Cervical epidural scheduled for Wednesday

Draka,
I've not had cervical injections, but others have and my guess is they'll be along in the next few days. You can also search old threads. I've had lots of other injections though - epidurals on lumbar spine, facets, nerve root blocks, etc. and I think basically they're about the same.

As far as the itching, I would call the pharmacist and ask if this is a serious side effect. Sometimes it's something that will pass, but I don't think it should be ignored. Ask for the pharmacist, so you're not just speaking to a tech. You can also read the package insert or go directly to the manufacturer's website and see how they classify itching.

Good luck!

PaLady

Hi Draka,

I have not had an ESI either, but have had all the others done on my neck and back. From what most of the people on here have said they usually cannot tell a difference for up to 2 weeks after the injection. They are done in a series of three and some said they did not get any relief with the first one, but did on the second one. Its the same old thing, everyone reacts differently so its really hard to say.

I hope you have found the info you needed on the itching problem. I know alot of people that itch too when they took Vicodin. I hope this is temporary, if not you really need to contact your dr office.

Let us know how the injection goes. 

Thank you so much Merrygirl.... I was typing my response so I didn't see yours..... I am not getting the sedation.... I don't think.... yikes.... I am nervous!

Thanks for the responses.... itching is a side effect of the medication...... I just do not want to take something else for that.

I have also been feeling very nauseous on this medication and it really does nothing for my pain....

Another question is this.... I was prescribed Roxycodone 15mg.... after my fiasco at the pharmacy I forgot to ask NOT to get the generic.... I ended up with the generic Oxycodone 15mg..... my Dr. told me that some generic drugs have only 80% of the medicine in them...... I wonder if this is why I don't get any relief from one pill?

Is this the case?

Also with my cervical epidural.... I did research them here.... I just wanted to here first hand from someone..... kinda nervous because I didn't get any relief when I got my 5 facet injections back at the end of Dec 08.... this my last option before surgery....

Thanks

Post Edited (Draka) : 7/4/2009 4:33:04 PM (GMT-6)

Draka,
Yes, generics can vary 20% more or less from the active ingredient in the brand name. That means you can get 80-120% of the main active ingredient. Some generic manufacturers are pretty close to the brand name, while others can vary greatly. Ask your pharmacist what manufacturer they use, and they may be able to tell you if a particular generic usually has more or less meds - usually by what patients tell them. Sometimes the only way to know is trial and error. And like Susie said some insurances won't pay for a brand name.

I've never had sedation for any of my epidurals or facet injections. I've found as long as the doctor uses a local anesthetic to numb the area, all I mostly felt were some sensations like pressure. Maybe briefly some pain but hey, we're used to that. Plus it allows me to tell the doc if he's in the correct area. So I wouldn't worry if you've had your facet or other injections without sedation; it should be about the same. I used to go back to work the next day, just with some ice packs handy!

PaLady

Thanks Merrygirl.... I feel better now.... I am seeing a different PM Dr for my epidural so I am not sure about the Fluoroscope... I would assume so.... my current PM Dr did use the Fluoroscope when I got my facet injections.


That skinks about the genetic medications too.... how is anyone to know that? I would have never known if my Dr did not say something about it....WHAT A SCAM... it makes no sense to me at all!!

I paid $46.00 for generic Roxycodone (Oxycodone) that's not cheap!!!! Grrrrr........ it really aggravates me... the whole system is crazy.

 

 

   Dear Draka!

 

    Im excited for you! This is awesome! I hope with all my heart that it is effective for you! My procedures give me my life back for a very very long time. *huggs* Good Luck!

 

*huggs*

dani

I had one done, and it didn't help at all; but of course, everyone's different. I also found the procedure unpleasant. The doctor did not let me lie face down. I had to sit on the table and keep my chin down. That's a terrible position for me or anyone with a neck problem. Good luck. Like I said, everyone's different.

Well... here I am five days after my cervical epidural...... sigh.... nothing so far..... no relief..... I am feeling really, really depressed... which is so not like me..... I know it's still early.... I think I was expecting this to work right away.

The experience was not great for me.... it was with a different PM Dr.... mine does not do epidurals.

