Apples are high in soluble fiber. Stress can kick it back in for me and I start the soluble fiber again for a few days. Just had to comment on that aspect of your problem since it mirrored mine so closely. Hope you start feeling better soon!

I was NOT pregnant. Basically these cortisone shots trigger hormonal changes that 'trick your body into thinking your pregnant' in other words mimic all of the reactions without actually bring pregnant. Plus - I wasn't having sex so yeah .. it was the cortisone, and this should be taken more seriously than doctors take it. Putting your body through this is not healthy

I'm really sorry to hear about your story and I hope some of the hypnosis and/or neurofeedback has helped you. I still have extra weight - which I've been working on and the rest of the symptoms have dissipated. Luckily I was able to return to normal life though I am very scared of ever having more pain return as I won't be willing to treat with steroid and fear I won't have an option to deal with it. Yes that guy was a jerk to say I was pregnant. Ignorance! Anyway, I wish you all the best and hope things turn around for you soon. Keep hope in your heart and don't give up!

I guess I never clicked to receive notifications of replies because I'm just now seeing all of these comments. I did switch doctors and had normal physical tests done for this and for nerve pains I occasionally have - even specific nerve conduction studies. They never found a damn thing wrong with me. Everything was attributed to hormonal imbalance caused by the cortisone. At this point I assume everything is fine - still have some extra weight but otherwise feeling MUCH better than I was. I don't think I should still be worried about any of these things now, do you?

No it didn't. Hope you're doing alright