This new Dr was in and out.... very impersonal..... I waited for over an hour to get my name called... was told by other patients there "be prepared to wait... first he does rounds at the hospital and then comes to the office..... I had to sign so many papers..... no malpractice insurance and some forms that said you could have your lawyer read it over...... WHAT.... they even told me I had to sign their PM contract even though I was NOT getting any meds from them.... I refused and they told me I had to sign them.... I told them again NO.... finally the office manager came out and explained I was only there for the epidural.... I told them that!

I got really freaked out because I had to put my face in a flat pillow..... I COULDN'T BREATHE AND STARTED TO FREAK OUT..... I told the DR too..... he didn't really seem to care.... my current PM uses a comfortable doughnut pillow where your face is in the open area....

The Dr was the only one in the room the whole time... when he was done he instructed me to lay there..... it was no more than two minutes and a nurse came in and put a band-aide on me and said..... OK done... take a left and then a left again.... BYE

My legs were shaking so bad I thought I would fall down.... my arms and hands were tingling and I was scared and confused.... lucky thing I read about this here and on line.... because that office explained squat to me....

I have two more epidurals scheduled.... I think I am going to talk to my current PM Dr cuz I don' think I want to do that again...... I am sick of DR's who don't take the time and just cram in as many patients as possible..

I AM SO FRUSTRATED........................

Post Edited (Draka) : 7/12/2009 12:46:19 AM (GMT-6)

     Dear Draka,

     Good Morning *warm huggs* I am very glad to see you. I LOVED your poem. 

    Your injections.... I am a little worried. Here's why... I always have a nurse for my doctor and another nurse that checks me, like my blood pressure and stuff. The pile of pillows and rolled up and folded blankets, etc takes the nurses a while to get me where my back is... as straight as posisble (straigth curves LOL) for my doctor and his "picture taking" machiene...but also for my comfort. So that is odd it was just the both of you alone and such little care was taken in reguards of your comfort.  It bother me greatly, hearing you tell us about that part.  I dont get the impression my guys are treating me differantly than anyone else. ... I really think you deserve more personal care. I hope this is not always to be the case with them.

    My injection may be diffirant but... They don't begin to start releiving the pain for like a whole week. serious. I told my doctor this and he shook his head "yes" like it was all normal and we continued on with conversation. Also! I dont know about anyone else but, it took about 2 to almost 3mos before we got just the right types of injecitons in all the right areas. I HOPE he sent you home with a peice of paper called a "Pain journal" or "Pain chart" where you mapp out your pain? when is your post procedure follow up?

    Frustraited to say the least! I still have to fight back fear before each procedure.. Im afraid if I were treated in the same fashion as you... i wouldda cried. I just cannot imagine how hard that must have been for you. I know it took a long time to get to this Pain Management doctor... but maybe? You might want to inquire about other .. professionals that your current doctor can recommend. 

**huggs!!**

dani

Draka,
I don't know the waiting time for every procedure, but I had a follow up appointment after a couple of weeks (usually took longer because the doctor was so booked) but the injections were scheduled to be 6 weeks apart.

Something doesn't seem right here. I'm glad you're going to look for another doctor.

PaLady

wow your experience was totally different than mine. there were 3 people in the room. I had oxygen, bp, pulse ox and even a heated blanket! I was shocked! my face was in a hole in the table.
I think you need to go somewhere else! i think my imjections were 2-3 weeks apart at first and my last one is 4 weeks apart.


I a sorry it was like that for you.

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I had my second epidural injection..... it was with the same Dr that did the first one.... I did end up telling my current PM Dr about how rushed and uncomfortable the first epidural was.... my Dr. told me this was a very reputable Dr and he does so many of these procedures they are like second nature to him.... so I went back for my second injection at his advice...

This time I asked for a better pillow...... it didn't seem as rushed... I didn't have to wait very long..... the Dr was still the only one in the room.

I was very nervous and called my current PM Dr to ask for 1 pill to help me relax.... they wouldn't give me anything.... they told me to ask the Dr doing the epidural..... I explained I couldn't get ANY MEDS from him since my current PM Dr is prescribing my medication... Good lord.... I was asking for 1 pill.... nope they wouldn't give it to me... turns out I didn't need it I did fine but still the whole system is crazy...........

No relief yet... I get my third epidural two weeks from now.... just had another cervical MRI.... in August I have a appointment with a surgeon.